Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you buy something through one of the links on this site, I may earn a small commission (at no cost to you!). A big thank you to Tesalate for the free towel! I’m loving it.
The detailed list of car road trip essentials in this post can help you elevate your road trip experience! Before you hit the road and enjoy the fresh air, check out my must-have list of car road trip essentials.
Tesalate towels are an essential road trip item. Road trips often include spontaneous activities. For instance, you might be driving down the road and see a beautiful beach you want to stop and check out or enjoy a sunset cruise. A Tesalate towel will keep you dry, give you a place to sit, and can even double as a blanket if you get cold. Plus, Tesalate towels have rapid dry technology, are sand-free, and compact when rolled up!
These eye-catching towels come in various patterns as well as two sizes, regular and a towel for two. For all these reasons, Tesalate towels are a must-have road trip essential.
Below are my road trip essentials grouped by category. You can click on a category and jump straight to that section.
Car Road Trip Essentials for Electronics
Electronics play a key role on a road trip because these gadgets and accessories can make your trip so much easier. My list of road trip essentials for electronics is designed to enhance your experience!
Car Cell Phone Holder
I recently started using this phone holder and find it more convenient than having my phone rolling around on the front seat of my car or buried in my purse. With the phone holder, it’s easy to follow driving directions and see the map. Plus, in many countries, it’s illegal to use your phone while driving. Stay safe and use a phone holder.
External Battery Pack
On a road trip, you are likely going to need to charge your phone and/or other electronics while out and about. An external battery pack can keep your electronics charged and ready for your next adventure. A battery pack should make it to any road trip essentials packing list.
Camera
Part of the fun of a road trip is capturing your memories. A camera will let you take incredible pictures of your adventures. This Canon point and shoot is easy to use and takes great photos!
USB Car Quick Charging Adapter
While in your car, you probably want to keep your electronics charging. A USB car adopter lets you charge two devices at the same time. Don’t forget to order the wire separately.
Multi Headphone Audio Splitter
If you are traveling with kids, you may want to keep them occupied by watching a movie. A headphone splitter is ideal for watching the same movie at the same time and should be part of your checklist for road trip essentials with kids.
Flexible and Light Tripod
During your road trip, you are probably going to pull over and take a few pictures. With today’s technology, you don’t have to ask someone to take a picture for you. Instead, use a travel tripod to set up the perfect shot. I have both of these tripods and love using them!
Audiobooks/Music
On several road trips I’ve been on, the cell service becomes spotty and even non-existent. Don’t be caught off guard and stuck driving in silence. Instead, download a few Audiobooks and playlists before you leave and have your entertainment on demand.
Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Portable speakers are handy to play music at a roadside stop, at the beach, or a park. I use a portable speaker at the beach all the time. They are lightweight and easy to throw in a day bag and should make your list for beach day trip essentials.
Car Road Trip Essentials for Safety
Being prepared to handle any road trip glitch or emergency can make a road trip a little smoother. Here are some of road trip essentials for staying safe.
Emergency Car Kit
Having a car emergency kit is essential in case your car breaks down, needs a quick jump, or you need to change a tire. I keep a safety kit in my car, whether I am driving around town or on a road trip. For these reasons, an emergency car kit makes my list of road trip essentials.
First Aid Kit
As part of your road trip preparedness, you should throw a first-aid kit in your car. You might not need it, but better to have it on hand in case of an emergency.
Headlamp
A headlamp is a crucial road trip essential because you can light up the area in front of you while keeping both hands free. Headlamps can be more powerful than a flashlight too and are useful if you need to change a tire at night, if you want to take a night walk, or if you need extra light at night. Headlamps are also part of any packing list for road trip essentials for camping.
Duct Tape
Duct Tape is a road trip essential because it is so versatile. You never know when you need to tape something back together.
Swiss Army Knife/Leatherman Multiple-Purpose Tool
I like to take a multi-purpose tool with me, like a Swiss Army Knife or a Leatherman on a road trip. These tools are useful to fix unexpected problems and makes my road trip essentials for adult list.
Pen and Paper
Cellphones are great, but there is nothing like a pen and paper to take a quick note. Throw a pad of paper in the car and a pen so you can jot down notes about your trip or if you need to leave a note.
Car Road Trip Essentials for Comfort
When you are spending several hours at a time in the car, it’s important you are comfortable. Here are a few road trip essentials that will make your road trip more comfortable.
Travel Pillow
Sometimes, when you are on a long road trip, you get tired. If you’re not driving, you may want to take a cat nap, so you arrive fresh at your destination. To help with your sweet dreams, consider packing a travel pillow.
Pullover Sweatshirt
Since I often get cold, I like to have a sweatshirt on hand. Here are a couple of cozy pullover suggestions to keep you warm.
Joggers
When I’m sitting in the car for hours on end, I like to wear comfortable pants like joggers.
