Are you also like us in love with vanlife and now looking for the BEST road trip accessories?
After three years on the road, we have learned that having the right road trip accessories can make all the difference between a smooth ride and a bumpy one.
We’ll share our favorite products (with insider tips!) so you can cruise with confidence on your next trip.
Let’s dive in!
Road trip accessories: Overview
Below is an overview of all items we list in our post below!
| Category | Item |
|---|---|
| Pre-trip preparation | Brake pads, Wiper blades, Roadside assistance coverage |
| Safety first (emergency gear) | Jumper cables, Flashlight (with spare batteries), Warning triangles or flares, Tire pressure gauge, Duct tape, Work gloves, First-aid kit, Tire repair kit, Ibuprofen, Motion sickness tablets, Ginger chews, Aloe vera, Instant cold packs |
| Documents and passes | Driver’s license, Car registration, Insurance card, Roadside assistance membership, Rental agreement (if applicable), America the Beautiful National Park Pass |
| Water & trash road trip accessories | Refillable water bottles, 30-oz stainless steel thermos, Small cooler, Reusable ice packs, Zip-lock bags (for frozen water), Car trash can (leak-proof, enclosed), Wet wipes, Paper towels |
| Comfort road trip essentials | Travel pillow, Fleece blanket, Car seat gap fillers, Retractable window shades, Car backseat organizer (with storage pockets), Car trunk organizer, Car cup holder expander |
| Tech and navigation | USB car charger (dual-port), USB-C PD charger, Power inverter (200W with AC + USB ports), Car phone holder (dash/vent/suction mount), Dash cam (1080p, loop recording) |
| Entertainment road trip accessories | Road trip playlists, Audiobooks, Podcasts, Polaroid Now camera, Polaroid film packs |
| RV road trip accessories | Leveling blocks, Drinking water hose, Inline water filter, Gray/black water hose (sewer hose), Surge protector, RV extension cords, RV adapters (dogbone), Bedding (sheets, pillows, comforter), Camp chairs, Portable table, Cast iron skillet, Utensils, Marshmallow roasting sticks, Outdoor rugs |
| RV safety gear | Fire extinguisher, Carbon monoxide detector, Propane gas detector, Small toolkit (wrench, screwdriver set, zip ties, duct tape) |
| RV navigation & campsite prep | RV-specific GPS, Harvest Hosts membership, AllStays app, Campendium app |
Pre-trip preparation
Before packing the fun stuff, make sure your vehicle is road-trip ready.
Replacing worn brake pads or wiper blades beforehand can prevent you from having a headache later.
Also, verify that your roadside assistance coverage is up to date and that you have their contact info handy in the car.
Safety first
Nothing gives peace of mind like a well-stocked emergency roadside kit.
This should include jumper cables, a flashlight (with spare batteries), warning triangles or flares, a tire pressure gauge, basic tools (screwdriver, duct tape, work gloves), and a first-aid kit.
Don’t forget a tire repair kit!
Store all these items in a roadside emergency kit bag in your trunk, where it’s easy to reach.
It’s better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it!
👉 INSIDER TIP: Along with bandages and ibuprofen, add a few “extra” first-aid items for road trips. We include motion sickness patches, a small tube of aloe vera (for sunburns), and a couple of instant cold packs in our kit.
Documents and passes
Organize a folder with all necessary documents: driver’s licenses, car registration, insurance card, and roadside assistance membership details.
If you’re renting a car or an RV, have copies of the rental agreement and insurance coverage.
It’s wise to email a copy to yourself (so you can pull it up on your phone if the paper goes missing).
Heading to National Parks? Consider buying the America the Beautiful National Park Pass, at $80 (€74) for a year, which grants unlimited entry to 2,000+ federal recreation sites.
Water & trash road trip accessories
Long drives are way more enjoyable when you’re hydrated and your car isn’t a rolling trash bin.
Start by packing refillable water bottles for each of you.
