Car camping calculators
Quick answerStart with the tent size calculator and the cooler size calculator: those two decisions set the size of everything else you pack.
- Tent size calculator: what size tent for a family of 4?Tent size by people, kids, dogs and bedding
- Cooler size calculatorQuarts by people, days and drinks
- How much ice do I need? Ice and ice-life calculatorPounds of ice and realistic ice life
- Sleeping pad R-value calculatorR-value for your overnight low
- Camp stove propane calculatorCylinders and pounds of propane for the trip
- 12V fridge and electric cooler battery calculatorHow long a portable power station runs a 12V fridge
- Will my camping gear fit in my car?Gear volume against your cargo space
- Car camping checklist generatorA packing list that builds itself
The four purchases every calculator here sizes
Gas One Portable Butane Camping Stove with CaseUnder $25Check price
Amazon Basics 4-Person Camping Tent with Quick SetupUnder $100Check priceSpec sheet
Coleman Triton+ 2-Burner Propane Camping Stove with InstaStartUnder $100Check priceSpec sheet
Gas One Propane Double Burner Two Burner Camp Stove with WindscreenUnder $250Check price
Coleman Skydome Camping Tent with 5 Minute SetupUnder $250Check price
JOYTUTUS SUV Tent for Camping with RainflyUnder $250Check price
Coleman Skydome Dark Room 4/6/8/10 Person Camping Tent with RainflyUnder $250Check price
Camp Chef Big Gas GrillUnder $500Check price
Gift guide Shopping for a car camper? See the Car Camping Holiday Gift Guide 2026 for picks by budget, from the big gift to stocking stuffers.
Get the car camping checklist
One printable page: the full packing checklist plus our three complete setups with budget ranges.
After the list, a few short emails, then a couple a month at most. Unsubscribe anytime. You can also read every setup free on this site.Researched guidance, not professional advice. Figures are published specifications or clearly labelled conventions; check your own gear's manual and your campground's rules.
