road trip essentials from amazon

10 Road Trip Essentials From Amazon You May Not Have Considered

Road trips are a part of nearly every great adventure. We often have to travel miles upon pavement before we can hit the trails we seek. In some instances, we may even spend more time in our cars en route to the great outdoors than we spend in the outdoors itself.

That’s why it’s important to outfit your car with the recovery and convenience items you need to make your road trip as comfortable, fun, and safe as possible. Day hikes, backpacking trips, and long vacations all tend to include some time out on the open road.

As such, we’ve rounded up a list of 10 of our favorite road trip essentials on Amazon. Road trip gear like this will ensure the highway miles are a memorable part of the journey. It’s time to gear up and get ready for your next road trip, no matter how near or far you choose to roam.

Jackery Power Station

A Jackery Power Station will keep all of your electronics juiced up for the entire ride. The Jackery Explorer 240 is an award-winning entry-level power station with a 240Wh lithium-ion battery. It only weighs a little over six pounds, but it can hold enough power to charge a phone dozens of times over or keep a portable refrigerator running for hours.

That said, Jackery has many power stations much larger than this if you want even more charge. In addition, the suite of available accessories, like solar panels and car outlet chargers, will help you keep any Jackery model at full charge for the length of your trip. With this, you can power almost every personal electronic accessory you would ever take in your car, from laptops to electric griddles and more.

See the Jackery Power Station

X-BULL Recovery Traction Tracks

Recovery traction boards are one of the best self-recovery tools you can keep in your vehicle. The X-BULL Recovery Traction Tracks perform as well as other similar products that cost double or triple the price.

These traction boards are well known to seasoned off-road enthusiasts, but they’re also worth keeping in any vehicle that heads off the pavement, even if only on occasion. If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in the snow, sand, gravel, or mud, you know how frustrating it can be. These traction boards will help you get out of sticky situations by providing grip when you need it most, plus they can act as a shovel if you happen to buy your wheels.

See the X-BULL Recovery Traction Boards

Alpicool Portable Car Refrigerator

What’s cooler than a cooler, a refrigerator! The Alpicool Portable Car Refrigerator will keep your drinks and snacks cool for far longer than a bucket full of ice will. You can plug this directly into your vehicle’s 12-volt charging port or connect it to a separate portable power station when you’re car’s engine isn’t running.

With an in-vehicle refrigerator, you’re going to save money in the long run on drinks and food by loading up at the grocery store rather than the fast-food drive-thru. This refrigerator has multiple temperature settings, including a fast freeze mode, and has a built-in LED light to boot!

See the Alpicool Portable Car Refrigerator

Crazy Cap 2 Purifying Water Bottle

Inspired by the necessity for clean drinking water while traveling the world, CrazyCap was created to eliminate the risk of water-borne illnesses due to contamination. With a quick tap of the cap, you too can have purified drinking water wherever you roam.

The CrazyCap 2 is a self-cleaning water bottle that destroys bacteria, viruses, and pathogens with a deep-UV LED that’s embedded in the rechargeable, screw-on cap. It’s a sleek, lightweight water bottle that’ll work as well on the trail as it would when touring a foreign country or strolling along your own neighborhood streets.

See the Crazy Cap 2 Purifying Water Bottle

CampFare Ready to Eat Camping Meals

Sometimes a quick, easy-to-make meal is in order, and for those times, a CampFare Premium Meal outshines fast food and meal bars any day. In as little as two minutes, you can make yourself a hot dish of chicken tikka masala, beef burgundy, or wild Alaskan salmon. The choice is yours!

Unlike most hiking and backpacking food, these are NOT freeze-dried meals. Rather, they’re fully-cooked and ready-to-eat meals that simply need to be warmed to your preference (if warm is even what you want). Consider this to be your gourmet road trip snack!

See the CampFare Ready to Eat Camping Meals

CloudLine Hiking Socks

The sad truth is that many hikers tend to neglect their feet. But your feet are doing all the work—so you should outfit them with the best socks available to keep them cool, comfortable, and free of blisters.

The CloudLine Hiking Socks are made of ultra-fine merino wool, nylon, and spandex. This material composition provides the ultimate in fit and comfort while also retaining anti-odor and anti-bacterial properties that’ll keep your feet free of stink—and that’s something that your car companions will appreciate, especially during a long drive back to camp after a hard day hike.

See the CloudLine Hiking Socks

Fisher Bullet Space Pen

Whether you need to mark a map or write a note in your trail journal, you’ll be thankful to have a pen that is sure to work when you want it to work. No grocery store pen can compare. So keep a Fischer pen in your car at all times, and slip another into your backpack. It’s one of those conveniences that you wouldn’t know you would need until you desperately need it—but this is your heads up.

See the Fischer Bullet Space Pen

Oru Kayak Foldable Kayak

Is a kayak a necessity? No, absolutely not. Is having one at the ready an awesomely adventurous way to pack for a road trip? Oh yeah.

Oru Kayak makes several foldable kayaks in different sizes, but they all pack down to a manageable size that can be stowed away in the trunk of any vehicle. The revolutionary design makes water-bound recreation a possibility for virtually anyone at any time. There’s no longer any need to lash down big, bulky kayaks on the top of your that reduce your mpg and add to the wind noise at highway speeds.

See the Oru Kayak Foldable Kayak

Vapur Flexible Water Bottle

A collapsible water bottle like the Vapur Flexible Water Bottle is perfect for day hikes. The flexible nature of the bottle makes it easy to store in a day pack both when it is full and when it is empty. You can drink straight from it like any rigid water bottle or use it as a backup water bladder for extra water storage.

The Super Cap covers a small drinking spout for when you want to sip, and the cap can be unscrewed for when you want to chug from the wide-mouth opening—this also makes it easy to fill or clean the bottle. Plus, it’s available in a veritable rainbow of colors. Go ahead and pick your favorite.

See the Vapur Flexible Water Bottle

Nature’s Willow Bug Bite Balm

Natural bug bite relief in the palm of your hand, Nature’s Willow Bug Bite Balm is the perfect solution to mosquito bites, bee stings, and other minor skin irritations. White willow bark is a natural pain reliever, and helichrysum is a natural anti-inflammatory. Paired with menthol, this combination offers instant soothing relief and a delightfully light aroma.

This ammonia-free insect pain and itch relief cream absorbs fast, so it won’t leave behind an oily residue that’ll rub off on your hiking clothes. While it’d be great if we could prevent every bite and sting from happening, that’s not a reality. When you do get marked by a bug, you’ll want to have this balm close at hand.

See the Nature's Willow Bug Bite Balm

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Arthur McMahon

Arthur loves to walk. It's as simple as that. He believes walking is the best way to experience the world. Thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail was his first backpacking foray, and he hasn't stopped since. Follow his adventures and stories on Instagram .

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54 Must-Have Road Trip Essentials + Packing Checklist

I’ve been learning the ins and outs of road trip essentials and perfecting my packing list since I was old enough to get behind the wheel. The open road had me hooked at a very young age and will continue to draw me in for the rest of my days.

As an eager teenager, I took my first adventure to Las Vegas with a carful of giddy friends. The complete freedom to explore as I pleased was exhilarating.

Since then, I’ve explored thousands of miles of my captivating home state of Colorado , driven the stunning California coastline, navigated the magical Hawaiian islands, and traversed the barren plains of Texas.

I’ve voyaged the sweeping Irish countryside, bumped up and down countless miles of rural Mexican roads, and soaked in the fascinating culture of North Vietnam on a motorbike .

These years of experience have taught me that packing for a long journey on the open road isn’t easy, so I’ve put together a list of my favorite road trip essentials to help you. I’ve also included an interactive checklist list, my top ten road-tripping hacks, and a list of all the lodging, navigation, and travel resources I use when I’m on the road.

Ready? Let’s get into it.

Road Trip Essentials & Packing List

• What Exactly Should You Bring?
• Safety & Repair Accessories
• Tech Gadgets

Food & Drink Must-Haves

Music, entertainment & relaxation, clothing & comfort items.

• Camping & Outdoors Gear

Family Essentials

• Organization & Storage Systems
• Road Trip Packing List + Checklist
• More Road Trip Resources
• Final Thoughts: Road Trip Essentials

What Exactly Should You Bring on a Road Trip?

This is a tough question to answer, I’ll admit. Everyone has specific needs for their road trip, and my setup will look quite different than yours. We’re all likely headed towards separate destinations when we jump in the car for an adventure, so what I throw in the trunk may not work for you.

Keep this all in mind as you look over my road trip essentials, and prepare for your trip as you see fit. Take some of my advice , get your hands on a few pieces of gear you think will help, and leave the rest behind.

If you want to skip past my recommended products and jump straight to my complete packing list, click here . The checklist is interactive, meaning you can click the boxes as you get ready for your adventure and stay organized throughout the packing process.

Safety Gear & Repair Accessories

Alarm System & Remote Start: Viper 5906v

If you’re taking a proper road trip, you’re likely to pack a lot of valuables in your vehicle that are essential to protect. So, arm your car, truck, or camper van with a proper — LOUD! — alarm system that can also auto-start your rig remotely.

VIEW ON AMAZON

Car Jack Kit: Big Red Scissor Lift

Nobody ever plans on getting a flat tire, but they happen regardless. A proper car jack kit will allow you to remove and replace your tire safely without expensive emergency roadside services. Make sure you have a spare tire and a lug wrench as well.

Power Bank Jumper Kit: Hulkman Alpha85

Dead batteries are a morale killer, plain and simple. This high-capacity power bank allows you to bring your car back to life by yourself and has a handy flashlight, compass, and USB charging inputs to boot.

12-Volt Air Digital Compressor: Fortem

Whether you want to fill a tire with a slow leak, need to adjust tire pressure for off-roading, or simply want to avoid paying for air at gas stations, this 12-volt air compressor will get the job done quickly, safely, and efficiently.

One Gallon Gas Container: Garage Boss

Running out of gas in the middle of nowhere is a drag, so get a portable gas container, keep it full, and hit the road with peace of mind. This $14 investment could be the difference between hitchhiking to a gas station and arriving safely by yourself.

Versatile 196-Piece Tool Set: DEKOPRO

Breakdowns and equipment failures are a very unglamorous reality of the road-tripping lifestyle. Keeping a versatile set of tools on hand will allow you to handle minor repairs when they arise and get you back on your way safely.

DIY Windshield Chip Repair Kit: RainX

Windshield chips are a pesky reality of road tripping and can get expensive and dangerous if ignored. This affordable repair kit will fill chips and cracks with a fast-drying resin and prevent them from spreading and ruining your windshield.

Duct Tape: Duck Tape Brand

If all else fails, use duct tape. (That’s what I tell myself at least.) Whether you’re sealing a leaky hose, patching a tear in your tent, or fixing a broken pair of sunglasses, a roll of duct tape is a must-have on your upcoming road trip.

First-Aid Kit: Surviveware

Whether you’re confronted with a minor scrape or an injury far more severe, a fully-stocked first-aid kit will be your ally. Packed with everything from band-aids to a CPR mask, this portable setup will be there when you need it most.

United States Atlas: National Geographic

Digital maps are handy, but a physical road atlas offers an in-depth look at your surroundings without the need for technology. Use this detailed, adventure-focused atlas to plan your US, Mexico, or Canada trip as you go. Traveling Europe? There’s an atlas for that too.

Tech Gadgets & Navigation Accessories

High-Capacity Power Bank: Anker PowerCore

For better or worse, a dead phone can leave us feeling powerless when traveling. Ensure that your devices are always ready for action when you’re away from an outlet with this hefty power bank that will fully recharge an iPhone 8 up to seven times.

Magnetic Phone Mount: Neckteck

If you’re road-tripping without a phone mount, you’re doing it wrong. I love this particular setup because it’s minimalist and reliable. Simply adhere a thin metal disc to the back of your phone case and a powerful magnet within the mount will hold it without fail.

4-Port Car Charger: Amazon Basics

A car charger with four ports is probably overkill on a road trip with a couple of people, but it’s essential for groups of three or more. Four ports means a carful of people can keep their precious devices charged at all times. Don’t forget extra long micro USB or USB-C cables.

Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker: JBL Charge 4

Whether you’re blasting tunes at a campsite or setting the mood in your hotel room, you’ll need a solid Bluetooth speaker to get the job done. The waterproof Charge 4 has mega battery life, powerful sound, and even has a USB output to charge devices when their batteries get low.

Digital Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M10

Cell phone photos probably won’t do your trip justice, so get a quality digital camera if you want to capture your adventure properly. My current travel camera is the budget-friendly OM-D E-M10, which is compact, easy to use, and takes great high-res photos.

Powerful Travel Stove: Camp Chef Ranger II

Those who want the option to cook meals on the road can do so with this incredibly powerful 34,000 BTU dual burner stove. The Ranger II can be attached to a standard 5-gallon propane tank or can run off of smaller one-pound camping canisters with an adapter .

Backpack Picnic Kit: Sunflora

If you’re going to cook in style on your road trip, you’d better eat in style as well. This luxurious picnic set not only has full tableware for up to four people, but also includes a blanket, cutting board, corkscrew, insulated food and drink compartment, and salt and pepper shakers.

12-Volt Fridge/Freezer: Alpicool

Keeping your food fresh and your drinks cold is vital during long stretches in the car, and this 12-volt fridge/freezer combo will do just that. It plugs into your cigarette lighter, draws power while the car is running, cools its contents quickly, and is incredibly efficient.

Portable Espresso Maker: WACACO Nanospresso

Of all the road trip gadgets on this list, this is one of my absolute favorites. With this handheld device, you can create restaurant-quality espresso on demand. All you need is boiling water, a Nespresso capsule (or coffee grounds), and your own two hands.

Rapid Water Boiling Stove: Jetboil Flash

If you need to boil water in an instant, the Jetboil Flash is exactly what you’re looking for. This lightweight camping stove takes water from room temperature to boiling in less than two minutes, allowing you to make tea, coffee, instant meals, and more.

Insulated Thermos: Hydro Flask

Whether your beverage is boiling hot or ice cold, the uber-efficient Hydro Flask thermos will retain its temperature for a very long time. My incredible 32 oz vessel has kept ice for over three days before it finally melted, which is a dream on longer trips.

Folding Table & Chairs: REDCAMP

If you’ll be cooking during your road trip, or simply want somewhere comfortable to play cards or eat takeout, a compact folding table will serve you well. This lightweight aluminum set comes with two chairs and weighs in at only two-and-a-half pounds.

Audio Book Subscription: Audible.com

Nothing passes the hours on the road like a good audiobook. An Audible subscription — click here for a free 30-day trial — gives users one free audiobook per month (to keep forever), selected free titles, guided exercises, and newspaper subscriptions from all over the world.

Streaming Music Subscription: Amazon Music | Spotify

If you plan on listening to CDs or MP3s on your upcoming adventure, you’re stuck about a decade behind. Get with the modern times and sign up for a streaming music subscription which will allow you to listen to pretty much any song whenever you want. Amazon Music | Spotify

Inflatable 2-Person Kayak: Intex Explorer K2

This durable and portable kayak will give you the freedom to explore lakes, gentle rivers, and other bodies of water as you please. Fully inflatable in just a few minutes, this cushy setup can put you out on the water at a moment’s notice. (Don’t forget to grab some life jackets !)

