31 Incredibly Useful Road Trip Gifts For Your Next Long Drive

Post Summary: The Best Road Trip Gifts

What do you get that person who loves going on road trips? From the fearless adventurer to the cross-country trekkers, these are the best road trip gifts to give!

Keep scrolling for road trip gift ideas ranging from camping, tech, comfort, organization, and entertainment. We know you’re going to find something for the road trippers on your list!

Road Trip Gifts For The Traveler In Your Life

The Best Road Trip Gifts Pin - TheMandagies.com

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1. The Dyrt Pro SubScription ($35/year)

One of the easiest ways to save money on the road is to find free and cheap camping spots to stay overnight. To do this, we use an app called The Dyrt. The pro version is only $35 dollars a year, and we can search for campsites offline, use the trip planner, and even get gear discounts with their partners.

A subscription to The Dyrt pro is one of the best gifts for road trippers, in our opinion! Try it free for 30 days too, using our code MANDAGIES.


2. BackSeat Organizer ($27)

Your backseat passengers will love you for this road trip gift! This back seat organizer comes with two drink pockets, one clear velcro sleeve, and two deep storage pockets at the bottom.

It can hold everything you need to keep your passengers entertained the entire way. These organizers make great traveling gifts for parents AND kids!

Read More: 20 Popular Outdoorsy Gifts For Kids


3. ReachTop Car Window SCreens ($10 for 2)

The ReachTop Car Window Screens are the ultimate gift for road trips, especially if you are a big summer camper! The sock-like double mesh screen fits snugly over your car door windows, allowing you to keep out mosquitoes while still being able to roll down your window.

It also serves as a blackout screen, for extra privacy in the evening when sleeping in your car. This is absolutely one of the most useful road trip essentials!


4. Roadside Emergency Kit ($49)

Give the gift of roadside safety with this roadside assistance kit! It includes jumper cables, a safety triangle, gloves, bungee cords, a glass breaker, a first aid kit, and more.

This STDY Car Roadside Emergency kit will help you feel more prepared in unexpected situations on the road. (Find a smaller, more compact version here).

Ready to DIY your own kit? Click here to learn how to put together your own emergency car tool kit for winter!


5. YETI Hopper 18 Flip Soft Cooler ($299)

Nothing beats a refreshing drink after a long drive! The Yeti Hopper 18 soft cooler is the absolute perfect size for lunch on the road for the whole family.

The straps make it easy to tote to your next picnic destination, and the puncture-proof exterior makes it tough enough in any terrain. Lunch with a view? It’s easy to take this car cooler on the go!

Want something a little more inexpensive? The REI Pack Away 12 Soft Cooler is only $35!


6. NAT GEO Road Atlas: Adventure Edition ($24.95)

When cell phone batteries die and service is nowhere in sight, do you have a paper map to rely on?

This National Geographic Road Atlas covers the US, Mexico, and Canada. It also highlights national forests, national parks, and attractions along the way. With this paper road atlas, you won’t mind getting lost!


7. BESTEK Power Inverter ($29)

Charge up all your equipment with one simple piece of gear! The Bestek Power inverter is what we’ve been using for years and it keeps our phones and camera batteries juiced up and ready for action.

This small but mighty tech is probably one of the most useful road trip gifts out there!


8. Belkin MagSafe Car Phone Mount ($39.99)

When driving, it’s important to keep your hands free and your eyes on the road (and not your phone!). However, today, most people use their phones for directions and navigation.

Choosing a car mount for your phone keeps directions in sight, all while keeping your hands on the steering wheel. This magnetic car mount installs easily to your air vents, without obstructing any essential car functions.

If you have a Pop Socket on the back (like I do!), Pop Socket created their own car mount, where you can place your phone right into the holder. It’s one of the easiest road trip gifts to give!


9. BELKIN USB CAR CHARGER ($18)

Tight on space? All you need for a quick charge is this Belkin USB/USB-C car charger. It’s compatible with two kinds of ports (USB and USB-C) and can take an iPhone from 0-50% charge in just 30 minutes!

Read More: The Best Outdoor Gifts Under $25


10. Rumpl Original Puffy Travel Blanket ($99)

This cozy travel blanket should be a staple in every traveler’s road trip essentials list. Use it for a quick nap in the car, and bring it out for a cozy stay around the campfire at night. These Rumpl blankets come with stuff sacks that pack down small, so you can stow it away with ease.

