Best Products To Buy Before A Road Trip
Having road-tripped across the USA, UK, and New Zealand, I’ve picked up a few lessons about what you actually need for a smooth journey. The right gear doesn’t just make you more comfortable — it can save you time, money, and a lot of stress. I’ve used my own experiences, to put together a guide to the best things to buy for your next road trip.
Practical Essentials
1. Phone Mount
A good quality phone mount is one of the simplest but most important things you can buy for a road trip. It keeps your phone visible without you needing to take your hands off the wheel or your eyes too far off the road.
When you’re relying on GPS directions in unfamiliar places, having your route clearly in sight makes a huge difference. I recommend choosing a mount that’s adjustable, stable, and easy to use with one hand. Vent mounts tend to work well without leaving suction marks.
This phone mount comes with both a suction and vent mount option so you can choose which one works best with your car.
2. Road Atlas
Even in 2025, a physical road atlas is worth having in the car. Admittedly most people aren’t as directionally-challenged as me. but I’ve had plenty of moments in rural areas where mobile signal dropped completely. Having a paper map saves me a lot of guessing and backtracking, especially given my appalling sense of direction.
I can read a map, but without one I will confidently head off in completely the opposite direction. You don’t need anything huge – even a basic regional atlas works.
On a related note – if you are visiting a new country and won’t have data roaming on your phone, download an offline Google map for the area you’ll be in.
3. First Aid Kit
You never really think you’ll need a first aid kit until you do. Thankfully I’ve never needed to use mine, but I feel better having it in the car. Your kit doesn’t need to be a full hospital – a small travel first aid kit with basics like bandages, antiseptic cream, tweezers, and painkillers will cover most minor issues. It’s easy to tuck under a seat or in a glovebox and gives you extra peace of mind.
4. Hand Wipes
Sanitising hand wipes sound boring, but they are one of the most versatile things you can have in the car. Whether you’re cleaning up after eating, dealing with petrol station grime, or just freshening up after a long day on the road, wipes are incredibly useful.
I usually keep a pack in the door pocket for easy access (and one in my bag, and one in my suitcase). You get the idea – I really hate getting stuff on my hands when I’m out and can’t fins somewhere to wash them. I also prefer wipes to the gels as I think they are much more versatile.
5. Car Boot (Trunk) Organiser
Keeping your car organised on a road trip makes everything feel calmer and less chaotic. A simple car organiser with different sections means your snacks, emergency supplies, and spare clothes don’t roll around with every bend.
I’ve found it especially helpful for keeping things like torches, spare shoes, and picnic blankets tidy but still easy to grab. It doesn’t have to be expensive – even a basic organiser from Amazon does the job nicely and folds flat when you’re not using it.
Food & Drink Must-Haves
6. Reusable Coffee Mug
Road trips and coffee go hand in hand. Having a good reusable mug keeps your drink hot for hours and saves you from wasting money (and creating rubbish) with takeaway cups at every stop.
It’s also useful for tea, hot chocolate, or even soup if you’re doing a picnic-style lunch on the road. Plus, many cafés offer discounts if you bring your own cup.
7. Water Bottle
Staying hydrated while you’re on the move is essential, especially if you’re driving through warm or dry areas. I always pack a refillable water bottle for every trip. Stainless steel bottles work best because they keep water cold for longer, but honestly, any sturdy one will do.
Filling up at petrol stations or rest stops is easy, and you’ll avoid paying for overpriced bottled water along the way. A water bottle with a built-in filter is a good idea if you’re heading into remote areas.
I’ve also had collapsable silicon ones in the past but they always seem to affect the taste and smell of the water, so stainless steel is the way to go.
8. Collapsible Cooler
A collapsible cooler is one of those things that can be really useful for longer days on the road. It’s ideal for keeping sandwiches, fruit, and drinks cold during the day without taking up much space when empty.
Unlike bulky traditional coolers, you can fold it down when not in use. They also make it much easier to eat healthily on road trips as you have the flexibility to stop at supermarkets and get salads and fruit rather than relying on expensive petrol station snacks all the time.
