80% of Americans planned to go on a road trip last year, making it the most popular form of travel in the country.
There's nothing quite like hitting the open road in search of a particular destination - or none at all. Spending hours with family or friends in a car isn't for everyone, but as long as you've got the right car accessories, the journey can be the best part of the whole vacation.
So, what are these must have car accessories?
At Baseus, we feel like we know a thing or two about road trip car accessories, so we're giving you this detailed overview of road trip essentials. Consider this your road trip checklist to ensure you're never left wanting while you're on the road.
Whether you're doing a full cross-country sojourn or just driving a few hours to get out of the city, each car accessory counts. Memories are made on long car journeys, so keep reading and you'll be comfortable and entertained.
1. Roadside Safety Materials
You can't go on a road trip, especially a long one, without roadside safety equipment. If anything goes wrong, such as a mechanical failure or a punctured tire, having the right problem-solving tools will ensure that your trip isn't completely derailed.
A portable air compressor, for instance, will ensure that you're able to drive to an auto shop to have a flat tire properly patched. Portable battery packs make it easy to boost your car battery when you can't start it. Having all of the necessary fluids on hand will prevent any mishaps on the road.
You can take it one step further and prepare for emergency situations as well. Having a roadside emergency pack stored in your trunk - complete with a first aid kit, tools, a glass smashing pick, a road atlas, bungees, and a tow strap, etc. - will come in handy while putting your mind at ease when dealing with unforeseen difficulties.
2. Car Charger
It's hard to imagine going on a road trip without your smartphone in hand. Your phone has GPS, music, podcasts, your emergency contacts, and maps to get you to interesting destinations. The newest iPhones even have satellite signals for those that find themselves far off the beaten path.
Smartphones are essentially our lifeline to the modern world, so it's important to keep them charged at all times. At Baseus, we make it easy to charge your phone on the road with our amazing line of charging accessories.
Our combination USB-A + USB-C car chargers allow you to quickly charge multiple smartphones. You can choose between a 65W or 40W version, depending on what kind of device you're trying to charge (tablet, laptop, smartphone). We also sell a variety of long charging cables so that you can use your smartphone while it's charging from anywhere in the vehicle.
3. High-Quality Cooler
One of the only issues with long road trips is the fact that you end up eating rest-stop food, which is almost always unhealthy. If you want to take your diet into your own hands, you can prepare food before the trip and keep it in a high-quality cooler to enjoy at your leisure.
A lot is made of Yeti coolers that keep things cold for days on end. It's hard to argue with the result, but the price point can be intimidating for most people. There are plenty of other options that'll preserve your food and drinks from point A to point B.
4. Stove, Kettle, and Coffee Maker
If you're going to bring your own food and drink, you should also bring a few of the comforts of home along as well. Believe it or not, you can use the chargers in your car to power small portable kitchen appliances, like a stove, kettle, and coffee maker.
A small stove is a really good thing to have around if you're doing a lot of car camping on your road trip. There are KOAs all over the country that make it easy to quickly pop in for some rest, but it can be a pain to build a fire and cook on it every night.
There are plenty of camping stoves reviewed online. One of the best on the market is the BioLite Campstove, which is a wood-burning stove that uses foraged sticks to heat your food. While heating, it simultaneously generates electricity for your other road trip gadgets.
5. Wireless Charging Car Mount
Let's talk about how important our smartphones are again. Basically everyone that drives a car uses their phone's GPS system to navigate city streets and highways. For that reason, you need to have a mount for your phone so it's easy to look at the map and avoid getting lost.
As a top supplier of road trip accessories, we always strive to find new ways to bring convenience to our customers. The Baseus Wireless Car Charging Mount will mount any type of smartphone with its easy-to-use padded arms and bracket system. Just place the mount in one of your car's AC vents and angle the phone however you please.
What sets this mount apart from competitors is that it wirelessly charges your phone at the same time. In just 4 hours, it can take your phone from 0-100% battery.
6. Sleeping Supplies
As mentioned, camping on a road trip can really cut down costs while adding an extra layer of adventure. If you choose to do this, however, you have to be prepared with all of the necessary supplies to stay warm and cozy.
Whether you choose to bring a tent along or put the seats down and sleep in the car is up to you. It also depends on the size of your vehicle. Obviously, a tent and sleeping bags take up more room in your car, but small cars are also more difficult to get comfortable in.
Our advice is to bring plenty of blankets along, which are easy to stuff in the crevices of your vehicle. You can also purchase an inflatable car mattress that is set up and ready to use in a matter of minutes. It definitely beats setting up and tearing down a campsite each night.
7. Car Vacuum Cleaner
Anyone who has been on a long road trip before has seen the toll it takes on your vehicle. You have to be diligent about cleaning up your garbage and getting rid of old food, or the vehicle will become unpleasant very quickly.
One of the underrated troubles of having multiple people snacking, drinking, and lounging in a car for days on end is the dirt and debris that accumulates on the seats, under the seats, and on the floor of the car. If you're sick of stopping at the car wash to vacuum the upholstery, we have a tool for you.
The Baseus line of wireless car vacuum cleaners makes it easy to give your car a thorough cleaning. If you're just looking for something to quickly clean up dirt and debris, the A1 is your best bet.
When you need something a bit more heavy-duty, choose between the A3, A3 lite, or the A7. The A3 and A7 are both powerful enough to vacuum your car inside out, but the A3 lite has 4-in-1 capabilities that allow you to blow debris away and inflate air mattresses as well. Head over to our site to learn more about each model.
8. Dash Cam
As far as car accessories for road trips go, a dash cam isn't absolutely necessary for success, but it can be useful in particular situations. When you're driving far and wide, the risk of ending up in a fender bender is always there. Dash cams are helpful as evidence in determining faults in an accident.
Beyond that, however, they can be great for documenting your trip. Attaching a small GoPro to your windshield is easy to do and gives you plenty of footage, whether you're using it for your YouTube channel or to travel down memory lane when your road trip is in the rearview mirror.
9. Headphones
Being on the road with family and/or friends for a few days is fun, but sometimes you need a break as well. If you're finding yourself sick of listening to a particular person's music choices or you just want to tune out of the conversation, headphones are always a good road trip accessory.
Our Baseus TWS Wireless Earbuds allow you to listen to music or podcasts all day long. They're comfortable, have amazing sound quality, and have 50 hours of battery life, in addition to being fast charging. They are super compact, so you can keep them in your pocket to use at any point in the day.
10. Rooftop Storage
The last thing on our list is dependent on how many people are going on your road trip and how big your car is. There's nothing worse than feeling stuffed in the car on a long trip, so purchasing additional storage is going to keep everyone comfortable and happy.
Rooftop cargo units are easy to install on your car, keep your belongings safe, and they're big enough to hold most of your luggage. This frees you up to keep only the essential supplies in the car, such as food, books, and electronics. If you value your comfort, it's well worth the price.
Picking and Choosing Your Car Accessories
It can be tricky to pick and choose which car accessories to bring on a road trip, especially if you're on a budget. We think these are all road trip essentials, but prioritize the things that you feel are most important and get out on the open road.
In the modern world, convenience is key, even on a road trip. You have to make sure that your phone is charged, that you can see your GPS, and that your car is clean. Head over to the Baseus online store today to purchase the best car travel accessories on the market.
