As an avid road tripper across the globe, I have come to develop an incredibly reliable list of road trip essentials. They pack easily, make my work-on-the-road a lot easier, and are incredibly affordable to add to the repertoire of go-to travel items. 

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Car Charger

This is my absolute favorite item, especially because I road trip so frequently. It is THE road trip essential, especially for a digital nomad or content creator. 

This charger has a couple of USB charging ports (one USB A, one USB C) and also two AC outlets. It universally fits in ANY car across the globe so you don’t have to worry about bringing an adapter for the car and adding plugs on plugs while driving around. 

You can find this bad boy HERE. 

Inflatable pillow

I have spent many a night in the car waiting for Northern Lights, waiting for sunrises, the night sky to line up just right – you name it! 

I have also spent many an afternoon collapsing from exhaustion because of being up all night taking pictures. 

Having an inflatable pillow is one of the greatest treasures. It makes it just a little more comfortable to nap, and is easy to pack!

Available for purchase HERE.

Compact Blanket

You didn’t think I went through all the trouble of bringing an inflatable pillow and didn’t pack a blanket, did you?  Of course there’s a blanket!

This “thinsulate” blanket has hands down SAVED me on some chilly nights in the car and outside. 

There is a regular blanket HERE, and also comes in a hooded version HERE. 

Rechargeable Hand Warmers

Sometimes, keeping your hands or feet warm is what keeps you feeling warm. And letting the car run all night isn’t always feasible. Or eco-friendly.

These rechargeable hand warmers made it to the list of road trip essentials on one of my last trips to Iceland. I went for several weeks and knew I had to figure out something more than just blankets for that windy country!

They also double as a power bank if you’re in a pinch. (But you shouldn’t be in bad shape with your phone battery if you grab that car charger – wink. wink.)

There are a few color options as well if you’d like to spice it up from a sleek black to a fancy-schmancy orange.

Hand warmers HERE. 

Portable Fan

Okay – I think we’ve got you covered on staying warm, right? But what about when it’s HOT and you just need a little breeze to come your way?

Portable fan to the rescue! This guy comes in a couple of fun colors, fits in your pocket, and also doubles as a power bank and a flashlight. 

Stay cool with this helpful little fella HERE. 

Flashlight

Between needing to see in the middle of the night, grabbing gear, trying to create a focus point in the dark, blah blah blah – a thousand reasons why I needed a sturdy, powerful flashlight. I went with Gorilla Grip and it’s held up so far with no issues and I paid ~$10 USD for it. 

Also comes in fun colors. 

Get lit HERE. 

Headlamp

Sometimes you can’t be fussed with a flashlight, and sometimes you don’t always have fifteen arms to carry everything and also hold a flashlight. 

Love my Black Diamond gear! It’s fallen into rivers, been as bright and as dim as I need it. Helped me find friends with the strobe option – 10/10 recommend this product. I use Black Diamond for my camping gear as well, it’s fantastic. 

Black Diamond Headlamp HERE. 

Lamp

This little guy – THIS. LITTLE. GUY. It’s charged wonderfully and holds the battery life super well. It has a dimming option, you can hang it and just have some light. 

One thing that’s a bit stressful about car camping or road tripping, especially as a photographer, is sometimes you don’t want to wear the headlamp. The ipad or phone strains your eyes. You want to read a BOOK and not off a device, etc. etc. 

I feel like this lamp brings a little normalcy to the night by having a lamp. Light up the car, snuggle up with your inflatable pillow and thinsulate blanket, and read a book. 

I write a lot as well, and having the lamp is truly helpful. Whether journaling or trying to scribble travel notes for the blog or create more travel plans, jot down information for a client – you name it – it’s been helpful. 

This little guy has honestly brought me some joy. Both while in the car and works super well in my tent, too. 

Black Diamond Lamp HERE. 

Socks

Listen. I am the epitome of too many socks and too many panties on a trip. HOWEVER – in my experience of needing to layer up, get comfy, stay warm, get dry, etc. etc. etc. having extra socks – one of the best road trip essentials out there. 

HERE are some nice, dry, warm, merino wool socks.

Shower Pump

Sometimes you need to get clean! And sometimes getting clean ain’t always in a luxury resort. 

I really appreciate this shower pump. I use it for lonngggggggggg trips when I’m in the middle of nowhere for a few days and I just need to wash my hands and face and maybe run a brush through my hair. 

The water pressure is decent, it runs on a rechargeable battery – so make sure you charge it BEFORE you leave. (And that car charger will come in real hand here if you forget to charge it before you go…)

While this isn’t a necessity, you can see why I’d throw this guy in my road trip essentials list. 

Pump up the cleanliness HERE. 

First Aid Kit

Safety matters. 

I’m also pretty clumsy. I fall a lot. My balance is terrible. I’ve fallen into a frozen river and got a concussion. I fell off a rock of a pretty small height and scraped my knees… When you’re out and away from it all, sometimes just having a band-aid and gauze to help clean cuts clean until you’re back in civilization is the best thing you can do for yourself. 

It comes with band-aids, an emergency blanket, gauze, etc.

HERE is a small kit that can easily fit with your gear. 

Multi Tool

Alright – last on the list, my multi tool. Mini hammer, ax, knife, screw driver… You just don’t know how useful this thing is until you’re in a bind in the weirdest situation wishing you had a hammer. 

BEEN THERE. GOT THIS GUY AFTER. 

Get your versatile multi tool HERE. Complete with sheath. 

Road Trip Essentials And More…

Welcome to the end of this list of road trip essentials! My list is a bit biased because I am a content creator/digital nomad. Because I do roadtrip a lot. Because I have been in so many situations at this point of my content creating career, I’ve definitely developed my own little gear list of things that live in my car with me while I am on the road. 

I hope this list helps you on your next adventure! Stay safe, and if you’d like to see more road trip goodness, check out the rest of the blog HERE.