Road Trip Essentials
Everything we personally pack and use on every road trip, tried and tested on adventures big and small
Road trips are some of our favorite adventures and over the years we have figured out exactly what makes the cut every single time. Whether we are loading up for a weekend getaway, a cross-country drive, or a national park trip with Tira, these are the products we reach for every time. Some are absolute non-negotiables, some are the kind of finds that make you wonder how you ever road tripped without them. All of them are linked directly to Amazon for easy shopping.
Please note that while many of these products are personally used and loved by us, some have been carefully selected because we genuinely believe they would be useful for road trippers. As always, everything is linked directly to Amazon for your convenience.
Please note that while many of these products are personally used and loved by us, some have been carefully selected because we genuinely believe they would be useful for road trippers. As always, everything is linked directly to Amazon for your convenience.
Affiliate Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. We earn a small commission if you purchase through our links at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we personally own or have thoroughly reviewed. Thank you for supporting Through Her Eyes Travel!
Packing Organization
Stay organized from the trunk to the back seat
Trunk Organizer Foldable Car Organizer
Really great for organizing everything you need on a road trip from food to essentials. Honestly a must have for the trunk.
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Car Trunk Organizer
Another great option for keeping the trunk tidy and everything easy to find on the road.
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Car Seat Side Organizer
Keeps the things you need most within easy reach without digging through bags while on the road.
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Backseat Car Organizer
A great way to stay organized for those in the back seat. Keeps everything easy to grab while on the road.
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Car Trash Can with Lid
Great to have to keep the car clean on long drives. A small thing that makes a big difference.
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BAGSMART Compression Packing Cubes
Even for road trips we love having our clothes organized. My husband and I really love these and the compression feature is genuinely great.
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TSA Clear Toiletry Bags (3 Pack)
I never road trip without these. The clear design means I can find anything at a glance. It completely changes your packing game and I use them just as much on road trips as I do on flights.
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Clear Travel Shoe Bags (20 Pack)
Our go-to for packing shoes. Clear design makes it easy to identify which pair is inside without unpacking everything.
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Clear Storage Bins with Lids
One of my favorite road trip travel hacks. Using clear bins to organize everything makes it so much easier to find things and when we arrive at the Vrbo we save so much time not scrambling for items.
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Power & Charging
Stay charged and connected on the road
Takki Portable Power Station
Nice to have a backup power source on road trips. It also has a great built-in flashlight. We even use this one when the power goes out at home.
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Garmin inReach Mini 2
A must for remote adventures and national park road trips. Gives you two-way messaging and SOS capability even without cell service.
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Portable Charger Power Bank
Honestly one of the best portable chargers because everything is compacted into one. Never run out of battery on a long drive again.
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6W Apple Charging Block with Built-in Watch Charger
No need to pack extra cords. The Apple Watch charger is built right in. One less thing to think about.
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Car Phone Mount
A road trip essential. Keeps your phone secure and visible for navigation without taking your hands off the wheel.
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Comfort & Outdoors
For scenic stops, picnics, and everything in between
BEARZ Outdoor Pocket Blanket (Waterproof)
I absolutely love this product. We often picnic and love sitting to enjoy views at the beach or anywhere outdoors. It is portable, easy to pack, and clips right to your bag. A must for any road trip stop.
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Venustas Beach Tent Sun Shelter
Such a great find. Together with the pocket blanket it makes the perfect picnic setup when gathering with friends and family. Versatile enough to use on so many occasions.
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Portable Camp Chairs
Perfect for those scenic stops. Easy to set up and pack away, and they make any viewpoint feel like a proper rest.
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Car Windshield Sunshade
A must when you want to rest or take a break from driving. Gives you shade and privacy, especially useful on hot summer road trips.
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3 in 1 Handheld Mini Fan
Perfect for summer days out. So useful to have on hand especially when you are exploring without air conditioning nearby.
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Rainleaf Microfiber Towel
Lightweight and great for packing on hiking trips and beach stops. Dries fast and takes up almost no space.
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Citronella Mosquito Repellent Candle
A must especially in summer months. We use these on camping trips and cabin stays whenever we are sitting outdoors in the evening. Makes a real difference for keeping bugs away while you enjoy the outdoors.
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Mosquito Repellent Bracelets
We use these in summer and even on hikes. Easy to wear, no spray needed, and they work surprisingly well. Great for outdoor stops and trail days along the route.
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Health & Safety
Because being prepared means you can actually enjoy the drive
Car Emergency Kit
This has it all and is needed for those emergency situations on the road. One of those things you hope you never need but will be so glad you have.