Frisbee: Innova Big Kahuna

Frisbees provide endless entertainment and will forever be a staple of my road trip packing list. Whether I’m camping, strolling the beach, or relaxing at a park, my Innova disc is a great excuse for me and my girlfriend to run around outdoors and breathe some fresh air.

Hammock: ENO DoubleNest

Leaving my hammock behind would be a huge hit to my relaxation capabilities on my trip, and is thus unacceptable. Thankfully, I’ve never forgotten my DoubleNest, so I can sway in the breeze at will (so long as there are two trees and a nice view).

VIEW ON REI

Waterproof Playing Cards: Kovot

I play cards frequently when I travel — gin rummy is my game of choice — and usually wear out a normal deck within a couple of weeks. Thankfully, I’ve invested in a set of waterproof cards, which stand up to humid environments (and spilled drinks) quite well.

Cornhole Set: GoSports Portable PVC

If frisbees, rafts, hammocks, and playing cards aren’t your thing, then maybe you can find a little entertainment playing cornhole. This lightweight setup — made of PVC and high-quality fabric — includes eight bean bags and packs away conveniently into a carrying case.

Polarized Sunglasses: Knockaround Fast Lanes

I tend to break or lose my sunglasses all the time , which is why I don’t let myself spend much on a pair. Knockaround’s polarized shades have the feel, quality, and style of high-end sunglasses, but only cost $25 a pair. They come with a carrying case, pouch, and cleaning cloth to boot.

VIEW ON KNOCKAROUND

Travel Pillow: Casper

Napping is an essential part of the road trip lifestyle and a comfortable pillow will take your sleep game to the next level. My small Casper Nap Pillow is compact, cozy, and stays cool as I watch the miles go by and fade away into dreamland.

Packable Travel Blanket: BlueHills

While we’re on the subject of car naps, I’d be remiss if I didn’t recommend a comfortable and portable blanket to help you get some sleep on the road. This microfleece blanket packs down to the perfect size for cars, and is great for airplanes, camping, and at-home use as well.

Earplugs: Howard Leight by Honeywell

When spending hours in a cramped car, sometimes you need to tune out the background noise. Ear plugs will help you do so, and give you some respite from your fellow passengers. I’ve tried multiple brands of earplugs, and these are by far the most comfortable.

Sandals: Montbell Aqua Gripper

Any road trip wardrobe is incomplete without a good set of sandals, and the Montbell Aqua Grippers are my top choice. They’re lightweight, portable, and versatile enough for hiking, watersports, or any other outdoor activity you might come across during your adventure.

Portable Clothes Washing Kit: Scrubba

If you’re frugal and impatient like me, you’ve got no time for laundromats during your travels. The portable hand-washing bag allows you to clean your clothes in a matter of minutes. All you need is some warm water, laundry detergent, and your own two hands.

Camping & Outdoor Gear

Lightweight 2-Person Tent: REI Half Dome SL 2+

If you do it right, your voyage will lead you to some beautiful camping destinations. Once it does, you’ll want a quality tent to get comfortable in and catch some rest. I recommend the REI Half Dome 2 Plus for couples, or the Half Dome 4 if you’re camping with three or more people.

Sleeping Bag: Hyke and Byke Eulos

Though I’m a bit of an ultralight gear snob and sleep in a $500 quilt, I’ve tested out a friend’s Hyke and Byke Eulos and was very impressed. It’s warm, lightweight, and uses water-resistant 800-fill down. The best thing about it? It costs about one-third of what I spent.

VIEW ON HYKE AND BYKE

Lightweight Sleeping Pad: Sleepingo

To catch some solid sleep in your tent, you’ll need a comfortable sleeping pad to cushion you from the ground below. This particular model has blown me away. It’s comfortable, packs down to the size of a Nalgene, and inflates and deflates as quickly as you could ever ask for.

Pressure Camp Shower: Nemo Helio

Life spent bouncing from campsite to campsite isn’t the cleanest existence, which is why a portable shower is a must-have on your next road trip. This foot pump pressure-powered system allows you to get a strong and refreshing stream of water on demand.

Packable Day Pack: 4Monster

Whether you’re setting off on a day hike or venturing into the city for an afternoon, a packable travel backpack will serve you well. This 24-liter waterproof pack will carry your gear, snacks, and other essentials with ease, and compresses down to the size of a soda can.

Camping Chairs: Moon Lence

Car camping without a comfortable chair is against the unwritten rules of road tripping, so get your hands on one of these if you haven’t already. They weigh only two pounds apiece, fold down into an ultra-compact carrying case, and are as comfortable as they are convenient.

Water Filter: LifeStraw Flex with Gravity Bag

Purifying natural water when you’re camping will save you money, time, and resources. I recommend using the LifeStraw Flex filter system to treat lake and river water safely and conveniently. Simply fill the bag, hang it up, and let gravity do the rest.

Collapsible Water Bottles: Platypus

Clunky metal and polycarbonate water bottles are a thing of the past when it comes to exploring the great outdoors. So, instead of bringing along your Nalgene or HydroFlask, opt for a far more lightweight option like the SoftBottle to store your backcountry beverage.

Multitool: Leatherman Wingman

Keeping your outdoor gear in working order is easy with the right multitool, which is why I recommend packing a Leatherman on your next expedition. Whether you’re prepping fishing line or tightening the screws on your ski bindings, the Wingman has the right tools to get the job done.

Portable Trash Bins: EPAuto

A family packed tightly into a car on a long road trip is a recipe for a mess, but it doesn’t have to be. This handy waterproof trash bin will attach to just about anywhere inside your car and can hold up to two gallons of trash without so much as a leak.

Wet Wipes: Amazon Elements

If you’re a parent to young children, you know quite well that literal sticky situations will arise on your next adventure. Be prepared for anything with this mammoth supply of baby wipes that’ll help keep your car and your children clean until the next backseat disaster.

Tablet: Kindle Fire HD 10

When all of the games, singalongs, and coloring books get old, the kids are going to get bored. That’s when you dazzle them with a tablet loaded full of fun games, apps, movies , and kid’s shows. Boredom will turn to delight, and all in the world will be right again.

Volume-Controlled Headphones: JBL for Kids

At $25 a pop, these just-for-kids headphones are a no-brainer for road-tripping families. These headphones max out at 85 decibels, which is designed to protect its listener’s hearing. They’ll pair up well with a fully loaded tablet to make for the perfect distraction when you need it most.

Family-Friendly Card Game: Kids Against Maturity

If you were to play Cards Against Humanity with your young children, you might just be a bad parent. Instead, play Kids Against Maturity, which is a family-friendly spin-off. It’s entertaining for both children and parents and is a great way for families to goof off on long rides in the car.

Sun-Blocking Window Shades: Enovoe

Children don’t enjoy having the sun shining in their eyes; nobody does actually. So, help them out by shielding the sun’s annoying (and sometimes harmful) rays with window shades. This transparent set won’t block the view out the window or create any blindspots, either.

Helpful Organization & Storage Systems

Rooftop Cargo Storage: Yakima Skybox

Sometimes, there’s just not enough room inside the car for all of your wonderful gear. Don’t worry, though, you can create more space. Slap a Skybox or two on the roof of your car and, just like that, you don’t have to leave any of your precious gear behind.

Trunk Organizer Tote: JACO CargoPro

In the heat of car travel, trunks can turn into a disaster zone in a hurry. Prevent the mayhem by setting up a few helpful organizer totes to keep all of your gear, gadgets, and accessories in order. Or don’t, and prepare yourself for a lawless and chaotic trunk of oblivion.

World Map Laundry Bag: Kikkerland

Stinky, dirty clothes have no business mingling with clean road trip supplies, so stash them in a laundry bag like a civilized human being. This world-map bag packs down into the palm of your hand, and can stash a decent amount of clothing when thrust into action.

Road Trip Packing List + Interactive Checklist

Here’s the exact packing list and interactive checklist I use to get ready for my road trips. Click the ‘+’ sign to expand the category, and use the checkboxes to stay organized as you pack for your trip.

Roadside Emergency Kit

First-Aid Kit

Gas Container

Car Jack Kit

Jumper Cables

Air Compressor

Windshield Chip Repair

Car Charger

Charging Cables

Battery Bank

Lantern/Light

Bluetooth Speaker

Camera Lenses

Camera Batteries

Camping Stove

Cutting Board

Bottle Opener

Coffee Maker

Cooking Oil

Cooler/Refrigerator

Long Sleeve Shirts

Button-Up Shirts

Rain Jacket

Light Jacket

Winter Jacket

Athletic Shorts

Skirts/Dresses

Bathing Suit

Long Underwear

Hiking Boots

Baseball Hat

Soap/Laundry Detergent

Laundry Bag

Clothing Line

Safety Pins

Toiletries Bag

Conditioner

Hair-Styling Product

Dental Floss

Contact Solution/Case

Ear Cleaner/Swabs

Nail Clippers

Advil/Aspirin

Multivitamins

Playing Cards

Sporting Equipment

Journal/Pen

Sleeping Pad

Sleeping Bag

Travel Pillow

Water Filter

Water Bottles

Camping Shower

Folding Table

Camping Chairs

Packing Cubes

Reusable Grocery Bags

Storage Totes

Window Shades

Water Storage

Toilet Paper

Garbage Bin

Lighter/Matches

Windshield Scraper

Medical Insurance

Car Registration

Car Insurance

Helpful Road Trip Resources

Now that you have your essentials and packing list squared away, it’s for some tools to crush your next road trip. Here are a few helpful resources that’ll help your next adventure go smoothly:

• RoadTrippers – Incredibly detailed trip planner to build your dream itinerary
• Hipcamp – Connects users with private landowners who offer camping on their property
• Booking.com – My go-to website for booking affordable hotels, hostels & homestays
• Couchsurfing – Budget-friendly lodging option where hosts offer up a free place to stay
• Turo – Rent private cars at fair prices to avoid going with big-box companies
• RentalCars – Puts users in touch with car rental agencies all over the world
• GasBuddy – Helps users find the most affordable gas prices within a certain radius
• WorldNomads – Widely-trusted travel insurance popular in the backpacking community

Essential Gear + Packing List = Perfect Road Trip 

Well, I’ve divulged about as much info as either of us can handle when it comes to road trip essentials and packing lists. I hope you found some useful gear, hacks, and resources to help you plan your next journey on the great open road.

While you do that, I’ll be busy plotting my next adventure: a 3,000-mile adventure to the Pacific Northwest region of the US. I’ll be booking campsites, gathering a long list of can’t-miss destinations, and piecing together the most scenic route possible. I’m going to get as prepared as I possibly can.

But, if my wild and unpredictable history of car voyages is any indication, few things will go according to plan. At least I’ll have my road trip essentials and packing lists to cling to when life on the go gets dicey.

Stay safe out there, and may the open road lead you to fascinating new places.

Last Updated on March 19, 2024

Noel Krasomil

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8 Road Trip Essentials You Can Find on Amazon

Hi friends! As you may or may not know, I’d like to consider myself an expert on the modern day millennial’s road trip. I’ve taken four cross-country road trips in the last three years, and I feel like I’ve learned from experience pretty much everything you need to know to plan and carry out a successful road trip as a 20-something without children. Over the years I’ve developed a few road trip essentials that I know I absolutely must have to make sure my road trips are comfortable and go off without a hitch.

As I sit in isolation and hope to begin planning a corona-roadtrip of my own (when I can do so safely, of course), I wanted to share with y’all some of my favorite items from Amazon that I love to bring with me on any road trip, be it a few days or a full cross-country endeavor. I know these products have saved my ass more than once (sometimes quite literally) and I personally would never leave for a road trip without them!

Here are my Top 8 Amazon Road Trip Essentials

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission if you shop through these links at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting me through these links! For more information, check out the  disclaimer here .

1. Magnetic Phone Mount

I don’t care who you are, I don’t care what you think you’re capable of, you absolutely need a phone mount in your car. When driving cross-country, or literally anywhere you don’t know, you’re constantly going to have your GPS up, and you’re constantly going to need to be able to see the phone and see the road. Don’t trick yourself into thinking you can hold the phone in your hand or in your lap and you’ll be fine. You won’t be! Your charging cord is gonna get caught up and your phone is gonna slip out of your hands and next thing you know your head is between your knees trying to dig it up while you’re swerving into opposing traffic on a two-lane road. We hate to see it, so just get a phone mount!

I personally prefer these magnetic ones that you can slide into your air vents. If your vents aren’t positioned the best for this, try this dashboard version ! Either way I’d definitely go with a magnetic one so you don’t have to fumble with clips or holders, and you can just grab your phone on and off super easily.

An added benefit of the phone mount? If you have a Ron Textall behind the wheel who can’t seem to keep his hands off his Instagram feed when he’s driving (rude), having the phone mounted where everyone can see it is a great accountability measure that keeps everyone safer in the car!

2. Neck Pillow

I’m fortunately one of those people who can sleep in pretty much any position, but at the bare minimum I like somewhere to lean my head. In the passenger seat, that’s not usually a problem, but on bumpy, unpaved roads it may be a little less comfortable than you’d prefer.

Enter the neck pillow. Gone are the days of the old beanbag half-moon. Neck pillow technology has advanced leaps and bounds and a road trip is the perfect place to take advantage of it. This neck pillow is made of a contoured memory foam that’s comfortable and supportive. You also have the benefit of enjoying it in the privacy of your car and not the embarrassing public forum of an airplane! It also comes with an eye shade and earplugs in case your driver is being particularly annoying!

3. Butt Pillow

Is the comfort meant to stop at the neck? I’m sorry but was I raised in a barn? We are all queens here and we deserve to be treated as such. You deserve a butt pillow.

So much of road tripping is literally just sitting down for an excruciating amount of time. And you really don’t realize how uncomfortable a car seat can be until you spend 14 hours in it without moving. Butt pillows are a game changer for the road trip world, folks, and I really don’t see enough people talking about them. They are in the top tier of road trip essentials, and your car trip is not complete without one. Treat yourself.

4. Car Power Inverter/Charger

Alright, we know I love to be hyperbolic on this blog but let me tell you I am about to be 100% serious with you. If you buy one of these road trip essentials from amazon, it needs to be this. This car charger/ac adapter is a GAME CHANGER , especially for people, like me, who spend much of their downtime in the car blogging, editing photos, or working online.

This little guy is super compact and plugs right into your dashboard. It has one AC outlet and two USB outlets, which are perfect for charging your laptop, drone, camera, and phone battery all at once. The USB ports charge my phone faster than any car charger I’ve ever used. It’s affordable, it’s reliable, doesn’t overheat or cause any problems, and it’s probably my holy grail road trip product. I first bought this when my ex and I went on our first road trip together, and the one thing I’m pissed about to this day is that I left it in his car when we broke up. I need to buy another immediately cause any time I’m in a car without it now I get mad that nothing charges as fast. It’s that good.

5. Trave l Hammock

This one isn’t for the travel as much as it is for the destination. These hammocks come in about a billion different colors, are insanely compact, and come with tree straps, carabiners, and everything you need to hang out literally anywhere. They’re durable and I’ve found that they’re plenty big for two people. I love these for hanging in national parks just to take in the beauty, but they’d also be great even for a little stopover on a long drive just to relax and get out of the car a little bit. I can’t recommend this enough.

