I commute 22 miles round trip, but don't spend a lot of time "planning." I use a large seatbag (Carradice Barley) and keep all of my tools, inflator, spare tube, etc. in the side pockets all of the time. The only planning I do is to pack whatever clothes or food I bring with me to work each day. I don't do that until just before I leave in the morning. The secret to commuting is to make every routine so you don't forget something. The only time I ever forget something is when my routine gets broken -- such as when my wife gets up early on occasion and starts asking me all sorts of questions just before I leave for work. That causes all sorts of problems ... in more ways than one.