9. Prepped Snacks
Buying a big selection of snacks before you hit the road can save you a surprising amount of money — and save you from relying on overpriced service station options. Great options include trail mix, granola bars, dried fruit, and a few treats.
Having food ready also gives you more flexibility if you decide to take a scenic route or picnic somewhere nice. I usually use reusable containers to avoid waste and make it easier to portion things out during the drive.
Entertainment & Comfort
10. E-Reader or iPad
If you like to read in the evenings or during longer rest stops, an e-reader or iPad is so much more practical than carrying several books. My iPad is one of my favoruite splurge purchases. It’s light, fits in any bag, and can store hundreds of books. I always preload mine with a few novels, travel guides, and something easy for tired evenings.
11. Podcasts and Playlists
Creating a few good playlists and downloading some podcast episodes before you leave makes the long stretches of driving much more enjoyable. When I drove across parts of Texas, having comedy podcasts and music I loved genuinely made the hours fly by. I even tried some playlists of country music that I don’t normally listen to, but is popular in the region I was visiting.
It’s also a good idea to have a variety depending on your mood — sometimes you’ll want upbeat music, other times something more relaxed. Downloading them beforehand means you’re not relying on mobile data in places with weak signal.
12. Travel Games
Even if you’re mostly driving, having a few simple travel games in the car is a good way to break things up. I’ve used everything from trivia cards to word games to keep things lively. If you’re travelling with others, it helps fill in quiet moments or long drives where conversation naturally dips.
Games that don’t require equipment, like “20 Questions” or “Would You Rather”, are great when space is tight, but a few small packs of cards or travel-sized board games can also work.
Safety & Emergency Gear
13. Portable Tyre Inflator
Low tyre pressure can sneak up on you, especially when you’re covering long distances or driving across varied terrain. Having a portable tyre inflator lets you top up your tyres quickly without needing to find a service station.
It can also help you get out of trouble if you notice a slow puncture before it becomes a full-on flat.
14. Multi-Tool
A small, good-quality multi-tool is one of the most practical things you can carry. Look for one that includes basics like a knife, screwdriver, scissors, and a bottle opener.
They don’t take up much space and can easily live in the glove compartment. It’s not something you’ll use every day, but when you need it, you’ll be glad it’s there.
Organisation & Extras
15. Backseat Organiser
If you are travelling with kids and want to keep snacks, books, toys, and wipes within easy reach, a backseat organiser is a simple but effective solution. It also stops smaller items from getting lost under seats or cluttering up the footwells. Choose one with multiple pockets so you can separate things instead of having them all mixed together.
16. Packing Cubes
I don’t that some people hate them, but I’m firmly in the pro-packing cube camp. Packing cubes aren’t just useful for suitcases — they’re brilliant for organising your stuff in the car as well.
When I’ve done road trips lasting several weeks, packing cubes really helped keep my suitcase organised, so even after constantly moving around I never had to dig through my stuff to find one specific item. They also help you compress your clothes to fit into smaller spaces.
When everything has its place, repacking the suitcase or car in the morning becomes much quicker, leaving more time for actually enjoying the journey.
17. Travel Pillow and Blanket
Even if you’re not planning to sleep in your car, a travel pillow and lightweight blanket are great to have. They’re useful for naps at rest stops, picnicking at viewpoints, or just making long drives more comfortable for passengers.
A blanket also comes in handy if you end up somewhere colder than expected or want to sit outside in the evening without freezing. Soft, washable materials are the way to go.
Final Thoughts
Over the years, I’ve learned that having a few key items – whether it’s a phone mount, a cooler, or just plenty of snacks – can make the whole journey feel a lot easier.
It’s not about having every gadget under the sun, but about choosing the things that really help you stay comfortable, organised, and ready for a few surprises along the way. I also like to have things that are more eco-friendly options, like a resuable water bottle instead of buying plastic bottles. Pack smart, keep it simple, and enjoy the ride!