Travel Socks
As a passenger on a road trip, I generally kick off my shoes and stretch out. I prefer fleece socks on road trips because they are comfortable and cozy.
Car Road Trip Essentials for Staying Healthy
Hygiene
Whether you are trying to ward off the flu, a cold, or COVI-19, it’s essential to stay healthy. Here are a few items to help you stay clean and hygienic on the road. Plus, the water wipes are road trip baby essentials.
Disposable Female Urination Device
Okay, so I have an idea of what you are thinking right about now. Next item, please. The same thoughts used to run through my mind. However, these days, it’s possible that you’ll need to use a restroom, but one won’t be available. I bought these disposable urination devices for a recent road trip for that exact reason. I learned that these devices are surprisingly easy to use. However, to avoid an accident, I highly suggest you test one at home first.
Bug Spray
If you are heading into a woodsy area or a place that has mosquitoes, you might want to pack some bug spray. I prefer my bug spray to contain Deet, but not everybody agrees. Read the ingredients of your bug spray before purchasing.
Sunscreen
I travel with sunscreen to protect myself from the sun. I use reef safe sunscreen because it works and it’s better for the ocean.
Aloe Gel
I use All Terrain Aloe Gel for multiple reasons. It’s great for sun relief and works wonders on my itchy bug bites.
Car Road Trip Essentials for Staying Organized
It’s easy to scatter your stuff across the car on a road trip if you don’t have the right gear and accessories. My road trip essentials for staying organized will make it easier to find your stuff in the car.
Car Bag/Day Bag
A backpack that can double as a car bag is useful for staying organized. You can also use a backpack to stash the items you don’t want to leave in your car.
Car Garbage Bin
Most people eat in their car during a road trip. I say most people because I was not allowed to eat in the car growing up. I’m still not allowed to eat in my dad’s car. But, my car is another story. To keep your car clean, throw a couple of garbage bags in your car for trash or use a car garage bin like the one below.
Seat Organizer
If you are traveling with kids, you’ll want a seat organizer to help keep your backseat tidy with items easily accessible.
Trunk Organizer
If you have the room, a trunk organizer is a car road trip essential to keep you organized on the road. This trunk organizer has 3 compartments, removable sub-dividers can be folded half-length as a seat organizer, and is lightweight yet unbreakable. It is fully collapsible for easy storage and is designed to prevent your cargo from sliding. A trunk organizer is something you want to pack on a long road trip.
Car Road Trip Essentials for Warding Off Hunger and Thirst
Who doesn’t get hungry and thirsty on a road trip? If you are focused on your trip time, you are not going to want to stop every hour. So, here are a few road trip essentials for warding off hunger and thirst.
Cooler Bag
My last road trip was to Yosemite, a six hour drive from my house. We used a cooler bag to keep food items like sandwiches, cold drinks, and sweets (chocolate) cool. I was surprised at how many times we used our cooler bag!
Ice Packs for Your Cooler Bag
To keep your cooler bag cool, you may want to throw in a couple of ice packs. Ice packs are day trip essentials.
Reusable Water Bottle
Road Trip Essential Snacks
A road trip is not complete without getting a few snacks to munch on along the way. Road trip food essentials, like breakfast bars, trail mix, chips, and cookies are easy to eat and don’t make a mess. However, make sure you leave some room in your car for items you pick up along the way at local stores and farmers’ markets.
Now that you have your car road trip essentials, it’s time to plan the Perfect Road Trip. If you are looking for road trip ideas, check out my road trip to Yosemite Valley, a drive on the Tioga Pass, and a road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway in California.
Thanks for visiting The Trav Nav. Let other Trav Navers know if there is an item you would add to this list!
This is a great guide! We’re going to be road-tripping the USA soon so this essentials list is ideal!
Terrific! I hope you have a great time!
Michelle was truly a professional and easy to work with. Our product was excellently featured and described. Looking forward to collaborate with her again.
Thank you for your kind words! I love my Tesalate towel and hope everyone else does too!
How about paper towels, paper plates and some plastic utensils? Bottle/can opener and Toilet Paper for those rest stops along the road
All good ideas! Thanks for sharing.
I think I’m gonna get myself a seat organizer for Christmas! It would be so helpful on road trips now that we will have two kids in the back.
Wonderful!!
I love those joggers. They are my new favorite thing in the wardrobe!
I cannot get enough of joggers these days. 🙂
This is a great article. I like how thorough you are. My favorite part is the one on organization. I appreciate learning about all of the organizational tools.
Thank you! I love sharing all the little details. Glad you like the organization tools section!!!
Great list of essentials! I know I LOVE my cooler bag and like you am amazed at how often we use it – even when just out and about for a day trip.
Thank you!! I recently rediscovered the cooler bag and so glad I did!
That’s my favorite travel pillow!
Mine too!
I like how the towel is the first thing because that’s definitely something I forget all the time.
Funny, how a towel is one of the essential items we don’t think about until we need it!