6. Emergency/First Aid Kit

I know we love to have fun here but sometimes you have to leave room for common sense, and this product is just that. If you’re traveling anywhere and you don’t already have an emergency/first aid kit in your car, you very much need to grab one. This one has a little bit of everything you hope you never need but will be glad if you do, like a seatbelt cutter, jumper cables, alcohol wipes, bandages, tools, a flashlight, and more. I know for a lot of people, especially if you grew up near the city and in the northeast like I did, it can be jarring how truly desolate some of the drives out west are. Growing up in an area where you never drove further than 5 miles before you saw another highway exit, gas station, or convenience store, it was a total shock to me when I found myself on my last half gallon of gas in the middle of nowhere, South Dakota with no other cars or people in sight. Being prepared for the unexpected can be the difference between the best road trip of your life and like.. the last one… so just make sure you have an emergency kit!

While you’re at it, make sure you or someone you’re traveling with is signed up with AAA . Not only can their roadside assistance be a lifesaver (take it from me, the girl who has blown more tires on deserted roads than anyone), but they also offer discounts on hotels and national parks!

7. Fuzzy Blanket

Ok one more comfort item and then I’m done. Something I think people really fail to consider, especially when driving cross country with another person, is that you’re going to have temperature differences. Aside from two people generally preferring different temperatures, there are going to be times in the day when the sun is beating down on the drivers side but the passenger side is in the shade. Instead of fighting over the AC and messing with the vents, just grab a blanket! This one is warm and fuzzy and has the added benefit of being textured enough to hide the stains from when you inevitably spill fast food on it at some point in the drive. It can also be worn as a modesty blanket skirt if you want to sit cross-legged in the passenger seat but you’re wearing a skirt or dress and don’t want to flash the world. Multipurpose!

8. Portable Speaker

Okay, one last thing and I know it’s kind of a wild card, but bring a bluetooth speaker. I’ve driven cross country in a moving van with my phone in a solo cup to boost the sound because I couldn’t connect my phone to the audio system in the car. I’ve driven in silence for hours because my aux cord broke or my bluetooth shorted out. The one thing you’re never going to want to be without on a road trip is sound. Whether it’s music, a podcast, an or the audio from an old episode of the office you’ve seen a thousand times, sound is one of the few road trip essentials you can’t compromise on. I strongly recommend bringing along a bluetooth speaker just in case the worst happens and you for some reason can’t use your car’s stereo system. Worst case scenario, you don’t need it — then you have a speaker to listen to music by the beach, in the forest, or wherever your trip takes you!

This particular speaker is my holy grail bluetooth speaker that I own and love. You definitely don’t need something this major, but if you’re in the market for a bluetooth speaker anyway, I highly recommend this one. The sound is perfect, it’s easy to use, and it’s waterproof!

Okay y’all, thanks for hanging in there. Those are my 8 road trip essentials you can get from Amazon. I hope this was helpful to you and you can pick them up before your next trip across the country!

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Nichole the Nomad

I never thought of a butt pillow!!! I always complain about how my lower back and butt hurt on flights, so that is the perfect solution! These are super great essentials. Thank you for sharing!!

Go For Kady

It’s a TOTAL game changer! Glad I could help!

A butt pillow is a great addition to any roadtrippers packing list! I have never actually owned one… and need to invest! Travel hammocks are THE BEST! Great post!!! Sidenote – LOVE your site! Your logo is so beautiful!

Girl you are too kind, thank you so much!!

These are such great trips, thanks for sharing! Especially the neck and butt pillows would be items I’d definitely look into buying for long-distance trips, either flights or road trips. I’ve never been sure about the neck pillows but the one you listed here looks really good and so different from those old-fashioned standard neck pillows you’d see at the airport. As for the butt pillow, I had never heard of them ha ha but I’m curious to trying one 😉 I hope you’ll get to go on your solo road trip safely soon then, have a great time when you do finally get the chance! x

A butt pad is definitely needed especially for long road trips.

snacks are a must for me on a road trip. Also if not the driver, socks for some reason.

Love the idea of the magnetic mount as accountability for the driver LOL. We all have that one friend!

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32 road trip essentials for adults and kids.

Travel more comfortably with these road trip must-haves.

Road Trip Essentials

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While you don't necessarily need a lot of things for a successful road trip, certain items can't be overlooked. Read on to discover which items you should consider adding to your road trip packing list, or jump to the section on what to pack for kids .

Road trip essentials for adults

From roadside emergency must-haves to multipurpose gadgets you can use throughout your journey, these are some of the most helpful items to have on a road trip.

"Hanger" can make a road trip go south pretty quick. Pack your favorite snacks and put them in an easily accessible spot.

Courtesy of ICEMULE

You might want to bring a small cooler for any snacks and drinks that need to stay cold. If you don't already own one, the best cooler bags include the ICEMULE Classic (available in a variety of sizes) and the CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag .

A seat organizer like this one by YOOFAN can help you keep snacks, tissues and any other essentials close at hand. Plus, it can double as a reusable bag for any small purchases you make during your road trip.

USB charging cables

If you have USB ports in your car, buy a set of charging cables so you can keep your devices charged and also play music and podcasts from your phone. Compatible with Apple devices, this two-pack of Amazon Basics cables is well rated; for Samsung devices, try these Anker cables . Both sets have 3-foot cords, which are the perfect size for car travel.

Portable charger

Courtesy of INIU

Even if you have charging ports and cables in your car, a portable charger is good to have on hand, too. Travelers rave about the INIU Portable Charger for its slim, lightweight design and overall efficiency.

Jumper cables

A set of jumper cables is essential to have in your car at all times, whether you're driving 2 miles down the road or 200 miles away from home. The Energizer Jumper Cables are especially well rated. Available for less than $20 on Amazon, the 12-foot-long cables are perfect for any car type and come with a travel bag for easy storage. Longer cables are also available.

Portable tire inflator

A portable tire inflator can be a lifesaver if you find your tires have a slow leak during your trip. The AstroAl Air Compressor Tire Inflator is compact, so it won't take up much space among the other gear in your trunk, and it includes an LED flashlight with independent switch control. It is programmed to stop automatically once it hits the preset tire pressure and it comes with a 36-month warranty.

Other travelers prefer the ViAir 88P - 00088 Portable Compressor Kit , noting it works well with a wide variety of vehicles. In addition to a 12-foot air hose and a 9-foot power cord, the kit comes with alligator clamps that power your air compressor by attaching to your car's battery.

Courtesy of Snow Joe

If you're traveling during the winter months and/or to a destination where you might encounter snow and ice, make sure you have a snow broom in your car. The Snow Joe 4-in-1 Telescoping Broom is especially convenient for travel because of its lightweight, foldable design, and recent buyers confirm the foam head prevents any scratching. This snow broom also features an ice scraper and LED lights with a blinking functionality for emergencies.

Dashboard phone mount

Avoid distractions by installing a dashboard phone mount before your journey starts. The iOttie Easy One Touch 5 comes with a telescopic arm, a magnetic cord organizer and a strong-hold suction cup. Plus, its easy one-touch lock-and-release mechanism (a feature that is much appreciated among recent customers) makes taking your phone on and off the holder a breeze. If you don't like the rigidity of traditional dashboard phone mounts, consider choosing a phone mount with a flexible arm instead.

Car document holder

In the event that you get into a car accident or are pulled over by the police, having easy access to your car's registration, insurance information and owner's manual is crucial – whether you're traveling or not. This two-sided holder , which comes in a pack of two for less than $5 on Amazon, does the job.

Roadside emergency kit

For peace of mind, many travelers recommend an all-purpose roadside emergency kit . These kits are typically equipped with a tire pressure gauge, a utility knife, safety gloves, cable ties, a tow rope, tire repair tools, first-aid supplies, rain ponchos and other useful items.

Courtesy of Busy Co

Freshen up with the extra-large body wipes from Busy Co , which are suitable for dry, oily and combination skin types. They address a variety of skincare needs, including clarifying, toning, soothing and nourishing. Recent customers appreciated the large size of the wipes and said using them made them feel refreshed while traveling.

Lysol wipes

Disinfecting Lysol wipes are a must-have on your travel packing list. These cleaning wipes kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, so you can feel protected while on the road.

Disposable toilet seat covers

Using disposable toilet seat covers can help you avoid germs and stay clean when you stop for restroom breaks at gas stations, port-a-potties and campgrounds.

Nausea relief

Courtesy of Sea-Band

Long hours in the car might sound daunting to anyone prone to motion sickness. In those cases, having preventative nausea medicine like Dramamine can be a lifesaver. If you prefer a drug-free alternative, Sea-Bands are anti-nausea wristbands that use acupuncture as a natural remedy to reduce motion sickness. Travelers say these bands are highly effective at reducing nausea.

Hand sanitizer

From gas pumps to ATMs, you never know what germs you may encounter on a road trip. Protect yourself against viruses by keeping a bottle of hand sanitizer in your car.

Book or e-reader

Sitting in the car for hours can be painfully boring at times. Bring a good book or an e-reader like the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite , which puts thousands of books at your fingertips. The device boasts up to 10 weeks of battery life, adjustable warm light and a glare-free display, which recent reviewers said made marathon reading sessions a breeze. Meanwhile, kids can enjoy the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids , which offers a special font for children with dyslexia and comes with a two-year warranty.

Rooftop cargo carrier

Save some space inside your vehicle by opting for a car roof cargo carrier. With an anti-slip mat and reinforced adjustable straps, the waterproof FIVKLEMNZ 15 Cubic Car Roof Bag Cargo Carrier from Amazon is suitable for any car type. Recent customers say that they had no problem getting it to stay in place even on high-speed roads.

Car trash can

Courtesy of Hotor

There's no doubt about it – road trips can generate a lot of trash. Keep your car clean on your next adventure with this Hotor car trash can from Amazon. Complete with an adjustable strap, mesh side panels for storage and a leakproof interior lining, this useful accessory comes highly recommended by travelers who find themselves frequently on the road.

Dog waste bags

Even if you don't have a dog, hear us out: Dog poop bags are useful for a variety of needs, from general waste to dirty diapers to unexpected accidents caused by motion sickness. The Earth Rated bags are 100% leakproof, and buyers agree they're effective at eliminating odors.

If you'll be sitting in the passenger's seat or backseat, bring a pair of earbuds or headphones. For kids, consider the fleece CozyPhones , which are volume-limiting for little ears and come in a variety of animal themes.

Travel pillow

Courtesy of Cabeau

Car passengers can get a bit more comfortable with the help of an ergonomic neck pillow for travel . Top-rated options include the Cabeau Evolution S3 and the MVLOC Travel Pillow .

Shield your eyes from the sun by picking up a good pair of sunglasses before your trip. Choose sunglasses that protect against the sun's UVA and UVB rays, and are polarized to block glare. Travelers love that these Ray-Ban Aviator Classic sunglasses come in a variety of tints and can even be customized to fit your needs. For a more budget-friendly option, check out these SUNGAIT Ultra Lightweight Rectangular Polarized Sunglasses from Amazon, which recent customers say are very comfortable and perfect for road tripping.

Beach blanket

Courtesy of WEKAPO

A large beach blanket or towel is one of the most versatile accessories you can bring on a road trip. You can use it to have a picnic lunch, to clean up a spill, to dry off playground equipment after a rainstorm and more.

Reusable water bottle

Skip the plastic bottles and opt for a high-quality reusable water bottle on your next trip. This  40-ounce bottle from Hydro Flask  keeps drinks hot for 12 hours and cold for a full day. It also comes with a lid with a built-in straw, which consumers say makes it convenient for driving. For kids, a durable water bottle like this  12-ounce YETI Rambler  fits the bill: Its stainless steel bottle is dishwasher-safe and shatter-resistant, a feature that parents love.

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Road trip essentials for kids

In addition to snacks, headphones, reusable water bottles, sunglasses and – depending whether your kids are in a car seat or not – travel pillows, the following items are essential to a successful road trip with kids.

Seatback organizer

A car seatback organizer lets you arrange road trip essentials on the back of the driver's or passenger's seat, where they're within reach of small hands. Many buyers said this seatback organizer from Amazon took some of the stress out of traveling with kids, thanks to its multipurpose storage compartments, including a place for a tablet and plenty of other spots to store key items for your trip.

Travel tray

Courtesy of LUSSO Gear

If your co-pilot is constantly turning around to pick up toys or pass out snacks, a backseat travel tray is in order. The LUSSO Gear Kids Travel Tray comes with a safety strap that can be secured to any car seat, and includes a dry-erase board table, a cup holder, a storage compartment for toys and a no-drop tablet viewing stand. Reviewers loved the tray's whiteboard area and said it was a great way to keep kids entertained on long car rides.

Window shade

Protect your backseat drivers from UVA and UVB rays with some window shades. Many parents like the shades by Enovoe , which come in a two- or four-pack.

Bag of small toys and activities

Load up on small toys you can surprise your kids with throughout the journey. Wikki Stix , Melissa & Doug Water Wow pads and sticker books are all good, low-cost activities, and you can find other cheap options at your local dollar and thrift stores. You might even add some candy to the mix, especially for that last leg of the trip.

Most parents want to keep screen time to a minimum, but all bets are off when it comes to travel. Consider a tablet like the Amazon Fire Kids , which comes with a protective case and one year of Amazon Kids+. Amazon Kids+ features thousands of ad-free books, games and apps; for any streaming services you have at home, you can download TV show episodes and movies so the kids don't need Wi-Fi to watch them.

Small blanket

Courtesy of Cubcoat

Bring a small blanket and/or other comfort item from home to ensure the kids are cozy and content in the backseat. You could also bring a Cubcoat , which is a two-in-one stuffed animal that transforms into a hoodie. Your child's furry friend (think bunnies, sloths and puppies) doubles as a soft, zip-up sweatshirt, and you get to save some space in your suitcase.

Kids travel journal

A kids travel journal makes it easy for your child to document their road trip and all the fun things they see and do. Plus, many kids journals feature world maps, puzzles, fun facts and more activities to keep boredom at bay.

Road trip tips

Plan your stops.

It can be helpful and fun to plan your road trip stops ahead of time. Break up the trip with stops at a pretty park, a quirky roadside attraction or a top-rated restaurant.

Debit cards and Venmo may be the way of the world nowadays, but you may still run into a few places on your journey that are cash-only. Be on the safe side by keeping some spare cash on hand.

Download a fuel savings app

You can save some money on fuel by using apps like GasBuddy , which will show you the cheapest gas prices in your area. Go the extra mile by signing up for a gas rewards credit card to get the most bang for your buck.

You might also be interested in:

• Vacation Packing List
• The Best Kids Luggage
• The Best Carry-on Luggage
• The Best Travel Insurance Companies

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41 Things You Need for Your Next Road Trip

Hit the highway in comfort and style with these travel heroes.

Related To:

Before you hit the open road, make sure you have all the essentials you'll need for a stress-free trip. From comfortable good-to-haves (like pillows and blankets) to safety just-in-cases (like first aid and emergency kits), you'll be glad you traveled prepared. Whether you're hitting the road for a day or two weeks, make sure these easy-to-pack items are in tow.

ESSENTIAL GADGETS

Adjustable Car Cup Holder Expander

Long road trips require large water bottles, but many standard car cup holders aren't large enough to fit larger reusable water bottles from popular brands like YETI, Hydroflask, Stanley and more. This adjustable handy gadget from the brand Swigzy allows you to expand the size of your cup holder and works in almost any cup holder and can fit a variety of styles of bottles and mugs, including those with handles.