A sturdy insulated bottle (like a 30-oz stainless steel thermos) keeps water ice-cold for hours.
For snacking, a small cooler is essential. Even a small cooler will keep sandwiches fresh and drinks chilled.
👉 INSIDER TIP: Use reusable ice packs or freeze water in zip-lock bags, no soggy sandwiches from loose ice water!
Now, let’s talk trash. A car trash can might not sound exciting, but you’ll be so glad you have one on Day 2 of your trip when snack wrappers and coffee cups start multiplying.
It’s one of those road trip essentials you just need!
Look for a leak-proof, enclosed car trash can that straps to the center console or hangs behind a seat.
Don’t forget wet wipes and paper towels.
Comfort road trip essentials
There are quite a few car accessories that will enhance the comfort inside the car.
Let’s take a look.
Travel pillow
It’s common for one of you to catch a nap while the other drives. A good travel pillow will support your neck and prevent aches.
Many of these travel pillows have a uniquely angled design that lies flat against the seat, so no more head bobbing.
Don’t forget to also bring a cozy fleece blanket.
Car seat gap fillers
Car seat gap fillers are amazing for preventing your phone and credit card from falling between the seat and console.
They’re cheap and simply slide into the gap to “catch” items before they disappear.
Retractable window shades
Long hours on the road can mean strong sun on your face or neck.
Pack retractable window shades for the side windows, the kind that suction-cup on.
These are great for blocking harsh rays, especially during dawn or dusk drives when the sun angles in.
Car backseat organizer
A clutter-free car is a happy car, especially on a romantic getaway.
Use a car backseat organizer (those hanging organizers that strap to the back of the front seat) with some storage pockets to stash items like tissue packs, sunscreen, snacks, and guidebooks.
Car trunk organizer
In the trunk, a car trunk organizer with compartments will keep your gear from turning into a junk heap.
We place a collapsible organizer box in our trunk for easy access to essentials: one section for emergency gear, one for picnic supplies, and hiking shoes.
We want to stay organized, as we want easy access to our road trip essentials.
Car cup holder expander
Little touches can have a big impact.
A car cup holder expander can hold larger water bottles or even a travel coffee mug securely (no more wedging your Hydro Flask between your knees!).
Tech and navigation
Our road trips rely on a fair share of tech, even when we are trying to unplug.
Here’s how to keep your gadgets powered and your journey on track:
Car charging options
Today, a road trip is never just a road trip.
We travel with phones, tablets, maybe a camera or drone, smartwatches, and even a Kindle.
Ensure you can charge all the things.
A dual-port USB car charger (or two) that fits the 12V socket is a minimum!
For faster charging or newer phones, get one with a USB-C PD port (Power Delivery) for rapid charging.
If your car has limited USB ports, consider a plug-in power inverter.
This handy device converts your car’s DC power to AC, giving you standard outlets on the go.
We use a 200W power inverter that plugs into the cigarette lighter and provides 2 AC outlets plus 4 USB ports.
It’s a game-changer as we can charge laptops, camera batteries, and phones simultaneously.
Phone mount
A solid car phone holder is essential for using GPS navigation safely.
Fumbling with your phone or having it slide off the dashboard is quite annoying.
There are dashboard mounts, vent mounts, and suction cups.
We prefer a dash/windshield suction mount with a quick one-touch clamp (the iOttie Easy One Touch or similar).
It keeps the phone at eye level for the driver, perfect for following Google Maps directions without taking your eyes off the road for long.
Car dash cam
A dash cam is one of those road trip accessories that you need!
Not only does it provide a record in case of accidents or incidents (helpful for insurance or just peace of mind), it also lets you capture beautiful moments from the drive.
Look for a dash cam with loop recording (it overwrites old footage so it keeps recording indefinitely) and at least 1080p resolution for clear video.
Entertainment road trip accessories
One of the best parts of road tripping as a couple is the quality time together.
