We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A compact urination device for people with vaginas because having to take your pants almost completely off and then squatting within centimeters of bugs on the ground is just...not it. This silicone device is easy to use and clean, and allows you to "go" while standing.
Promising review: “I really love this urination device! Not only does it give me convenience when out hiking and camping, but it makes 'going' more comfortable! No squatting, which is great because I have a bad back and squatting is hard for me to do without pain. This is a new 'must-have' road trip item!” —Jacqueline Desiree Punzo
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in three colors).
2. A faux sheepskin seatbelt cover if you're tired of your seatbelt digging into you while you drive. This super soft cover will protect you!
Promising review: “I'm not sure why, but only recently the seatbelt in my car has begun to dig into my neck when I’m driving. This seatbelt cover has been such an awesome surprise because it works great! Now instead of sharp and jaggy, I’m feeling soft and fuzzy against my neck. Unless you take the cover off, the seatbelt will remain extended, but this doesn’t bother me in the slightest. Truly, it’s made a huge difference. I love this product!” —Elizabeth S.
Get it from Amazon for $12.98+ (available in six colors).
3. A portable car vacuum with a HEPA filter that'll help keep your vehicle crumb-, dirt-, and dust-free. It even comes with three attachments to help you best clean different (hard-to-reach) areas of your car.
Promising review: "I'm glad to have such great stuff in my car. Yes, it is not a powerful as my vacuum cleaner in the house, however, it cleaned out all the garbage, which I accumulated over the past autumn and winter in the car. At the end of October my husband and I went to the ocean and even though we tried to be neat, the sand was still in the car. Finally, I got rid of it! Now my beauty again is clean as it was the first day I bought her!" —Julia Bright
Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in two colors).
4. A double USB charger because one phone is being used for GPS and the other is being used for music and *neither* of them are allowed to die on this trip. This sits perfectly in your cigarette lighter compartment.
Need a USB-C port? Check out this charger!
Promising review: "This is the best car charger for phones that I've found. It fits nearly flush with the 12 volt port so if you have a door covering your port it will still close. It does quick charge so modern phones charge super fast, and it has two ports for charging two devices at once without needing a splitter. My car only has one port up front, so this is great for the two front-seat users at once. Feels very high quality; it's held up through regular use including road trips over a couple months, so hopefully it lasts longer than the cheaper ones I've gone through." —Eric Rechlin
Get it from Amazon for $11.04+ (available in three colors).
5. A hanging car diffuser so you can hide the smell of fast food, gym bags, and your active pup with the natural aromas of eucalyptus, vanilla, or fresh linen!
Amber & Wood is an Indiana-based small fragrance shop handcrafting high-quality aromatic goods for you and your home.
Promising review: "I love Amber and Wood Co.! The scents are great and the car diffusers last a long time! These are the only car air fresheners I use." —Mackenna Winslow
Get it from Amber & Wood on Etsy for $9 (available in a variety of scents).
6. A flexible memory foam travel pillow since leaning against the window is always an uncomfortable last resort for napping.
Promising review: “We go on a lot of road trips as a family. I would venture to say we're on the road for 8+ hours at least once or twice per month. Typically my husband drives and I take a much-needed mom nap. The captains chairs in our Ford Transit don't really allow for a comfortable neck position, despite being able to lay the seat pretty far back. Then comes this pillow! YAY! It's super customizable; it flexes and holds position and just really moves in any direction you need to get comfortable. We like it so much we sometimes just use it on the sofa watching movies. I like that you can snap the ends together and it takes up less space when put away. It fits in both my overhead compartment and my glovebox! I would absolutely recommend this to a friend. Without a doubt!” —tec
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in five colors).
7. A splash-free silicone dog travel bowl for the car when Fido can't wait until you get to your next rest stop for a water break. It's angled to make sure it stays put on the seat.
Promising review: "I love this thing. I was definitely skeptical but it is sort of miraculous how the water stays in the bowl. (It is even a little tricky to dump the water on purpose because of the design.) I needed a bowl so my pup could have water at all times during a cross country road trip. It doesn't slide around and didn't spill. He has even stepped on it and it barely splashed. Perfect. Totally recommend." —Siena
Get it from Amazon for $13.95+ (available in two colors)
8. A pair of lightweight and durable escape tracks if you're stuck between a rock and a hard place...or more specifically stuck in mud, snow, or sand.
Promising review: "These Maxsa boards of mine have been used in sand, mud, and snow and ice. They have assisted a number of vehicles to include pickup trucks, an Unimog-looking beast, Toyotas, Jeeps, and commuter cars. I've deployed them in 90 degrees Fahrenheit down to 20 degrees. They performed admirably." —Amazed
Get two from Amazon for $135.47+ (available in three colors and four styles).