Phone Mount

Texting and driving is never an option. And in some states, just holding your phone to talk while driving is against the law. If you want to stream a Spotify playlist or run Google Maps, invest in a phone mount to ensure those hands remain at "10 and two."

Car Power Strip

Going on a long road trip with multiple passengers? You need this 200W power inverter that plugs into the cigarette lighter and has four USB ports and two standard plugs. Plus, it features full-protection with short-circuit, low-voltage, over-charge, over-voltage, over-load and over-temperature protection.

Tablet Headrest Mount

There won’t be a peep from the backseat with this tablet headrest mount. It adjusts to fit any size tablet and is compatible with nearly all headrests. The kids (or adults) in the back won’t be asking “are we there yet?” because they’ll be too absorbed in their movie or game.

Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot

This mobile hotspot features super-fast Wi-Fi internet speeds and long-lasting battery life, providing the ultimate internet experience from anywhere right when you need it most.

Flexible Phone Tripod

Roadside photo-ops will be a breeze with this handy mini tripod . This flexible tripod grips to any surface — from a tree to a fence — and has a reliable rubber grip that secures a smartphone.

Portable Phone Charger

You’ll probably bring several gadgets on your road trip, including smartphones, tablets and e-readers. So gather them up, then power them up. There’s nothing worse than getting an hour into an all-day trip and having the iPad in the backseat run out of juice. We suggest bringing one or more portable chargers for the car, and make sure they work with the devices you plan to charge. Despite what’s written on the packaging, not every charger will power up all the devices they claim they can charge.

Emergency Car Kit

Before you plan your road trip itinerary, you should pack your emergency roadside kit. It’s not the fun part of road trip planning, but it’s the most important. A good car kit should include, at the very least, jumper cables, a spare tire, signal flares and a flashlight. Emergency items such as spare socks, a blanket and granola bars are good, too.

Fire Starter

Building a fire just got a lot easier with this handy fire starter that produces sparks in any weather or altitude. It has an ergonomic thumb guard for comfort and an attached emergency whistle, in case you need to call for help.

First Aid Kit

Road trip or not, keeping a first aid kit in the car is always a good idea. This 100-piece kit includes essential wound care supplies, like cleansing wipes, gauze pads, assorted bandages, rolled gauze, antibiotic cream, itch-stopping cream, acetaminophen caplets, an instant cold pack and much more.

You can’t always depend on Google Maps, especially when driving in rural areas. Even popular National Parks and National Forests can have spotty cell service. As a backup, you can download maps to use offline from Google Maps, and tucking an actual map in the backseat pocket isn’t a bad idea either.

Travel Pillow

Never struggle to find a comfortable sleeping position in the car again with the Trtl Travel Pillow. This neck pillow combines hypoallergenic fleece with hidden internal neck support to hold your head and neck in the best position for sleeping, preventing stiff necks and sore shoulders.

Travel Throw

Meet the hardest-working travel throw in the business: Unpacked, it’s a 52-by-75-inch insulated comforter that's lightweight, washable and super cozy.

Travel Hammock

After hours of driving, take a break in this lightweight travel hammock. It’s quick to hang after a long day on the road and packs down into a small pouch for easy storage.

Microfiber Towel

Whether you're washing off at your campsite or at a rest stop, this soft, microfiber towel will dry quickly and can be used over and over during your trip.

Air Freshener

With all due respect to those mysterious rear-view mirror trees, when you plan on spending serious time on the highway, you need a substantial and sustainable air scrubber. The porous activated charcoal in this baby will purify the stale air in your car instead of hitting it with chemicals, and it'll combat the effects of left-behind takeout for up to a year.

Car Window Shades

Block out 97 percent of harmful UV rays on long road trips with window shades that easily attach to your car's windows, keeping backseat riders cool and comfortable the whole trip.

HEALTH + HYGIENE

Car Diffuser

Fill this diffuser with water, add essential oils and plug it in to make your car smell amazing. Featuring automatic shut-off, t he diffuser emits a cool mist that adds moisture to the air, which helps with dry skin, lips, sinuses and coughs.

Nausea-Relief Wristbands

Nip motion sickness in the bud with these acupressure wristbands that provide effective relief from all forms of travel sickness without causing drowsiness or other side effects. There are even Sea-Bands for kids that come in cool patterns and colors.

Foaming Hand Sanitizer

Keep everyone's hands clean with this alcohol-free foaming sanitizer that's safe and gentle enough for babies. We love Babyganics for the whole family because the formula kills 99.9 percent of common bacteria; it's made without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, artificial fragrances and dyes; and it's dermatologist-tested and non-allergenic.

Essential Oil Towelettes

This assortment of towelettes is a league of essential oil superheroes: Defeat gas-station bathroom germs, freshen up after the A/C kicks out in the middle of nowhere, combat carsickness and wind down at the end of a long day with their aid.

Tissue Holder

Spare yourself the stress and strain of blindly reaching into the backseat, and snag this seriously convenient tissue holder. The chic black case clips right onto your passenger-side visor, so you can reach it without taking your hands off the wheel.

Insect Repellent

Whether you're spending a little time outside or a lot of time outside, it's always smart to keep insect repellent nearby. This 100-percent DEET formula offers more than 10 hours of protection against insect-transmitted diseases, including Zika and West Nile viruses.

Sleeping away from the comforts of home can come with some restless nights. Melatonin helps you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer and wake up feeling refreshed. And since Natrol is a drug-free sleep aid, you won't wake up feeling groggy.

ORGANIZATION

Car Seat Headrest Hook

Free up seat space and foot room with these handy hooks that attach to the back of headrests. They'll keep purses, lunchboxes, backpacks and more out of the way but still easily accessible.

Car Ceiling Cargo Net Pocket

Out of space? This sleek cargo net adds more packable space to your car's ceiling. Use it to store pillows, blankets, food and more.

Car Trash Bin

Keep your car clean and organized with this hanging trash bin with a 1.85-gallon capacity and leak-proof interior bag.

Packable Daypack

You may not need it, but you'll be happy it's there if you do. This ultra-light packable daypack has a 20-liter capacity, multiple pockets and adjustable, breathable straps for comfortable all-day use. Plus, it can be stuffed into its own zippered pocket for space-saving storage and compact portability.

Laundry Bag

Truth be told, every trip calls for a laundry bag — hunting for clean undies is nobody’s idea of a good time. That said, a pre-sorted discard pile is especially important when you find a laundromat in the middle of nowhere and want to take care of business ASAP. Tuck one of these into your glove compartment and thank us later.

These Genius Items Will Keep Your Car Clean + Organized on Family Road Trips

A clean car? With kids ? Yes, it's possible.

FOOD + DRINK

Saucemoto Dip Clip

Never spill your sauce again! Sometimes, a drive-thru food stop is the highlight of a road trip after hours of driving. Keep your favorite sauce easily accessible and avoid spills with this handy sauce cady. It clips to the car air vent and creates the perfect spot to nest your dipping sauce.

YETI Cooler Bag

A cooler is a road trip must. Instead of a giant cooler out-of-reach in the trunk, keep your drinks in a small cooler bag. YETI’s Hopper Flip 8 is large enough for eight soda cans but small enough to throw around your arm for a pull-off picnic or impromptu hike.

Car Seat Organizer

For a more kid-friendly (and budget) option, this car seat cooler organizer would be the perfect backseat companion. It features an insulated cooler compartment, flat tray table top, two drink holders and side pockets for extra storage. It also features a handy seatbelt strap that holds it in place. The brand recommends using cold packs instead of ice for keeping items cold.

Reusable Water Bottle

Stay hydrated on the road with BPA-free Bobble Bottles that filter out impurities on the go, so you can fill up at the campground or rest stop water fountain worry-free. And with so many color options, no one will get their bottle mixed up in the car.

Portable Coffee Press

This portable brewer will brew a delicious cup of coffee, espresso or cold brew right over your mug. The total immersion brewing system means there's less grit than with a French press, and it's super-fast, too.

With double-wall vacuum insulation, the YETI Rambler 20-Ounce Travel Mug keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold. Plus the leak-resistant lid means bumps in the road are no problem for this traveler.

Collapsible Storage Containers

Useful for storing everything from travel-size toiletries to trail mix, these reusable containers work for jet setters or families always on the go. Not only are they eco-friendly and BPA-free, but these collapsible beauties also help save money on snacks. Fill them up before road-tripping to prevent overspending on pre-packaged goodies at convenience stores.

Kitchen Utensil Set

When fast food isn't your speed, this one-and-done kit — which includes a serving fork, a utility knife, scissors, a cutting board, a spatula, a wine opener, tongs, a ladle, a rice paddle, a carabiner and folding stainless-steel utensils — is ready to turn your roadside-farm-stand haul into the greatest picnic of all time.

BioLite CampStove 2

The eco-friendly BioLite Campstove 2 is pure genius. It doesn’t need fuel, and the heat created from burning just a handful of kindling converts into usable electricity that can be used to recharge your gadgets. Cook dinner, charge your phone and feel good about your carbon footprint — what more could you ask for?

15 Must-Have Items for a Family Road Trip With Kids

Keep kids of all ages happy and entertained while on the road with these gadgets, games and more.

ENTERTAINMENT

Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Go on and celebrate reaching your destination with an impromptu dance party. This lightweight Bluetooth speaker fills your space with home-stereo-system-quality sound and claims less real estate in your luggage than a rolled-up pair of jeans.

Scrabble To-Go Board Game

Add some friendly competition in the car or at your destination with this compact Scrabble set. The snap-in letter board ensures tiles stay put while moving, and the zippered case makes it easy to fold up and keep everything in place mid-game.

Kindle Paperwhite

Cut down your packing weight by bringing a Kindle instead of a stack of books for lounging by the fire. The latest generation of Paperwhite Kindles are now hot tub-ready, too; they're waterproof, so they'll survive an accidental dunk.

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6 Essential Road Trip Gadgets

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The 35+ best road trip essentials for summer adventures.

Whether you're channeling Harold & Kumar or Thelma & Louise, stay prepared with these fun and functional travel must-haves for car camping and van life.

By Danielle Directo-Meston

Danielle Directo-Meston

E-Commerce Writer

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June 18 marked National Wanna Get Away Day — and if the travel -minded “holiday” has inspired you to plan a road trip, we’ve got you covered with some of the best road trip essentials.

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If you don’t already have a tricked-out camper van (like nomadic actress Holland Roden ) or prefer not to add extra miles to your ride, Outdoorsy and RV Share are among the best online RV and trailer rental services that let you borrow Airstreams (a favorite among globe-trotting stars like Milo Ventimiglia ), towable campers and others directly from their owners. And if you’ve got a driveable or towable travel vehicle that’s collecting dust, you can earn some money while it’s not in use by listing it for rent on the aforementioned platforms.

Related: The Best Gifts for Travelers

What Are the Best Road Trip Essentials?

To help you plan a great mini-vacay, the best road trip essentials can help you stay prepared for whatever comes your way — regardless of the route or season. Whether you’re boondocking along your cross-country route or glamping at your final destination a few towns over, we’ve put together a shoppable road trip checklist with fun and functional items for everyone.

Related:   The Best Luggage Brands for Every Type of Adventure

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Thisworx car vacuum cleaner.

All of that extra mileage likely means more messes, too. Thisworx’s car vacuum cleaner conveniently plugs into your car or RV and features a HEPA filter, three attachments and a 106-watt motor to suck up dirt, crumbs, ash, pet hair and other debris.

Stanley 40-oz. Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler

Staying hydrated is one of the most important things while traveling, which is why Stanley’s TikTok-beloved 40-oz. Quencher tumbler is a road trip essential. We love the cup holder-friendly design and stainless steel vacuum insulation that keeps your drink icy for up to two days or hot for up to seven hours. It comes in more than a dozen colors and the splash-free Flowstate lid lets you sip your beverage three ways.

Dramamine Original, Motion Sickness Relief, 36 Count

Can’t stomach the road — literally? Dimenhydrinate tablets (such as pharmacist-recommended Dramamine ) are a glove box must-have and may help those who get nauseous or dizzy in the car. There are also chewable options for kids .

FOVAL 200W Car Power Inverter

When you’re traveling with digital nomads or tech-obsessed passengers, this 200-watt car power inverter has two 110-volt outlets and four USB ports so you can charge up to six devices.

Motion Sickness Glasses

One of our road trip-loving editors swears by these motion sickness glasses for their two kids.

Road Trip Activities and Travel Journal for Kids

Stash away this travel journal and road trip activity book in the back seat to keep bored kids entertained (and without screens).

Goal Zero Yeti 1000X Portable Power Station

For off-gridding or peace of mind, we’ve found that Goal Zero’s Yeti 1000X portable power station is ideal for keeping the lights in small campers for several hours. We’ve used it to power a mini fridge during long stretches of driving, and it’s also great for laptops, phones, Wi-Fi hotspots and other devices. Pair it with the solar panel (from $300; sold separately) to charge up on sunny days.

State Hart Toiletry Kit

Currently our go-to for weekend getaways and week-long trips alike, State’s Hart toiletry kit is roomy enough to hold full-sized products and even unzips to expand, should you need more space. As travelers who love to stay organized, we’re fans of the interior organizers and the zippered compartments with mesh pockets.

Béis Packing Cubes

When you’re tight on space, a modular approach to packing for every stop can keep you organized and sane. Béis’ set of six packing cubes includes small, medium and large organizer bags; two shoe bags; a zip pouch. We like the mesh front panel for quickly peeking inside the cubes, and the top handles make it easy to grab your stuff.

AeroPress Clear Blue 3-in-1 Coffee Press

No coffee snob ‘s travel kit is complete without AeroPress ‘ three-in-one coffee press , which can make espresso-style, pour-over or French press coffee on the go. We like that the micro-filtration process lets you use a finer grind for smooth, bold flavors — just add your own grounded coffee and hot water, then press down. Use it with paper or reusable stainless steel filters to keep your cup of joe grit-free. (Don’t forget to bring your Burr grinder!)

STDY Car Roadside Emergency Kit

You can never be too prepared on the road, which is why — in addition to a first aid kit and a portable charger — a roadside emergency kit is also one of the top driving essentials we recommend keeping in your vehicle. This one includes a safety vest, a reflective warning triangle, 7.6-foot jumper cables, a whistle, tools, basic first aid items, gloves, PVC tape, tire repair tools and other road trip must-haves for your RV or car.

Drowsy Sleep Co. Silk Mask

Turn the passenger or back seat into your own private spa and throw on Drowsy Sleep Co.’s wraparound silk mask . The soft material and padded design help your eyes feel comfortable without leaving that dreaded hair crease.

Business & Pleasure Co. 14L Cooler Bag

For when you want to pull over for a quick picnic, this cooler bag from Business & Pleasure lets you enjoy cold drinks in style. It’s made with the brand’s UV-, water- and mold-proof umbrella canvas and it’s finished with chic leather handles and an eco-friendly printed lining.

WEY&FLY SUV Air Mattress

This top-rated SUV air mattress is a car camping essential. Four separate segments let you customize the fit to your vehicle’s back area, and the mattress features flocking on both sides for comfort. It’s suitable in temps as cold as -13°F or as hot as 122°F and a 12-volt air pump is included.

Cabeau Evolution S3 Memory Foam Travel Neck Pillow

Get some shut-eye in the passenger or back seat with Cabeau’s best-selling Evolution S3 neck pillow , which has a memory foam core and an ergonomic design that helps protect your neck and allows you to breathe and sleep comfortably.

