You never know where a road trip will lead, so it’s always best to follow the Girl Scout motto and “be prepared.” Here are 10 products to keep in your car to take your road trip from “Are we there yet?” to “It’s the journey, not the destination.”
HEST travel pillow
If you have the luxury of simply being a passenger, you’ll want to spend some of those long hours on the road asleep. The HEST pillow ensures you’ll do that.
Funded on Kickstarter in three hours (people are craving sleep), the pillow is not only super comfortable and supportive, but it’s got a kind of brilliant construction. The actual pillow folds into itself, so the part you sleep on stays clean and fresh when you’re not using it.
When you wake up hundreds of miles later, actually feeling invigorated, don’t be surprised to hear yourself offering to take the wheel.
Pendleton Chimayo throw
Once you’ve got the right pillow, there’s nothing that makes a road trip cozier than a good blanket, especially if the A/C is pumped up. And there’s no one that makes cozier blankets than Pendleton.
Inspired by the textile traditions of the Southwest – a great place to take a road trip, by the way – this pure virgin wool throw is full of rich hues, and is soft and thick. At 60” x 62”, it’s perfect for snuggling up in, but folds up nicely so it’s pretty compact.
It may become such a security blanket, you’ll want to use it in your hotel, too (which is not a bad idea, especially in COVID times).
Ember travel mug and car charger
For drivers depending on coffee to keep them alert, this combo is a game-changer. The smart heated travel mug lets you set an exact drinking temperature, then keeps it there for up to three hours – at which point you’d have to stop at a rest area anyway.
The new car charger keeps it at the temperature of your choice for the entire trip, so your coffee never gets cold. If you’re drinking all that perfect temperature coffee, though, you’ll probably still have to stop at some point.
Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze® Zipperless Hardbody® cooler
If you prefer your beverages icy cold, this cooler is your dream come true because it keeps ice up to two days. Its high-performance insulation makes sure everything stays cold, and there’s even a removable SmartShelf™ to separate drinks from sandwiches and other soft foods so they don’t get crushed.
The patented lid skips the zipper, flipping open for quick access, so you can get what you need with one hand. The cooler is available in a variety of sizes and comes with an adjustable shoulder strap, complete with pad, so, whether you’re carrying nine cans or 48, you can stop for an impromptu picnic anywhere.
Cushion Lab ergonomic pressure relief seat cushion
Sitting in a car for hours at a time can wreak havoc on your body. Luckily, Cushion Lab has scientifically designed cushions to relieve hip pressure and improve posture, whether you’re the driver or the passenger. This seat cushion is consistently their top seller and it’s as effective on a car seat as a chair.
Just plop yourself down and feel the difference. It features proprietary, odor-resistant, extra dense charcoal memory foam for real cushiness and it can be paired with the back relief lumbar pillow for ultimate comfort on the ultimate road trip.
Opolis Bio-Collection sunglasses
Sunglasses are vital on a road trip, especially if you’re the one driving, and Opolis makes specs that are not only good for your eyes, but are also good for the environment. Their Bio-Collection offers two great-looking styles that put the focus on sustainability, with frames made from plant-based and natural materials that are biodegradable.
Both feature scratch-resistant lenses, upcycled reinforced metal hinges and core, and UVA/UVB polarized protection. For every pair sold, a contribution is made to 1% For The Planet, so you’ll always have a place to take a road trip.
The Pakt One
This ingeniously designed bag has taken the best traits of a duffel and a suitcase and combined them for the easiest travel experience ever. It helps you pack light and smart with thoughtfully placed pockets and compartments that will keep you organized.
It also gives you quick access to everything you may need en route (hello, dedicated padded internal laptop sleeve with brilliant top zipper). It’s soft enough to smush into precious trunk space but is also ready for flights, thanks to an innovative TSA pocket to place your passport and boarding pass when you go through security.
Welly Excursion Kit
Accidents happen. So, rather than sit out an adventure, just keep this new kit – from the first aid experts at Welly – on hand. Packed with 200 essentials, from colorful bandages in a variety of sizes to single-use packets of ointments, this bright orange tin belongs in your glove compartment, where it’s ready to take on cuts, scratches, bites and bruises.
Consider buying another one for your home because it’s the coolest first aid ever.
Touchland Rainbow Collection
Hand sanitizer is now a travel staple and Tik Tok fave, Touchland, makes the best one out there. Vegan and cruelty-free, its moisturizing Power Mist is fast-absorbing so it never leaves your hands feeling dry or sticky, and it’s packed with good-for-you ingredients like aloe vera and essential oils.
What takes it to a whole other level, though, is its gorgeous design. The sleek bottle fits in your pocket, is TSA-friendly and contains 500+ spritzes. You can buy them individually, but the Rainbow Collection, which celebrates Pride and is Touchland’s most popular bundle, features eight fragrances: aloe vera, citrus, forest berry, lavender, mint, unscented, watermelon and vanilla cinnamon.
You can keep them in the car, at home and in every bag you own.
Michelin high-capacity portable jump starter and power bank
Because there won’t always be someone around to give your car a jump if it’s not starting, this is a great product to keep in your car for peace of mind. It works independently, is user-friendly and is engineered with Safe Jump Technology to alert you if you make an error with a red light and chime to avoid sparking.
It has a built-in flashlight for under-the-hood visibility that also functions as an emergency light to signal other drivers. Even if you never need this (fingers crossed), you’ll appreciate the fact that you can charge your phone with it, as well.