9. A blind-spot mirror that'll help you navigate the roads better and more safely. Whether you're trying to park in a tight space or wanna make sure you're not in danger of trying to switch lanes at the same time as a truck, this will increase your field of vision.
Promising review: "I purchased this one because there is no bezel that takes up space when the rear view mirror is already so small, and you'll need whatever space you can get. The angle is also adjustable. Of all the ones I've purchased, this seemed to fit and look the best." —Peter
Get it from Amazon for $6.97 (available in packs of two or four and four shapes).
10. A portable pack of soap sheets because you can't trust gas station bathrooms to have, well, anything. These are also great for use when out hiking and camping.
Each box contains 50 sheets!
Promising review: "These little soap sheets are so handy. I originally bought them to take on road trips as a lot of rest stops sometimes don't have soap...or have questionable soap. Now I take these everywhere. I just keep them in my purse. They come in the most adorable packaging, and I love that they don't have a strong scent." —Padooling
Get a set of four boxes from Amazon for $8.49.
11. A travel tray equipped with a dry erase board, cup holder, and a tablet holder so your little one can entertain themselves while your eyes stay on the road.
Promising review: "The perfect addition to our road trip! We were constantly battling with dropped snacks, toys, etc. My kiddo loved the compartments to hold everything and the dry erase board was such a bonus! I love how well the removable pieces cling; it’s not your typical Velcro, much stronger and doesn’t seem like it will wear down over time." —ARose
Get it from Amazon for $31.95 (available in five colors).
12. Dramamine if no road trip is complete without someone experiencing motion sickness. This will last up 24 hours without making you drowsy.
Promising review: "I was SUPER stoked when they made a less drowsy version! The original put me out! I get motion sick sooo easy even when driving and it slows me down to the point I can’t drive the hour to see family. This formula helps calm my stomach, my mind, and my anxiety while helping me stay awake and happy on my trips! Will recommend to anyone! A lot of my friends take it!" —Autumn Williams
Get eight tablets from Amazon for $3.97.
13. A double dipper clip perfect for meals on the go. No more trying to juggle dips and nuggets and ultimately getting sauce everywhere. This clips perfectly to your vent!
3D Printed By Brian is a Texas-based Etsy shop 3D-printing cute and useful things for you and your home.
Promising review: "This thing has made my lunch breaks so much more enjoyable and more comfortable. At first I was worried that the holder would not sit in my vents snug enough, but I was wrong; this fits perfect and pops in and out when needed and never falls off randomly." —Nicholas Fada
Get it from 3D Printed By Brian on Etsy for $6.75 (also available in single sizes).
14. An air mattress you can lay across your backseat to create a comfy bed for yourself while camping.
It comes with one air mattress, two inflatable pillows, one inflator/deflator pump, and one storage bag.
Promising review: "I have to say that this is amazing! This bed can be used in a truck or the back of a car, which is so practical. The machine it comes with helps it inflate quickly. It can also be used anytime you're camping, not just in a car. It shocked me how spacious the back seat was with this air mattress. And the cushion is very comfortable. It's easily portable because it's not heavy at all. Such good quality!" —Amy
Get it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in three colors).
15. A memory foam seat cushion that'll turn the driver's seat into a plush throne and help relieve lower back and tushy discomfort.
Promising review: "I have been suffering from sciatica pain for a couple years now. In the last few months it has been so bad I had to stop sitting at work, and as a computer programmer, that can be hard at times. If I had to go to a day of meetings, I would be miserable for weeks afterward from the pain. Then I found this cushion. I bought it initially for a road trip thinking maybe it would save me from hurting too bad. I was surprised to find I didn’t hurt at all despite being in the car for over six hours. So I tried it at work and guess what? ZERO PAIN. I still really can’t believe just how good it works. Since getting this my sciatic pain is COMPLETELY GONE. That is no lie. Amazing. Recommend a million times over." —Anna Petersen
Get it from Amazon for $45.95 (available in three colors).
16. A collapsible multi-compartment organizer because just tossing everything you need for this journey into the back of your car will only result in you complaining about not being able to find anything later.
It's even got adjustable straps you can use to tie it down so it doesn't move around.
Promising review: "I bought this to organize food and other supplies in my trunk for a road trip. It worked perfectly! I love all of the compartments, and the soft sides make it easy to wedge things in to make full use of the space. It seems very durable. I've got it loaded down with some heavy items and the handles and bottom have held without issue." —Megan S.
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
17. A durable and waterproof seat cover hammock so your dog can have the time of their life in the backseat without you having to worry about getting fur or dirt all over your seats.