Altec Lansing Kid Safe Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Wireless Headphones

For the kiddos, Altec Lansing’s active noise-canceling headphones can connect to devices via Bluetooth or an auxiliary cable and offers up to 15 hours of battery life. These comfy headphones are great for protecting hearing for kids ages 7 and up as the volume is limited to 85 decibels, and they’re IPX4-rated for withstanding a little bit of splashing.

WaterStorageCube BPA-Free Collapsible Water Container

There’s not always a rest stop or convenience store on those long stretches where you can stop to buy drinks, and that’s when these collapsible water cubes (complete with a spigot) come in handy. Available in 1.3-, 2.6- or 5.3-gallon sizes, this road trip must-have is also great for camping or your home emergency kit.

LifeStraw Sip Reusable Stainless Steel Water Filter Drinking Straw

When you’re not sure about your destination’s water quality, LifeStraw’s discrete stainless steel reusable straw doubles as a filter.

Carpool Karaoke The Mic 2.0

Depending on your fellow travelers’ vocal chops, this official Carpool Karaoke microphone could be the best or worst idea for a road trip. While passengers can simply belt it out without any technical assistance,lets everyone recreate their favorite Late Show with James Corden  bits while embellishing their performance with echo effects and lights. The microphone and speaker can stream audio from a music app or smartphone via Bluetooth, or you can connect it to your car’s FM tuner. The rechargeable battery promises up to six hours of non-stop karaoke (or auditory torture).

Regal Games Finger-Tip Shutter Bingo Cards, 4-Pack

You won’t be bored in the car and in the car bored with this set of four travel bingo cards (available in other games). Small enough to be stowed away in the glove compartment or seat pocket, each reusable card has fingertip-friendly shutter slides and large print that’s easy to read for kids and grown-ups.

Fulton Classic Insoles

Need some support while getting your steps in? We’re fans of Fulton’s comfortable Classic insoles , which are great for flat-footed walkers (like us) or anyone who needs arch support. We like that they’re made of sustainable cork (which molds to your feet) and that there’s no trimming required, and we’ve found that the insoles make our feet and knees feel more comfortable, especially during all-day outings.

Pura Car Diffuser Set

Turn your car into a mobile spa and bring your favorite destinations home with Pura’s portable car diffuser . The brand’s city- and nature-inspired clean scents ($15 and up) last for about 30 days, and include Guy Fox’s musky and sandalwood SoHo, Homesick’s Road Trip, Illume’s fresh sea salt, Anthropologie’s apple orchard-inspired Honeycrisp Oakwood, Nest New York’s Bamboo and more.

Audible Audiobook Subscription

When the reception is spotty but you want to catch up on audiobooks and podcasts while driving, Amazon’s Audible lets you download titles so you can listen offline. New subscribers get 30 days free and one free credit, and Prime members get two free credits to use on titles that’ll stay permanently in their digital library. Sign up here .

Drive Auto Car Trunk Organizer

Drive Auto’s genius collapsible car trunk organizer is made of water-resistant 600D canvas and expands to two sizes and nine compartments. The adjustable straps, outer mesh pockets and tie-down straps make it a must for anyone who wants to keep their ride tidy.

UCOMX 3-in-1 Charging Station

Tired of fumbling for a charging cable for your Apple devices? This three-in-one charger folds easily into a compact, travel-friendly size and can charge up your Apple Watch, AirPods, iPhone and other MagSafe- and wireless charging-capable devices.

HYDAWAY Collapsible Insulated 1-Quart Bowl with Lid

Our go-to for car camping and trailer travel, Hidaway’s collapsible silicone bowls are perfect for when you’re tight on space. This one-quart option includes a lid and insulated sleeve and we love how easy it is to fold up and throw in a backpack or picnic basket. (Other sizes and designs are also available.)

JBL Jr460NC Wireless Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Kids Headphones

JBL’s Jr460 Bluetooth headphones are worth the investment for for kids who love music — and for parents and caregivers who want to protect their young ones’ hearing. They feature a max volume of 85 decibels, active noise canceling, a built-in microphone and up to 20 hours of battery life on a single charge.

BAGSMART Hanging Toiletry Bag

Whether you’re ending up at a hotel or just want to freshen up at a pit stop, this hanging toiletry bag makes it easy to stash all of your bath and body products, makeup , jewelry and other road trip essentials into a convenient carryall. And when you are ready to fly, the bag features a separate bag that follows TSA 3-1-1 liquids rules, making it easier to breeze through airport security. Related: The Best Toiletry Bags for Every Type of Traveler

Nexar Beam GPS 1080p HD Dash Cam

Popular among rideshare drivers, a good dashboard camera can provide peace of mind in the unfortunate event of collisions, or to capture stunning road trip views. Nexar’s GPS-enabled Beam 1080p HD dash cam captures 135-degree wide video and syncs with the brand’s iPhone or Android app, which can create post-accident reports with key crash information (such as driving speed, location, G-force impact and video footage) that you can send to your car insurance company. The device can start recording immediately when it senses even minor impacts (even when you’re parked), and it comes with a 32 GB SD card for on-device video storage as well as unlimited cloud storage.

HALO Bolt Portable Charger and Car Jump Starter

Equipped with two USB charging ports and a 120V AC wall outlet, this portable charger can also be used to jump-start your car battery with the included jumper cables. It’s also got an LED flood light for staying safe and visible in the dark and comes in a handy carrying pouch.

Auto Drive Backseat Organizer with Cup Holders and Storage

For those messy passengers, Auto Drive’s backseat organizer has plenty of storage compartments and two cup holders to keep all of those cables, activities and knick-knacks in one spot.

Compendium Everywhere You Go: A Guided Travel Journal with Prompts

Document your adventures in Compendium’s Everywhere You Go travel journal , which is filled with creative prompts, inspiring quotes and blank note pages (think packing lists and contact info) so you won’t forget a thing about your trip.

Kenu Airvue Car Headrest Tablet Mount

Kenu’s Airvue car headrest tablet mount lets passengers turn the back seat into a mini movie theater.

Tushy Travel Bidet

No more worrying about TP (or lack thereof) at rest stops with Tushy’s travel bidet , which conveniently collapses to save space while staying discreet. It can hold up to 11 fluid ounces of water and features a hinged nozzle with three spout positions, a carabiner and a carrying bag.

GummiShot Energy Gummies

For when you find yourself nodding off but don’t have time for a coffee stop, GummiShot’s energy gummies can help give you a boost of plant-based caffeine to keep you on the road.

TEKFUN Kids Toys 10-Inch LCD Writing Tablet

You don’t have to be a kid to break your screen habit (and your boredom) with this LCD doodle board , which Amazon reviewers say is a great replacement for digital tablets. On sale for up to 56 percent off, the 10-inch tablet magically erases with the press of a button.

Surviveware Comprehensive 200-Piece First Aid Kit

Accidents — hopefully, minor ones — can happen anywhere, and this first aid kit by Surviveware is packed with more than 200 basic medical emergency items such as bandages, splints, wound dressings, tweezers, a first aid guide and more, all in a water-resistant 600D nylon storage bag.

Yeti Hopper Flip 8 Cooler

For compact vehicles, Yeti’s compact Hopper Flip 8 cooler can fit a six-pack or whatever else you need to keep cool in between stops. The DryHide shell means it can take a beating in the rugged outdoors, and when used with a combination of Yeti’s ice packs and regular ice, the cooler can keep contents cold for two or more days.

EcoFlow River 2 Portable Power Station

Don’t get caught without power — stow Eco Flow’s River 2 portable power station into your trunk. This compact 600-watt generator weighs less than eight pounds and can keep up to six appliances running during your off-grid adventure. It takes just one hour to fully charge with an AC outlet, and you can plug in the optional solar panel to charge it under the sun — making it one of the most versatile and convenient (not to mention budget-friendly at under $300) power stations out there.

Awoken Unisex Urinal

When nature inevitably calls, don’t be caught squirming in your seat until the next rest stop. This unisex urinal lets anyone — including kids — relieve themselves in the car without spillage (for safety and sanitary reasons, we don’t recommend using it when you’re at the wheel).

Car Backseat Organizer with Tablet Holder

You may be living a freewheelin’ driver’s life, but your car doesn’t need to look the part. Keep your car organized on trips and in everyday life with this back seat organizer , which contains pockets, fold-down trays (perfect for holding tablets to keep passengers entertained), water bottle holders and other storage compartments.

KODAK Mini Shot 3 Retro 2-in-1 Instant Digital Camera and Photo Printer

Of course, you’ll want to document your moments, and Kodak’s Mini Shot 3 Retro instant camera is great for analog and digital photography enthusiasts.

Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Don’t love your driver’s soundtrack? Sony’s WH-1000XM5 headphones (also available in black) are perfect for audiophiles, frequent travelers and anyone who wants excellent automatic noise canceling (Auto NC) and sound for listening to music, making calls and other situations where you need to cut out distractions. Our go-to amid noisy surroundings, these super-comfortable wireless headphones also include a 3.5-millimeter cable for when you want to plug in (such as an airplane entertainment system), and they offer up to 30 hours of battery life on a single charge.

JoyTutus Pickup Truck Waterproof Tent 2.0

This six-foot-long truck bed tent makes it easy to turn your ride into a shelter for shut-eye or a quick rest, thanks to the padded floor and quick setup. It’s made of 150D waterproof polyester and has three windows for catching the sights or fresh air.

Zero Breeze Mark 2 Portable Air Conditioner

Zero Breeze’s highly-rated Mark 2 portable air conditioner saved this editor’s recent summer road trip from LA to Vegas, which included a quick stop for the night in 100-plus-degree heat in Las Vegas. It has four fan speeds and three cooling modes (including an “on-demand” setting for conserving energy), and it’s great for tents, small rooms and travel trailers without AC. Go off-grid with the rechargeable battery, which gives you about five hours of run time.

Duluth Trading Co. Seat Back Bunker

Whether you’re traveling with kids or very bored backseat drivers, Duluth Trading Co.’s Seat Back Bunker has plenty of pockets for stowing away road trip entertainment and other essentials.

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The 22 Best Items To Pack For A Family Road Trip

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Road trips are a rite of passage for many families. Whether long or short, the car’s trunk has plenty of room to stash lots of stuff without the pressure of weighing luggage or fitting into a carry-on bag. As the mom to three kids, we love road trips—both short, impromptu day trips and longer journeys for extended vacations. While the car provides ample room, it’s helpful to have a strategy for packing and entertainment, like quiet games, music and other items that help pass the time.

We've rounded up the best gear to pack for your next family road trip.

To find the best gear for a family road trip, I spoke to other seasoned parents and took into account my experience from countless trips with my family. We considered major categories like travel items, entertainment, snacks, storage and supplies, and have shared our favorites below.

When planning your road trip, also consider creating music playlists (a perfect task for a tween or teen), brushing up on the rules of 20 Questions or other car games, researching playgrounds or fun destinations along your route, and preparing for an adventure. Just don’t ask, “Are we there yet? ”

Travel Items

Our favorite travel crib, babybjörn travel crib light.

If your baby doesn’t sleep well, there’s a good chance no one will sleep well. Pack this easy-to-set-up travel crib from Baby Bjorn and give yourself the peace of mind of having a safe and comfortable spot for your baby to sleep. Our favorite travel crib , we love that it’s super easy to pack and unpack. The entire travel crib weighs just 11 pounds and neatly packs into a flat bag with handles, so it can compactly fit in your car trunk.

A Compact Carrier

Ergobaby omni 360 all-position baby carrier.

Bring a baby carrier even if you’re heading out for a quick day trip and want to ditch the stroller. This well-reviewed Ergobaby pick can carry kiddos from 7 to 45 pounds, and tops our list of the best baby carriers . There are four positions to hold the baby, and the carrier is easily adjustable, making it comfortable for any adult in your group to carry the kid. 

Baby carriers have been my saviors on beach days, hiking and places like apple picking, where a stroller would be a huge hassle. Still, without a carrier, I would have never been able to hold my baby for hours or have her take a cozy carrier nap.

Soothing Sounds For Sleep

Dreamland baby sound machine.

A good night’s sleep is so crucial for everyone in the family. My family loves this white noise machine; it’s a constant staple in my daughter’s travel backpack for any trip. It may have been our family savior on a recent trip to Disney World, where all five of us slept in the same hotel room. I love that it’s compact but powerful. There are seven soothing sounds, and the machine doubles as a nightlight. It charges via a UBC cord, so as long as you keep it charged, it can also function as an on-the-go machine.

A Versatile Wagon

Veer all-terrain cruiser.

Lightweight and durable, adding this all-terrain cruiser to your arsenal is an investment, but if you’re a family with two young kids, this can be a game-changer. Double strollers are big and bulky, this stroller wagon allows for lots of versatility—there are two (or four) three-point harnesses, snack trays, hidden pockets and many add-ons like a car seat carrier. That’s just a few of the reason it’s our top stroller wagon overall.

The cruiser works in both push and pull mode and, thanks to the all-terrain tires, moves seamlessly over sand, grass, bumpy fields, or anywhere else. There’s also a city version. My kids are now too old to fit, but I love the versatility that this provides—it can hold plenty of gear and your kiddos. For a road trip, it folds flat and weighs 32 pounds.

Entertainment

A mess-free distraction, water magic activity pads (2 pack).

Fill these scented water pens with a bit of water, and you’ve got a mess-free distraction that’s fun and interactive. We love that these are easy to use–perfect for a car ride. Thanks to the technology, once the image dries, it can be used repeatedly. The set comes with a two-pack, perfect for siblings, friends or an extra to have on hand.

Imaginative Play On The Go

Playmobil my take along puppet theater.

For kids who love imaginative play, this take-along theater set is a lovely idea that provides hours of fun both in the car and at your destination. The portable storage case doubles as a theater, with removable scene screens. There are also figures and accessories, so your kiddo can set up all kinds of plays while cruising along in the back seat.

A Handheld Scavenger Hunt

Bizyboo: the original seek & find plush.

Lightweight, affordable and fun, these interactive seek-and-find games are handheld scavenger hunts and fidget toys all rolled into one. Each character features 25 items hidden within the body of the plush, and the included card shows kids all the items they need to find. Not only does this help pass the time, but it also helps develop fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities, letter recognition, attention and object recognition. Choose from 12 unique characters.

A Screen-Free Player That's Useful Beyond The Car

Yoto player kids bluetooth speaker.

A fantastic addition to a kid’s arsenal, the Yoto Player is an engaging gadget that’s tons of fun. Simply pop a Yoto audiobook card into the player and listen to music, stories, books and educational content. There’s an interactive pixel display with images that correspond to the story. Additionally, the player functions to play sleep sounds, as a bedtime storyteller with a nightlight, an alarm clock with an okay-to-wake function, a room thermometer and more. 

All of the content is kid-friendly and with a headphone jack and 24-hour run time from one charge, this is a nifty gadget. My 7-year-old daughter listens to her Yoto every night. She brought it along on a recent trip, popped her headphones in, and listened to a whole book.

Mess-Free Activities For The Car Or Camper

Dot it sticker art for kids.

We love no-mess activities for the car, so this Dot It sticker activity is perfect—it takes just enough focus to keep kids busy but can be done in the car. Kids peel and place the stickers using colorful backgrounds to complete the images. This is fun, and the activity boosts imagination and fine motor skills. There are seven unique designs, which are great for kids 3 to 8 years old.

