I like to travel light when I am using air travel, and my wife puts up with it with good humor since she is not nearly as minimalist.

However, when I am taking a trip by car I bring tons of things, and most of it not even properly packed, but rather a motley collection of half full grocery bags in the back of my car. Sneakers in one sack, slippers in another, damp workout clothes in yet another. On and on.

Usually, it's not a big deal because I am going to visit parents or whatnot. I guess it's because the car is sort of a mobile closet, an extension of home base. Who knows, but that's just me. This extreme swing in packing methods provides a little amusement for my wife, so as long as that's okay by her I will probably continue with this goofy behavior.

Hmmmmmm.....you've made me think about that!
Last time we stayed in Niagara Falls (only a 2 hr drive from our house), we each packed a small bag (for our three days) and one shopping bag with breakfast items, milk, tea, coffee, bread, marmalade and some fruit. Our hotel room had a fridge and microwave.
After that I threw on the back seat, an umbrella, two rain jackets, spare shoes, camera gear, first aid kit and a lightweight fleece jacket (which was an afterthought).
So, yes I do pack differently with the car, I allow extra items but I try to control myself........the stuff still has to be carried to and from the car.

Having the car means being able to throw in a few "might need" things without impact...I usually have an extra pair of sneakers thrown in, and maybe a heavier jacket. These stay in the car for the duration of the trip, but are there if I need them.

Usually, I consider the car trips practice runs for one bag packing. When I went to the Green Party state convention with a backpack, I used that experience when I went to the national convention about six weeks later.
However, I usually find myself taking more items with me on car trips. That's okay. I consider that my chance to get my over packing tendencies out of the way. :-)

Car trip packs more, for sure. I'll take some CDs in addition to the Ipod. I'll take some food and emergency supplies and tools. I'll also probably take the big camera with lenses instead of the G9. A suit won't get packed but hung on the backseat. But I don't just throw everything in. My car packing is just as organized as my one-bag packing. At least at the beginning of the trip. ;)

Funny you mention this. We're going up to the Finger Lakes of NY State in a couple of months for 3 or 4 days, and I just know I'm going to throw something in the back seat that I wouldn't bring on any other trip.

Also funny - I will most likely pack for this trip in my Ogio duffel bag and not in my MLC or Tri-Zip. And now that I think about it I'll most likely bring more clothes with me than I would for a longer trip. ("Oh, it's only a few days, no need to do laundry in the hotel, I'll just bring more stuff.")

I named this phenomenon in another post - STOP Syndrome (Short Trip OverPacking)

http://www.1bag1world.com/blog/2009/3/23/flying-western-style.html

Heh. Hadn't even seen that thread. Good to know I'm far from the only one suffering from this malady.

Sounds like time for a support group. "Hi, my name is....and I suffer from STOPS. On my last car trip to visit relatives for the weekend I took TWO PAIRS OF ALL-COTTON JEANS."

I must admit that I don't worry much about what I take when I visit my parents, but I don't take much - I do one quick load of laundry and all is well. I usually can't count on laundry service on trips.