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It’s officially that time of year: The weather’s heating up (finally) and we’re all itching for summer travel. While there are some folks packing light with a weekender bag for a flight to their destination, others are hitting the road with a GPS, endless snacks, and a whole lot of patience. If you're the latter, you've come to the right place.
Since there’s no 50-pound weight limit when you drive, it’s tempting to stuff everything you own into the car with you — but the reality is, there’s only so much room before you reach maximum capacity in that Subaru Outback. And if you want all passengers to be comfortable, legroom is not something to sacrifice — trust us, it’s for the greater good.
Instead of haphazardly shoving everything but your kitchen sink into the trunk and backseat, though, try to focus on checking just the essentials off your list. We're not just talking about the basics either: We mean things you probably would have forgotten, as well as things you never even thought about bringing.
To make sure you lock in a vacation to remember in summer 2022, scroll through this list of road trip essentials for the must-haves you never knew you needed. From seat organizers and hand sanitizer holders to disposable urinals and, yes, even an air mattress for the back of your vehicle, we've got you covered for every scenario. For even more options, check out these discounted picks on Amazon.
This affordable but durable soft cooler offers enough space for 24 cans of soda and 14 pounds of ice, while still being narrow enough to store on the floor mat behind your front seat. It's highly insulated and keeps ice frozen for 24 hours, even in the summertime. It comes in several colors and includes a convenient shoulder strap.
More: The Best Dash Cam for Some Added Peace of Mind While Driving
2
Most Versatile Reusable Bag
Standard Reusable Shopping Bag (3-Pack)
2
Most Versatile Reusable Bag
Standard Reusable Shopping Bag (3-Pack)
These reusable bags can hold up to 50 pounds, but they fold down to about the size of a coin purse. We're big fans of their colorful and cheeky designs and love that they are machine-washable.
Handy for loading and unloading your vehicle, when you're not on your road trip, you can also use them at the grocery store. It's a win-win!
If you’ve ever been on a road trip, whether it was a 3-hour drive or a 16-hour one, arguably the hardest part was the seating. Sitting for hours on end is not all that comfortable, but this ComfiLife Gel Enhanced Seat Cushion is here to save your booty.
With over 53,000 five-star ratings, it’s pretty safe to say your bum will thank you. Plus, when you’re not on the road, reviewers swear by it for use on office chairs and even during yoga.
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Clif Bars are a tasty, nutritious snack that helps curb your hunger on the road. Most flavors contain 250 calories, at least 10 grams of protein, and about 5 grams of fat. They have a shelf life of a year and come in several different flavors.
This variant packs 65 milligrams of caffeine, which is the equivalent of a shot of espresso. So if you need a jolt of energy on your drive, this snack has your back.
5
Best Blackout Sleep Mask
Sleep Eye Mask
5
Best Blackout Sleep Mask
Sleep Eye Mask
Now 38% Off
Sleep doesn't come easily to all when there's no cozy bed in sight, but this light-blocking sleep mask is sure to help fix that. Use it on the road (passengers only, please) and/or at the hotel, motel, Airbnb, or other locations along the way. A more peaceful sleep awaits you this vacation.
More: 11 Eye Masks for Sleeping That Give You the Best Night's Rest
You know the drill: Wherever there are snacks, there needs to be hand sanitizer, especially when there's no sink for miles. This nifty holder makes accessing your hand sanitizer easier, so you can eat in a pinch when you feel yourselves getting hangry mid-trip.
No sticky, germy fingers here! Simply clip it wherever you'd like inside the vehicle — the headrest, door, et cetera — and enjoy the drive with convenience at your fingertips.
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No matter who you're traveling with, there are always a million loose items that get taken out of bags and tossed around throughout the ride. These backseat organizers are lifesavers for this very reason, especially if you're traveling with children. They can hold everything and anything a passenger could need without having to rummage through bags or fight over what belongs to who.
This first-aid kit may not look like anything special on the outside, but this soft-sided case contains a whopping 299 pieces. Supplies include vinyl gloves, bandages, a cold compress, gauze pads, a trauma pad, cotton-tipped applicators, first-aid tape roll, antiseptics, and all three common over-the-counter pain medications. The inner pockets are clear so you can find whatever you're looking for quickly.
A lot can happen from one destination to the next — and if there’s one thing we won’t allow you to do, it’s get caught in a storm without being prepared. No need to get drenched from head to toe at a rest stop with this compact, windproof umbrella: It’s top-rated and won’t take up much space in your car, making it a win-win.