A Card Game With A Fitting Theme

Skillmatics guess in 10 card game.

Portable and travel-friendly, the whole family can play this fun game in the car. Divide into teams—you’ll get to ask up to 10 questions to guess the state on the game card. Your kids can have fun while learning something, too. If the United States of America isn’t your jam, many other versions exist, including Disney, cities, and more. The Disney version kept my crew happy while we waited in line at Disney World.

A New Way To Solve A Classic Puzzle

Rubik’s coach cube.

Celebrating 50 years of existence, the Rubik’s cube is an interactive puzzle that stumps many people. Use a long car ride to engage with the cube in a new way—the cube coaches kids (and adults) to learn how to solve the puzzling cube. Reviewers say the instructions and method for removing stickers on the cube are clear and easy to understand. This is a fun twist for older kids who are up for a challenge.

An Activity Book Made For The Car

The ultimate on-the-go activity book.

With 144 pages of road trip-ready activities, this book will keep kids in the backseat very busy. There’s a great mix of quiet activities for kids to do alone and interactive games that involve the whole family. We love Highlights as a trusted source for safe, smart and engaging books and magazines for kids, so we like that this book comes from a reputable publisher. It’s best for 7-year-old kids and up, but can involve a car full of people.

Hugs And Cuddles In Their Seat

Bumpas weighted plush toy.

Think of these unique weighted plush toys as a combination of a stuffed animal and a weighted blanket. The adorable creatures are made for kids with soft, cozy fabric and plush stuffing. They weigh just over 2 pounds, so they provide some soothing comfort, especially for kids with sensory issues. We love that no matter which of the seven unique characters you choose, each has long arms to hug. These are cozy for a car ride (when you don’t have to worry about carrying extra weight on an airplane), and they can double as a pillow or a soft plush to snuggle on a nap.

A Creative Craft Kit For The Backseat

Rainbow loom beadmoji mini combo kit.

Whether your kiddo is a rainbow loom maven or a newbie, this mini combo set is the perfect addition to any road trip. It includes over 250 unique beads with cute images and over a thousand rubber bands of various colors. The set all packs into its own portable storage case, so it’s easy to pack and neatly store the beads and finished creations. 

Snacks And Storage

A lunchbox with room for big appetites, b.box lunch box for kids.

Packing a meal or snacks ahead of time on a road trip eliminates the need for multiple stops, saving time and money. We love this portable bento box because it’s large and made for bigger kids and bigger appetites. There’s room for eight and a half cups of food, with one large enough compartment to hold a big sandwich. The outer material is a silicone stretch, so you can even fit a whole apple into the box. There are 12 colorways, so there’s a good chance you can find an option that your kiddo likes.

Cold Snacks And Drinks For The Car

Rtic soft cooler (20 can).

We all know kids get hungry, and snacks are a great distraction. Keep snacks, drinks, breastmilk or anything else nice and cold with this top-rated soft-side cooler. Lightweight and durable, we love that the waterproof zippered top has a wide opening. You’ll have a full view of the insides of the cooler and won’t have to go digging around mindlessly looking for that one special snack. Available in 12 colorways, this cooler has two tote handles and one larger shoulder strap. It’s easy to tote around and is helpful in all kinds of situations beyond your road trip.

A Healthy Snack

Gimme organic roasted seaweed snacks.

It’s not always easy to find a healthy, portable snack that’s doesn’t need to be refrigerated and is tasty. Look no further than these roasted seaweed snacks, which we like because they suit a wide range of dietary needs, from vegan to gluten-free. A single pack is loaded with fiber, vitamins and nutrients. Throw a few packs in your car and hand them out when you need a yummy diversion.

A Drink In A Fun Reusable Bottle

Good2grow drinks.

These juice bottles are adorable, practical and less precious than a sippy cup. The spill-proof bottles come with a wide range of juices, don’t need to be refrigerated and are made without any added sugar. The bottles are reusable once the juice is gone, so your kiddo can use them repeatedly on the road trip. However, unlike a sippy cup, you won't be heartbroken if they get tossed or lost.

Car Supplies

Tech support on the go, large double layer cable bag.

If your family is anything like mine, keeping all the family headphones, cords and chargers in a neat and organized spot is challenging, and a person sitting shotgun doubles as tech support. Keep all those cords stashed with this double-layer bag. We love the mesh pockets, which make it easy to spot what you need, while the built-in elastic straps keep all the cords neatly contained.

A Hands-Free Bag For Quick Stops

Black quilted belt bag.

Even if you pack a giant bag of gear for your road trip, we recommend a small belted bag to keep the essentials–keys, wallet, phone and anything else. This way, if you need to head into a rest stop, check into a hotel, or do anything else, you can quickly hop out of the car without digging for your most important stuff. Since this one is affordable and neutral, it’s an excellent option for a teen or tween who might bring their own device and allowance on a road trip.

For more for choices (including splurge-worthy picks for parents), check out our list of the best crossbody bags .

Extra Wipes

Huggies fragrance-free baby wipes.

If you have kiddos still in diapers, you know wipes are essential. Even if you’re way past the diapering stage, I still recommend keeping a resealable pack of baby wipes in your car at all times, especially on a road trip. They’re so helpful for cleaning messy faces and sticky hands and can even be used as their original intention—a wipe. Add a pack to your car, and you won’t regret it.

A Just-In-Case Kit For The Trunk

Car roadside emergency kit.

For under $40, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you have a slew of essentials to help you and your family in an auto emergency. While jumper cables take up the bulk of the kit, you’ll also be stocked with many supplies, including a tool kit, first aid supplies, a safety hammer, a tire pressure gauge, a reflective vest and so much more. Store this in your trunk, and hope you never have to use it.

The Best 4th Of July Mattress Sales To Start Shopping Now

The 10 best extra-firm mattresses, according to our editors, why trust forbes vetted.

At Forbes Vetted, we’ve researched, tested and written about a wide range of baby and kids' gear . We offer intelligent shopping advice and thoughtful reviews.

• The author, Maya Polton , is a regular Forbes Vetted contributor, an experienced product reviewer, a tester and a mother of three. She’s also reported on the best stroller fans and the best sleeping bags for kids .
• While researching this story, she spoke with numerous parents and relied on her experience of taking many family road trips with her three kids.
• This story was edited by Margaret Badore , the baby and kids gear editor for Forbes Vetted. She has over 15 years of experience covering health and science topics—and loves a good road trip herself.

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Travel Essentials Are Trending on Amazon, and We Found the 50 Best Deals Starting at $8

Including savings from Samsonite, Travelpro, and more top brands

• Travel Essential Deals Overall
• Luggage Deals
• Travel Clothes Deals
• Carry-on Luggage Deals
• Travel Accessories

People / Amazon(4)

Amazon shoppers are gearing up for summer trips with all things travel .

Right now, carry-on luggage, packing cubes, weekender bags, and more travel essentials are trending on Amazon. If you’re also getting ready for an upcoming vacation, we pulled together the top 50 deals on travel must-haves, including luggage sets, travel pillows, and other accessories. We also found comfortable clothes like travel dresses inspired by Gwyneth Paltrow and Meghan Markle . The best part? Prices start at just $8. 

Best Travel Essential Deals Overall 

• Oprah-Loved: Benevolence LA Plush Velvet Jewelry Box , $19.98 (orig. $26.35)
• PEOPLE Tested : Narwey Travel Makeup Bag , $9.99 (orig. $13.99)
• 80K Just Bought: Jisulife Handheld Mini Fan , $14.38 (orig. $24.99)
• Samsonite Freeform Expandable Checked Suitcase , $167.99 (orig. $239.99)
• Travelpro 21-Inch Expandable Carry-On , $135.99 (orig. $169.99)
• Etronik Weekender Bag with USB Charging Port , $25.99 (orig. $49.99)
• Mlvoc Travel Pillow , $24.99 (orig. $29.99)
• The Drop Britt Tiered Maxi Tent Dress , $42.42 (orig. $59.90)
• Veken 8-Piece Packing Cube Set , $17.99 (orig. $24.99)
• Travel Inspira Portable Luggage Scale , $7.80 (orig. $12.99)

More than 80,000 shoppers just picked up this mini handheld fan that’s on sale for $14. Pack the compact gadget for an easy way to stay cool during hot days. Then pick up Amazon’s best-selling packing cube set , which comes with eight fabric pouches to organize clothes, shoes, toiletries, and accessories. 

Jisulife Handheld Mini Fan

Best luggage deals.

Weekender bags, suitcases, and travel backpacks are discounted for as little as $26. If you’re shopping for matching luggage, grab this 3-piece hard shell luggage set , which comes with a carry-on size suitcase and two checked bags. With the deal, the suitcases are going for $58 apiece. 

For short trips, keep your clothes, shoes, and toiletries organized with this weekender bag . It has a main compartment with plenty of pockets, a bottom compartment to store footwear separately, and it comes with an included toiletry bag. At least one reviewer shared that it’s got “lots of space.”

• Coolife Expandable 3-Piece Set Spinner Suitcases , $174.99 with coupon (orig. $189.99)
• Matein Expandable Backpack , $29.99 (orig. $45.99)
• Travelpro Checked Luggage with Spinner Wheels , $199.99 (orig. $249.99)
• Bovip Weekender Bag Set , $36.99 (orig. $49.99)
• Wogarl Weekender Travel Bag with Shoe Compartment , $35.99 (orig. $49.99)
• Wisepack Travel Duffel Bag with Toiletry Bag , $25.99 (orig. $30.99)
• Hyc00 Large Weekender Overnight Bag , $26.99 (orig. $39.99)
• Coowoz Travel Backpack , $38.86 (orig. $42.99)
• Bagsmart Tote Bag , $30.39 (orig. $39.99)
• Bagsmart 17-Inch Travel Backpack , $42.99 (orig. $49.99) 

Coolife Expandable 3-Piece Set Spinner Suitcases

Best travel clothes deals.

Whether you have a long flight or a road trip planned this summer, it’s an ideal time to invest in comfortable clothes and footwear. These Skechers high-waisted leggings , which are up to 54 percent off, are made of soft and stretchy fabric that’s moisture-wicking. They’re “lightweight” and “comfy,” according to five-star reviewers. 

Pair it with this new oversized striped T-shirt that comes in four colors. With breathable fabric and a roomy silhouette, it’s an easy choice for summer travel.

• Skechers Go Walk High-Waisted Legging , $22.39 (orig. $49)
• Dokotoo Striped Oversized T-Shirt , $17.99 with coupon (orig. $19.99)
• Tanming Knit Pullover Lounge Set , $31.49 with coupon (orig. $42.99)
• Halife Summer Casual Maxi Dress , $39.99 (orig. $45.99)
• Hanes Cotton Zip-Up Hoodie , $15 (orig. $23)
• Zoosixx Casual Lounge Pant , $14.87 with coupon (orig. $17.49)
• Anrabess Casual Long T-Shirt Dress , $34.99 (orig. $52.99)
• Anrabess Loose Linen Overall Romper , $32.99 (orig. $36.99)
• Ekouaer Tennis Skort , $26.99 (orig. $33.99)
• Lauweion Basic Fleece Hoodie , $34.99 (orig. $36.99)

Skechers Go Walk High-Waisted Legging

Best carry-on luggage deals .

Compact carry-on suitcases are currently on sale for as little as $40. This Samsonite hardside luggage has 360-degree spinner wheels that make it easy to roll around. Shoppers who’ve given it a perfect rating rave that it’s “durable” and “spacious.” If you’re in the market for soft-sided luggage, consider picking up this luggage set while it’s half-off. It comes with a carry-on suitcase and a matching tote bag. 

• Samsonite Omni PC 20-Inch Spinner Carry-On , $139.99 (orig. $159.99)
• Rockland 2-Piece Softside Luggage Set , $39.99 (orig. $79.99)
• Kroser Hardside Luggage with TSA Lock , $89.99 with coupon (orig. $99.99)
• Rockland Melbourne Spinner Wheel Luggage , $83.39 (orig. $120)
• Level8 Rolling Lightweight Luggage , $154.99 with coupon (orig. $169.99)
• American Tourister 21-Inch Luggage with Wheels , $69.99 (orig. $139.99)
• Kenneth Cole Reaction 8-Wheel Hardside Suitcase , $79.99 (orig. $114.99)
• Luggex Carry-On with Front Pocket , $49.99 (orig. $59.99)
• Rockland London Hardside Suitcase , $53.99 (orig. $120)
• SwissGear Energie Hardside Expandable Luggage , $159.99 (orig. $169.99)

Samsonite Omni PC 20-Inch Spinner Carry-On

Best travel accessories .

Right now, deals on toiletry kits, neck pillows, packing cubes, and more travel gear start at just $8. Grab the compact Iniu Portable Charger while it’s 40 percent off, then pack it in a belt bag to keep your phone charged on the go. The highly rated device charges quickly and is a “must-have for vacations,” according to a reviewer . Organize your shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and other toiletries with this set of 10 travel bottles and containers , which comes with a clear bag. 

• Iniu Portable Charger , $17.99 (orig. $29.99)
• Vorolo Crossbody Belt Bag , $7.99 (orig. $12.99)
• Depoza 16-Piece Set of Travel Bottles , $12.99 (orig. $15.99)
• Bagsmart Medium Toiletry Bag , $18.39 (orig. $23.49)
• Mrsdry 3-Ounce Travel Size Bottles , $7.99 (orig. $9.99)
• Topeast Initial Makeup Bag , $9.99 (orig. $15.99)
• Forge Travel Locks , $24.95 (orig. $35.99)
• Bostanten Small Sling Bag , $20.79 (orig. $35.99)
• Alameda Compression Packing Cubes , $12.58 (orig. $17.98)
• Napfun Neck Pillow , $16.96 (orig. $21.99)
• Conair Portable Clothes Steamer , $55.65 (orig. $69.99)

Iniu Portable Charger

Keep scrolling to shop more of the best deals on travel essentials at Amazon. 

Veken 8-Piece Packing Cube Set

Narwey travel makeup bag, samsonite freeform expandable checked suitcase, travelpro 21-inch expandable carry-on, mlvoc travel pillow, vorolo crossbody belt bag, depoza 16-piece set of travel bottles, see more from people shopping.

Related Articles

Attention road trippers! These apps play vacation planner, make life on the road a dream

For many people, the classic American road trip is a rite of passage.

The 48 states on the continental U.S. are home to rolling hills, mountains, rivers, oceans and countless other attractions. And thanks to modern technology, planning the perfect road trip is easier than ever.

Just juice up your phone, make sure your car is ready to roll , grab your go-to road snacks, and let your smartphone do the hard work.  

Apps, like Roadtrippers or InRoute, can do most of the route planning for you.

Begin by inputting your starting and ending point, then let it suggest fun places to check out, whether you're taking the direct route via the highways or the winding roads less traveled.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Watch this video to learn more about some of the apps you need for your next road trip.   

Roadtrip essentials

A good road trip needs these three things: Good snacks, an excellent playlist, and plenty of gas. 

If you’re driving through an unfamiliar area, fill up your gas tank sooner rather than later to reduce the risk of getting stranded on empty.

Check out these apps to keep your car juiced up along the route: 

• Gas Buddy  

Gas Buddy helps you find gas stations near you and tells you how much the gas costs. 

