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Are you getting ready for a road trip and want to make it the best road trip ever? While road trips are great, you have to admit that they can be uncomfortable or unpleasant if you don’t prepare ahead of time. This post includes nine things you should definitely get before you go on your next road trip to make sure you’re safe and comfortable on the road! I own everything in this post and can personally verify that they will all make your next road trip 100% better for  just $100!

1. Lumbar Support – $15

I never thought I would be the kind of person who put lumbar support in her car, but I’ve discovered it’s absolutely critical to staying comfortable for long periods of time on the road! This affordable lumbar support has a piece of elastic that goes around your seat to hold the pillow in place, and it is SO COMFORTABLE I DON’T CARE IF I LOOK LIKE A DORK.

Speaking of looking like a dork, this lumbar support makes a guest appearance in my video, How to Do Yoga in Your Car. Love it. Buy it. Do yoga on it. 🙂

2. Window Breaker – $5

For me, living in Houston, the possibility of being caught in a flood isn’t impossible so I absolutely have one of these in my car at all times. Consider buying this combination window breaker / seat belt cutter in case your car is stuck in rising water and you can’t open the window or door.

3. Phone Mount – $10

I decided to get a phone mount after my trip earlier this year to Big Bend when I fell in love with the one my friend had in her Prius, and I’m so glad I got one! This phone mount has multiple mounting options, including from the dash, from the windshield, or even from an air vent!

 

4. Water bottle – $15

Gotta stay hydrated on the road! Rather than buying a bunch of bottles of water when I’m traveling, I like to bring a couple of gallon jugs full of water and refill my own water bottle on the way. This Camelbak .75-liter Eddy water bottle is perfect for using one-handed when you’re driving (an important consideration if you’re on a solo road trip). Plus the .75-L size and also fits in the drink holder with no problem!

5. Car Trash Can – $13

One thing I always struggle with is where to put trash in my car — the Honda Civic has some little nooks and crannies that I used to stuff food wrappers and parking stubs into just to get it out of the way, but I love this car trash can! I put it on the floor in the back seat so it’s out of the way but easily accessible and it helps keep the rest of my car clutter-free. Win-win.

6. Microfiber Fleece Blanket – $14

If you’re on a winter road trip, the back seat can sometimes get chilly! This Vaulia Lightweight Microfiber Fleece blanket is perfect to roll up and take along to make sure everyone in your car is comfy while on the road.

7. Merry’s Polarized Sunglasses – $12

At one point, I had a pair of expensive sun glasses that I loved, but once I lost them, I decided instead to try to find the coolest pair of cheap sunglasses on the internet so I coul easily replace them. Cue finding these Merry’s Polarized vintage sunglasses. I totally love them, and I don’t stress about them.

I actually wore these sunglasses while I was wandering around Waco last month:

8. Tire Pressure Gauge – $7

Do we need to talk again about why you need to always have a tire pressure gauge to check your tire pressure? Ok:

 

9. Sun Shades – $11

I love these cling car window sun shades! I picked them up last year and use them anytime I want to sleep in my car or when the sun is just hella bright. They fold up into a small package and make it easy to protect yourself and your passengers from the sun or prying eyes.

Want a demo of these sun shades? Check out this video where I demo how I use the sun shades when I’m sleeping in my car:

Other RTS-Approved Packing Lists

Want to make extra-sure you’re ready for whatever happens? Check out these other Road Trip Soul lists of things you should pack for your next trip!

 

Thanks for reading! Leave a comment below to let me know what you think! – Lindsay