What are the best car accessories for a road trip? When you are preparing for your journey, you might wonder what items would be best to take along that will create a more stress-free, comfortable, and safe experience.
If you are fairly new to taking road trips, you might find lots of great items on this list that you had never thought of before. However, even if you are a road trip expert, you will still find some suggestions that would be a great addition to your road trip packing list.
So let’s get started! Here are the 39 best car accessories for a road trip!
Best Car Accessories For A Road Trip – Organization
One of the best things you can do to make a long road trip as stress-free as possible is to stay organized! You want to make sure you can find what you are looking for when you need it, and having the right gear to make sure everything has its own place is a great way to start.
1. Backseat Car Organizer
If you have kids, or even just have other people traveling in the back seat, being able to have easy access to your items and keeping them organized can be nice. You don’t want to have to keep digging through a pile of stuff on the rear seat if you don’t have to!
I really like this backseat car organizer because it has a specific place for a tablet that is touch-enabled, so kids can watch movies and never have to take the device out, and there are also two drink holders. It’s also easy to clean and install.
2. Car Seat Gap Filler
I didn’t know these existed until recently! I don’t know anyone who hasn’t lost a cell phone, wallet, charger, or something else down the black hole that is the gap between the front seats and the center console.
This nifty invention does exactly what you need it to – fill the gap and stop items from being lost between the seats. It has a 4.6 out of 5 stars rating from thousands of customers, and one size fits all vehicle types.
3. Sun Visor Organizer
You can never be too organized, right? Or is that just me?
A sun visor organizer is something everyone can find useful on their next road trip, or really anytime you are out for a drive. I like this option because it comes in a variety of fun colors to match your style, has a specific place for your sunglasses and a pen, and even has a zipper component. It’s also incredibly affordable and has fantastic ratings.
4. Rooftop Cargo Carrier
For those on a long drive or who need additional storage space, this rooftop cargo carrier is one of the best road trip accessories.
I like this one because it is heavy-duty, waterproof, and does not require a roof rack to use, but it can still be used if you do have one already on your vehicle. It also comes with all the straps and hooks you need to install it.
A rooftop carrier would be incredibly beneficial if you are traveling with family members who have a lot of luggage, you are going camping or backpacking and have all your gear, or you have some bigger items to bring that wouldn’t fit in your trunk.
5. Trunk Organizer
Even when I’m not on a long trip, having an organized trunk is really convenient. I do have a number of items that are always in my car, such as a blanket, ice scraper, air compressor, etc. so keeping them in one place is nice.
A trunk organizer also prevents the items from sliding all around in the back, and it can also come in handy with groceries! I’d consider this an essential accessory even when you aren’t on a car road trip.
6. Car seat hooks
Sometimes the little hangers on the passenger side doors are not big or strong enough to hold what you need them to. These car seat hooks are a good option and can handle a pretty heavy load (up to 55 lbs), and they also keep your rear windows clear so you can see better.
Best Car Accessories For A Road Trip – Comfort
Let’s be honest, long car rides can be pretty uncomfortable. Sitting for hours at a time, dealing with fluctuating temperatures, and trying to nap can make those long distances miserable if you don’t have the best car travel accessories for comfort.
7. Electric Car Blanket
Who doesn’t want to be warm and cozy when you are on a road trip, especially when you are traveling during the winter? This electric car blanket plugs into the cigarette lighter of any vehicle and will keep you snug.
I like this blanket because it has a long cord so passengers in the back are able to use it, and it is also a great item for emergencies, camping, or tailgating.
8. Car Window Sun Shade
A car window sunshade is one of the most useful road trip accessories. You can use it for privacy if you need to change or are car camping, and it is also great to keep the sun off of the faces of your passengers. A sunshade can also keep your car cooler in the summer because it has reflectors on the outside portion.
9. Car Seat Cushion
I know a lot of people who get very uncomfortable when they spend a lot of time in the car, and a car seat cushion is a great item to have if this is something you struggle with.
This one has a gel memory foam that keeps you cool and helps your posture as well. It is designed to help with lower back pain and to bring relief from other issues such as herniated discs, sciatica, and tailbone injuries. It has a machine washable cover, and can also be used in pretty much any other chair, so you can use it in more places than just the car.
