If you’re a super savvy road tripper, you’ve probably already mastered the art of assembling your car kit. But if you’re not used to logging a lot of miles, it can be hard to know exactly what you’ll need for a long day of driving or a cross country adventure. Add more people, especially kids, into the equation and it gets even more complicated. Fortunately, there are a few staples that make road trips easier for everyone (including your furry family members). From noise canceling headphones that will drown out all the “Are we there yets?” to a car seat cover that keeps dog hair at bay and a cooler that keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours, here are seven road trip essentials that will make the miles fly by.
1. Deuter Kikki Kid’s Backpack, $50, Amazon
You can spend $50 on backseat organizers for the kids’ stuff, or you can invest in these durable pint-sized backpacks from Deuter. Simply have your littles pack their favorite toys, tablets and snacks for the trip in their individual backpacks. Then, when you get to your destination, use these backpacks, which are designed for ages 3 and up, on day hikes and adventures around the campground. In addition to the main compartment, there are two side pockets perfect for carrying water bottles. The Deuter Kikki Kid’s Backpack comes in five colors and has an impressive 4.8-star average rating from nearly 700 reviews.
2. Ruffwear Dirtbag Seat Cover, $90, Ruffwear
If there’s inclement weather in the forecast, or your loyal sidekick simply knows how to make a mess given any circumstances, use this seat cover from Ruffwear to keep your car or truck clean. Unlike cheaper versions you can find out there, this seat cover is made of the most durable tearproof polyester and plastic so it’s built to last. It also has a water-repellant finish and “stuffer cleats” and a grip coating to ensure it stays in place. When you want to wash it, simply throw it in the washing machine and hang dry. There’s also a handy zippered pocket for stashing things like treats and toys. Still not sold on it? Just know that 174 of its 223 reviews are perfect 5-star reviews.
3. Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow, $40, Amazon
If you think travel pillows are just for planes, think again. In fact, there’s a reason they’re called travel pillows, not plane pillows. Made of memory foam and featuring straps so it can easily attach to your headrest and won’t slide around, the Cabeau Evolution S3 is one of the best travel pillows money can buy. CNN called it the best travel pillow of 2022, and it has a 4.4-star average rating from more than 4,500 reviews. Unlike other travel pillows, the S3 features a machine-washable removable cover with a secret pocket perfect for storing a pair of earplugs. When not in use, the pillow stuffs down in a convenient carrying case that’s about a third of the size of the pillow. It even has a carabiner clip so you can easily attach it to any bag.
4. Sony Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones, $150, Best Buy
Ideally, road trips are a great time to catch up and engage in stimulating conversation. Still, some quiet time can be nice. That’s when these best-selling noise canceling headphones from Sony come in handy. Use them to enjoy utter silence, or use them to listen to your road trip playlist that everyone else in the car doesn’t appreciate as much as they should. They’re wireless, so you can simply connect them to any device via Bluetooth. The battery life is long – think 35 hours – and the headset is adjustable so you can customize it for the most comfortable fit. These headphones have a 4.4-star average rating from more than 2,200 reviews and even come with four free months of Apple Music (valued at $10 per month).
5. Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket, $129, Amazon
It doesn’t matter what the temperature is, if you travel with a group, it seems someone is always cold. This bestselling camp blanket from Rumpl is exactly what you need for car time when whoever is in control of the heat won’t crank it up. It’s made of a recycled down alternative and packs down into a stuff sack to be about the size of a Nalgene water bottle. As a bonus, it’s also treated with a durable water repellent so it’s stain resistant. When you’ve reached your final destination, use the clip to wear it as a cape while you sit around the fire to stay warm. On Amazon it has a 4.8-star average rating from more than 600 reviews, and it comes in 19 colors.
6. iOttie Universal Phone Holder Car Mount, $25, Amazon
Ideally, your vehicle has a built-in phone mount so you can talk on the phone and navigate hands-free, but if not, no worries. This highly rated (it has a 4.5-star average rating from nearly 100,000 reviews) universal phone holder easily mounts to any dashboard and fits most phones. Unlike other mounts, it boasts a “one-touch mechanism” so you don’t need to fiddle with your phone to get it in or out. It also has a magnetic component that keeps charging cables neatly organized and a telescopic arm that pivots so you’re not limited to certain viewing angles.
7. RTIC Soft Pack 12-Can Cooler, $90, RTIC
You could stop at a gas station every time you want a cold drink, or you could save money in the long run and stock up on your favorite beverages bought in bulk. Keep them cold for up to 24 hours in this soft pack cooler made with an impenetrable nylon shell. Available in seven colors, it has an impressive 4.7-star average rating from nearly 2,000 reviews. On Amazon, where there are even more colors available (but the $100 price is slightly higher), this cooler has a 4.5-star rating from more than 3,200 reviews. There’s a zippered front pocket, several options for handles and the lid is leak proof and spill proof so nothing ever gets wet. In fact, this cooler even floats. In addition to road trips, you can take it on the river or lake.
Katie Jackson is a writer and media specialist based in Montana’s Big Sky Country. Living and working everywhere from New York to Nicaragua, Katie is no stranger to adventure. When she’s not traveling the world (or writing about it!) she’s busy chasing after a Leonberger named Zeus. Follow Katie’s travels on Instagram @katietalkstravel.
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