Best Gear Essentials for Long Road Trips

1. Be Smart Get Prepared 125 Piece First Aid Kit

A first aid kit is an absolute necessity whenever you hit the road, especially on a long trip in your vehicle. This kit makes it easy for you to grab what you need with its full stock of 125 pieces of first aid essentials, like gloves, bandages, gauze pads, and alcohol wipes.

What makes this particular kit so great for your trip is that its compact case is just the right size to tuck away under a seat to avoid clutter inside. Still, everything packs neatly in the pockets of the case to keep it organized.

2. Beam Electronics Universal Smartphone Holder

Long gone are the days of clunky GPS monitors sitting on your dash. Many modern vehicles come with GPS systems, but if your car doesn’t have one, you probably use your smartphone for mapping your route.

This handy cell phone holder adjusts to virtually any phone size to keep it up on your dash and out of your cupholders, center console, or hands. You can install it wherever you can see it best on your dashboard to make it easily visible without distracting you while you drive. A quick-release button makes it simple to remove your phone when you need to. 

3. Reserwa Backseat Car Organizer

A backseat organizer is a necessity when you have passengers in the backseat – especially children. This organizer set comes with two so that you’ll have plenty of pockets to keep everything tidy in the rear of your car, from snacks to tissues to sunglasses.

These organizers even took into consideration tablets that your backseat passengers might use on a long trip. There’s a place to hold a tablet and slits for headphones and charging cables to keep them tucked away.

4. DBPOWER Portable Jump Starter

A vehicle breakdown is something no one ever wants to happen on a road trip, but there’s no telling when it might happen. Jumper cables should always be in a vehicle, even if you’re just making a quick trip to the store, but having a set on hand for a longer trip is a must.

This set is super compact, so it won’t take up any space tucked away in your trunk. Still, it has plenty of power to jump your vehicle and get you back on the move as soon as possible. There are even charging ports for your electronics, just in case they also need a boost on the trip.

5. SportRack Vista XL Cargo Box

Keep extras from cluttering the vehicle during travel with this cargo box that stores items on the roof away from the trunk or your car floors. This universal box is designed to fit most roof rack systems and doesn’t require any special tools or hardware to secure it.

Another excellent feature is that this storage box is UV-resistant, meaning that it won’t get damaged or warped from staying in the sun’s rays while you’re on the road. Still, it’s incredibly durable in the face of weather, flying rocks, and other issues that come your way on your adventure. 

6. AmazonBasics 4-Port Multi USB Car Charger

Does your vehicle have enough charging areas for everyone to keep their devices topped up on battery power? Even the newest cars often don’t come with more than a couple of USB ports or power outlets, which may not be enough on a road trip with a packed vehicle.

This charger plugs into a DC adapter to allow four devices to charge simultaneously with their USB cables. The LED light lets you know that your device is connected and charging. It’s compatible with many common devices, including iPhone and Android smartphones and tablets. 

7. Surviveware Biodegradable Wet Wipes

Making a stop at a rest area or portable restroom is often inevitable on road trips. These wipes can be a handy addition to your first aid stash when you need to go but may not have bath tissue readily available or just want to feel extra clean.

Not only do these wipes provide a convenient solution for restroom breaks, but you can also use them to refresh yourself after sitting in the car for hours or camping in the wilderness. Their large size makes them almost like portable, wet washcloths for a quick overall cleanse. 

8. lebogner Insulated Car Console Organizer

This insulated car console organizer doubles as a cooler and a regular organizer, depending on what you need it for. If you like to pack lunches to take with you on the road, you can use it as a cooler to keep drinks, sandwiches, condiments, and snacks cold until you’re ready to eat. You can even use it to keep food warm.

When you’re not using the organizer to store food, you can use it as a regular organizer to hold toys, pantry snacks, first aid items, and other goodies. It fits conveniently on a seat or in the back of your car, but when you’re not using it, you can fold it flat to keep it out of the way.

9. Berocia SUV Air Mattress

This mattress could become one of your new favorite camping hacks. Not into the tent life every night you camp? You could, instead, use this mattress. It fits conveniently in the rear of most SUVs with their back seats folded down for a little extra comfort and privacy. It’s also a good alternative to spending money on a hotel for a night of rest before you reach your destination.

This bed comes with an air pump to inflate it thoroughly in just a few minutes. Three separate air sections ensure that the mattress maintains its shape throughout the night.

10. Kids Travel Tray

If you’re traveling with kids, having activities on deck can make the trip a little more easy-going for everyone. This travel tray is the perfect size to fit over your child’s lap in the car while keeping a drink, books, and activities conveniently within their reach.

This activity center attaches with a strap around a car seat or booster seat to hold it in place. The tray, made with pockets and zippered pouches, has spots for everything to stay organized instead of scattered in the back of the car. 

11. Drive Auto Products Car Trash Can

Not only does this collapsible trash can store all your waste in the car from your trip, but it’s compact and lightweight enough to also remove from the vehicle to use when you’re camping. 

It’s not just a regular trash can that sits on the floor, either – although it could. Instead, you can use its included strap and buckle to attach it to the back of a seat, a door handle, or anywhere else that’s convenient for you while you’re on the road.

12. Napier Sportz Tailgate Awning Tent

Camping tents don’t need to be large and cumbersome to put together. This tent lets you make a makeshift place to sleep right in the back of your SUV by attaching to its tailgate. Use it as a tent or a shady awning when you stop to rest. The mesh screen keeps you bug-free and safe from the weather.

13. Ivation Portable Outdoor Shower

Showering while traveling shouldn’t be something you need to worry about, and this handheld, portable shower ensures that you won’t. You can tuck this unit away in a backpack, charge it with a 5V power adapter, and use it whenever you’re in the mood to get refreshed.

All you need to operate this is a bucket and some water. The pump moves water through the hose and out the showerhead to give you a gentle, cleansing shower wherever you stop on your trip.

14. Cutequeen Trading Steering Wheel Desk

Whether you have work to do while you travel or need to stop for a bite to eat, this steering wheel desk can probably come in handy. Use it to store your laptop to check emails, as a makeshift dining table, or as a writing desk to jot down some notes.

This lightweight desk hooks around standard steering wheel sizes. When you’re done using it, store it under or behind a seat.

15. Pike Trail Pocket Blanket

Have you found the perfect spot for a picnic lunch or a scenic place to snap some photos along your route? This compact pocket blanket will make for an excellent place to sit for an unplanned stop. It fits in a small, hand-sized bag with a clip that latches to your purse or backpack, but it unfolds into a blanket that can comfortably fit two adults.

This is also a handy addition to your first aid kit. The tear-resistant blanket can keep you warm if you need to make an emergency stop for a while.