10. Lumbar Cushion
A lumbar cushion is one of the best road trip essentials, especially if you get a sore back or travel a lot.
I used this one when I road-tripped while pregnant, and I love it so much that I still use it now! Trust me, you’ll thank me later when you realize what a difference it can make.
This option is made with memory foam and has a removable, machine-washable cover.
11. Car Mattress
For those of you who like to car camp, this car mattress is a great car accessory for a good night’s sleep.
This back seat air bed allows you to lay flat without dealing with the annoying seat belt buckles digging into your hips. It also comes with 2 pillows, an inflator, and a carry bag.
12. Portable Car Fans
When you’re sitting in the back seat, you don’t always feel the air circulation or the AC, and it can leave you pretty uncomfortable on a hot day.
These portable car fans are a life-saver for a hot, sunny summer car trip. They can help circulate the air throughout the vehicle and have two adjustable fan heads that can be pointed in just about any direction. Customers have also said the fans are pretty quiet, so they won’t disturb anyone.
Best Car Accessories For A Road Trip – Safety
Safety should be a high priority on any road trip. Here are a bunch of accessories that will help out in an emergency and keep you safe while driving.
13. Tie Down Straps
Whether you are strapping something to the roof of your car or need to keep something secure within the vehicle, a good set of tie-down straps is important.
There are so many different types, but I have always favored the ratchet kind because I feel that I can get a tighter fastening with them. This set also comes with bungee cords, loops, and a storage bag so you have all you’ll need to secure whatever you have.
14. Seat Belt Cutter/Window Breaker
No one wants to think about getting into an accident or being stuck in their vehicle, but it’s better to be prepared than to wish you were.
In the instance that your seatbelt is stuck or you can’t roll down your window to escape, this tool will help you out. Just make sure you store it somewhere where you can reach it!
15. Dash Cam
While dashboard cameras can be used for fun, they can also be handy safety devices. They can record an accident and be used for evidence. This model can also enable GPS to record your route and driving speed. It also has the ability to record while parked, which means you can keep an eye on your car even when you aren’t there.
Another great feature of this model is its low-light abilities. It can record high-resolution details even in low light, which means you can still use it at nighttime.
16. Portable Air Compressor
If you get a flat tire on the side of the road, you can always limp along to the nearest gas station, but depending on where you are traveling, it might be miles and miles away.
That’s why a portable air compressor is one of the best travel accessories. No matter where you are, you can check the tire pressure and add air whenever necessary. We always travel with one of these because you never know when you might get a leak. We’ve definitely gotten our money’s worth, that’s for sure!
17. Portable Car Battery
Living in northern Minnesota, the frigid winters can really take a toll on your car’s battery. When it happens (because it definitely will if you live where we do), it’s so much nicer to have a portable car battery vs jumper cables.
We have the NOCO Boost Plus GB, and it has gotten a lot of use and is still working great! The juice lasts FOREVER, even when it is -20 degrees outside, and you can get a few jumps out of a single charge. It’s so much nicer to be able to take care of it yourself instead of having to rely on someone else and hook up to their vehicle.
Even if you don’t live in the arctic like we do, having a portable car battery is one of the most essential car accessories. Especially if you like to go off the grid or travel to remote places, you never know when your vehicle might leave you sitting. This will give you peace of mind and make jumping your vehicle a breeze.
18. Car Diagnostic Scanner
If you’re driving a high mileage vehicle, you might see the dreaded “Check Engine” light pop on every now and then. If you’re on a road trip, it’s one of the last things you want to deal with.
Instead of panicking and wondering if your car is going to explode at any moment, check out this car diagnostic scanner. It can read many of the error codes that pop up and can also give you lots of other data about your vehicle, including vehicle speed information, load value, engine coolant temperature, and engine speed.
If you’re handy with cars, this is one of the best road trip gadgets to have with you when you travel.
19. Roadside Emergency Kit
No one wants or expects to end up with a roadside emergency, but they happen to the best of us, and usually when we least expect it.
While you can’t plan for everything that might occur, having a roadside emergency kit in your vehicle is a great way to be prepared for as much as you can. Stocked with tire repair tools, gloves, jumper cables, a shovel, a whistle, and loads of other items, you’ll have lots of fantastic tools at your disposal.
