Road-Trip-Ready Gadgets for Life on the Move

There’s something undeniably freeing about hitting the open road. Leave work behind, crank up the music, bask in the miles of possibility ahead. But a great road trip isn’t just about the destination or even the journey. It’s about being prepared for whatever the asphalt (or dirt) throws your way. From gadgets that make those hundreds (or thousands) of miles a breeze to comfort upgrades that turn long hauls into effortless cruises, the right gear can transform a drive from “good” to “I’m free.”

Here’s our roundup of the best road trip essentials to keep you safe, comfortable, and entertained from the first mile to the last.

As much as you want to break away from technology on your road trip, there’s no question that it’s a requirement for a safe and entertaining trip. The NESTOUT 700N Portable Power Station will keep things charged, as well as prep you for emergencies. This powerhouse has 712 Wh of capacity, 700 W continuous output, and a peak 1,300 W surge. Translation: It has the capability to power a mini-fridge, portable range, or that all-important coffee maker to keep you properly caffeinated without a Starbucks in sight. It’s lighter and smaller than the competition, so it won’t bog you down or take up too much space. The 700N has two AC outlets, a car socket, dual USB-C and dual USB-A ports to charge up to seven devices at once. It’s also built to take a beating with rugged construction and a metal frame. Feel free to channel He-Man and let out a “I have the power!” every time you deploy it. 

At time of publishing, it’s on sale. So don’t wait to add it to your arsenal.

Most portable coolers are heavy hunks of bulk because of their thick housings, but the Tempo 23 uses lightweight full aluminum ThinWall construction that cuts the size in half while chilling 36 cans and 2 ice packs. This means your food and beverages stay cooler (3x cooler, to be exact) for longer, and they’ll take up less cargo space. The Tempo 23 also looks pretty sweet with its svelte debossed aluminum casing and contrasting orange carry strap. Handy and handsome. Always a good combo for life on the road.

Upgrade your cooler without upping your cargo weight.

There are double-walled water bottles and there are advanced triple-walled versions. The Takeya Sport is most definitely the latter, and it’s one of the best we’ve ever used. It provides 36 hours of chilled beverages or 14 hours of hot, for perfect road trip hydration. Its grippy diamond pattern powdercoated exterior and superb carry handle make transport a cinch, and you can choose between a flip straw or an ice-blocking spout. Made with food-grade stainless steel and equipped with a BPA-free plastic lid and durable silicone O-rings, it safe, secure, and easy to clean. Just don’t stop for too many bathroom breaks and ruin the trip.

It comes in four different sizes. Choose wisely. 

Protect your gear and maximize available storage space. The CBX LG does both while simultaneously looking pretty slick. It has the capacity to swallow ski and snowboard gear, bags, etc. for miles on end while keeping everything clean and secure. Its low profile design reduces painful wind drag and wind noise. The locking grab handle makes security easy, and sliding the mounting hooks to suit your vehicle takes no time at all. The premium reflective finish and black Yakima badges will also go nicely with your road trip steed.

Pack it up. 

Gear crates are excellent for all your road trip stowage needs. They provide easy access, organization, and protection when you need them. But if they don’t break down into a more manageable size, then they can also be a waste of space. The Sidiocrate comes in a collapsible version that folds down into a more compact size, and its polypropylene copolymer construction can take 200 pounds of weight stacked on top. It also has great side access windows for quick retrieval of items, and you can add dividers, a latching lid, and even a cutting board. 

Go crazy. Stack it up.

A dash cam can provide important details should anything go wrong (or epically) on your long (and short) drives. The X310 provides 140-degrees of 4k Ultra HD viewing/recording and has its own polarizer to reduce road glare, a key feature for detailed cam capture. The sizable 2.4-inch touchscreen makes control intuitive, and voice command reduces distracted driving. You can even add Parking Guard to record when you’re not in your vehicle, and save clips to the Garmin Drive app. 

Security? Check.