Summer Road Trip Essentials: 7 Must-Have Items For Your Next Adventure
The greatest benefit of the road trip? Being able to pack whatever you need and want. getty
This summer, 83% of travelers plan to drive to their summer vacation destination, with most reporting high airline ticket prices as the primary reason, according to a survey conducted by GSTV. It's no surprise that the most popular summer holiday for road trips is the week of July 4, with Labor Day too far on the horizon for most eager travelers to consider.
The advantages of road trip travel are many: considerably lower costs (the cost of gas is down 25% from this time last year), the freedom to stop as many times as you like, and the ability to carry virtually anything you want. When planning your summer road trip packing list, you'll want to include some luxury road trip accessories that make long drives more comfortable and destinations more enjoyable. Here are the road trip essentials that every traveler should consider for their next adventure.
These travel items will up your game when it comes to beach, lake, and resort road trips and are must-haves for comfort and fun.
The BOTE inflatable sling back chair is big and sturdy, and its Magnepod drink holder is strongly magnetic. Courtesy of BOTE
How many times have you gotten to the beach, the resort, or the lake house, felt the call of the water, and realized that you forgot essential beach road trip gear? Then you rush out to buy inflatable pool accessories for lazy floats (you) or active play (the kids) and find yourself tripping over their cumbersome size and ultimately leaving them behind?
Instead, pack this easy-to-inflate-and-deflate Hangout Sling Chair as a permanent solution to your water gear needs. Bote products are known for their high quality and durability, making this chair a perfect summer travel accessory. It's super durable, comes with a pump and air gauge, and has a feature you will surely appreciate—the Magnepod that holds your drink securely in place on the armrest—ideal road trip comfort items for water activities. UV Protection Reading Glasses For Sunny Days
Caddis customized readers sunglasses are a must-have for any summer vacation. Courtesy of Caddis
If you need reading glasses and love sunny destinations, quality travel eyewear becomes essential road trip gear. Caddis Custom Sunglass Readers reduce eye strain while solving the common problem of needing both UV protection and reading assistance, so if you're a book lover, these are essential summer road trip gear.
These stylish travel reading glasses protect your eyes from UV rays, and they make it possible to soak up your favorite beach read while actually sitting on the beach. These glasses are fully customizable travel accessories: Choose the frame, tint, power, and size and they're delivered right to your door, making them convenient additions to any road trip packing checklist. Portable Book Light For Travel Reading
The Mighty Bright MiniFlex is the perfect reading light for travel. It's lightweight, clamps right onto your book, and isn't a distraction to others. Courtesy of Mighty Bright
Whether you like to read in the car to pass the time or you like to read before bed without disturbing your partner, a personal reading light ranks among must-have road trip travel accessories. Mighty Bright book lights are compact travel reading accessories that clip onto your book, and provide the perfect amount of illumination.
The flexible arm makes it easy to position the light exactly where you want it, and it's focused, so it won't shine in anyone else's eyes or distract a driver—essential features for family road trip gear. Bonus: This is a rechargeable travel electronic, so you won't need to worry about batteries during your journey. Since lighting varies at different destinations, this portable reading light is a practical road trip essential. Great Travel Drink Accessories and Portable Coolers
Duckhorn is a famous name in wine, and its Decoy Featherweight Collection is perfect for hot summer nights. Courtesy of The Duckhorn Portfolio
At the end of a long drive, a chilled wine is a perfect accompaniment to a picnic lunch or barbecue dinner, and the Decoy Featherweight Chardonnay keeps it light. With only 80 calories a glass, it's fresh, crisp, and highly drinkable—ideal for summer road trip adventures.
To serve wine at its optimal temperature, slip it into portable wine coolers like the PackIt Freezable Wine Bag. This reusable travel cooler can be frozen the night before your trip, and it keeps your wine cold for hours. It's a versatile road trip accessory that works for any drinks requiring temperature control.
For travelers avoiding glass containers and seeking a lighter weight option, try Archer Roose canned wines, which provide convenient, single-serving portions. You can mix and match wines to your group's tastes, while eliminating concerns about finishing opened bottles. It's the perfect portable drink solution and especially convenient for multi-destination road trips. Durable Travel Luggage For Every Road Trip Style
Casetify suitcases are easy to identify and fit securely in your trunk or hatchback. Courtesy of Casetify
Family road trips become more organized when everyone can quickly identify their own suitcases. Customizable travel bags through Casetify solve a lot of road trip challenges and keep the car tidy on your journey.
The Bounce Carry-On Suitcase incorporates the same protective technology used in Casetify's phone cases into these ultra-durable, lightweight suitcases perfect for road trip adventures. These customizable bags feature trendy color options and monogramming. They are easy to lift in and out of trunks and to pull over any surface, whether you're pitching a tent deep in the woods or dragging your luggage along sandy surfaces, making them the ideal choice for personalized travel gear for families. Complete Your Summer Road Trip Packing Checklist
If you're hitting America's highways this summer, these essential road trip accessories will transform ordinary car trips into comfortable, well-equipped adventures. From portable pool gear and travel reading accessories to convenient drink solutions and durable luggage, these additions to your road trip gear will ensure you'll have everything you need to overcome common road trip challenges.
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