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Road trips are an American pastime and one of my favorite ways to travel. So much so that I spent six years living in a van that I converted into a camper so that I could spend more time on the road. Over the years, I’ve dialed in a list of road trip essentials I always ensure are in my vehicle when planning a road trip, whether the trip is a quick weekend getaway or a multi-week adventure on the backroads of Utah. From vehicle necessities to personal products and outdoor gear, here are my road trip essentials.
Road trip essentials for your 2024 trip
I’ve broken up my road trip essentials into different categories based on their uses, including vehicle essentials to keep you safe and your car working as it should, personal care and hygiene essentials to keep you clean and healthy on the road, and gear for activities like hiking and paddling along the way.
Vehicle essentials
Spare tire and tools
Your vehicle should always be equipped with a spare tire and the tools needed to change a tire, and this is especially important when planning a road trip. Most vehicles come with everything you need, but before leaving your house, make sure your spare tire is inflated, and you have a jack and a lug wrench.
It’s a good idea to practice changing your tire in a low-risk setting before striking out on a road trip, or at the very least, review the instructions that came with your vehicle. The last place you want to learn how to change a tire is on the side of the road in an unfamiliar area.
Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry jump starter and air compressor
Photograph courtesy Amazon
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There’s been more than one morning on a road trip where I’ve gone to start my vehicle only to realize I’d accidentally left a light on and drained my battery. While jumper cables are a cheap, easy tool to jumpstart a dead battery, a Jump-N-Carry Jump Starter lets you jump your car’s battery without the aid of a second vehicle.
It’s a must for me when traveling through remote areas, where there may not be a second car to help me. The Clore jump starter also comes with an air compressor, so you can check your PSI and fill your tires on the road.
Slime tire repair tackle kit
Photograph courtesy Amazon
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Changing a flat tire can be a long and difficult process. It can also be a dangerous one if you’re stuck on the side of a busy road. Luckily, many tire punctures can be temporarily fixed with a tire plug kit, like the Slime Tire Repair Tackle Kit. Patching a puncture with a plug is a quick, relatively easy fix that will have you back on the road much faster than changing your spare tire. Just make sure you have an air compressor, like the Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry Jump Starter and Air Compressor, to refill your tire after plugging it.
Anker PowerCore 1000 portable charger
Photograph courtesy Amazon
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I carry a portable charger on trips no matter what my mode of travel is. While I typically use mine on long hikes or to charge my phone overnight if I’m sleeping in my vehicle, power banks are also a key piece of my emergency kit when I plan a road trip.
If your car breaks down or you’re in an accident that renders your car unusable, a power bank ensures that you’ll have enough charge on your phone to call for help and deal with any logistics needed to get you back on the road or home safely. I can get about three full iPhone charges with my Anker PowerCore 1000, and it’s small enough to fit in my pocket.
Helteko backseat car organizer
Photograph courtesy Amazon
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Road trips can be messy affairs, and it’s hard to stay organized in a small space, especially if there is more than one person in the vehicle. While many parents use backseat car organizers for their kids, I also use them for myself on long road trips. They’re a great way to keep small essentials like charging cords, toiletries, water bottles, and snacks organized and easy to access. The Helteko Backseat Car Organizer comes in a pack of two, and the organizers easily clip onto the driver and passenger seats.
Personal care and hygiene essentials
Touchland hand sanitizer mist
Buy it now at Touchland
When you’re on a road trip, you may not have as much access to hot water and soap for handwashing as you typically do at home. Gas station and rest area bathrooms are also infamous for not being the cleanest in the country. Touchland Hand Sanitizer Mist, an aesthetic, hydrating hand sanitizer, will help keep you healthy and hygienic while on the road. Use it before diving into any road trip snacks or touching your face.
Bamboo travel toothbrush
Buy it now at Bamboo Switch
I rarely go anywhere without a toothbrush, and the Bamboo Travel Toothbrush lives in my car during road trips for those early morning days and late-night drives. It’s sustainably made with replacement heads and nests within itself, saving space and helping keep the bristles clean while traveling. I also throw it in my pack for long hikes or backpacking trips while on the road. Just make sure you pick up some travel-sized toothpaste as well when planning your road trip.
Burt’s Bees sensitive facial cleansing towelettes
Buy it now at Burt’s Bees
For some reason, my face always feels dirtier on road trips. Whether it’s from long days of driving or all of the roadside hikes I take along the way, I constantly feel like I need to wash my face. Burt’s Bees Sensitive Facial Cleansing Towelettes are a quick, easy way to clean up without leaving my skin feeling dry. They’re also fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, home-compostable, and come in convenient travel-sized packs.
Sun Bum original SPF 30 sunscreen face stick
Photograph courtesy Amazon
Car windshields have a protective layer that blocks UVB and UVA rays, but it’s not as effective if the windows are rolled down. I like to keep a Sun Bum Sunscreen Face Stick in my center console to protect my skin on summer road trips. The face stick goes on clear and is easy to apply one-handed. It’s also small enough to fit in my pocket and convenient to bring along on any outdoor activities while on your road trip.
NOLS Med Kit 5.0
Buy it now at NOLS
I don’t go anywhere without a first aid kit, and the NOLS Med Kit 5.0 lives in my vehicle, whether I’m on a road trip or commuting to work. This robust kit is packed with gauze, bandages, wound closure strips, antibiotic ointment, a CPR mask, and basic medications. It was designed for extended expeditions in the backcountry, but I find it covers all of the basics I need when planning a road trip as well. I also pull out the essentials directly from the kit to take on any hikes or other activities while I’m on the road.