Prices are put in by other users, so there is a chance prices may have changed by the time you arrive. If that happens, you can report the price change in the app. 

PlugShare helps you locate EV charging stations that are compatible with a variety of electric vehicles. 

And just in case you need it, because you almost certainly will, Toilet Finder can help you find a nearby facility to take a comfort break.

The app also tells you if the toilet can be used without charge and if it's wheelchair accessible. 

Taking a road trip with a pet

If your copilot has fur and paws, BringFido will help you find dog-friendly places to stay, eat, visit, and more. 

It even includes reviews from other users to help you make the best decision for you and your pet. 

On the road again

By the way, before you hit play and take the wide-open road, download your car insurance app on your phone.

Hopefully, you won’t need it, but it can make it much easier to file a claim or call for roadside assistance. 

Reviewed-approved car recommendations 

Purchases you make through our links may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.  

Reviewed helps you find the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of experts test everything from waterproof speakers to air purifiers so you can shop for the best of the best. 

• Customer-loved portable car vacuum: ThisWorx Car Vacuum Cleaner  
• Durable phone car holders: Beam Electronics Phone Holder  
• A clutch jump-start box: N OCO Boost Plus GB40 1000 Amp UltraSafe Lithium Jump Starter Box  
• This well-reviewed dash cam: RedTiger Dash Cam  
• A handy USB C charger: Anker USB C Car Charger  

More problems, solved

• Breeze through security: 6 tips to quickly get through airport security
• Expand workspace: Transform your iPad into a second monitor
• Pre-travel checklist:  4 things you need to do before your next trip
• Fly easier: 4 travel tips to make flying easier
• Get inspired:   3 tips to plan your next trip using social media
• Be prepared:   3 travel apps to download before your next trip
• Carry on:   5 tips to travel safely with your tech like phones and laptops
• Easily get around:  4 tech tips to easily explore a new city
• Stream offline: How to watch TV shows, movies offline
• Speak in any language: 5 ways to use Google Translate on your phone

32 Road Trip Essentials for Adults and Kids

W hile you don't necessarily need a lot of things for a successful road trip, certain items can't be overlooked. Read on to discover which items you should consider adding to your road trip packing list, or jump to the section on what to pack for kids.

Road trip essentials for adults

From roadside emergency must-haves to multipurpose gadgets you can use throughout your journey, these are some of the most helpful items to have on a road trip.

"Hanger" can make a road trip go south pretty quick. Pack your favorite snacks and put them in an easily accessible spot.

You might want to bring a small cooler for any snacks and drinks that need to stay cold. If you don't already own one, the best cooler bags include the ICEMULE Classic (available in a variety of sizes) and the CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag .

A seat organizer like this one by YOOFAN can help you keep snacks, tissues and any other essentials close at hand. Plus, it can double as a reusable bag for any small purchases you make during your road trip.

USB charging cables

If you have USB ports in your car, buy a set of charging cables so you can keep your devices charged and also play music and podcasts from your phone. Compatible with Apple devices, this two-pack of Amazon Basics cables is well rated; for Samsung devices, try these Anker cables . Both sets have 3-foot cords, which are the perfect size for car travel.

Portable charger

Even if you have charging ports and cables in your car, a portable charger is good to have on hand, too. Travelers rave about the INIU Portable Charger for its slim, lightweight design and overall efficiency.

Jumper cables

A set of jumper cables is essential to have in your car at all times, whether you're driving 2 miles down the road or 200 miles away from home. The Energizer Jumper Cables are especially well rated. Available for less than $20 on Amazon, the 12-foot-long cables are perfect for any car type and come with a travel bag for easy storage. Longer cables are also available.

Portable tire inflator

A portable tire inflator can be a lifesaver if you find your tires have a slow leak during your trip. The AstroAl Air Compressor Tire Inflator is compact, so it won't take up much space among the other gear in your trunk, and it includes an LED flashlight with independent switch control. It is programmed to stop automatically once it hits the preset tire pressure and it comes with a 36-month warranty.

Other travelers prefer the ViAir 88P - 00088 Portable Compressor Kit , noting it works well with a wide variety of vehicles. In addition to a 12-foot air hose and a 9-foot power cord, the kit comes with alligator clamps that power your air compressor by attaching to your car's battery.

If you're traveling during the winter months and/or to a destination where you might encounter snow and ice, make sure you have a snow broom in your car. The Snow Joe 4-in-1 Telescoping Broom is especially convenient for travel because of its lightweight, foldable design, and recent buyers confirm the foam head prevents any scratching. This snow broom also features an ice scraper and LED lights with a blinking functionality for emergencies.

Dashboard phone mount

Avoid distractions by installing a dashboard phone mount before your journey starts. The iOttie Easy One Touch 5 comes with a telescopic arm, a magnetic cord organizer and a strong-hold suction cup. Plus, its easy one-touch lock-and-release mechanism (a feature that is much appreciated among recent customers) makes taking your phone on and off the holder a breeze. If you don't like the rigidity of traditional dashboard phone mounts, consider choosing a phone mount with a flexible arm instead.

Car document holder

In the event that you get into a car accident or are pulled over by the police, having easy access to your car's registration, insurance information and owner's manual is crucial – whether you're traveling or not. This two-sided holder , which comes in a pack of two for less than $5 on Amazon, does the job.

Roadside emergency kit

For peace of mind, many travelers recommend an all-purpose roadside emergency kit . These kits are typically equipped with a tire pressure gauge, a utility knife, safety gloves, cable ties, a tow rope, tire repair tools, first-aid supplies, rain ponchos and other useful items.

Freshen up with the extra-large body wipes from Busy Co , which are suitable for dry, oily and combination skin types. They address a variety of skincare needs, including clarifying, toning, soothing and nourishing. Recent customers appreciated the large size of the wipes and said using them made them feel refreshed while traveling.

Lysol wipes

Disinfecting Lysol wipes are a must-have on your travel packing list. These cleaning wipes kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, so you can feel protected while on the road.

Disposable toilet seat covers

Using disposable toilet seat covers can help you avoid germs and stay clean when you stop for restroom breaks at gas stations, port-a-potties and campgrounds.

Nausea relief

Long hours in the car might sound daunting to anyone prone to motion sickness. In those cases, having preventative nausea medicine like Dramamine can be a lifesaver. If you prefer a drug-free alternative, Sea-Bands are anti-nausea wristbands that use acupuncture as a natural remedy to reduce motion sickness. Travelers say these bands are highly effective at reducing nausea.

Hand sanitizer

From gas pumps to ATMs, you never know what germs you may encounter on a road trip. Protect yourself against viruses by keeping a bottle of hand sanitizer in your car.

Book or e-reader

Sitting in the car for hours can be painfully boring at times. Bring a good book or an e-reader like the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite , which puts thousands of books at your fingertips. The device boasts up to 10 weeks of battery life, adjustable warm light and a glare-free display, which recent reviewers said made marathon reading sessions a breeze. Meanwhile, kids can enjoy the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids , which offers a special font for children with dyslexia and comes with a two-year warranty.

Rooftop cargo carrier

Save some space inside your vehicle by opting for a car roof cargo carrier. With an anti-slip mat and reinforced adjustable straps, the waterproof FIVKLEMNZ 15 Cubic Car Roof Bag Cargo Carrier from Amazon is suitable for any car type. Recent customers say that they had no problem getting it to stay in place even on high-speed roads.

Car trash can

There's no doubt about it – road trips can generate a lot of trash. Keep your car clean on your next adventure with this Hotor car trash can from Amazon. Complete with an adjustable strap, mesh side panels for storage and a leakproof interior lining, this useful accessory comes highly recommended by travelers who find themselves frequently on the road.

Dog waste bags

Even if you don't have a dog, hear us out: Dog poop bags are useful for a variety of needs, from general waste to dirty diapers to unexpected accidents caused by motion sickness. The Earth Rated bags are 100% leakproof, and buyers agree they're effective at eliminating odors.

If you'll be sitting in the passenger's seat or backseat, bring a pair of earbuds or headphones. For kids, consider the fleece CozyPhones , which are volume-limiting for little ears and come in a variety of animal themes.

Travel pillow

Car passengers can get a bit more comfortable with the help of an ergonomic neck pillow for travel . Top-rated options include the Cabeau Evolution S3 and the MVLOC Travel Pillow .

Shield your eyes from the sun by picking up a good pair of sunglasses before your trip. Choose sunglasses that protect against the sun's UVA and UVB rays, and are polarized to block glare. Travelers love that these Ray-Ban Aviator Classic sunglasses come in a variety of tints and can even be customized to fit your needs. For a more budget-friendly option, check out these SUNGAIT Ultra Lightweight Rectangular Polarized Sunglasses from Amazon, which recent customers say are very comfortable and perfect for road tripping.

Beach blanket

A large beach blanket or towel is one of the most versatile accessories you can bring on a road trip. You can use it to have a picnic lunch, to clean up a spill, to dry off playground equipment after a rainstorm and more.

Reusable water bottle

Skip the plastic bottles and opt for a high-quality reusable water bottle on your next trip. This  40-ounce bottle from Hydro Flask  keeps drinks hot for 12 hours and cold for a full day. It also comes with a lid with a built-in straw, which consumers say makes it convenient for driving. For kids, a durable water bottle like this  12-ounce YETI Rambler  fits the bill: Its stainless steel bottle is dishwasher-safe and shatter-resistant, a feature that parents love.

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Road trip essentials for kids

In addition to snacks, headphones, reusable water bottles, sunglasses and – depending whether your kids are in a car seat or not – travel pillows, the following items are essential to a successful road trip with kids.

Seatback organizer

A car seatback organizer lets you arrange road trip essentials on the back of the driver's or passenger's seat, where they're within reach of small hands. Many buyers said this seatback organizer from Amazon took some of the stress out of traveling with kids, thanks to its multipurpose storage compartments, including a place for a tablet and plenty of other spots to store key items for your trip.

Travel tray

If your co-pilot is constantly turning around to pick up toys or pass out snacks, a backseat travel tray is in order. The LUSSO Gear Kids Travel Tray comes with a safety strap that can be secured to any car seat, and includes a dry-erase board table, a cup holder, a storage compartment for toys and a no-drop tablet viewing stand. Reviewers loved the tray's whiteboard area and said it was a great way to keep kids entertained on long car rides.

Window shade

Protect your backseat drivers from UVA and UVB rays with some window shades. Many parents like the shades by Enovoe , which come in a two- or four-pack.

Bag of small toys and activities

Load up on small toys you can surprise your kids with throughout the journey. Wikki Stix , Melissa & Doug Water Wow pads and sticker books are all good, low-cost activities, and you can find other cheap options at your local dollar and thrift stores. You might even add some candy to the mix, especially for that last leg of the trip.

Most parents want to keep screen time to a minimum, but all bets are off when it comes to travel. Consider a tablet like the Amazon Fire Kids , which comes with a protective case and one year of Amazon Kids+. Amazon Kids+ features thousands of ad-free books, games and apps; for any streaming services you have at home, you can download TV show episodes and movies so the kids don't need Wi-Fi to watch them.

Small blanket

Bring a small blanket and/or other comfort item from home to ensure the kids are cozy and content in the backseat. You could also bring a Cubcoat , which is a two-in-one stuffed animal that transforms into a hoodie. Your child's furry friend (think bunnies, sloths and puppies) doubles as a soft, zip-up sweatshirt, and you get to save some space in your suitcase.

Kids travel journal

A kids travel journal makes it easy for your child to document their road trip and all the fun things they see and do. Plus, many kids journals feature world maps, puzzles, fun facts and more activities to keep boredom at bay.

Road trip tips

Plan your stops.

It can be helpful and fun to plan your road trip stops ahead of time. Break up the trip with stops at a pretty park, a quirky roadside attraction or a top-rated restaurant.

Debit cards and Venmo may be the way of the world nowadays, but you may still run into a few places on your journey that are cash-only. Be on the safe side by keeping some spare cash on hand.

Download a fuel savings app

You can save some money on fuel by using apps like GasBuddy , which will show you the cheapest gas prices in your area. Go the extra mile by signing up for a gas rewards credit card to get the most bang for your buck.

You might also be interested in:

• Vacation Packing List
• The Best Kids Luggage
• The Best Carry-on Luggage
• The Best Travel Insurance Companies

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18 Things a Lifelong Scuba Diver Recommends Packing for Your First Dive or Snorkel Trip — From $14

Including the perfect non-slip swimsuit, reef-friendly sunscreen, and more.

Travel + Leisure / Tyler Roeland

“The ocean is calling and I must go” has been my mantra for pretty much as long as I can remember. I first got certified to scuba dive when I spontaneously signed up for a course as one of my college electives while a student at the University of Florida. I completed my open water course in the crystal clear waters of the beautiful Florida springs , then immediately booked a ticket to Australia to go scuba diving along the Great Barrier Reef .

That was almost 30 years ago now, and my dive adventures and world travels since (they usually go hand-in-hand) have taken me everywhere from my backyard in Florida and all over the Caribbean to Papua New Guinea, Palau, French Polynesia and even Arctic Norway, where I dived under ice floes in the realm of the polar bear. 

While there’s some pretty heavy equipment required to go scuba diving — including aluminum or steel air tanks, wet suits (or dry suits, when the water is frigid), buoyancy control devices (BCDs), regulators for breathing and even boots, hoodies and gloves when it’s cold, I usually just rent all of that gear where I land — especially if I’m traveling for longer stints and don’t want to lug everything along.  

Being comfortable in the water and with your gear is key to making the most of your next dive, however. So much of my luggage space on a dive trip gets taken up by smaller accessories and must-haves that make being out on the water and in it all the nicer.

Read on for some items to consider bringing along on your next scuba diving trip.  

Riffe Mantis 5 Mask

Finding a mask that fits your face perfectly, doesn’t fog up and has a look you love is pretty personal. Do you prefer a clear skirt around the mask or a black one? Do you want a colorful frame that pops in photos or do you prefer something more neutral? For more than 15 years, I’ve been using this mask for all of my scuba diving adventures. And if I can only bring one piece of gear with me on a dive trip, it’s my Riffe Mantis 5. A favorite among free divers since it has a low volume compared to many other scuba masks, I especially like this mask because it fits particularly well with my wider face frame. The mask’s frame is made of a durable nylon that has never chipped or cracked on me despite countless times being tossed about on a dive boat. And while rental masks I’ve had to use on occasion usually cause me nothing but fogging-up trouble, this mask is made with heat-treated silicon rubber that helps banish that particular problem. When friends ask me what mask they should buy, this is always the first one out of my mouth. 

Scubapro Semi-dry Snorkel 

Whether or not to wear a snorkel when you dive is another personal choice you’ll have to make as a diver. While you’ll never need it underwater when you’re breathing from a regulator, snorkels can come in handy at the surface while waiting for the boat and when you don’t want to be breathing air from the tank anymore. One common problem for snorkelers is that water sometimes enters the tube — and it’s never a pleasant sensation when you suck it in while breathing. That’s when a semi-dry snorkel like this one from Scubapro can save the day, since it prevents water from entering the tube from above while you’re face down and enjoying the view. The ergonomic mouthpiece fits comfortably in your bite and there’s even a purge valve you can push to expel any water you might have accidentally sucked inside. The snorkel can be attached to the head strap of any mask, too. 

