I am about to head out for a week in Houston.
In all my years of I have always used a suitcase. I hate organizing everything into that bag but it is a necessary evil for air travel.
I have decided to drive on this trip and while I was out in the garage I saw a large rubbermaid container that would sure make packing and transporting all my crap a lot easier.
I am taking 6 outfits, 2 pair of shoes, starch, toiletries, tea and 2 containers to make tea to keep in my room.
I am on a strict budget and will have to stop and buy some groceries. They could go into the container, too.
When I get to the hotel, I could just use a bellman's cart to take the one box to my room.
I have really nice luggage... 3 different sets... but this would be so much more convenient.
Am I nuts?
Has anyone ever used a hard plastic carton for a trip by car?
Thoughts?

I think it would depend on 2 things:

1. How much stuff, including groceries, will you be lugging?

2. Are you purchasing dry groceries or wet/refrigerated groceries?

The first is important because you will have to get the container in and out of the car. Will it fit in the trunk? Will it be light enough to get over the edge of the trunk? Will it fit in the back seat?

The second will decide whether you really want to put your clothing, papers, etc. in the same container as your groceries.

I would probably use a small carry on bag for my clothing, etc. and use a rubbermaid container for the food. They have coolers on wheels now that would work easily (no need for the bellman's cart).

Will you only have to pack and unpack once?
It seems a little "much" to take a rubber maid bin as luggage for just a week in a hotel.
And if you are driving and using a bellman, you can bring more suitcases if it makes the organizing easier.

I have to say, I have never seen anyone check into a hotel pulling a Rubbermaid bin along behind them

It will take me about 5 hours to get to Houston. Once I am there, I'll swing by Whole Foods and get some groceries. Probably just snack type stuff. Nothing gooey or wet. The groceries will only be in the box from the car to the room, maybe 10 minutes. I'll just stick it in there to get it to the room.
I have ordered a refrigerator for the room, but that's mostly for my iced tea and keeping sandwiches or leftovers cold.
I leave at 6am tomorrow, so it's either this or the luggage.
I don't have any problems with it fitting in the car.
I'm sure I will take more than I need, but that's the great thing about the box and driving.
It does not matter

Yeah, only once. I will hang all the clothes up and thought I would just use the box for all my stuff. Well, I never really use drawers or counter space in a hotel anyway. I put away everything before I leave for the day.
I'll also be taking my pillow.
This is the first time I have considered taking a pillow on a trip, but since I will have room I figured what the heck.
This trip is pretty awful for me. The only speck of leisure is when I attend the mini Fodors GTG Sunday night. Other than that, it is work, work, work and study, study, study.
I will not be eating out or doing anything even remotely touristy. If I am not in the classroom, I will be in the hotel room.
So I am trying to make sure I have everything I could possibly need.

I'd take a suitcase and a cooler.

Go for the box. In the past, when I have traveled in my parents' motorhome, I didn't pack a suitcase. I used a clothes basket. It was so much easier to find things. Everything stayed neater too.

My brother has been doing the Rubbermaid container trick for years. It works very well with a family of four (especially on trips to the beach with all the beach gear that you need) so I say go ahead and do it! I keep a container in my car for grocery and shopping trips and I have to say it's really convenient to put many smaller bags in one container and make only one trip to/from car.

Wow, what a difference a Rubbermaid box makes!
For some reason it took 1/2 the time to get packed. I did not have to concern myself with it all fitting or weight. The box weighs much less than a suitcase, so the overall weight was not much different than my normal suitcase.
The shape just makes it much easier for packing.
So another difference with this trip is that I decided to drive the 5 hours vs spending 5 hours going to DFW, flying and getting a rental car.
OMG... what a nice experience. I stopped when I needed to go to the bathroom, when I got thirsty and when I passed the good Kolache place. I saw a Target and decided to stop there, too.
It took 4.5 hours to get to the hotel... about 30 minutes LESS than flying.
From now on, I will consider driving.
I-45 is really great. I-35 is awful so I was surprised how nice I-45 is!
Anyway... I am here, already unpacked and good to go!

For car trips I use these huge colorful plastic woven baskets that I've collected on trips to Mexico.

Personally I don't think car trips & suitcases work very well together.

So yes, go with the Rubbermaid is my vote.

On car trips I pack a suitcase and then something else - like a duffle - that stays in the car. This is for things like extra coats, umbrellas, maps - things I am not sure I will need but since it is the car I can throw in anyway.

Guess I am less organized, but when we are staying in an apt or condo and stop at the store, we haul the stuff into lodging in the supermarket bags.