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This headrest mount clasps to the arms underneath your vehicle's adjustable headrest. It keeps a Nintendo Switch secure and easily in view during those long road trips and comes in black, red, or white to perfectly match your car's interior.
The stand will work with a smartphone or small tablet. We were glad to see that it doesn't block the Switch's charging port, either.
Sure, you can use your smartphone to get turn-by-turn directions, but in rural areas where coverage is spotty, you may be left in the dark! Not to mention, using your phone's GPS will drain its battery and use up your data plan.
This Garmin offers a convenient split-screen design that shows you what lanes to be in when you approach your exit. It's easy to use, and the device receives map and traffic updates at no cost to you.
12
Best Driver Phone Mount
Easy One-Touch Wireless 2 Car Charger
12
Best Driver Phone Mount
Easy One-Touch Wireless 2 Car Charger
Now 18% Off
A wireless car charger helps keep your phone juiced up while driving. We love that it's easy to mount and unmount your phone, and we found its suction cup to be secure. The suction cup can also be installed on your dash multiple times.
If you don't want to stick anything to your dashboard, it's worth mentioning that iOttie also manufactures a model that mounts to your CD player or affixes to your vehicle's air conditioning vent.
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This portable dog food bowl works for mealtime or for keeping your pet hydrated on the drive. It features a tapered lip that keeps splashing to a minimum, so your car's interior won't get sopping wet from spillage. It's also dishwasher-safe, backed by a lifetime warranty, and comes in red or blue.
Most pet owners are guilty of reusing a plastic grocery bag or Ziplock to store their pet’s dry food when traveling. This pet food travel bag is a much better alternative: It has enough space for up to 10 pounds of kibble and will help keep food fresh.
You can carry it using the included strap or by the handle at its top. We appreciate the addition of its roomy front pocket for storing treats and medication. It even has a bungee for holding a bottle of water, and there's an integrated poop bag dispenser, too.
15
Best Travel Tissues
Car Tissue Holder with Facial Tissue Bulk (4-Pack)
15
Best Travel Tissues
Car Tissue Holder with Facial Tissue Bulk (4-Pack)
Don’t add “futile digging for a tissue” to the list of possible stressors on your summer road trip. These adorable tissues fit perfectly in a car cup holder so you never have to worry about a snotty situation. Step aside, seasonal allergies!
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Optimize space and bless backseat passengers with a little extra legroom by using car seat hooks. Not only will they allow for more space on the floor to keep things tidy, but they'll also help stop things from spilling out of your purse when you hit a pothole or two. Bonus points for being functional on a daily basis when you're no longer traveling!
This accessory is one of the few car chargers that can recharge a 13-inch MacBook Pro at its fastest rate (29 watts), making it one of the most powerful models available. It can recharge a Nintendo Switch, your smartphone, or your tablet, too. Best of all, it comes with a USB-C cable and costs less than $20.
More: The 5 Best USB Car Chargers That Will Fully Recharge Your iPhone In Less Than An Hour
We hear “road trip” and immediately think of blasting tunes while driving down the highway. While this is absolutely a source of fun on car trips, don’t come unprepared without having headphones for when the energy shifts and you want to watch TikToks but another person is trying to sleep.
Of course, if the ones you bring along are wireless, make sure they're fully charged and have a case to give them some extra power when the battery starts to run low.
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The longer the road trip, the messier it becomes. Whether your hands get sticky from snacking or drink spillage, or you just get sweaty from the sun beating on you all day, these wipes are the best we’ve come across.
Measuring in at 8x12 inches, they’re much larger than the competition so they can help clean bigger messes. The wipes contain moisturizing vitamin E and soothing aloe vera to keep your skin feeling fresh and clean.
Nothing ruins a trip quite like sunburn. Protect yourself from UVA and UVB rays with an SPF-packed body lotion and lip balm, but also come prepared with after-sun products to soothe any discomfort. This Sun Bum kit has one of each, plus a cute little pouch, so you can drive assured that you're ready to take on the heat.
Taylor Mead
Taylor is a freelance writer, editor, and social media manager for beauty, wellness, and lifestyle brands and publications.
Brandon Carte
Senior Electronics Editor
Brandon Carte has been covering technology at BestProducts.com since 2017, where he's been writing about the latest gadgets, appliances, and scouring the internet for the products that make life easier. His reporting has been featured on , Good Housekeeping and USA Today. When he's not researching washing machines or testing robot vacuums, you can find him at concerts, swimming laps, or at the movies. He thinks smartphones are too big, prefers MP3s to Spotify, and misses his iPhone’s headphone jack.