But let’s be honest, you won’t have to pack it away because you’ll be cozying up in this blanket 24/7!


11. TILE KEY FINDER ($34)

Know someone who is constantly losing their keys?

This can be a major problem on the road, especially if you’re far away from home! Never lose your keys again by attaching a Tile Mate to your keyring! The Mate can be found up to 250 feet and sounds a pretty loud alarm for fast locating.

Read More: The Best Gift Guide For Photographers


12. America The Beautiful National Park Pass ($79.99)

Discover all the national parks with the America The Beautiful Annual Pass! This is the perfect gift for road trips, especially for people who are exploring more than one park during their next adventure. This pass not only gives you access to National Parks, but access to over 2,000 federal lands all across the United States.

Read More: 7 Critical Pacific Northwest Forest Passes You Need (And Where To Use Them)


13. FJALLRAVE Kanken Hip Pack ($50)

Take the classic Fjallraven Kanken Backpack, but make it compact! This hip pack has buckles and straps for an adjustable, comfortable fit. There are multiple pouches for keys, phone, and cards, while keeping your hands free!


14. Goal Zero Flip Power Banks ($30+)

Take a charge on the go with Goal Zero’s line of power banks. Charged by USB or Solar, this pocket-sized power bank can keep a phone, GPS or other small devices charged up until your next destination.

It’s ideal for quick hikes, day trips, or anytime you need a little bit of backup power, just in case.


15. AllBirds Wool Runners ($99)

For long hours in the car, comfy shoes are an absolute must. Allbirds wool runners are the perfect combination of serious comfort and durability.

These are the ideal shoes for quick pit stops and stretching your legs on breaks. The wool runners come in tons of colors to fit your style!

Read More: The Best Outdoor Gifts For Hikers


16. Paracord Planet Type III Cord Kits With Buckles ($18)

Paracord is arguably one of the most versatile and useful pieces of outdoor gear. Paracord also makes excellent gifts for road trips!

Use it for all kinds of things like hanging food from a tree, hanging up drying laundry, or securing your canoe to shore. The possibilities (and color combinations) are endless. Find all sorts of color combinations available on Amazon!

Read More: Outdoorsy Stocking Stuffers Under $10


17. Smartwool Tech Liner Gloves ($24)

Smartwool Tech Liner Gloves

Sometimes you just want to keep your hands warm without all the bulk. Use these Smartwool Tech Liner Gloves gloves for easy handling (hellooo touchscreen friendly!) and then layer up later when you’re ready for more intense adventures.

These are the perfect gloves to use when you need to address car issues and it’s cold outside!

Read More: How To Layer Clothes For Winter Adventures


18. Luno 2.0 Car Air Mattress ($329.99)

Don’t settle for a bad outdoor sleep ever again! This Double Mattress by Luno is the absolute perfect gift for road trips. Form-fitted to fit around wheel wells and customizable for your specific car make and model, you can search for the perfect one to fit your rig’s measurements.

It also comes with an air pump, storage bag, base extenders, and the ability to blow up just one side at a time too.

It’s the perfect outdoor gift for couples too, for those people that just love to take awesome adventures with their person!



19. Teva Re-Ember Slip-Ons ($79)

Why not get a shoe that can do it all? The Teva ReEmber Slip-On shoes are made from recycled materials, and feel like a sleeping bag on your feet!

Their sturdy soles and collapsible heel make it easy to hop in and out of the car. These are a must for every road trip lover!


20. Packing Cubes ($44)

Road Trip Gifts - Expandable Packing Cubes

Some of the most essential road trip must-haves include products that help with car organization! An easy way to do this is with packing cubes. These packing cubes by REI have a mesh front so you can easily see what’s inside.

This set comes in three sizes, so you can organize everything from small accessories to bulkier clothing.


21. Headphones

Driving with multiple people? Sometimes, it’s nice to shut out the noise and listen to your own thing for a little while. These Bose QuietComfort headphones are pricey, but they have been worth absolutely every single penny for us. We use them at our desks, on the road, on the plane, and anytime we are waiting for long periods of time.