Gear for activities
Cotopaxi Batac 16L backpack
Photograph courtesy REI
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One of the best parts about road trips is the sightseeing and hiking you can do along the way. Cotopaxi’s Batac 16L Backpack is a great size daypack to carry your essentials while you explore, be it at an amusement park or a new trail system.
Two mesh water bottle pockets on the outside as well as a front vertical-zip pocket provide plenty of storage, and the pack is unstructured so it can be stuffed into a corner of your car when you’re done with it. It’s also made from repurposed nylon, in a fun, one-of-a-kind colorway.
(The 8 best travel backpacks)
Retrospec Weekender inflatable stand-up paddle board
Photograph courtesy Amazon
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My favorite way to explore a new area while on a road trip is to find a local lake and get out on the water. An inflatable stand-up paddle board is my preferred method and is far easier to transport and store than hard-sided kayaks.
The Retrospec Weekender Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board is designed to glide through the water, while the grippy, textured deck provides plenty of security for newer paddlers. When you’re done with it, simply deflate it, roll it up, and stick it in your trunk until you reach the next lake.
Meindl Utah light hiker hiking boots
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While you might have a favorite driving shoe, if you plan on breaking up your road trip with hikes, walks, or sightseeing, you may want additional footwear with more support. The Meindl Utah Light Hiker Hiking Boots is an all-purpose, lightweight boot that will keep you comfortable during long days on your feet. Waterproof and with a rugged outsole, the Utah Light Hiker Hiking Boots provide plenty of support for hiking, and the memory foam insole and stylish brown leather outer make them a great shoe for wearing in town as well.
(The 9 best walking shoes for women)
ENO DoubleNest hammock
Photograph courtesy REI
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While you probably think of hammocks as a backyard staple, they’re also a great addition to any road trip and make lounging outside of your car more comfortable. The ENO DoubleNest Hammock can fit two people and packs down to the size of a Nalgene bottle— far smaller than most camp chair options on the market.
All you need are two trees and a suspension system. You can also camp in the ENO DoubleNest Hammock if you prefer to stay in campgrounds rather than hotels while on your road trip. Leave the tent at home and just bring your camping hammock and a sleeping bag.
Maven C.2 binoculars
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Compact, waterproof, and available in 7x and 10x magnification, the Maven C.2 Binoculars are a great set of binoculars for birding and spotting other wildlife while on the road. Identifying new birds and animals, or even just looking at distant landscapes, is a great way to experience and learn about a new place. Small enough to keep in your center console, these binoculars weigh under a pound and can easily be carried in a day pack if you’ve planned a road trip with hiking stops.
Extra road trip tips
Make sure your vehicle is road-ready before heading out on any road trip. Part of your road trip planning should include making sure your car is in the best shape possible before you venture too far from home. Check your fluid levels, your lights, your brakes, and your tire pressure, and consider getting AAA or a similar roadside assistance service for any emergencies.
Take regular stops and don’t drive while tired. As the worn-out adage goes, ‘It’s about the journey, not the destination.’ Plan a few mornings or afternoons of activities that don’t include driving, and make a point to get out of the car every two to three hours to walk around and see to any personal needs. Pull over for the night before you get tired; drowsy driving is dangerous.
Be flexible. Some of my favorite road trips happened only after I threw out my plans and instead explored interesting routes and detours that I found along the way. Traveling by car gives you the ultimate freedom to choose exactly where you go. Don’t be afraid to make changes to your plans as you discover new things on your road trip.
Consider a satellite device. If you’re planning a road trip where you could be out of cell phone service for an extended period, you may want to get a satellite device so you can call for help in an emergency. There’s a very remote, 12-hour leg on my yearly drive from Alaska to the Lower 48 with no service, and I carry a small satellite messenger in case I break down.
Frequently asked questions
What can I pack for a road trip to not get bored?
Listening to audiobooks or podcasts is my favorite way to keep boredom at bay while on a road trip, especially if I’m the driver. Because they last far longer than songs, they hold my attention better during long stretches of driving. Both are available through Spotify, and you can also borrow audiobooks from your local library or buy them through Amazon.
If you’re planning a road trip with your family or other people, try a road trip game, like travel bingo, a scavenger hunt, or a memory game. Another great way to beat boredom is to plan interesting, scenic routes. I tend to avoid major interstates when planning road trips and instead take routes that may add time to my overall journey, but I am through more dramatic landscapes with plenty of options for activities.
How can I make a long road trip more comfortable?
The best way to make a long road trip more comfortable is to take frequent breaks to get out of the car and stretch your legs. I like to stop at least every two hours and plan my road trip breaks around meal times or interesting sites on my route.
If I’m planning a road trip that is more than a few days long, I build in days when I don’t drive at all and hike or paddle board instead. While driving, it’s also important to make sure your car seat is adjusted so that it supports your entire back and isn’t pressing into any one part of your body. Add a lumbar support cushion to your seat to increase comfort.
Chelsey Cook is an Alaska-based writer and mountain guide. When she’s not traipsing through the mountains of the world, she writes about the outdoors, travel, and conservation. She has a master’s in creative writing from the University of Cambridge, where she specialized in nonfiction that rewrites the adventure narrative for those who have been historically excluded. Her work can currently be found in Wide Open Spaces, Matador Network, and National Geographic.
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