We love a good road trip. We basically spent two full years in and out of our SUV traveling the United States as an aggressive response to the global pandemic.
We loved it before then, too. There’s just something about hitting the open road, the dog panting with anxiety behind the driver’s seat, and arguments about the perfect car temp ensuing.
I kid, mostly. We do love being on the road.
That makes us a limited authority on the best gifts for road trippers, from the road trip essentials to more unique gifts that you may not have thought of otherwise.
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Useful Road Trip Essentials
These gifts for road trippers are considered the essentials. These are likely at the top of the list when someone is new to that road trip life or looking to replace the most practical, useful items from their time on the road.
Note: When browsing this gift guide, check in with your loved one first before hitting “purchase.” As there are all considered essential, they may already have one or two.
Roadside Emergency Kit
Things happen, especially when you’re on the road. Brian tends to handle car-related mishaps when we’re traveling, not because of gender norms but because I prefer to scroll social media while he’s dealing with it.
All jokes aside, roadside emergency kits keep the good times rolling.
Travel Cooler
We’re not just constantly eating out while we’re on the road. Budgets, people. The car is always loaded up with snacks, various leftovers, and even meal prep.
A decent travel cooler is essential for any long-term road tripper and one of the best gifts for road trips. If you’re someone who knows stuff, you’re aware that a Yeti cooler will keep things cool indefinitely, basically.
Food Containers
All of those snacks and things need to go somewhere, especially if you’re packing lunches while you’re on the road.
We have a variety of containers for everything from fanciful sandwich times to moments the soup’s on. These are perfect for warm and cold food items that you can pull out when hunger strikes.
Reusable Water Bottles
Get outta here, plastic bottles. A true road tripper will be using reusable water bottles, at times allowing their personality to show in whatever they’re sipping out of.
Just go for something insulated. Yeti is the gold standard here, so that’s what we’re packing in our travels, but you’ve got options for keeping cold drinks cold and hot drinks warm.
Car Charger
I’ll get into portable chargers in a second, but if you’re spending a good chunk of your time in the car, it makes sense to have a car charger ready to charge your phone.
The most budget-friendly options plug into that cigarette lighter that I’m hoping you don’t use for anything else.
Portable Chargers
If you live on the edge as I do, your car isn’t full of paper road atlases and maps at your feet. That means the phone is always charged with maps downloaded when service isn’t available.
Always carry a fully charged portable charger with you on the road, even if you think you’ll just use the car charger.
Travel Light
This one is especially clutch if the road trippers in your life do the RV or car camping thing. We don’t as it seems like a lot of work, but it’s nice to have some kind of portable light handy when darkness hits, even if it’s just a penlight.
I like solar options, but make sure your recipients have the capacity to charge one of those before picking up a pretty solar light.
Portable Car Battery Charger
The perfect road trip can quickly take a turn for the worse when you arrive at your vehicle in the morning and find that you left the dome light on overnight.
Most drivers have a set of jumper cables in the car for this reason, but what do you do when there’s no one around to give you a kind jump? That’s where a portable car battery charger comes in.
Road Trip Gifts That Make Life Easier
There are gifts that make people smile, and then there are road trip gadgets and gifts that make life on the road just a little bit better.
Pull out any of these in a road trip care package, and you just know the gift giver has spent some time on the road themselves, or just did their research.
Car Mount
When you’re trying to navigate your way around new lands, it’s nice to get a car mount for your phone that you don’t have to mess with. The other option is having your phone flop around in the dash.
We both use the same car mount now. The bonus is that the phone cases we got charge our phones on the mount while we’re navigating.
Gift Card
I hate when people call gift cards impersonal, especially when gas prices are through the roof.
Something like a Visa gift card is your best bet to cover all your bases, as some road trip travelers have an allegiance to one gas station over another. They can also use it on snacks to make for a more fun road trip.
Packing Cubes
Brian loves using packing cubes to organize his luggage and save some space in the packing process. My stuff definitely looks wilder, so it may be time for me to invest in some, too.
Travel Pillow
I love the Huzi Infinity Pillow enough that I wrote up a whole post about it. I am nothing if not very much interested in my personal comfort, as I’m at my crankiest when I’m tired.
I talk all about how life was just very uncomfortable before Huzi came into my life. I’m a changed woman, I’m telling you.
Compact Tripod
A packable tripod could be a great idea for the road trip lover in your life who loves the perfect shot. Just make sure you know whether they’re traveling with camera gear or just their smartphones, like us.
We have the foldable stabilizer you see here, but you don’t need to get that fancy unless you’re seeking luxury road trip gifts or know they love video footage.
