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The Best Gear for Your Road Trips

Updated Dec 10, 2022
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A road trip is an adventure. It doesn’t matter how far you go. But all adventures require a little planning (and one or two backup plans, in case things go sideways). We took our first testing road trip during far-less-complicated times than these; however, the gear we tested and the advice we’ve gathered here should still help you navigate the roads safely and comfortably.

Yakima Skybox 16 Carbonite, the best cargo box

Yakima Skybox 16 Carbonite

The best cargo box
Great aerodynamics, easy mounting and operation, and a lot of storage at a reasonable price.
We recommend
Keeper Endless Loop Ratchet Tie-Down, the best ratcheting straps

Keeper Endless Loop Ratchet Tie-Down

The best ratcheting straps
Easier to use than non-ratcheting straps, these straps ensure that your stuff stays put.
We recommend
NRS 1″ HD Tie-Down Straps, the best cam straps

NRS 1″ HD Tie-Down Straps

The best cam straps
Simpler and cheaper than ratchet straps, these straps have above-average strength ratings.
We recommend
Thule Quick Loop Strap 530, for smaller cars

Thule Quick Loop Strap 530

For smaller cars
This strap offers a quick way to add load-stabilizing anchor points to a small car.
Another good choice
Maui Jim, the best sunglasses

Maui Jim

The best sunglasses
These are the clearest driving sunglasses we’ve found, with no perceptible distortion.
We recommend
iOttie iTap Magnetic 2 , the best dash- or windshield-mounted smartphone mount

iOttie iTap Magnetic 2

The best dash- or windshield-mounted smartphone mount
Whether it’s on a dashboard or windshield, this model is easy to set up, grips securely, and has a strong magnetic mount that supports most phones in any position.
We recommend
 iOttie iTap Magnetic 2 Air Vent Mount, the best vent-mounted smartphone mount

iOttie iTap Magnetic 2 Air Vent Mount

The best vent-mounted smartphone mount
This model is easy to set up or remove, securely held onto our cars’ vent slats, and has the same strong magnetic mount as the dash version.
We recommend
iOttie iTap Magnetic 2 CD Slot Mount, the best cd slot–mounted smartphone mount

iOttie iTap Magnetic 2 CD Slot Mount

The best CD slot–mounted smartphone mount
This mount attached quickly and firmly to our cars’ CD slots and has the same magnetic mount as the other iTap Magnetic 2 versions.
We recommend
iOttie Easy One Touch Wireless 2 Dash & Windshield Mount, best mount for charging a smartphone on a dash or windshield

iOttie Easy One Touch Wireless 2 Dash & Windshield Mount

Best mount for charging a smartphone on a dash or windshield
This model delivered some of the quickest charging speeds and earned top results for stability. And with this one it’s easy to mount and unmount your phone.
We recommend
iOttie Easy One Touch Wireless 2 Air Vent & CD Slot Mount, best mount for charging a smartphone on a car’s air vent or cd slot

iOttie Easy One Touch Wireless 2 Air Vent & CD Slot Mount

Best mount for charging a smartphone on a car’s air vent or CD slot
This is the sturdiest vent-mounted model we tested, with fast charging speeds, a firm grip, and a quick way to attach and remove your phone.
We recommend
Rain-X Original Glass Water Repellent, cheap but short-lived repellent

Rain-X Original Glass Water Repellent

Cheap but short-lived repellent
This affordable hydrophobic spray offers effective protection, but it wears off after a couple of weeks.
We recommend
Aquapel Glass Treatment, long-lasting but pricey repellent

Aquapel Glass Treatment

Long-lasting but pricey repellent
Aquapel bonds to your windshield for up to half a year, but it costs more than twice as much as Rain-X.
We recommend
Hopkins SubZero 80037, the best ice scraper and snow brush

Hopkins SubZero 80037

The best ice scraper and snow brush
Efficient at clearing ice and sweeping snow, this scraper works on vehicles of all sizes.
We recommend
Rand McNally Road Atlas, the best road atlas

Rand McNally Road Atlas

The best road atlas
This atlas is large enough to use while you’re in motion, with a logical, straightforward layout.
We recommend
Garmin DriveSmart 55 , the best car gps