20. First Aid Kit
It’s also a good idea to keep a first aid kit in your car when you’re on a road trip as well. Just like with vehicle emergencies, medical mishaps tend to happen at the least convenient times, so make sure you have what you need to deal with the little things.
I like this option because it has almost 300 items in it, including bandages, ointments, towelettes, tweezers, and a sampling of some standard medications like aspirin and ibuprofen.
Obviously, if you are in a serious accident or have a real medical emergency, call 911 and get to a hospital ASAP. But for the minor stuff, this kit can help in a pinch.
21. Road Atlas
Technology is great and all, but it has made us pretty incapable of going anywhere without our GPS and Google Maps. It can also be fickle. You can be driving along, listening to music and navigating your route, when all of a sudden your mobile phone can freak out and die and leave you with no clue where your next turn is.
A road atlas is practically a must for any road trip. This one is fantastic because it covers the entire United States plus a good chunk of Canada and Mexico. It also is in larger print than many other atlases which makes it easier to read and navigate.
Even if you aren’t in North America, get an atlas of your home country (or whatever country you are traveling in) and always keep it in the vehicle. You’ll be happy you have it when you need it.
22. Windshield Ice Scraper
If you live anywhere that gets snow and ice, you probably already have a windshield ice scraper in your car. But if you are from a warmer climate and are taking your first road trip to a colder region, make sure you have one of these in your car.
I especially like this kind that has a brush and long handle because you can reach much easier and also brush off the snow without using your glove.
23. Car Fire Extinguisher
I had never thought about keeping a fire extinguisher in my car before, but it actually makes a lot of sense. If something would catch on fire, what could you do about it? Honestly, nothing if you didn’t have a safe way to put it out.
This one is a good size and can be stored anywhere in the vehicle. Just make sure you know how to use it and make a note of when it expires.
24. Portable Safe
This is another item that I hadn’t really thought about before but would be a great idea to pack for a road trip. If you happen to be traveling with valuable items, like passports, jewelry, or lots of money, you might feel more secure if you kept those items in a portable safe.
This travel safe is cut-resistant and can be used with a TSA-approved lock, so you can fly with it as well. You can use the cables to attach it to any secure fixture, like trees or pipes. It’s also water resistant, folds up to a compact size, and is lightweight.
Best Car Accessories For A Road Trip – Electronics
Even if you’re trying to get off the grid on your road trip, you probably still have some electronics with you. Good or bad, they are part of our everyday lives. Here are a few items that are great choices for traveling.
25. Smartphone car mount
It is so much safer to keep your phone and other electronic devices out of your hand when you drive, and you shouldn’t be constantly looking away from the road to navigate or check something.
This car phone holder is perfect because it attaches either to your dashboard or the windshield and keeps your phone within your line of sight while you’re driving. This is the one I personally have and I love it.
26. Car Headrest Mount
If you’ve got kiddos or passengers in the back seat, this car headrest mount works as a tablet holder so your backseat buddies can watch a movie without having to hold the electronic on their lap. This also prevents the items from getting dropped or broken which causes your child to have a mental breakdown. No bueno.
27. Bluetooth Trackers
Maybe you’re someone who tends to lose their keys, wallet, purse, or other items while traveling, or you know someone who does. These Bluetooth trackers can be attached to your items and then located via the free app.
These are also great because if you are susceptible to losing your phone, carry a tracker with you and when you press it, your phone will ring, even if it’s on silent! How cool is that?
If you have an iPhone, AirTags are a great option as well because you can use your computer or phone to track your items from just about anywhere in the world, which is pretty incredible.
28. Power Inverter Car Adaptor
I like this power inverter car adaptor even more than a standard car charger because you can plug in up to 2 AC plugs and 2 USB ports, allowing you the freedom to charge things like camera batteries, laptops, or other items that don’t use a USB charger. This is pretty much all I use when I’m on a road trip and I haven’t needed anything additional.
29. Portable Power Station
If you’re a hard-core car camper or plan to be out in the boonies for a long time but still want to have the ability to charge up big devices for days, this portable power station is for you.
This is also a great option for emergencies like power outages, and you can even buy additional solar panels and make it completely solar! It’s also great because you can recharge it either through a standard wall outlet or through your vehicle’s 12V port.
