Ultimate List of Essential Road Trip Supplies + Gear to Organize your Car

I’m pretty sure you’ll agree that road trips are the way to travel right now. Most people are avoiding airports, which means folks determined to go on vacation, visit family or otherwise roam are doing so by vehicle. Are you planning a road trip? Then you’ll want to make sure you have these essential road trip supplies.

We’ve been going on a lot of road trips lately, so I 100% get the urge for a change of scenery. But just because you’re in your car for days doesn’t mean you have to accept messes, disorganization or even nonstop fast food.

(This road trip list is an excellent foundation. If you want to go way in-depth to take all the stress out of planning a road trip, check out my new online course, Rock Your Road Trip!)

These road trip essentials will help you keep your car clean, organized and safe. This list will recommend the best products to keep your food safe and tasty. And if you’re adventuring with kids, you’ll want to check out the supplies to keep kiddos organized and happy.

Read on for a road trip essentials list: the things you won’t want to drive without.

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Keep your car organized on a road trip 

You can’t control everything about a road trip—construction and weather are out of your hands. But you can control how messy (or not-messy) your car gets.

That’s why I’m sharing these essential road trip supplies to keep the car tidy. 

Car charger splitter

Do you and your road trip companions have to take turns charging your electronics? Not anymore! Simply get a car charger splitter, which turns a single electronic port into multiple USB chargers. (If you only need two chargers, I recommend this compact double car charger.)

If your car has a USB charger built-in, plug in a USB hub like this one to turn one charging spot into four. That way you can power up your phones, tablets, cameras and any other electronics—at the same time.

Level 10 travel tip: Charging multiple devices at once is even more important if you’re camping. Everyone’s devices will need a full charge before you stop driving since your tent doesn’t have a power outlet!

Cord organizers

If you’re charging more than one advice, you’ll want to wrangle all those cords. I like these cord organizers for a few reasons. They’re great for bundling multiple cords together (so the front seat doesn’t look like a nest of snakes from all the cords!). We also use them to wrap up long cords when we’re storing them.

Plus, when you buy pack of multiple cord organizers, you can stash them everywhere you need one: in each car, your home charging station and your work desk. 

Milk crates

You’ll pack your clothes in a suitcase or bag and your perishable food in a cooler, of course. I recommend packing just about everything else in sturdy milk crates. 

Here’s why.

• Milk crates are hard-sided, unlike cardboard boxes, so the contents won’t get smashed.
• You can see through the sides of milk crates so you know what’s inside at a glance.
• Milk crates are stackable.
• They’re sturdy, so you can use them on all your road trips to come.
• They’re big enough to hold road trip supplies and food but small enough that you can use several and organize your gear.

Wet bag

A wet bag is one of my recommended essential road trip products. Why? It has so many uses!

We’ve used a wet bag to store used cutlery and plates until we can wash up when we arrive at our destination. We put wet swimsuits in a wet bag so our car doesn’t get a musty smell. They’re also critical on the off-chance someone in your group gets car sick.

It’s a good idea to have a set of at least two wet bags, like these pretty ones.

Organize the car for a family road trip

No one wants their nicely packed car to devolve into chaotic mess an hour into your road trip. These are the products and gear I recommend to keep your kids and their stuff organized on a road trip.

And remember, if you’re feeling even slightly overwhelmed by the idea of a family road trip, my online course Rock Your Road Trip is made just for you. In it, I teach you everything from how to pick a destination and plan a route with fun trips to how to organize kids’ gear and stop bickering in the back seat. 

Seat back organizer

Seat back organizers keep all your kids’ stuff organized. That means it’s off the floor, less likely to get lost or broken, and more likely to be accessible to your kids. (That all means less whining—WIN!)

I like these sturdy seat back organizers. They even have a clear 10-inch pocket for tablets, letting the kids watch their own movies or shows. They also have lots of pockets for kids’ activities, snacks and gear.

Cup holder organizer

If your kids’ car seats have cup holders, did you know you can use a cup holder organizer? Kids (or adults!) can store pens, markers, electronic devices, headphones and more.

Activity organizer

If your car has a seat between kids’ car seats, a back seat organizer like this one is beyond helpful. It fits in the middle seat and has compartments for books, magnetic games, tablets, art supplies and more.

I like this style of activity organizer because it gives kids access to their own stuff. Road trip hacks are meant to make the journey easier, after all. And when you don’t have to constantly reach back to give your kiddos different activities, everyone is happier!

My kids’ seats are actually pilot seats, so they don’t have a spot to put a back seat organizer. Instead, we use a bin on the ground in between where their feet go. Ours is filled with books. You should hear them read stories to each other—so adorable!

Tablet headrest mounts

If you don’t opt for the seat back organizers I linked to above, you should consider a headrest mount for your kids’ tablets. These tablet mounts attach to the head rest of the front seat. That way your kids can watch a movie or show without craning their necks down at their laps. That just gets them a sore neck.

Kids travel pillow

I cringe when kids fall asleep on a road trip and doze with their heads at seriously uncomfortable angles. That’s why I recommend a kids’ travel pillow like this one, which wraps gently around their neck. It won’t slide off (like the horseshoe-shaped ones), and it supports their little heads. 

Kids headphones

If your kids are doing any screentime that you don’t want to hear, get them some headphones. (Personally, I hope to never listen to another episode of Paw Patrol ever. ever. again.)

