Road trips are a great way to explore the country, spend time with loved ones, and experience things you probably wouldn’t have at home. But they can also be a lot of work, especially if you’re not prepared. That’s why we’ve put together this list of 17 gift ideas for the road tripper in your life. Whether you’re looking for a practical gift or a fun one, you’re sure to find something on this list that anyone will love. So what are you waiting for?
Photo above by Honey Fangs on Unsplash
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Roadtrippers Membership
The Roadtrippers app is an absolute must for any road trip! Plan, save, and share trips with friends while discovering tons of places along your route – lots of cool, quirky roadside attractions, too. You can also log in via desktop, for those at-home, pre-trip planning seshes. We think anyone who loves road trips will be thrilled to have all of the features of this app at their fingertips with a membership.
America the Beautiful Annual Parks Pass
This might be our favorite gift idea on this list. If you think you might make it to at least three national parks within a year, you 100% should buy an annual parks pass. Each park that charges an admission (which is most of them) costs $25-$30. The pass costs $90. So, by your third park, the pass has paid for itself. You can purchase one at any park entrance, or buy one online. If you’re not convinced yet, read this for more reasons: Why You Should Buy an America the Beautiful Annual Pass.
Sunglasses
Don’t leave home without ‘em. In fact, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have a backup pair along for the ride, as sunglasses are often the first thing people leave behind after making a pit stop. Not only do they protect your eyes and help you see better on the road, but you’ll look cooler singing songs and eating snacks.
Charging Adapter
Let’s face it, keeping devices charged is as crucial to a road trip as gas in the tank and air in the tires. If you’ve got a newer model vehicle, you might likely have built-in USB or USB-C ports. Otherwise, you’ll need an adapter, like one of these.
Charging Cable
Cables take a lot of abuse, especially in the vehicle. If damaged, they can charge poorly or even worse, cause damage to your phone or device. Freshen things up – but only if necessary! We hate the idea of creating more waste – especially e-waste – just for the sake of getting something shiny and new.
Power Bank (they’re not just for phones anymore)
No trip is complete without a portable charger. And this bada$$ can do even heavier lifting than just charging a phone – like juicing up your laptop! (*adds to personal wishlist*)
Wet Wipes
How else are you going to get that Flamin’ Hot Cheetos stuff off your hands? Seriously though, these are great when you need a little freshening up on a long drive, too. We always keep a few packs in our van for those in-between shower days. Sure, by itself it might be an awkward gift idea, but would great as part of aa little “road trip gift bundle,” along with some other items on the list.
Apple AirTags
We pretty much recommend these as a gift idea for every occasion at this point. They’re good for so many practical uses, and are so small they take up virtually no space. The “never-lose-your-_________” list is endless: keys, bags, pet, vehicle,… you name it! And if you’re not sure what Apple AirTags even are, be sure to read this: Why You Need Apple AirTags Before Your Next Trip.
Lip Balm
All of that sun, snacking, and chatting can make for some parched lips. Be sure to arm yourself with some lip balm to fight it. We’re fans of Burt’s Bees products in general, but especially their lip balm. These would be a great gift idea as part of that “road trip bundle” we mentioned above!
Jumper Cables
This might seem like a no-brainer, but do you actually have a working set of jumper cables in your vehicle? We’ve all been there. You don’t think about it until you need them. So why not be sure you have them so when that time comes, you’re prepared?
Jackery Portable Power Station
In case you plan on having some off-grid outdoor activities, or maybe you just wantto power up a whole bunch of stuff while driving, this portable power station will have your back with 300W and multiple outlets for USB, 12V, AC, and more. It’s small, weighs only 7 lbs., and can be recharged in just 2 hours while you drive, or by a solar panel (sold separately) while you’re off-grid. And by the way, you can even use it to jump start your vehicle, along with the next item in the list.
Jackery 12V Automobile Lead-Acid Battery Charging Cable
Taking the whole jumper cable situation we mentioned above to the next level of self-sufficiency, this 12V cable allows you to jump start your car with all but one of Jackery’s Portable Power Stations.
Fix-a-flat
This one’s pretty self explanatory, but it can’t hurt to have one or two on hand just in case you find yourself in need and out of range from quick help. Another great gift idea to add to that “road trip bundle.”
First Aid Kit
“Safety first.” Except for the purpose of this list – no one thinks “yeah, first aid!” when they crack open a blog post about cool gift ideas for the road tripper in their life. However, it is nonetheless important. This one’s got just about everything except duct tape. Which you probably already have.
Headlamps
We can’t emphasize just how much these have come in handy in so many aspects of our lives since we got them before our trip to the Amazon. Sure, you might look like a miner, but it is literally so handy to have light and both hands free at the same time.
Brita Stainless Steel Water Bottle (with filter)
If you’re not already carrying your own refillable water bottle everywhere (please stop buying single use plastic bottles), there’s no better time to start. The planet, and your vehicle, will thank you for not filling it with a whole bunch of plastic waste. This one’s great because it has a filter in the straw – so you can fill it with tap water on the go and still get your filtration. A great gift idea for any type traveler.
Beats Studio Buds+
These are a fantastic gift idea in general, so we’re adding them to this list. We don’t recommend driving with ears in, but they can come in handy if you want or need to listen to something different from everyone else in the car. Or maybe you’re hitting the gym during your travels. They’re so compact, why not just carry your own earbuds with you everywhere?
Dry Shampoo
If you’re taking a longer road trip, and/or perhaps you’re camping along the way, this “luxury” item will make a world of difference in your feeling fresh between showers. We like Klorane and always keep a can in our campervan. Another great gift idea for that “road trip bundle,” as are the last two on the list…
Sunscreen
Protecting your skin from the sun becomes increasingly more important by the day. Even when you’re inside of a car.
What’s your favorite item on this list? What didn’t you find that you think should have made the list? Drop it in the comments below – we’ll be updating this list from time to time!
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