Neo Sport Front Zipper Wetsuit Vest 

Nothing kills the vibe on a dive like feeling cold. Even in tropical waters, chills can set in when you’ve been underwater for a while. When I fear whatever rental wetsuit I’ve been handed might not be enough to keep me toasty, I like having a little extra heat insurance in the form of this stretchy zip-up neoprene vest that packs down tiny. NeoSport by Henderson Diving has been a favorite wetsuit brand of mine for several years because of how comfortable its products are, with the perfect amount of stretch. This vest gives me an extra 2.5mm of warmth that layers perfectly over a bikini, rash guard or full body skin. 

Travel + Leisure / Terry Ward

Nanogrip Sunny Tide Bikini Top 

Patagonia is my go-to for bikinis that let you stay active underwater with no wardrobe malfunctions in the mix. Made in a Fair Trade Certified factory, this bikini might look delicate with its pretty backstraps, but it stays snug on your skin, whether you’re squeezing into a wetsuit on a bouncing boat or headed out for a post-dive surf on the beach. It comes in some great mix and match colors and patterns, too (I love the tropical look of Islands Seedlings: Milkweed Mauve). 

Nanogrip Bikini Bottoms

What fits snug up top should do the same job on your lower half. So you’ll want these Nanogrip bikini bottoms by Patagonia on your next dive trip, too. They fit true-to-size with a classic, mid-rise cut and plenty of coverage on the back side. And they come in a range of solids and prints you can mix and match with the Nanogrip Sunny Side bikini tops. 

Spacefish Army Scuba Head Band 

Space Fish Army

You’d think keeping your hair tied back with a hair tie would suffice underwater. But the longer your locks, the more likely they are to surface from a dive all tangled from your mask and currents. That’s why keeping your hair confined closer to your head with a headband like this fun manta-embellished one by Spacefish Army is a good idea. You put the headband on first, then place your mask over it (the headband keeps stray hairs from getting under your mask, which can lead to leaks). This head band offers UPF 50+ sun protection and is made from recycled plastics, making it eco-friendly, too. 

Willit UPF 50+ Sun Protection Hoodie 

When the dive day is done but I’m still in the sun, I’m the first to slip out of wet stuff in favor of dry clothes that still offer up sun protection. And while the light yet cozy  Venture Performance Hoody from Costa del Mar has been my favorite for several years now (without ever fading in the sun), Amazon has a solid option, too. This hoodie by Willit has UPF 50+ sun protection, seams that won’t chafe, and thumb holes to keep the sleeves pulled down to your wrists for maximum coverage. It comes in a slew of fun candy-hued colors ranging from teal and tangerine to bright purple that pop against the backdrop of a gorgeous blue ocean. 

ScubaPro Comfort Dive Mask Strap

Besides being pretty uncomfortable against your head and ears, those plastic head straps on your dive mask can do a doozy on your hair, leaving it tangled up and knotty after a dive. Even if you’re renting a mask on your next dive trip, you’ll want to have one of these handy neoprene strap covers on hand to slide over the plastic strap and make for a far more comfortable dive. The stretchy fabric also makes it easier to slide your mask over your head and take it off once you surface, too. 

Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen

It goes without saying that if you’re out in the sun you should be protecting your skin from damaging rays. But when you’re spending time in the ocean, it’s also important to make sure the sun protection you’re using doesn’t harm the fragile marine environment you’ve come to enjoy, and this applies whether you’re scuba diving, snorkeling or simply going for a swim. Chemical sunscreens can damage aquatic life , including corals, due to the UV filters in them. For a strong sunscreen for my face, I always reach for this one by Sun Bum. Mineral-based and made with Zinc, it’s free of oxybenzone and octinoxate — ingredients that have been shown to be detrimental to the health of corals. The cream feels lightweight and has a matte look yet offers SPF 50 protection from UVA and UVB rays. 

PackTowl Changing Poncho

Once I’m done diving for the day, I’m ready to towel off and slip into a sundress for happy hour — and sometimes that starts on the boat ride back to land. Having a roomy changing poncho like this colorful PackTowl version from REI makes it easy to both dry off and slip out of your bikini into dry clothes, even when you hardly have the boat to yourself for privacy. It comes in colorful retro-inspired designs, is made from 85 percent recycled fabric and absorbs three times its weight in water.  I love the poncho’s large kangaroo-style front pocket for keeping my hands cozy when the wind is cranking on the boat ride back to shore. 

SeaLife Sport Diver Scuba Case

Since I’m often on assignment during my dive trips as a travel writer who’s also an expert diver, I sometimes get lucky and have a professional underwater photographer along with me to capture all the fish-filled moments. When I don’t, however, I try my hand at capturing all the colors and corals myself with my iPhone tucked safely inside this waterproof housing from trusted brand SeaLife. It’s important that you’re a competent diver and can control your buoyancy before you start trying to take photos underwater. But when you’re ready, this housing is compact and compatible with most Android phones and iPhone 7 and up. The best part? It lets you take your phone and camera down to depths of up to 130 feet (with an open water certification, however, you’ll stay much shallower).

Seiko Prospex Automatic Dive Watch

The more you dive —and particularly if you’re a watch person to begin with, like I am — the more you’re going to want your own dive watch at some point. Enter the Seiko Prospex, a PADI special edition automatic diver’s watch that’s based on the brand’s iconic design. I like this one because it has a stainless steel case that’s rugged but stylish and follows ISO standards of scuba diving for depths of up to 200 meters (which you’ll never get anywhere close to, unless you’re in a submarine, of course). 

Seea Palomar Crop Top Rashguard 

Backcountry

Even if the water is warm enough to forgo a wetsuit entirely — and when you don’t want full body coverage in the form of a hydro suit — you’re still going to want to wear a rashguard under your BCD to keep the straps from irritating your bare skin. I love this slim cut crop top rashguard by California swimwear brand Seea for its bright colors and fun prints, as well as the long-sleeve sun protection it offers. It looks great with a low-rise bikini bottom or boardshorts and is made from recycled fishing nets, plastic bottles, and clothing. 

Costa Panga Sunglasses 

Living year-round in the Sunshine State, I don’t leave my house without a top quality pair of sunglasses in tow to protect my eyes from the punishing UV rays. On land as out on the water, Florida brand Costa del Mar is my go-to for quality eye protection that’s both fashionable and functional. Polarized lenses are a must when out on the water, both to protect your eyes from sun glare and for spotting fish or shipwrecks just under the water’s surface, too, when you’re scouting a dive site from the boat. For me, it’s always a toss up whether I’ll be wearing my Costa Waterwoman sunglasses , with the signature blue and tortoiseshell frame, or these great Costa Panga sunglasses with green mirror lenses that look particularly great in photos — especially when turquoise waters are reflected in them. 

Pearl Necklace by Tula Blue 

Jewelry might seem like an odd thing to put on a scuba diving packing list, but hear me out. I love pretty things. And just because I’m clad in neoprene and lugging a scuba tank doesn’t mean I can’t channel my inner mermaid with some ocean-inspired bling on my body. The woman-owned, Texas-based jewelry brand, Tula Blue , makes waterproof and adventure-ready pieces with a minimalist look I love. Sustainably sourced shells, freshwater pearls and semi-precious stones are strung on handspun nautical-grade rope in Tula Blue’s line of bracelets, anklets, necklaces and pendants, including this classic necklace with a single freshwater pearl and puka shell closure. Sales of some of the baubles even benefit environmental non-profit organization PADI AWARE Foundation’s ocean conservation causes. This simple necklace hasn’t come off my neck in months and has weathered scores of dives — and it still looks as pretty as the day I got it, both underwater and at the surface.

Stream2Sea Leave-in Conditioner 

Salt water is my favorite kind. But it can be harsh on your hair, leaving it feeling dry, brittle and sun-worn from all the fun. I learned from diver friends with far finer tresses than mine that the secret to keeping dive hair looking better is to apply a leave-in conditioner to your locks as soon as you surface. As with sunscreen, however, you don’t want to wear anything damaging to the ocean when you’re out enjoying it. So I reach for this biodegradable, sulfate and paraben-free leave-in conditioner by Stream2Sea that’s made with olive oil, wakame, and green tea. It’s reef-safe and has keratin proteins that leave my hair feeling soft and shiny — even after a full week in the salt water, wind and sun. 

PADI Gear Trshbg Ocean Cleanup Bag

Unfortunately, the more you dive, the more trash you’ll also see in the ocean. Plastic bottles, toothpaste tubes and more plastic bags than I can count are among the many pieces of rubbish I’ve sadly collected on dives all around the world. I make sure to have this bag that attaches at the hip and leg along with me to help dive masters gather trash when I dive. The PADI Gear Trshbg is handmade in Indonesia of upcycled materials and is designed to keep you free from actually holding a bag while collecting any trash you might spot on a dive. It dries quickly and packs down light, so there’s really no reason not to add it to your packing list. 

Fourth Element Hydro Suit 

Fourth Element

Since wetsuits are heavy and take up a lot of space in luggage, I tend to just rent them on dive trips (water temperatures also dictate the wetsuit thickness you’ll need, which is another reason I prefer to rent). But even in tropical waters where a wetsuit isn’t really necessary, I always like to dive with a thin “skin” like this Lycra version from Fourth Element that offers UPF 50+ protection from the sun while also keeping you safe from stinging jellyfish, fire coral, and other marine nuisances. The elasticized thumb loops make it easy to pull on. And the tight fit makes for a sleek underwater profile that looks great in diving photos and when you’re just snorkeling at the surface, too. 

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Our favorite tents for the 2024 summer camping season

Kickoff the summer camping season by upgrading to one of the best camping tents of 2024..

Summer is the perfect time to get away from the city and explore the great outdoors. You can escape the summer heat by heading to a remote forest or mountaintop. Whether it's your first time roughing it or you're looking to upgrade to a camping  tent that takes the "rough" out of "roughing it," there are so many great options available right now.

From tents that set up in minutes to feature-packed designs that make your home away from home feel almost luxurious, these are the best camping  tents in 2024 for all your summer getaways. (And while you're at it, add some extra comfort to your camping experience with one of these best sleeping bags for summer .)

Best tent for camping overall: The North Face Wawona tent

With double-wall construction, The North Face Wawona camping tent offers the best of both worlds: maximum weather protection and maximum breathability. The inner layer is a fully breathable fabric paired with a mesh front door to allow for better airflow on those hot summer nights when you don't want your tent to turn into a hot box. Then, the waterproof outer layer keeps wind and rain out if the weather turns.

This spacious camping tent includes 58 square feet of interior space and an extra 27 square feet of space in the covered vestibule, making for a roomy indoor-outdoor living setup that you'll enjoy coming home to after a long day of hiking , rafting or fishing. On the larger six-person version of this tent, you'll get even more square footage in both the interior area and the vestibule.

Overall, it's durable, breathable, spacious and built to be the perfect basecamp for longer camping trips. Get the luxurious camping tent from REI where prices start at $400 for the four-person size.

Top features of The North Face Wawona tent:

• This spacious tent includes both a roomy enclosed area and a breezy, covered vestibule.
• Double-wall construction allows for a tent that is both fully breathable and fully waterproof.
• With tons of interior pockets embedded all through the walls and ceiling of the tent, it's easy to keep your gear organized, off the floor and accessible.
• It's available in both a four- and six-person size.

Get the 4-person The North Face Wawona tent:

Get the 6-person The North Face Wawona tent:

Easiest tent to set up and tear down: Alpine Mountain Gear Weekender

This durable tent from Alpine Mountain Gear has just two poles for easy set-up and tear-down, which makes it great for those summer road trips where you'll be setting up and tearing down every few days as you move from campsite to campsite.

In addition to easy setup, the Alpine Weekender Tent offers lots of nifty camper-friendly features like a rainfly for when the weather turns, a gear loft so you can store your gear inside without taking up floor space, and power ports so you can plug into a generator from inside the tent.

It's available in multiple sizes, ranging from a three-person tent up to a six-person tent. And if you order now, you can get any one of them for over half off at REI.

Top features of the Alpine Mountain Gear Weekender:

• The two-pole design makes for easy setup and teardown.
• The durable polyester fabric can withstand frequent use.
• A gear loft inside allows you to stash your things up high so it doesn't take up valuable floor space.
• This tent is available in a three-, four- or six-person size.

Get the 3-person Alpine Mountain Gear Weekender tent:

Get the 4-person Alpine Mountain Gear Weekender tent:

Get the 6-person Alpine Mountain Gear Weekender tent:

Best camping tent on a budget: Coleman Skydome

If you're looking for affordable camping gear, you're looking for Coleman. It's easily the best brand for camping gear you can rely on at prices that almost feel too good to be true. Take the Coleman Skydome. Featuring pre-attached poles, this tent is easier to set up than most and boasts a frame that's sturdy enough to withstand wind gusts up to 35 miles per hour.

The Coleman Skydome also comes with a waterproof rain fly to keep you dry even if you get caught in a sudden summer storm. Meanwhile, the Dark Room fabric that this tent is made of blocks 90% of sunlight so you won't be woken up at the crack of dawn while you're on vacation.

The affordable tent is available in multiple sizes, ranging from a 4-person tent up to a 10-person tent. No matter how big your family is, you'll be able to find a budget-friendly and reliable option that will fit everyone.

Get the popular Coleman Skydome camping tent while it's up to 27% off at Amazon. Prices start at $110 for the four-person (reduced from $150). The six-person tent ($150, reduced from $200) and eight-person tent ($170, reduced from $230) are also on sale right now.

Top features of the Coleman Skydome:

• With pre-attached poles, this Coleman tent sets up in as little as five minutes.
• The Dark Room fabric blocks 90% of sunlight.
• A waterproof rain fly is included in case there's bad weather in the forecast.

Best tent for backpacking trips: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV

Designed specifically for backpacking, the Copper Spur HV line from Big Agnes is lightweight, extra durable and easy to set up and tear down. That's possible thanks to a double-layer of ripstop nylon that adds improved tear and puncture resistance without adding weight. The pre-bent span poles and ziplock tent buckle design in the tent corners allow for easy setup and make it easy to lock your pole tips in place.

When it's time to lace up your  hiking boots  and set out in the morning, the tent folds down to as small as 17.5 inches by 5.5 inches (for the one-person size). And it only adds a minimum trail weight of two pounds and two ounces to your hiking backpack . Available in multiple sizes, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV maxes out at just three pounds and eight ounces minimum trail weight for the three-person tent, the largest size available.

It's packed with tons of other handy features for backpackers, too, like vented doors, media pockets and a raised bin to store your things off the floor.

Top features of the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV:

• This tent is ultra-lightweight, making it easier to transport on hikes.
• With pre-bent poles and pole-locking corners, it's easy to set up and tear down on your multi-day backpacking trips.
• The dual-layer nylon material adds extra durability without adding extra weight.
• It's available in one-, two- and three-person sizes.

Get the 1-person Big Agnes Copper Spur HV tent:

Get the 2-person Big Agnes Copper Spur HV tent:

Get the 3-person Big Agnes Copper Spur HV tent:

More top-rated tents for summer camping

• A pop-up tent that sets up instantly: Gazelle T4 hub, $310
• A customizable and spacious tent that sleeps 4: REI Co-op Wonderland X Tent, $700 (reduced from $999)
• Get a top-rated 8-person tent for under $200: Campros CP 8, $160 (reduced from $200)
• Gear up with a tent and sleeping bag bundle under $300: Kelty Discovery Basecamp Bundle, $225 (reduced from $300)

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