5 Things to Know About Cooler Size for a Trip

A 50-quart cooler is the baseline for two people on a three-day trip. Plan on roughly 20 quarts per person per day, but half of that space is for ice.

Most people underestimate how much ice they need. Figure one pound of ice per quart of cooler space. In a decent cooler, ice lasts about two days.

For longer trips, you need a bigger cooler or a separate ice chest. More ice requires more space. A separate drinks cooler, opened constantly, can be smaller and less insulated.

For a weekend trip, 48 to 60 quarts works for two people. This gives enough room for food and ice without overpacking.

For a week-long trip, go with 100-plus quarts or two coolers. Use one cooler for food and a separate, smaller one for drinks to minimize temperature loss.