Garmin DriveSmart 55

The best car GPS
Best-in-class directions, driver alerts, points of interest, and free map updates—combined with the best screen we’ve seen on any GPS unit—set the DriveSmart 55 apart from the pack.
We recommend
Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes, the best body wipes

Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes

The best body wipes
Not quite a shower but pretty darn close, these wipes are amazing after a sweaty day in the desert.
We recommend
Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, the best disinfecting wipes

Clorox Disinfecting Wipes

The best disinfecting wipes
Effective, EPA-approved, and (usually) easy to find, these pre-soaked wipes need only four minutes of contact time to neutralize the coronavirus.
We recommend
Lysol Disinfectant Spray, the best disinfectant spray

Lysol Disinfectant Spray

The best disinfectant spray
This aerosol works in 10 minutes and is fabric-safe, but it’s guaranteed to eliminate the coronavirus only on hard surfaces.
We recommend
Enro Tech Mask, best balance of fit, comfort, filtration, and breathability

Enro Tech Mask

Best balance of fit, comfort, filtration, and breathability
The Enro Tech Mask, available in sizes XXS through XL, has a bendy nose-bridge wire and adjustable ear loops, and it should fit most faces well. In lab tests, this mask filtered 99% of 0.5-micron particles.
We recommend
Happy Masks Pro, high filtration, generous clearance

Happy Masks Pro

High filtration, generous clearance
This mask tents up over the nose and mouth more than any other one we tested. So it’s more comfortable and breathable than if it sat flatter on the face. In lab tests, it filtered out around 94% of 0.5-micron particles. The drawback: It has to be hand-washed.
We recommend
Proper Cloth The Everyday Mask , lots of choices, with a puffed-up silhouette

Proper Cloth The Everyday Mask

Lots of choices, with a puffed-up silhouette
This stylish mask has good clearance off the nose and mouth and—thanks to a sewn-in filter—decent filtration efficiency. You can choose between adjustable headbands and ear loops, both of which provide a good fit.
We recommend
Graf Lantz Zenbu Organic Cotton Face Mask (with filter), best balance of fit, comfort, filtration, and breathability

Graf Lantz Zenbu Organic Cotton Face Mask (with filter)

Best balance of fit, comfort, filtration, and breathability
With the sold-separately filter stuffed in its pocket, this mask with adjustable ear loops fit all of our testers and struck the best balance of filtration and breathability in independent lab testing.
We recommend
Shout Wipe & Go Instant Stain Remover Wipes, the best stain remover

Shout Wipe & Go Instant Stain Remover Wipes

The best stain remover
By keeping a pack of these in your glove box, you’ll remain tidy through multiple meals at drive-thrus.
We recommend
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion, the best moisturizing lotion

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion

The best moisturizing lotion
Once it’s rubbed in, this moisturizing lotion is lighter and drier-feeling than competitors. It’s better for people with normal to oily skin.
We recommend
Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow Cinch, the best travel pillow

Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow Cinch

The best travel pillow
The redesigned-for-2022 Therm-A-Rest remains a firm and supportive pillow that packs down to 50% of its expanded size. It also now has a sewn-in cable that you can cinch down to make the pillow firmer.
We recommend
Sea to Summit Silk Stretch Mummy Liner, the best sleeping bag liner

Sea to Summit Silk Stretch Mummy Liner

The best sleeping bag liner
This liner is a lightweight, moisture-wicking, easy-packing fix for scratchy motel sheets.
We recommend
Nidra Deep Rest Eye Mask, the best sleep mask

Nidra Deep Rest Eye Mask

The best sleep mask
Lightweight and contoured, this mask fits comfortably and blocks light well for a wide variety of face shapes (though it’s best for those who sleep on their back). And the Nidra’s deep eyecups allow your eyes to flutter during sleep.
We recommend
Rumpl Down Puffy, the best outdoor blanket

Rumpl Down Puffy

The best outdoor blanket
This blanket offers the greatest warmth and durability for the lowest relative weight, price, and size. It also stuffs away very well when not in use.
We recommend
Hest Sleep System, the best vehicle camping mattress

