Whether you are travelling solo or with your family and pets, the right road trip accessories can make the entire trip better.
If you’ve ever taken a long distance trip and felt dishevelled by the end, we’ve got 15 road trip essentials for an enjoyable, well-organised journey.
15 Must-Have Road Trip Accessories for a Smooth Journey
- Car-Friendly Snacks
- Travel Food and Water Bowls for Pets
- A Good Quality Cooler
- Rubbish Bin or Bag
- Comfort Enhancers
- Car Organisers
- Boot Organiser
- Safety Essentials
- Noise-Cancelling Headphones
- Navigation Assistance
- Portable Phone Charger
- Car Entertainment
- Portable Fan
- Pet Seat Covers
- Wet Wipes
1. Car-Friendly Snacks
We’re starting off our must-have road trip essentials list with the most important accessory: Snacks!
Any long road trip needs a good variety of snacks and drinks to stay fueled up and help pass the time. The key is choosing car-friendly snacks to minimise messes and spills. This means avoiding any foods that are sticky, prone to melting, or super crumbly.
Here are some of our favourite car-friendly road trip snacks
- Water in an insulated, reusable water bottle
- Easy to eat fruits, such as bananas or apples
- Trail mix
- Granola bars
- Pretzels
- Beef jerky
- Mixed nuts
- Crackers and hummus
- String cheese
- Carrot sticks
- Dried fruit
- Sweet potato chips
2. Travel Food and Water Bowls
If you’re travelling with pets, don’t forget to pack a few extra treats for stops. Also, pack a food and water bowl for your furry family member.
3. A Good Quality Cooler
Summers in Australia are known for their sweltering temps. And your car’s interior can get particularly hot. An insulated cooler with a leak proof seal will protect your food and keep drinks cool and satisfying.
4. Rubbish Bin or Bag
This may not be as fun as other road trip accessories on our list, but we think it is one of the most important: a rubbish bin.
There’s almost a guarantee of trash, wrappers, and rubbish on a long road trip. Be prepared with a designated bin or bag to put any rubbish in.
5. Comfort Enhancers
Long car rides can lead to a sore back, tight legs, and a stiff neck. Investing in the right comfort enhancers can help make any ride more enjoyable.
We recommend these comfort add-ons for long car trips:
- A steering wheel cover to provide comfortable cushioning and good grip
- Plush, high-quality seat covers
- A neck pillow
- A travel pillow
- A lumbar support cushion
- Window sun shades to protect passengers in the back seat from the scorching Aussie sun
6. Car Organisers
Keep your car clean and tidy, even during long stretches of travelling. When everything has a place, it is much easier to keep a vehicle in order.
There’s a variety of car organisers to choose from that provide a set space for toys, games, sunglasses, pens, and other items.
7. Boot Organiser
Along with smart organising solutions for your vehicle’s interior, don’t forget about the boot. Digging around a messy, unorganised boot for an item adds unnecessary stress to a trip.
Use a boot organiser to keep items accessible, handy, and in order. We like storage options with multiple pockets for storing spare clothes, wipes, nappies, sunscreen, and hats.
8. Safety Essentials
Be prepared for the unexpected with an emergency kit on long car trips. Along with emergency water and non-perishable food, we recommend a basic kit with:
- A first aid kit
- Basic tools (wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.)
- A spare tyre
- Emergency lighting
- Jumper cables
- Extra vehicle fluids (window cleaning fluid, engine oil, and coolant)
- A tyre pressure gauge
- Flares
9. Noise Cancelling Headphones
Need to zone out for a while on a long trip? Get lost in a great playlist, audiobook, or podcast with a pair of high-quality, noise-cancelling headphones.
10. Navigation Assistance
Along with a reliable, dedicated GPS device, consider downloading an offline navigation app to your phone for backup.
We also recommend bringing a physical map featuring your planned route. A paper map can be a lifeline if your battery goes dead. Many remote areas in Australia also feature weak signals, making a backup paper map crucial.
11. Portable Phone Charger
To avoid the risk of a dead phone battery, consider purchasing a portable phone charger. Choose a high-capacity, portable charger that can be used in remote areas when you don’t have access to power outlets.
12. Car Entertainment
Fight off boredom on long stretches of your journey by bringing some entertainment options. We like making playlists beforehand or downloading podcasts or audiobooks to listen to.
For kids, pack washable markers, coloring books, stickers, and some of their favourite books. For more screen-free road trip ideas to entertain your kids, see our post here: Tips for a Smooth Road Trip with Kids in Australia.
13. Portable Fan
If you’re riding in the back seat or have a child in a rear-facing car seat, it can get stuffy. Opt for a portable fan powered by a USB cable to stay cool and comfortable on the ride. Pets will also appreciate the extra circulation of a portable fan.
You May Also Like: How to Keep Your Car Cool Without AC
14. Pet Seat Cover
Protect your seats on long trips with pet seat covers. Along with keeping pets safe and comfortable, pet seat covers protect your vehicle’s interior. Pet seat covers shield seats against drool, scratches, and fur.
15. Wet Wipes
Wet wipes are the last must-have road trip accessory on our list. These handy wipes can be used to quickly clean up spills or clean your hands.
Gear Up for the Most Comfortable Road Trip Ever with Shevron
The right road trip accessories can make the difference between a chaotic trip or a smooth, comfortable, organised adventure.
We hope you found our list of road trip essentials helpful. For more road trip tips, check out our guide here: 8 Tips to Prepare Your Car for Long Distance Driving in Australia.
At Shevron, we’re dedicated to comfort, and our range of products shows it. From plush seat covers to window shades, we carry quality auto accessories to help you enjoy everything from daily commutes to month-long road trips. Contact us for personalised advice on products to fit your road trip needs.