Tips for Transporting Food in Your Car Around the Holidays

Heading out for a season-themed potluck? Keep your dishes safe from spills with the best wraps, covers, and toasty carryalls.

Lindsay Martell | 

Nov 30, 2023 | 3 min read

Getty Images

With the winter holidays right around the corner, it's a great time to dust off those tried-and-true recipes that transform the season into a bona fide food fest. But before you fire up the oven, it might be a good idea to start planning how you'll transport those casseroles, cakes, and cookies safely over the river and through the woods.

Keep Your Holiday Favorites Under Wraps

One of the most cost-effective ways to keep food from spilling is to cover it with disposable products such as aluminum foil or plastic wrap. These time-tested materials adhere to many containers, whether glass, plastic, metal, or wood.

Those looking for an eco-friendlier option might want to try reusable wraps made of beeswax-coated cloth. These pliable coverings come in a variety of sizes and can be reused multiple times. Manufacturers suggest using your hands to warm them before shaping them around food and dishes. Unlike single-use pieces of plastic, beeswax wraps can last up to a year.

If you're transporting (mostly) mess-free items such as bread or rolls, you can simply drape clean dish towels or cloth napkins over the container. A rubber band will help keep them in place.

Can-Do Containers You Can't Live Without

No potluck or holiday gathering would be complete without portable containers. Using securely lidded ones made from glass, aluminum, or plastic will help with spill-free transport. They're sold in a variety of shapes and sizes — from small sauce cups to full-size casserole dishes.

If you'd rather not reheat your dishes when you get to your host's house, consider toting them in an insulated carrier. To help prevent your containers from sliding around on your floor or in your trunk, place them on a piece of nonslip shelf liner.

Boxes and Boxes for Brownies and Blondies

If you're bringing iced cookies, brownies, blondies, or a similar sweet treat, consider buying some sturdy bakery boxes. You can often find white, natural, and even pink paperboard boxes in a variety of shapes. Some are solid, while others have plastic windows for peering at the goodies within — a great choice if you plan to hand them over as a gift.

If your baked goods involve frosting, make sure you carry the items in a roomy box so the icing doesn't stick to the roof of the container. Many boxes have tuck-style lids that keep treats fresh and provide a secure seal.

Transport Beverages With the Coolest of Coolers

If you've been tasked with picking up champagne, a few six packs, or bottles of sparkling water, you'll probably want a cooler to keep those bubbles chilled. Coolers also come in handy to protect individually wrapped goods from tipping over in the car.

A hard-sided cooler can be a versatile option — the Coleman Chiller Series has a 16-quart offering that's easy to clean and features a super-sturdy handle. For those who prefer a soft-sided cooler, a 20-liter option from Maelstrom weighs less than 2 pounds and holds 75 drink cans plus a few ice packs.

Lindsay Martell

Lindsay Martell is a Charlotte, NC-based journalist, copywriter, and voiceover artist. She writes about everything from automotive tech to adult ballet to competitive cheerleading. Her work has appeared nationally across various automotive and entertainment outlets. Her skills are turning complex tech terms into simple, palatable pieces of information. She has covered technology since 2000, and thrives on covering innovative tech trends.