Whether you are visiting family in another state, driving up into the mountains for a scenic fall weekend, or embarking on an epic adventure spanning several weeks, road trips are an iconic American getaway. While it’s certainly possible to hit the road with nothing more than your driver’s license and a bottle of water, a few thoughtful gadgets and supplies will make for smoother sailing.
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I previously lived in a campervan while traveling across North America, and I still find myself trekking across the country multiple times each year, so I’ve had plenty of seat time to test the best road trip gear. From entertainment options including podcasts and games to utilities such as a portable power bank and pet accessories, here are a handful of road trip essentials that will make your next excursion the best one yet.
All prices current at time of publication.
Portable power bank
Photograph: Jon Bitner/The Guardian
Anker Laptop Power Bank
$119.99 at Anker
$119.99 at Amazon
Since I travel with a bushel of electronics (many of which are used for work), I am always acutely aware of how much charge they have left. Most modern cars have built-in USB ports, but they’re too weak for larger electronics such as laptops. Some hotels have broken or poorly placed outlets, and most camp sites have none at all.
To make sure I always have plenty of juice wherever I end up, I now bring my Anker Laptop Power Bank with me everywhere. It has two built-in USB-C cables that can charge a laptop at full speed, plus ports for other devices, and has enough capacity to fully charge my iPhone about four times.
Podcasts and audiobooks
If you have ever set out on a cross-country trek, you know you can only listen to music for so long before your attention starts to fade. The easiest way to break up the monotony is by mixing in podcasts and audiobooks. Audible offers the best selection, with access to thousands of audiobooks for $7.95 a month. But if you’re already paying for Spotify Premium, you may not know you already have access to 15 hours of audiobooks every month, such as The Bomber Mafia from Malcolm Gladwell.
For a free option, consider the Libby app, which allows you to get free audiobooks through your local library. And of course, most podcasts are entirely free, including bingeable classics including Serial and S-Town.
Travel-sized board games
Photograph: Jon Bitner/The Guardian
GoCube Edge 3×3 Speed Cube
$49.95 at Amazon
$69.95 at Particula
If you’re traveling with companions, a few travel board games and puzzles can help whittle away the hours. Most of your favorite games are available in compact, travel formats – including Catan, chess and checkers – so your travel buddies can play while you drive, then settle down for a dedicated game night once you reach your location.
Want something that will truly keep you busy? Consider picking up the GoCube Edge, a Rubik’s Cube that connects to your smartphone and teaches you how to (finally) solve all of its colorful sides.
Catan Traveler: Compact Edition
$51.99 at Kohl’s
$51.99 at Toys R Us
Magnetic wooden chess set
$39.99 at Amazon
PlayMonster magnetic checkers
$11.52 at Amazon
$11.99 at PlayMonster
Pet accessories
Photograph: Jon Bitner/The Guardian
Earth Rated poop bags
$7.99 at Amazon
$7.99 at Chewy
Along with your dog’s food and medication, don’t forget to pack things like doggie bags for bathroom breaks, a collapsible water bowl to save space, and maybe even a seat cover if your dog has long nails or sheds heavily. I’m using the affordable Active Pets Standard Car Hammock, which is inexpensive, durable and fits most vehicles.
Collapsible dog bowls
$5.59 at Amazon
Active Pets dog car hammock
$24.57 at Amazon
First-aid kit
Photograph: Jon Bitner/The Guardian
Mini first-aid kit
$9.99 at Amazon
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This one is common sense, but a lot of people forget to regularly check their first-aid kit or replenish it after use. Many people forget to bring one entirely. Having a first aid kit in your car is a necessity for road trips, especially when stocked with pain relievers, bandages, allergy medicine and antiseptics. It’s no fun getting a cut on your hand out in the middle of nowhere, only to realize you don’t have a bandage – and the closest convenience store is hours away.
Cooler
Photograph: Jon Bitner/The Guardian
RTIC Road Trip cooler
$99 at RTIC
$105 at Walmart
When even a Big Mac can top $7, it is shocking how quickly the costs of food and drink can add up on the road. Everything seems to be more expensive the closer you are to the highway, but you can beat these inflated prices by packing a cooler. I’ve been using the now-defunct Moosejaw Chilladilla for years. Along with stashing away fruit, cans of sparkling water, and sandwiches, its durable construction means I don’t have to worry about damaging it if I want to take it on a short hike or out to a nearby picnic table.
While the Chilladilla is no longer on the market, the RTIC 16-Quart Road Trip Cooler has a very similar hard-sided design. If you need something that’s easier to cram into a packed vehicles, the RTIC Everyday and REI Trailgate coolers are popular soft-sided options. While I can’t vouch for these firsthand, when I’m ready to upgrade, I’ll be looking at all three.
RTIC Everyday cooler
$39.98 at RTIC
$39.98 at Walmart
REI Trailgate Weekend cooler
$129.95 at REI
Tablet or e-reader
Photograph: Jon Bitner/The Guardian
BOOX Tablet Go 10.3
$409.99 at BOOX
$409.99 at Amazon
Beyond my laptop, I always like to have a second form of entertainment on hand. In most cases, that’s my BOOX Go 10.3 tablet. The slim e-reader not only carries hundreds of books, but it also lets me take notes, draw, or pull up Word and PDF files. Being able to read, write and work from the same device makes it easy to justify bringing it on any vacation, especially with its tiny footprint.
For movies and games, a simple iPad is a better option. It comes in four different flavors, but if you just need a travel companion, the basic iPad offers an 11in screen, plenty of power, and all-day battery life for a reasonable $349.
Headphones
Photograph: Jon Bitner/The Guardian
Sony WH1000XM4 wireless noise-canceling headphones
$198 at Walmart
$228 at Amazon
Though you shouldn’t wear headphones while driving, they are a great way to pick your own tunes as a passenger. You’ll need to invest in a pair with superior noise-cancellation skills, allowing you to fully block out the car radio and nearby conversations. I have been using the Sony WH-1000XM4, which excels at noise cancellation and churns out some pretty impressive audio. For even better noise cancellation and sound quality, check out its successor, the Sony WH-1000XM6, which features a sleek new design and enhanced specs.
Sony WH1000XM6 wireless noise-canceling headphones
$448 at Amazon
$449.99 at Sony
Jon Bitner is a writer covering travel, outdoors and technology for outlets including GameSpot, Digital Trends and Islands. He is an avid hiker and loves exploring the Rocky Mountains from his home in Boulder, Colorado.