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Mini First Aid Kit
I never go on a trip without one. It is a must and I love how packable this kit is. Fits anywhere without taking up real space.
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Motion Sickness Patches (369 Life)
Always in my purse on every road trip. They come in individual packets making them so easy to pack anywhere. A total must-have.
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Wet Ones Hand Wipes
Perfect to have on the go, especially at rest stops, picnics, and any time you need a quick clean up on the road.
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Cleansing Face & Body Wipes
Great for refreshing after a long day of driving or hiking when a shower is not immediately available. We always have these on hand on every trip.
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Lysol To-Go Wipes
Perfect for road trips and on the go. Great for wiping down surfaces at rest stops and accommodations.
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OFF! Insect Repellent Wipes
Great on the go and especially for those hiking stops along the route. Also perfect for those road trips when you have to fly and cannot pack a big bottle. Easy to throw in a bag or purse.
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Hand Sanitizer Travel Size Set
Always handy to have a few distributed across different bags so you are never without one when you need it most.
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Tide Stain Remover for Clothes
A travel essential. On one of our trips I accidentally sat on chocolate and these came to the complete rescue. My husband always asks for them so I keep them in my purse at all times.
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Kleenex Perfect Fit Facial Tissues
I love having these in the car because they fit perfectly in the center console. One of those small things you are always glad you had.
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Food & Cooler
Keep everything cold, organized, and ready to enjoy
Cooler with Wheels
A must have for keeping drinks and food cold. We always have a cooler on hand especially when we pack our marinated meats for BBQ stops along the way.
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Trunk Organizer with Cooler for Car
Two in one, keeps the trunk organized and your drinks cold at the same time. A brilliant find for road trips.
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ICE N COLD Insulated Cooler Bag
Perfect for road trips when you cannot bring a full cooler. Great to have prepared and on hand for shorter drives or day trips.
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Slim Reusable Ice Packs
Great for using over and over. Works perfectly in smaller lunch bags and the insulated cooler bag. Zero waste and very practical.
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Bento Lunch Box
Great for those picnics on the road. Keeps everything portioned and easy to grab at any scenic stop along the way.
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THERMOS Stainless Insulated Food Jar, 47 Ounce
Great to have for when packing hot meals for the road. We like to use it to pack our soups and it keeps everything piping hot for hours.
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THERMOS Stainless King Vacuum-Insulated Food Jar with Spoon, 16 Ounce
The personal size version with a spoon built in, perfect for individual servings of soup, oatmeal, or any warm meal on the go.
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Electric Lunch Box Food Warmer
Another great find for keeping food warm on long drives. Plugs right into your car and heats up your meals without a microwave.
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Owala Reusable Water Bottle
My favorite water bottle and I take it on every single trip. The design fits easily in a purse or backpack without being bulky. A road trip non-negotiable.
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Snack Container Organizer
Really great for keeping snacks organized and easily accessible while on the road. No more digging through bags looking for the chips.
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Picnic Basket
Not an essential but come on, who are my girlies who love a cute aesthetic look! Simple and cute for any outdoor picnic during your road trip adventures.
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Snacks & Energy
Fuel up and keep the energy going on long drives
Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chew
Since my sister introduced this on a road trip, we always have these on hand. Such a great pick-me-up for long drives and hikes.
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Honey Stinger Organic Honey Waffle Energy
Great to have on hand when you need an energy boost. We have these on road trips and hikes and they are absolutely delicious.
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Entertainment
Keep everyone happy on those long stretches of road
Games on the Go
Great for kids and for those long road trips. Keeps everyone entertained and makes the miles fly by.
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Audible Membership
If audiobooks are your thing, this is such a nice way to pass the miles. We love having something to listen to on longer stretches of driving.
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Spotify
2 Months Free of Spotify Premium
A little gift from us to you. If you are not already a Spotify Premium subscriber, redeem 2 months free on us and build the perfect road trip playlist.
Redeem Your Free Months →
Winter Road Trip Essentials
Stay safe and comfortable when the temperature drops
Snow Joe Telescoping Snow Broom & Ice Scraper
A must for winter road trips. Telescoping design means you can reach the whole car without climbing on it.
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Prestone Windshield De-Icer
Essential for winter mornings on the road. Speeds up the de-icing process so you can get going faster.
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Traction Mats
Great for getting unstuck in snow or ice. One of those things you hope you never need but will be incredibly glad to have in the trunk.
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3-in-1 Emergency Snow Shovel with Ice Scraper
Foldable and easy to store in the trunk, with a built-in ice scraper. Perfect for digging out if you get stuck on a winter road trip.
