Travel Tips

Pack Up The Car With These 12 Road Trip Essentials

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two women drive a convertible with the top down.

No matter the season, it's always a good idea to explore our beautiful backyard with a classic road trip. But with long hours spent in the car, you want to make sure you’ve properly prepared for a truly epic, memory-making journey.

So, gather your inner circle, fire up the playlist and hit the highway with these must have road trip essentials.

Ultimate Ears UE WONDERBOOM 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker 

Price: $95

All good road trips need solid tunes and the perfect device to play them from. We love this portable speaker in bermuda blue which is both dust and waterproof. With a bigger, bassy 360° sound that’s specially tuned for listening outside and 13 hours of battery life, it’s a must-have for those roadie picnic pit stops.

Shearling Neck Pillow

Price: $99.95

If you’re lucky enough to score the passenger seat, it’s time to bliss out and get comfy. We’re just a little bit obsessed with this shearling neck pillow. Made with 100% local Merino wool and hand-crafted in Australia, this gloriously soft pillow will banish pesky neck cramps.

a pale pink fluffy neck pillow.

Zendure A3PD Portable Charger

Price: $24

Look, you absolutely don’t want your phone running out of battery when you’re navigating some winding backstreet in a town you’ve never been to before… and you don’t want to miss any of the ‘gram opportunities, so do yourself a solid and get a good quality portable charger like this one.

Couchmate’s Ultimate Picnic Table

Price: $69.95

If you want to make your road trip extra (you do, trust us) then be sure to put this baby in your car boot. Made from lightweight timber it also has two slots made for wine glasses—does it get any better?

a small wooden picnic table with cheese, crackers and wine on it, sits next to the ocean.

Pawever Pets Premium Car Seat Protector

Price: $25.99

Your pup shouldn’t miss out on a road trip just because you don’t want to get your car seats dirty. Which is why this portable, non-slip cover is perfect for your four-legged mates. Made with 300D Oxford waterproof material, built in seat anchors and seat belt for extra security, this baby was made to last so you can use it as your pet grows.

Sunnylife Eco Cooler Bag

Price: $29.99

Keep your tasty roadie treats (and wine for those who aren’t driving of course) chilled for the ride with this uber-cute cotton cooler bag—it’ll keep your goods insulated, hot or cold, for up to three hours.

a blue and white striped cooler bag

Green Emergency First Aid Kit 

Price: $42.75

Here’s hoping you never need this, but if you’re on a long road trip and happen to get yourself in a bit of trouble it’s better to be prepared. Packed with various bandages, gauzes, dressings, swabs and even a thermal blanket, this kit is an essential for your next long-haul roadie. 

S’well Insulated Water Bottle

Price: $79.95 $39.95

It should be a no-brainer, but single-use plastic is out and reusable is in, so why not make it cute as hell? This marble print bottle from S’well is a winner that will keep cold drinks crisp for 24 hours and hot ones toasty for 12 hours. 

a blue and white marble print water bottle

Komodo 2 Layer Pop Up Tent 

Price: $69.99

If you find a beautiful camping spot along your travels (or a dreamy secluded beach) and you want to extend your trip with an overnight stay then this three-person tent is a goer. Taking just 60 seconds to pop up and down, you don’t need to be a camping expert to wrangle this waterproof, wind and UV resistant tent.

Thrills Tote Bag

Price: $29.99

For all those pastries and sweet treats you’ll be stocking up on at all the bakeries you pass by on your travels, we dig this minimal number from Thrills that is 100% cotton canvas. 

a black cotton tote with Thrills written on it

Welcome To Country Travel Book

Price: $30.05

Ideal for anyone looking to travel and learn more about our beautiful country, Marcia Langton’s Welcome to Country is an inclusive guidebook to Indigenous Australia. The book features a directory of Indigenous tourism experiences, organised into state and territory sections, covering galleries and festivals, communities that are open to visitors, tours and performances.

Blinkist Audio Books

Price: $9.99 per month 

Once you’ve burned through your music playlists it's time to switch to an audio book. We’re digging the range at Blinkist who boast a huge library of bestselling nonfiction books that will get your curious mind soaking up everything from Oprah’s The Path Made Clear to Tony Robbins’ Awaken The Giant Within

Now you've got the car packed up right, check out these bucket road trips you have to take at least once in your lifetime. 

Editor's note: Urban List editors independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. Urban List has affiliate partnerships, so we get revenue from your purchase.

Image Credit: Kogan, Iconic, Cottonbro/Pexels

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