Put drinks on the bottom, food on top.

Yes. Cold air sinks, drinks are heavy, and you grab them more often. Pack a layer of ice, then drinks (cans and bottles), then another ice layer, then food in sealed containers or bags.

Keep food items grouped by meal or type — sandwich stuff together, snacks together. Use a small dry bag or plastic bin for anything that can get crushed. This way you aren’t digging through soggy chips to find a Coke.

A separate small cooler just for drinks is even better, but if you only have one, this vertical stack works.

Future you will thank you.