Here are some ways to keep the time fun and memorable:
Music & audio
Create a killer road trip playlist (or a few).
Switch off who DJs so both of you get to hear your favorites.
Besides music, consider downloading an audiobook or a podcast series to enjoy together.
True crime, history, comedy, find something you both like.
Polaroid camera for memories
Sure, our phones take great photos, but there’s something magical about a Polaroid camera on a road trip.
The instant printouts are tangible memories you can hold, write a date or note on, and later hang on a fridge or make a scrapbook with.
We bring a Polaroid Now camera and a couple of packs of film on our journeys.
INSIDER TIP: Store Polaroids away from heat/sun as they develop (we stick them in the glove box for a bit).
RV road trip accessories
Planning an RV road trip?
Couples road tripping in an RV have some extra considerations (my partner and I learned this during an RV loop through the Rockies).
An RV combines your vehicle and your living quarters, so you’ll need a few specialized accessories to keep things comfy and safe:
For example, you’ll need leveling blocks to stabilize your camper on uneven campsites, dedicated hoses for fresh water and sewer hookups, and maybe a portable grill for cooking under the stars.
Leveling blocks
These stackable blocks are placed under your RV’s wheels to level the rig when parked.
Even a slight tilt can make sleeping (and cooking) awkward in an RV, so you’ll want to level out.
They’re lightweight and essential for almost every campground that isn’t perfectly flat.
Water hoses and filters
Bring a drinking water hose (typically a white hose made for potable water) to hook up to campground water spigots.
It’s also worth packing an inline water filter that attaches to the hose, so you get clean, great-tasting water no matter where you fill your tank.
Separately, have a gray/black water hose (usually a heavy-duty sewer hose) for dumping your waste tanks.
Power management
Most RVs come with the basics, but consider a surge protector for the RV’s electrical hookup; it safeguards your electrical system from power spikes at an RV park.
Also, RV extension cords or adapters might be needed if the power pedestal is far or if you need to plug into different amperages.
For instance, you might have a 30-amp RV but only 50-amp outlets available; a dogbone adapter solves that.
Comfort items
Just because you’re on wheels doesn’t mean you can’t be cozy.
Pack your regular bedding (sheets, pillows, comforter) as a good night’s sleep is key.
Bring camp chairs and a portable table so you can set up a “front porch” at your RV site.
And don’t forget cookware if you plan to utilize the RV kitchen or campfire, a cast iron skillet, some utensils, and marshmallow roasting sticks go a long way.
Many road trip RVers also love outdoor rugs to place under the awning; they keep dirt from tracking in and create a cozy outdoor living room.
Safety gear (RV-specific)
In addition to your car emergency kit, an RV should have a fire extinguisher (make sure it’s not expired), carbon monoxide and propane gas detectors (often built-in – test them), and maybe a small toolkit if you’re handy.
Basic tools like a wrench, screwdriver set, zip ties, and duct tape can fix a surprising number of minor issues on the road.
Navigation & campsite prep
RVs can’t always take the same routes as cars (height restrictions, weight limits, etc.).
Use an RV-specific GPS or app to avoid low bridges or steep mountain passes that are unsafe for big rigs.
Plan your stops: you’ll want to know where you can park overnight.
Resources like Harvest Hosts (winery and farm stays) or AllStays and Campendium apps can help find overnight options beyond the RV parks.
Conclusion
If you’re planning your next road trip or even testing out the vanlife lifestyle, investing in the right road trip accessories will make the journey smoother, safer, and a lot more fun.
From a reliable emergency roadside kit to cozy comforts like a travel pillow and car organizers, these essentials turn long drives into enjoyable adventures.
Whether you’re cruising to national parks, setting off on a cross-country adventure, or taking your RV on the road, the right car accessories help you stay organized, connected, and comfortable.
After three years of life on the road, we can confidently say that small details, like a dash cam, retractable window shades, or a Polaroid camera, are what transform a simple drive into lasting memories.