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Heated Electric Blanket for Car
Great for passengers and rest stops on cold winter drives. Plugs right into the car and keeps everyone warm and comfortable.
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HotHands Hand Warmers
Inexpensive and incredibly useful on cold winter drives. Keep a few in the glove compartment and in every jacket pocket.
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Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler
Keeps drinks hot for hours in cold weather. Perfect for coffee, hot cocoa, or anything warm you want to sip on a winter drive.
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Tire Inflator / Air Compressor
Plugs into the 12V port. Cold weather causes flat tires frequently so this is genuinely worth having in the car year round.
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Waterproof Snow Boots
A winter road trip essential for any destination that involves snow, ice, or cold wet conditions. Invest in a good pair and your feet will thank you.
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Merino Wool Socks
Warm, moisture-wicking, and comfortable for long days in the cold. Pack multiple pairs for any winter road trip.
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Hiking Gear
For the trail stops and outdoor adventures along the route
Osprey Hiking Daypack
Osprey is our top recommended brand for hiking backpacks. They are known for their quality, comfort, and durability and are worth every penny for serious trail days.
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Packable Daypack
Great for those days when you want something lighter and more packable. Folds up small enough to throw in your main bag.
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Trekking Poles
Great for more challenging trails and longer hikes. Takes the pressure off your knees on steep descents especially.
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Rechargeable Headlamp
Essential for early morning starts or late hikes. Rechargeable so no need to worry about replacing batteries on the road.
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Salomon X Ultra 5 GORE-TEX Hiking Shoes
I absolutely love this shoe. It is great for the outdoors and for hiking. I have them in Burlwood/French Toast/Rattan and wear them constantly on trail days.
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Sun Hat
Essential for long hiking days in the sun. Protects your face and keeps you cool on exposed trails.
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Blister Pads
A must for hiking trips. Always have these in your daypack. They can genuinely save the rest of your hike when blisters start to form.
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Electrolytes
Important for staying hydrated on longer hikes, especially in heat. Easy to mix into your water bottle before hitting the trail.
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Bear Spray
Good to have especially on national park trips where safety from bears or wild animals is a consideration. We got some for our Smoky Mountains trip.
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Bear Horn
Another great safety item for national park trails. Small, light, and gives you peace of mind on remote hikes where wildlife is present.
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Pet Travel (Tira Approved)
Everything we pack to keep Tira happy, safe, and comfortable on the road
Collapsible Dog Bowls
Our number one essential for traveling with Tira. Collapses flat in your bag and pops open whenever he needs water. We use this constantly on every hike and road trip stop.
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Dog Collar Light
Such a helpful find for any trip that involves evening walks or camping stops. Clips right onto the collar and keeps your dog visible in the dark. We had this for Tira and loved it.
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Dog Paw Trail Wax
Protects paws on rough terrain, hot pavement, and rocky trails. A must for any road trip that includes hiking stops or outdoor exploration with your dog.
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Microfiber Dog Towels
Lightweight, quick drying, and easy to pack. Perfect for wiping paws after hikes and keeping the car clean on the way back to the hotel or Vrbo.
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Portable Dog Travel Bed
Tira travels with his own mat and it makes such a difference. A familiar bed helps dogs settle into new environments quickly and gives them their own space wherever you land.
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Dog Tie Out Cable
Great for any outdoor stop, campsite, or picnic area where there is no fence. Gives your dog freedom to roam while keeping them safe when you are set up outside.
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More Ways To Shop
A few more of our go to spots when we need something not covered above
Some of our favorite go to spots to restock before a trip, when we need other essentials we do not always get from Amazon:
Target Travel Finds →
Target Mini Travel Finds →
Looking for something we may not have covered on this page? Browse our full shop for everything else we love: Through Her Eyes Travel Shop →
Looking for something we may not have covered on this page? Browse our full shop for everything else we love: Through Her Eyes Travel Shop →
Memberships That Make Travel Easier
A few subscriptions we genuinely rely on
Camera & Gear
What we use to capture every adventure
Full Guide
What’s In Our Camera Bag
Every camera, tripod, drone and accessory we use with honest reviews and Amazon links
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Shop Our Favorites
Gear and essentials we personally use on every adventure
Travel Resources
Flights, hotels, insurance, rewards, and everything else we use to plan a trip
Hiking Essentials
Footwear, packs, safety gear, sun protection, and dog hiking gear
Packing Essentials
Packing cubes, travel bags, toiletry organizers and carry-on must-haves
Traveling with Tira: Our Favorite Pet Gear
Everything we use to travel with our fluffy co-pilot
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