Imagine something catastrophic is happening. Say, a massive hurricane heading your way, an EMP knocking out the power grid, an army invading your country, or anything else that would cause people to hop in their cars and try to escape the cities. You’re prepared to shelter in place, but in these sorts of scenarios, you’ll have no choice but to bug out like everyone else.
The question is: how long would it take to get yourself and your family on the road? And more importantly, can you hit the road before everyone else floods the streets and turns every route out of town into a parking lot?
If the SHTF, you need to be able to pack the car, roll out, and get off the grid before the mass exodus begins. The minute you sense things going sideways, every second counts. Because once people realize what’s happening, you’ll face face total gridlock.
You might think you can bug out pretty fast, but if you actually did a trial run and timed yourself, you might be surprised how long it takes. Think about all the things you’d have to load into your vehicle: bug out bags, clothing, medications, important paperwork, food and water, weapons, sentimental items… The list is long. Then factor in time wasted looking for things you forgot, second‑guessing, and waiting for the rest of your family.
The goal here is to beat the traffic jams and get ahead of the chaos. If you follow the steps below, you’ll dramatically increase your odds of bugging out quickly and safely while the unprepared are still running errands, wondering what’s going on.
Here are 10 tips to help you bug out fast.
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1. Develop a Plan
A solid bug out plan is your first and most important weapon. Without it, you’re relying on guesswork and luck when things go sideways.
Your plan should include:
- Roles for each family member, so no one is standing around waiting for instructions.
- Packing instructions and vehicle layout, so everyone knows exactly where things go.
- Communication backups such as radios if phones go down.
- A clear destination (bug out location) and multiple ways to get there in case one route is blocked.
Most importantly, practice your plan. A bug out plan is only as good as your muscle memory. If your dry runs take 45 minutes, work on trimming that down. Every second matters.
2. Create a Bug Out Binder
A bug out binder is a carefully organized collection of your most important personal, financial, medical, and preparedness information. Think of it as your emergency brain: a single binder that holds the documents and details you’d need if you had to evacuate your home suddenly, or if you lost access to your digital records.
In the middle of a crisis, you won’t have time to dig through filing cabinets or try to remember passwords. A bug out binder gives you quick access to ID copies, insurance policies, medical records, bank info, property documents, emergency contacts, and even printed checklists or maps.
Setting one up may take a couple hours to make, but the payoff is peace of mind. In an emergency, you’ll already be prepared, organized, and one step ahead.
3. Make a List
Many preppers think that all you have to do is build a bug out bag and you’ll have everything you need. And while it’s true that your bug out bag should have everything you need to survive on foot, in most scenarios, you’ll be bugging out in your vehicle and may as well bring whatever you can fit in the vehicle with you (as long as it doesn’t take too much time to load).
But in an emergency, you can’t rely on your memory or just run around the house, haphazardly trying to decide what to pack. You need a clear, prioritized list of everything you want to bring along.
Start by breaking items into three tiers:
- Must-haves: Medications, ID, water, cash, weapons, communication gear, etc.
- Important: Extra fuel, camp stove, spare clothes, hygiene items.
- Nice-to-haves: Comfort items, games, books, luxury food.
Create a “10-minute pack list” and a “30-minute pack list.” If you only have 10 minutes, you focus on Tier 1. If you have 30, you move into Tier 2 and 3.
Tape copies of your list inside your bug out bag, your vehicle, and your front hall closet. When stress hits, you don’t want to be thinking — you want to be following a system.
4. Pre-Pack Whatever You Can
The easiest way to save time is to eliminate packing altogether. Your bug out bags should already be packed and staged. But you can go even further.
- Pre-load gear in your vehicle or garage.
- Pack seasonal gear ahead of time: cold-weather kits in winter, heat protection in summer.
- Store water and MREs in pre-sealed bins, labeled and ready to grab.
- Stash an emergency “go” bin in your vehicle. Basic tools, chargers, fire-starters, etc.
If you leave your vehicle outdoors, be cautious about food storage as high temperatures will shorten its shelf life. If you do this, be sure to rotate through it every six months. Otherwise, load up as much as you can in advance and check/rotate contents monthly.