My kids love these cute headphones. They stay on their heads and don’t hurt their ears. 

Suction cup organizer

If you’re driving a minivan on your road trip, this handy road trip hack only works for kids in the third row. (You need to keep windows in the middle row clear so doors can open and close.) Simply stick a suction cup organizer on a window. It becomes an incredibly helpful way for kids to organize and store things like markers, headphones, small toys or their other activities. 

**Bonus** Suction cup organizers mean kids will have what they need within reach. They’ll rely on you less to pass back what they need!

Supplies to eat well on a road trip

I love road trip junk food as much as the next person. (Cheddar Ruffles are my jam!) That doesn’t mean I want to eat gas station food nonstop.

These are the products, supplies and gear I recommend for organizing meals, keeping food safe and eating well on a road trip.

Reliable cooler

A cooler keeps all your food cold—and safe—so it’s important to buy one that’s reliable. After all, you don’t want to spend a ton of time (and money) buying ice multiple times a day!

If you want to invest the least amount possible while still getting a cooler that works, I recommend this budget cooler. It definitely does the job!

If you really need to make your ice last, I recommend this terrific mid-price cooler. Ice remains solid longer than in a cheaper cooler, and I like that it has cup holders on the lid.

Snack caddy

Road trip snacks are one of the best parts of hitting the road. Keep all your munchies organized with a snack caddy. We keep ours on the floor between the front seats.

(To be completely honest, I don’t recommend buying a snack caddy online. Most come in multiple packs but you likely need only one or two. You can buy one at the dollar store for a fraction of the price.)

Reusable baggies

Plastic baggies are convenient, but they create so much trash. Invest in a set of reusable silicone baggies instead. Since we bought these, we use so much less plastic.

I recommend storing individual portions of snacks in these so you don’t end up with a bunch of family size chip bags in the front seat. At the start of the drive, simply dole out the amount you’ll want in one of these reusable baggies. Keep the full sized bag in the back. Then refill as needed!

Reliable ice packs

You’ll want to pack your cooler to maximize the ice. (Read my insanely detailed post on the right way to pack your cooler for more tips!) That includes creating a base layer of solid ice at the bottom of your cooler.

You can fill and freeze plastic ziplocks or use ice packs, which last longer. 

Reusable cutlery

There’s nothing worse than getting ready to eat your road trip lunch than realizing you don’t have a spoon to eat it with! We avoid this problem by keeping sets of reusable cutlery in the glove box at all time.

You can use silverware from home or buy cute, sustainable reusable cutlery. (I love this pretty pink cutlery set, which comes with its own case.) We wrap the cutlery in cloth napkins and secure the whole shebang with a rubber band.

Waterproof picnic blanket

There’s something charming and nostalgic about picnics, don’t you think? Take advantage of a road trip to eat al fresco!

You don’t want your bum getting wet or dirty, though, so make sure you pack a waterproof picnic blanket. (This checkered one is adorable and it rolls into an easily packable tote.) We always keep one in the car so we’re ready for spontaneous picnics.

Road trip safety supplies

Chances are, the worst accident you’ll have on a road trip is when you spill the Goldfish crackers. Just in case you experience car trouble or some other unexpected issue, ensure you have safety supplies.

In fact, you should keep most of these car safety supplies in your vehicle at all times (not only on road trips). Does your car have all this safety gear?

First aid kit

Hopefully you have a first aid kit in your car already. If you do, check it thoroughly before a road trip. Make sure nothing is expired or missing, and replenish any supplies, like band aids or wipes. 

If you don’t have one yet, it’s easiest to get a pre-stocked first aid kit. (It’s more budget-friendly to buy one like this than purchase all the supplies individually.)

Reflectors

If you have car trouble, you need to stay safe while you fix it. That’s why you should have reflective triangles in your road trip safety kit. 

I like these reflective triangles because they’re sturdy (i.e. they won’t blow over on a windy day). They’re also approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Reflective vest

You’re not going to win any fashion awards wearing a reflective vest like this one, but it will keep you safe on the side of the road. You want to make sure all traffic can see you.

Emergency go bag

We have an emergency go bag in each car, plus one next to the door in our house. (I bought them shortly after I read that article about an overdue mega-earthquake in the Pacific Northwest.)

I like a pre-stocked emergency go bag like this one. It includes emergency supplies like food and water, plus things like a flashlight and dust masks, for a family of four. 

It’s extremely unlikely you’d need to use an emergency go bag during a road trip. That said, I prefer to be safe than sorry. And it’s good preparation to have one just in case, as they could be used in any type of disaster.

Jumper cables

Most people keep a standard set of jumper cables in their car at all times—crucial if you find yourself with a dead battery. Double-check that yours haven’t wandered off!

Essential Road Trip Supplies

When you go on a road trip, you want to focus on what really matters: having fun, taking in the scenery and enjoying the adventure. You don’t want to worry about having to track down your stuff, re-organize after every stop or find yourself stranded with car trouble.

I recommend evaluating what additional supplies you need well before your road trip begins. That way you have plenty of time to buy gear to fill the gaps. No last-minute stress for you!

I’d love to hear what road trip hacks or car organizing tips work best for you. Do you have any to add? Let me know in the comments!