Promising review: "This is an amazing product. This works wonderfully for the back of the truck for my Siberian husky (who sheds A LOT). It keeps my car clean from fur, dirt, and even mud. My husky gets quite hyper and moves all over the car, but this product is HIGHLY DURABLE. What I love about this product is its ability to be easily moved and fit in any car. So, if I ask someone to look after my dog(s), I don't feel so bad about letting them use it! Plus the pockets on it are great for toys, treats, a leash, a ball, or other items. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!" —Garcia
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two sizes).
18. A multi-use diaper bag with changing station — this waterproof bag offers insulated baby bottle pockets, an anti-theft zipper, a side pocket, and of course, space for diapers. It can even be pulled out to be used as a changing station for your little one!
Promising review: “We just had our baby a week ago and are already putting the DEBUG Baby Diaper Bag Backpack to good use. It's very stylish so my husband doesn't mind wearing it. I love the changing station feature, which makes me feel better about changing our baby in public places. It has plenty of room for diapers, wipes, bottles, and anything else you might need on the go. I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a reliable and useful diaper bag.” —Seng
Get it from Amazon for $44.99+ (available in nine colors).
19. A super plush travel blanket perfect for napping in the backseat. Not only does it fold and zip into a bag, but this fleece blanket also has a hood so you can really get comfy on your travels!
Promising review: “Love my blanket! I take it everywhere I go. Usually, I am on the road for photography and this blanket works for me during the cold evenings. I sit out and watch sunsets often so this blanket is always on me. It's good enough for one person yet it is small enough to store in your car or bag.” —LeiSina
Get it from Amazon for $23.95+ (available in three colors).
20. Or a puffy outdoor blanket made using the same materials you'd find in an insulated sleeping bag so you know you'll stay warm and dry as you stop to hike several trails along your route.
These blankets are made by a Portland-based small business called Rumpl that specializes in blankets made for the outdoors. They were also featured on Shark Tank, BTW.
Promising review: "Took this quilt camping and it was perfect! Kept me warm and cozy all night when temps dropped down to the upper 50s. This is my new favorite summertime quilt and I won't leave home without it!" —K. Kovaleff
Check out our full Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket review to learn even more!
Get it from Rumpl on Amazon for $99+ (available in 14 colors)
21. A universal phone mount that clips to your vent so you can easily use your phone (hands-free) to view Google Maps and make sure you don't wind up in the highway version of the Bermuda triangle.
Promising review: "Love the versatility of this product as you can turn it sideways and position it toward you as well. Holds on to the vents very well and I usually have to readjust it once a week if that. Holds my phone perfectly straight up or sideways with no problem. I recently had my father with me on a quick road trip and he loved it so much I gave it to him and bought another for myself! It’s also compact and doesn’t block any views where I have it placed. I’ve had it for about three months with no issues at all. Definitely recommend this product." —Mr. Dynamite
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
22. A stick-on shade because the sun plans to tag along on your travel adventures so some protection from its rays might be nice. This is great especially if you have kids in the backseat.
23. A set of headrest hooks to hang bags from so they're out of the way but still within reach when you need them.
24. A bug bite suction tool from Shark Tank if you're excited to roll your windows down but not about the fact that you'll be exposed to some nasty bloodsuckers on the road. It pretty much sucks the irritant out from under your skin so you can live an itch-free life.
Promising review: "I am a magnet for bites of all kinds and carry topical and medicines with me at all times, so I figured this would be a good product to see if it really works. It arrived Monday and Tuesday morning I woke up with a bug bite on my arm, so I used this little tool (three times per the instructions) and immediately after use, it stopped itching! And less than 24 hours later the bite = gone! There is a very faint red mark from using the thing but that is a small price to pay IMO. Bottom line: it’s awesome. I’m carrying it with me everywhere!" —Rebecca
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three colors).
25. A rechargeable mini dehumidifier that'll help keep moisture out of your car. Now you can breathe a little easier.
Promising reviews: "My car has a leak and after it rains, it collects water and steams up the inside of the car. It would be dripping wet when I come down every morning. I put this in overnight and come back and my car is clear and dry for the first time in months." —Daniel Paik
“I'm very pleased with this product. We live in the PNW and see lots of persistent humidity and light drizzle/rain that molds just about any car's interior that sits for more than a month. I was using RV dryer bags which are expensive and single use. These guys are great, they pull humidity quickly (within 12 hours the car with fully dewy/fogged windows is bone dry), restore quickly, and are renewable. We need less single-use plastic crap out there.” —Kane & Zack
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
26. Some single-serving Cafe Bustelo instant coffee packets because the next rest stop is forever away and you need a caffeine boost.