READ MORE: Worried about being annoying with your selfies out in the wild? No? Maybe you should be!
Reusable Straws
I love the idea of greener travel, but you can’t tell me paper straws are how we do that. Give your road-tripping buddies a set of reusable straws to make it all better.
The ones I point you to are the same ones we have at home, but there are all kinds of silicone options out there if metal isn’t your thing.
Car Seat Organizer
Life on the road can get disorganized. Seat organizers that don’t add to the stuff you need to cram in there but instead make more space somehow are then a welcome proposition.
These organizers will be very welcome by road trip travelers with kids, too, as I’m pretty sure there are more inside nooks and crannies when kids are involved.
Outdoor Blankets
Oh, you’re at a winery with no reservations inside but an open lawn? Have you happened upon a live music situation at the neighborhood park? Enter outdoor blankets.
They’re great for beautiful national park adventures, too, especially if you’re traveling during busy seasons and nabbing picnic tables involves arm wrestling.
Travel Coffee Maker
We usually stay in places with access to coffee, but if your travel pal loves the RV life or traverses through the national parks, they may appreciate access to caffeine at all times.
The options out there are very fun, with travel coffee options, no matter how you like the hot stuff. If you got that Yeti up there, you can keep it hot, too.
Portable Travel Safe
Yes, an aggressive car burglar could just take the whole thing if they have the right tools. But a portable safe can act as an added layer of protection for important documents, medications, or your wallet when you’re on the road.
It can also replace a faulty hotel room safe or attach to beach chairs, car seats, etc., for some extra security.
Best Road Trip Gifts for Dog Owners
Our dog doesn’t love being in the car, but she loves being with us. She also loves arriving at places, so don’t get all weird on me about how we’re not treating her right.
Fun fact: She has a beautiful, adventurous life, people. Her Instagram photo collection proves it.
Check out these road trip gift ideas for trippers with a pooch.
Travel Bowls
Kimmy has one of these splash-guard bowls for when we’re settled in somewhere, but if we’re on the road, we pull out her collapsible bowls for quick sips.
These are great to throw into your hiking pack for trail adventures with your furry friends. Everyone needs to stay hydrated when they’re out exploring.
Paw Pad Protection
Protecting your pooch’s paws is so important in the hot summer months. Put the palm of your hand down on some hot pavement in the dead of summer and tell me I’m wrong. I bet you can’t keep it there for long.
Pick up some paw pad protection to keep your pet safe and comfy in the summer months when they’re most at risk for paw troubles.
Pet Waste Bags
No, it’s not a sexy gift. If you’re a pet owner who thinks they’re out of bags following a random blowout on the side of the road, all of a sudden, the poop bags your auntie got you get VERY sexy.
We love the Earth Rate brand, but any will do if you’re looking to stuff a road trip gift basket with practical gifts.
Comfy Dog Bed
We had a car bed for Kimmy. Chucked it. She hated it. It came with padding that quickly flattened, and she was back to her anxious panting in our ears.
Then we came up with a hack. We slid a piece of luggage into the legroom behind the driver’s seat and set her usual dog bed right on top of that to create a flat surface. I’m saying you have options.
KONG Toys
Kimmy doesn’t allow toys to stick around for long. She’s a destroyer of all things cute and fluffy. KONG is the only brand that stands a better chance than most, although yes, she will still destroy these eventually.
Start with the classic KONG that you can stuff with peanut butter or treats to keep the pup busy, then add a few more fun things for that lucky pup.
Safety Harness
Keep that traveling pooch safe and sound with a car harness that straps them in nice and snugly for rides short and long. Double-check on sizing for your intended furry friend when you’re ready to shop.
It makes sense. One size definitely doesn’t fit all when we’re talking about a chonky lab vs. a teacup chihuahua.
Thoughtful Road Trip Gifts
These are car travel gifts that are just nice to receive. They’re thoughtful, often more personal, and perfect gifts for travelers who may already have the essentials.
Note: You know your travel pals best. If they hate books on tape, they obviously won’t love an audible subscription. Use your judgement, obviously.
America the Beautiful Pass
If the road tripper in your life loves the national parks as much as we do, a national park pass will be very much appreciated. Give them a gift of a year’s worth of free admission to any of the country’s impressive national parks.
Are you purchasing something for your RV-loving parents? Consider the lifetime senior pass if they’re of a certain age — that’s 62 or older — or the annual senior pass if you’re looking for stocking stuffers.
Compression Socks
As we get older, we get more and more excited about seeing a pair of socks in that holiday pile. Compression socks are an even bigger deal. The best gift for road trippers doubles as an antidote for leg fatigue in my book, especially if they come in fun colors.