Have conventional headphones? Buy this headphone splitter so you and a friend can watch movies together or listen to the same music.


22. ROAD TRIP BOOKS

Epic Drives Of The World - Best Coffee Table Travel Books

Get inspired for your next road trip with Lonely Planet’s Epic Drives of the World. It’s filled with all sorts of incredible drives like the Pacific Coast Highway, Route 66, and other incredible international drives.

Other great books for road trip gifts include Roaming America by Matthew and Renee Hahnel, and The Open Road by Moon Travel.

Read More: The 15 Most Beautiful Coffee Table Travel Books


23. Audible Subscription

Similar to books for road trips, an Audible subscription is ideal for those times when everyone wants to hear the story! Audiobooks are great road trip gifts for kids, and can help keep them entertained on long drives. Start your Audible free trial here!


24. Aeropress Travel coffee maker ($35)

Aeropress Coffee Press Gifts For Hikers

This portable travel coffee maker by Aeropress is the perfect camping road trip gift! It’s portable, lightweight, and packs down really small. Learn how to make coffee while camping before you go, and don’t forget to pack the coffee beans!


25. Compression Socks ($28)

Compression socks are excellent road trip gifts for people of all ages. These form-fitting socks by Comrad are designed to promote blood circulation when sitting for long periods of time.


26. Soft Top Cargo Roof Bag ($109)

Need a little extra room while you’re driving? Load everyone’s luggage in this soft top cargo roof bag for more space!

This one by Rigthline works with or without rooftop racks, making it a versatile road trip gift for any type of car.


27. Conversation Starters

Want to start cool conversations with your passengers? Try out a card set like Table Topics to prompt interesting and engaging questions in the car. These cards are road trip gifts that keep on giving! Looking for road trip games specifically? Table Topics made a road trip version too!

Need some conversation starters now? Here are 101 road trip questions to ask your friends!


28. Hammock ($55)

When you need a break from the car, it’s nice to have a portable way to kick up your feet and relax. That’s why an ENO hammock makes perfect road trip gifts for travelers because they pack down super small! Get a single hammock or a double hammock, and don’t forget to buy the straps too!


29. Foldable Travel Chair

A portable travel chair is the ideal road trip gift when camping! The REI Co-Op Flexlite Camp Chair is known for its sturdiness and compact size. It’s a great choice for travelers who don’t have a lot of space to spare!


30. Camp Folding Table ($80)

Finish off your outdoor setup with a folding table to go with your folding chairs. This one from REI packs down mega small, keeping your precious storage space free for other road trip essentials.

With camping chairs and this table, you can easily set up an outdoor kitchen and enjoy a meal from anywhere!


31. Biolite Portable Lantern ($60)

These portable lights by Biolite make great road trip gifts for the family! With several settings, modes, and colors, you can adjust the lighting to fit any mood.

Use it around the picnic table for a lighted evening meal, or to easily grab and check around the car at night.


32. Instant Camera (Polaroid Go, $75)

Polaroid Go Instant Film Cameras

Don’t miss a single moment of your epic road trip! Read our round up of the best Instant film cameras for travel. Personally, we think the Polaroid Go is ideal for stashing in a pocket – it’s pretty small!

The Polaroid Go uses Polaroid Go Film, which comes in frames of color OR black and white ($19 for 16 exposures), or you can try the fun filters as well.


33 Bonus: Make Them A Road Trip Gift Basket

Did you find multiple road trip gift ideas in this post? One way to surprise your intrepid traveler is to create a road trip gift basket for them! This is a great way to send them off with lots of useful tools for their journey. A road trip care package can be customized in any way, which makes it a great personalized gift.

Here are some road trip gift basket ideas:

  • A cooler as the basket, filled with comforts like socks, card games, sunglasses, and lots of snacks.
  • A backseat car organizer, full of items to keep tidy like a car trash bin, cord organizer, and packing cubes.
  • A backpack full of handy car tech gear for the journey. Things like a car mount, phone charging cords, and navigation app subscriptions.
  • How about road trip goodie bag ideas for adults? Pack them a koozie, their favorite beer, and a camping chair to enjoy after a long day’s drive.

What are some road trip gifts you are giving to someone this holiday season? Let us know in the comments below!

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