Best Car Accessories For A Road Trip – Food & Drink
Is it really a road trip if you don’t have snacks with you? Here are some of the best car accessories for a road trip that will make your food situation that much sweeter (see what I did there?).
30. Car Cooler
One of the best ways to save money on a road trip is to bring your own food, and the best way to accomplish that is to have a cooler.
You can definitely bring a standard cooler, and I recommend that if you already have one or are in the market for one, but if you are interested in a plug-in cooler that also works as a freezer and has fantastic reviews, check out this one from Bodega.
I’ll be honest, it’s not cheap, but it’s one of the best on the market. If you are going off-grid, you can even use solar panels to keep it cold. Seriously! It’s gone tons of gadgets, and while it’s probably overkill for most road trippers, if you want the whole package, this one delivers.
31. Car Microwave
Sometimes it’s nice to not have to rely on a hotel room or a truck stop microwave to heat up your food. If you make some pre-made meals and want to eat them on the go, look into this car microwave.
I like this option because it comes in lots of color choices, it travels and carries easily, and you can heat up your meal in just about any food container.
32. Car Warmer & Cooler
Maybe you want something that can both warm and cool your food and drinks but you want to save space. This car warmer and cooler does just that! You can either heat up your food to 140 degrees or cool it down to 40 degrees, so you can use it for either purpose.
33. Portable Tea Kettle
Any other tea lovers out there? I don’t like coffee, but it seems like most truck stops and convenience stores only offer coffee, and if there is tea, there is one lousy choice.
Bring your favorite tea and reusable coffee cup on your road trip and heat up water on the go with this portable tea kettle. This option is great because it’s collapsible and packs up small, heats up your water in 3-5 minutes, and comes in a fun color.
34. Aeropress
For those of you who do like coffee, but want to save money and not stop every couple of hours to buy an overpriced and probably crappy cup, consider the Aeropress. This can work with either hot or cold water (so you could heat water with the portable tea kettle mentioned above) and then brew yourself a cup of your favorite joe.
The Aeropress also cleans up quickly and easily, and it’s a great option for camping or backpacking because you don’t need any electricity to use it.
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35. Car Cup Holder Tray Table
Sometimes you don’t have any other option but to eat your food in the car. This car cup holder tray table makes it really nice for eating a quick meal without having to balance your food on your lap or on the dashboard.
I really like this product too because it also has a cup holder and a place to put your phone, in case you want to watch a quick episode of your favorite show while you eat.
Best Car Accessories For A Road Trip – Cleaning
I think one of the worst parts of a road trip is coming home with a dirty car that has wrappers, crumbs, and stains all over. It stresses me out just to think about it.
But it doesn’t have to be that way! Here are some great items that will make cleaning (and keeping your car clean in the first place) easy peasy.
36. Car Vacuum Cleaner
This car vacuum cleaner plugs into the cigarette lighter and makes sucking up all those crumbs and dirt a breeze. It’s got a really long cord so you can reach just about every inch of your vehicle, comes with several attachments, and also has a storage and carry case.
37. Car Trash Can
I’ll be honest, I usually just use a plastic bag from the most recent gas station stop for my trash, but I really should get an actual car trash can. It holds a lot more than a plastic bag, won’t rip or leak, and can be used for other things in a pinch too.
38. Carpet Spot Remover
Whether you have pets, kids, or just really messy friends, you’re bound to have some spills in your car at some point.
Keeping some carpet spot remover in your vehicle is going to make cleaning up those messes much quicker and help prevent staining. This kind is really great because it’s water-based and safe to use around kids and pets, and doesn’t require rinsing afterward.
39. Car Seat Covers
If you want to try and prevent spills on the upholstery in the first place, consider getting car seat covers. These will also help keep pet hair at bay and they are machine washable.
Conclusion: Best Car Accessories For A Road Trip
I hope this list of the 39 best car accessories for a road trip was helpful! Let me know which items you’d love to have in the comments below!
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Stefanie Henne
Stefanie Henne is an experienced road trip travel blogger who specializes in helping others plan their dream vacation, no matter their budget or time restraints. Go here to read more about Stef's story. If you want to send Stef a message, visit her contact page here.