Promising reviews: "I love Bustelo. It’s rich, delicious, and won’t give you the jitters. They taste just like a hot, freshly brewed cup. The packets are great for road trips or the office. Can’t go wrong!" –Sflboricua17
"Best instant coffee I've ever tasted in my LIFE!! I use these to make iced lattes with almond milk; no need to use hot water, just add a packet or two, ice, almond milk, and stevia, shake it up and you've got an iced latte just as good as Starbucks for a fraction of the price!" —Jennie
Get four boxes (with six packets each) from Amazon for $8.21.
27. An adjustable garbage can to keep your car from becoming a junkyard. Get rid of those receipts, empty ketchup packets, and empty water bottles!
Some reviewers even use this for their strollers!
Promising review: "I love this trash bag. My car has never stayed this clean. I have had it since last December and every time I go to empty it out, I am amazed as to how much it holds. It obviously isn’t made for super big items, but the paper that comes off of straws, gum, or whatever snack my kids are having in the car that day holds it and then some. The reason I’m even writing this is because I just emptied it and found a paper plate in it. I love the Velcro bottom too. It is easy to unwrap and wipe down the inside." —Maddie D
Get it from Amazon for $7.99.
28. A keychain car escape tool so you're prepared for the worst case scenario. This little device has a seatbelt cutter and a car window breaker.
Promising review: "Thankfully I haven't needed to use this item...BUT if I ever do, I have it in my car in the pocket of the driver side door. I live in Florida where we are surrounded by water and there are lakes, canals, drainage ditches, flood control ditches, and many bridges. There are constantly stories on the news about vehicles losing control and heading into the waters. One of the last news stories showed using this little tool. I immediately purchased several of them and gave them out to family and all of my neighbors." —Shesinstpete33710
Get it from Amazon for $9.85.
29. A car baby monitor because knowing exactly what baby is up to in the back seat will help you keep your mind at ease as you drive from point A to point B. It's also equipped with nighttime vision, so you don't have to worry about losing sight as the day loses light.
Promising reviews: "Absolutely LOVE my monitor! The typical mirror is terrible, but this shows you everything! It's wonderful for road trips or long trips with baby. I would suggest you purchase a book light you can attach to the car seat at night so your little one is always in view!" —Brittaney Fortney
"This camera is a new mommy must-have. I was using a mirror and constantly was readjusting it and relying on my mirror to see his mirror and it was stressful. I knew there had to be something better when I ended up driving at night with my 2-month-old to the hospital and he was freaking out and I couldn’t see him so I was pulling over to check on him every few minutes and it was a nightmare. This camera has been my saving grace. I was hesitant at first reading reviews saying it’s not night vision but mine automatically switches even in parking garages to night vision. I love that I can see my baby and not have to fix a mirror. Or turn my head to see fully what’s going on with him in the back. I really really recommend this for peace of mind!! —Jennifer K
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
30. A pack of two reversible satin car headrests to protect your luscious locks from any breaking and tearing that might be caused by your more traditional headrest material.
Kin Apparel is a Black woman-owned small business making functionally cute clothes with an emphasis on natural haircare.
Get it from Kin Apparel for $35 (available in eight color combinations).
31. An Iron Flask insulated thermo mug that comes with three leakproof lids including one with a built-in straw so you can enjoy your still-cold drink hours later. You'll wanna keep this stainless-steel treasure around.
Promising review: "When searching for a water bottle, I initially was tempted to get a Hydro Flask, but found this Iron Flask was cheaper. What sold the Iron Flask for me was that while it does keep water immensely cold over long periods of time, like the Hydro Flask, the Iron Flask comes with two additional lids and an extra straw. I like to use the water bottle wherever I go, and when filled with light ice, it has kept the water ice cold for up to 6+ hours. I have run my bottle into things by accident, and it has held up well. I've also knocked it over and left it on its side while driving, and there has been no leakage. Overall, if you're looking for an alternative to the Hydro Flask without breaking the bank, the Iron Flask is more affordable, and better from what I've experienced." —Marissa
Get it from Amazon for $17.95+ (available in six sizes and 26 colors).
32. And an adjustable car cup holder so your Nalgene or Hydro Flask bottle can sit safely instead of insecurely between your legs because there's nowhere for it to go. Now there is! Stay hydrated on the go.
Promising review: “No longer does my beastly Yeti roll all over my truck slamming into things when I make a hard turn. I must be old because this brought way too much joy to my life. I’m sure it works with the Hydro Flask as well; keeps it secure and doesn’t bounce. Will be purchasing another as a backup. The adjustable base fit snug in both cup holders.” —Mammoth117
Get it from Amazon for $26.99 (available in black and gray).
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.