Audible Subscription
We’re a podcast family over here when it’s time to hit the road, but if your intended recipients are into books on tape, an Audible subscription may be right up their alley.
I can listen to all of the true crime podcasts in the world, but I just don’t have the attention span for full novels.
Fun fact: I’d make an exception for Michelle Williams’ rendition of The Woman in Me, but that’s it.
Travel Wine Carrier
What? Making sure your loved one’s wine gets to where it needs to go is very thoughtful, especially if they love visiting wine country on their trips.
We only have room for one bottle in the bubble bag we’ve been carrying, but it may just be time for an upgrade to one of these travel wine coolers. I tend to get very spendy at wineries.
Slipper Socks
My slipper socks, or slipper booties as I like to call ’em, go everywhere with me. I can be flying abroad, and I’ll throw a pair in for those comfy cozy times on the other side.
Treat your loved one to some foot comfort with a pair or two. If they’re accident-prone, get a pair with some grippers at the bottom.
Road Trip Books
I’m a fan of my e-reader when traveling. You can load it up with so much. That said, if I can find a way to promote my very own, very fun ebook on my own travel foibles, I’m going to do just that. I think it’s the perfect gift for a traveling pair.
Here are a few more options, as I do have a tiny bit of class:
Road Trip Gift Basket
If your loved ones are hitting the road for a lengthy grand adventure, consider sending them off with a road trip basket that includes items you know they’ll need on the journey.
Consider packing things like lip balm, baby/body wipes (trust me!), dry shampoo, air fresheners, laundry sheets, and sunscreen. It’s all stuff you know they’ll use and essential for even more general travel.
Don’t forget all of the snacks while you’re at it. Snacks are always welcome.
Car Diffuser
I already mentioned air fresheners as a nice addition to road trip gift baskets, but if you want to take things up a notch, get your loved one a car diffuser. This is especially thoughtful when you know they’re into essential oils or just like smelling nice.
The featured air fresheners click right into your vents for easy setup.
AAA Membership
Ours got renewed every year right before it lapsed while we lived in the U.S. because I never figured out auto-renewals. Be better than that and give the gift of peace of mind with their very own AAA membership for the year.
We never had to use ours, and now that I’ve said that, I’m sure I’ll get a flat tire the next time I’m behind the wheel.
Memberships also get you all kinds of discounts on hotels, car rentals, and random stuff I really should have taken more advantage of. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Funny Road Trip Gifts
It all doesn’t have to be that serious. Check out these ideas for funny road trip gifts that will hopefully make them laugh or entertain them on the long drive.
Road Trip Games
If you’re looking for road trip gifts for family road-trippers, road trip games allow you to avoid those awkward silences. I mean, that’s unless you like them, as I do.
If you need some options, Road Trip Bingo is always welcome when you’re bored in the car.
Saucy Travel Pouches
You have to bring random stuff with you anyway on long car trips. You may as well have a little chuckle whenever you reach for that stuff out of a funny travel pouch.
If you need something for your meds, this one is even spicier. To make the men around you uncomfortable, this bag is the best.
Novelty Tees
Can you ever have too many novelty tees? The answer is “yes. ” My husband’s been there, and it’s become a real situation.
If you’re going to add to your collection anyway, you may as well make ’em travel-themed. I’m also a fan of this one because who doesn’t love a good pun involving alpacas?
Public Toilet Survival Kit
Every road tripper knows how nasty things can get in public bathrooms. Add a portable restroom or two into the mix, and things can get stinky very fast.
This kit looks funny, but it may be more practical than it appears. If your intended recipients are campers, they may prefer some emergency bags or a portable potty.
Burrito Blanket
I’m not talking about picnic blankets here. A burrito blanket is purely for warm, comfy goodness. It’s basically one of my favorite things.
Yes, it’s also hilarious. Mine came from a friend, but there are so many varieties out there, including double-sided blankets for true burrito fans. You can’t tell me those people don’t look comfy.
You know your recipients best!
Honestly, I love to receive gifts I didn’t ask for that are even remotely connected to travel, but I would love things that are more practical, too. Heck, give me a free car wash or an oil change, and I’ll help you move next time around.
The best gifts for fans of road trips are the gifts you’re kind enough to give. Moving is awful, though, so don’t be upset if I take that back.
Planning a road trip of your own? Check out these guides:
- The Only Oregon Road Trip Itinerary You’ll Need
- An Iceland Road Trip of Bucket List Adventures
- An Epic California Road Trip From San Fran to LA
- Top San Diego Day Trips for Your Next Trip
- Easy Day Trips from Boston, Massachusetts
A few more practical tips for travelers:
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