Hest Sleep System

The best vehicle camping mattress
Predominantly for van camping or long-term car camping, this blowup mattress takes up a hefty amount of space when stowed away but provides the most comfort of any camping mattress we’ve tested.
We recommend
Tinkle Belle Female Urination Device, the best pee funnel

Tinkle Belle Female Urination Device

The best pee funnel
Sturdy and accommodating yet packable, the Tinkle Belle is easy to use and clean when you’re on the road or hiking a trail.
We recommend
A1 Windshield Sun Shade, the best windshield shade

A1 Windshield Sun Shade

The best windshield shade
This shade provides effective sun protection, and it’s easy to store and fits a wide variety of windshields.
We recommend
WeatherTech SunShade, a custom-fitted, maximum-protection shade

WeatherTech SunShade

A custom-fitted, maximum-protection shade
This custom-fitted shade will ensure no sun gets in, even in the sunniest climates.
We recommend
Britax EZ-Cling Window Sun Shade, the best passenger shade

Britax EZ-Cling Window Sun Shade

The best passenger shade
This shade sticks easily to your windows and provides great sun protection for passengers.
We recommend
MoonShade, shade extension

MoonShade

Shade extension
This extending shade attaches to a variety of vehicles, whether you have a roof rack or not, and whether you attach it to metal or a composite material such as a pickup-truck bed cover.
We recommend
 Polar Bear 24-Pack Original Nylon Soft Cooler, a soft but durable cooler

Polar Bear 24-Pack Original Nylon Soft Cooler

A soft but durable cooler
This cooler is lightweight, sturdy, and easy to pack. With enough ice, it will keep contents cold for more than 24 hours without leaking or sweating. Its details, including stitching and superior insulating foam, set it apart from its competitors.
We recommend
Coleman 70-Quart Xtreme 5 Marine Hard Ice Chest Cooler, our hard-cooler pick

Coleman 70-Quart Xtreme 5 Marine Hard Ice Chest Cooler

Our hard-cooler pick
Better insulated and less expensive than the competition, this cooler keeps ice for a week. And its well-designed drain port makes the Coleman easier to clean.
We recommend
Hydro Flask Wide Mouth (20 ounces), the best bottle for road trips

Hydro Flask Wide Mouth (20 ounces)

The best bottle for road trips
The Hydro Flask Wide Mouth is an insulated bottle that’s easy to add ice to, pleasant to sip from, and simple to carry. And it was completely leakproof in our tests.
We recommend
Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug, the best mug for road trips

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug

The best mug for road trips
This mug features uncannily effective insulation and a foolproof locking mechanism, and it’s easy to maneuver with one hand.
We recommend
Bestek 300W Power Inverter, the best inverter for simple devices

Bestek 300W Power Inverter

The best inverter for simple devices
More-sensitive gadgets may not function correctly while using this DC-to-AC converter, but a smoother converter costs $100-plus.
We recommend
Nekteck PD 45W Type-C Car Charger, the best car charger

Nekteck PD 45W Type-C Car Charger

The best car charger
This model can charge phones, tablets, and computers from its USB-C port, plus it has a second port for charging USB-A devices. It adheres to USB-C fast-charging standards and includes a quality cable.
We recommend
Besign BK01 Bluetooth Car Kit, best bluetooth adapter for cars with an aux-in jack

Besign BK01 Bluetooth Car Kit

Best Bluetooth adapter for cars with an aux-in jack
The Besign BK01 offers great sound quality for music and good sound quality for phone calls. It also lets you pair two phones and access your voice assistant with the click of an easy-to-find button.
We recommend
Arkon Center Extension Car Headrest Tablet Mount, for multiple viewers

Arkon Center Extension Car Headrest Tablet Mount

For multiple viewers
This model positions a tablet solidly between the front seats, for easy viewing by all backseat passengers.
We recommend
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6, the best instant camera

Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6

The best instant camera
The Instax Square SQ6 provides quick snaps for physically embodied nostalgia.
We recommend
Chat Pack: Fun Questions to Spark Conversations, the best silence-breaker