5. Pre-Plan Primary and Secondary Routes
In a mass evacuation, everyone will take the same highways. That’s why you need alternate paths.
- Plan at least three routes: primary, secondary, and tertiary.
- Drive them in advance, noting landmarks, choke points, detour options, and fuel stops.
- Mark routes on printed maps (GPS may fail), and store maps in your vehicle and bag.
- Avoid major exits used by commuters. They’ll be jammed in minutes.
- Practice night driving in case you have to bug out after dark.
Bonus tip: Keep a bike rack and bicycles as backup. If you’re forced to abandon your vehicle, bikes can be a quick alternative, especially on backroads.
6. Maintain Minimum Stockage Levels
You can’t afford to make “one last grocery run” when time is short. That’s why you should always have at least 30 days of essentials at home.
Monitor your household’s average daily consumption and stock 30–60 days’ worth of:
Also keep an emergency stash in your vehicle: 3-day supply of water, calorie-dense food, and basic hygiene/first aid gear. Being fully stocked lets you skip the panic buying and hit the road while others are stuck in lines.
7. Fuel Strategy and Vehicle Efficiency
A full tank can be the difference between escape and disaster. In an emergency, gas stations will be mobbed or empty. That’s why you should:
- Always keep at least half a tank of gas. It means going to the gas station more often, but it’s worth it.
- Store extra gas in your shed or garage (be careful and check local laws).
- Know where to find less obvious fuel stops along your route.
- Bring a siphon kit in case you need to extract fuel from another source.
8. Pre-Position Items at Your Bug-Out Location
The more gear you stash in advance, the less you need to carry during your escape. At your bug-out location, pre-position things like:
- Food and water
- Solar chargers or generators
- Weapons, ammo, clothing
- Tools and repair gear
Choose a location away from common evacuation routes and ideally reachable by backroads. If you don’t own your bug out location, consider renting a storage unit off the beaten path. Here are some other places you could go.
8. Place Caches Along Your Bug Out Route
If your destination is 100+ miles away, you may need to resupply on the way. That’s where survival caches come in.
- Place small, hidden caches along your bug out routes.
- Include: water, energy bars, medical kits, ammo, maps, fuel (where legal).
- Bury or conceal them well, and don’t forget where they are. Mark GPS coordinates and keep them offline.
- Check and rotate supplies every few months.
These can save your life if your main pack is lost or if your vehicle breaks down and you’re on foot.
9. Monitor Early-Warning Signs
Most people miss their escape window because they wait too long. The sooner you decide to move, the better your chances of staying ahead.
Watch for:
- Emergency alerts and government warnings
- Unusual behavior by law enforcement or military
- Social media panic and viral rumors
- Fuel or ATM shortages
- Long lines at banks, stores, or gas stations
When several red flags hit at once, that’s your trigger. Leave before the herd reacts.
10. Use Communications and Intelligence
Once you’re on the road, staying informed is key.
- Use police scanners or apps to monitor roadblocks or major accidents.
- Follow local emergency channels for updates.
- Have offline maps on your phone and printed backups.
- If traveling with others, use walkie-talkies or ham radios to coordinate.
This gives you the ability to pivot quickly if a route becomes impassable.
Bonus Tip: Mental Readiness and Team Coordination
Gear is only part of the equation. Mindset and coordination are just as important.
- Run family drills quarterly. Time them. Learn what causes delays.
- Define decision-making rules: Who gives the order to leave? Who drives?
- Set rendezvous points in case anyone gets separated.
- Rehearse contingency plans: What if roads are blocked? What if someone’s missing?
The clearer the plan, the faster you’ll move when every second counts.
Final Thoughts
Bugging out isn’t just about having supplies, it’s about getting out before it’s too late. The moment the public catches on to what’s happening, the roads will be clogged, the stores will be emptied, and the danger will multiply.
If you hesitate, you get trapped. If you move early and efficiently, you escape. While the unprepared are waiting in line or stuck in traffic, you’ll be long gone.
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