Chat Pack: Fun Questions to Spark Conversations

The best silence-breaker
Chat Pack’s questions are not always the most thought-provoking, but they sure can spark a conversation.
We recommend
Athlon Optics Midas ED, the best binoculars for nearly everyone

Athlon Optics Midas ED

The best binoculars for nearly everyone
Amazingly affordable with great optics, these binoculars offer comparable performance to many models that cost thousands more.
We recommend
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Travel Day Pack, a pack that won’t crowd your trunk

Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Travel Day Pack

A pack that won’t crowd your trunk
Toss this lightweight, phone-sized packable bag into your trunk or under your seat, and you’ll never get caught without a spare bag again. If you need something to carry every day, though, we think you’ll prefer one of our more-structured picks.
We recommend
Nemo Victory Blanket, most comfortable, easiest-to-fold blanket

Nemo Victory Blanket

Most comfortable, easiest-to-fold blanket
Our favorite picnic blanket rolls easily and compactly, and it will keep you dry and comfortable, even on damp grass.
We recommend
Coppertone Ultra Guard Sunscreen Lotion SPF 70, great feel, smell, and price

Coppertone Ultra Guard Sunscreen Lotion SPF 70

Great feel, smell, and price
Coppertone Ultra Guard SPF 70 offers all the things you need in a sunscreen at a reasonable price: It’s water-resistant and gives you broad-spectrum protection, and there’s no added fragrance.
We recommend
First Aid Only 299 Piece All-Purpose First Aid Kit (FAO-442), all the basics

First Aid Only 299 Piece All-Purpose First Aid Kit (FAO-442)

All the basics
This kit is chock-full of bandages and cleaning supplies that are suitable for minor incidents.
We recommend
Voilé Telepro Mini Avalanche Shovel, the best car shovel

Voilé Telepro Mini Avalanche Shovel

The best car shovel
This small shovel slices through icy snow and can be disassembled for car storage. It isn’t cheap, but it’s what we’d want to have in a roadside emergency.
We recommend
Accu-Gage RRA60X , the best tire gauge we’ve found

Accu-Gage RRA60X

The best tire gauge we’ve found
This is the favored tire gauge of all the professionals we interviewed.
We recommend
Accutire MS-4021B, our digital gauge pick

Accutire MS-4021B

Our digital gauge pick
A digital display is more precise than analog, but the pros we interviewed all use analog gauges.
We recommend
PowerAll Deluxe PBJS12000-R, great for all engine sizes

PowerAll Deluxe PBJS12000-R

Great for all engine sizes
This model can start larger V8 engines, and it has effective safety features and sturdy clamps.
We recommend
Lifeline AAA Heavy Duty 16-foot 6 Gauge Booster Cables, the best cable option

Lifeline AAA Heavy Duty 16-foot 6 Gauge Booster Cables

The best cable option
This cable is long and durable enough for any situation, with a current rating that can handle SUVs.
We recommend
Petzl Actik Core, a rechargeable headlamp

Petzl Actik Core

A rechargeable headlamp
The Petzl emits bright light with the highest beam quality. And it stays charged for days—whether you charge it with a USB or AAA batteries. This is the perfect headlamp for backpacking trips.
We recommend
StonePoint LED Emergency Beacon, the best emergency beacon

StonePoint LED Emergency Beacon

The best emergency beacon
Crushproof and waterproof, this set of three beacons comes with magnets for car mounting. And these are much safer than traditional flares.
We recommend
Leatherman Skeletool CX, the best multi-tool

Leatherman Skeletool CX

The best multi-tool
The Skeletool is a light, slim multi-tool that’s easy to carry and built to last.
We recommend
Duck Brand MAX Strength Duct Tape, the best duct tape

Duck Brand MAX Strength Duct Tape

The best duct tape
This tape is super-strong and sticky, flexible enough to wrap around corners, and easy to tear in a clean, straight line.
We recommend
Reliance 4-Gallon Aqua-Tainer, the best water jug

Reliance 4-Gallon Aqua-Tainer

The best water jug
This water jug holds enough water for two people for two days, and it has a spill-proof screw-on vent cap.
We recommend

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