30 Best Road Trip Gift Ideas for Road Trip Travelers

Do you know someone who enjoys nothing more than hitting the open road? Who likes long car rides to quick flights? Who drives around with a National Parks passport and the Roadside America app on their phone? Who drives anywhere, at any time, for any reason? Look no further if you’re seeking for great road trip gift ideas for road trip travelers you know. We’ve produced a list of fifty of the greatest road trip gift ideas that every roadtripper would appreciate!

Whether you’re looking for a Christmas present for your road trip-loving spouse or wife, birthday presents for travelers in your family, or a special farewell gift for a loved one embarking on a cross-country adventure, we’ve got you covered. From basic necessities and cutting-edge electronics to vital literature and one-of-a-kind experiences, these suggestions for the finest gifts for road trip travelers will have your friends and family thanking you from the road.

Essentials for a Road Trip

The fun begins before the vehicle, campervan, or RV leaves the driveway. Nothing spoils a nice road trip like being unprepared or disorganized.

1. Roadside Assistance Kit

The ideal present for car trip comfort! This Emergency Roadside Kit includes jumper cables, an air compressor, a tow strap, and much more, all in a convenient, portable box. It can handle roadside assistance for automobiles, trucks, vans, and recreational vehicles.

Road journeys may include long periods with no petrol stations and rough roads. In the event of a car breakdown, it is critical to have certain equipment on hand.

2. A Road Atlas on Paper

A printed map is required for all serious road trippers. The Rand McNally 2022 Road Atlas is a spiral-bound booklet that includes all 50 states with big, easy-to-read type. The atlas zooms in on cities and National Parks to provide a comprehensive view of the area.

Although GPS and Google Maps are valuable tools, traveling in isolated places or stopping on the spur of the moment may result in gaps in cell phone service or local maps that haven’t been downloaded for offline usage.

As a frequent road tripper, not having a physical map is a road trip error I will never make again!

3. Medical Kit

This First Aid Kit is useful for automobile travels since it is small, portable, and filled with the necessities. Bandages and ointments for injuries, sting and burn relief medication, aspirin, ibuprofen, and other items are included in the pack.

All road trippers should have first aid fundamentals on hand in case they need to attend to a sick passenger or patch a wound from a trip and fall outside the car.

4. Phone Holder for Car Mount

If the road tripper on your list uses their phone for Google Maps or navigation features, a vehicle mount phone holder keeps their phone screen in view while driving without moving or requiring any hand adjustments.

As a stocking stuffer, include a sticky dashboard pad. I’ve used this same phone mount on road trips and discovered that the adhesive pad outperforms the suction cup, especially in warmer temps.

5. Phone Charger in the Car

Long durations of navigation, travel applications, and listening to favorite podcasts and music are all surefire ways to drain a phone’s battery. For speedy, full-speed charging, a vehicle phone charger connects into the lighter socket.

This charger is an excellent road-themed present because it is small and has two USB ports, allowing more than one device to be plugged in at the same time.

6. Car Backseat Organizer

2-pack seatback pocket organizer stores food, water bottles, toys, books, and essentials such as kleenex and glasses. A transparent pouch intended to carry a standard-sized iPad or tablet is also available.

The material is water-resistant and long-lasting. It may also be used as a kick mat and is easily cleaned with a damp wipe. Whether on a short weekend road trip or a cross-country journey, the multiple pockets in this organizer will come in handy and keep clutter off the floor.

7. Trash Can in the Vehicle

It just takes one banana peel to discover the value of having a vehicle trash can. Consider hundreds of kilometers of food wrappers and beverage glasses!

This sturdy bag container aids in preventing the inevitable mess that results from eating and drinking on the go. It keeps leaks out of the car and fits firmly on the floor or around a headrest without blocking any vents.

The bag also functions as a cooler bag, keeping water bottles and other beverages cold. The container folds flat and may be stored when not in use.

8. Organizer of Accessory

Your road-trip-loving relatives and friends will appreciate this brilliant organizational present. There’s no need to stuff wires, gadgets, tools, and even toiletries into a bag only to spend time digging to the bottom to get what you need.

The straps keep everything firmly in place, while the zipper encloses everything inside the case, keeping everything securely where it belongs. Cords are no longer twisted, and you can tell if something is missing with a quick glance. The organizer is small enough to fit into a daypack or a seatback for easy on-the-go usage.

9. Cubes for Packing

Of course, packing cubes are beneficial to many types of travelers. However, packing cubes allow road trippers to just take the necessary rather than hauling a whole suitcase or bag into a tent or hotel room for the night.

Packing cubes with entire clothing and pajamas should be organized.

The mesh on top allows you to see what’s inside, and their tiny sizes fit perfectly into hotel drawers. These can also fit within automobile storage bins, eliminating the need for cumbersome luggage on a road trip!

Road Trip Gifts for Car, Campervan, or RV Comfort

Any gift guide for road trip passengers must include suggestions that will make everyone feel at ease! The beauty of these products, though, is their adaptability. They may be utilized outside the automobile for any road trip camping combination as well as other travel excursions.

10. A Travel Pillow

Therm-a-compressible Rest’s pillow has the advantage of being both a small travel size and a full-size pillow. It may easily double as a vehicle headrest before being utilized with a preferred sleeping bag for a comfy night of camping.

It has a soft, pillow-like feel to it and grows into a broader pillow when it is opened to its full size. Travelers and campers will appreciate the comfort and convenience of this cushion!

11. Multipurpose Puffy Blanket

The Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket combines nicely with the above travel pillow for optimal comfort, whether you’re attempting to sleep in the vehicle or snuggling up in the campervan for the night.

This blanket is the ideal present since it is warm, waterproof, lightweight, and versatile enough to be used as anything from a picnic blanket to a sleeping bag substitute. It is stain-resistant and machine-washable. When not in use, this blanket folds up into a stuff sack for simple, low-profile storage.

ProTip: REI sells the Rumpl Blanket in a variety of sizes and designs on clearance or on discount.

12. Socks with Compression

Road trips entail spending a significant amount of time sitting in a vehicle, campervan, or RV. Compression socks improve circulation and make excellent gifts for travelers who are on a long drive or a lengthy trip.

These socks wick moisture and smells away and retain their grip after washing. Travelers and road trippers can arrive at their destination with fresh legs, unaffected by sitting, ready to do a national park walk or some city sightseeing.

13. Headphones 

Headphones allow everyone on a car trip with kids, friends, or family to enjoy their favorite movies, music, and activities without bothering others. Kids’ headphones with a wired cable eliminate the need for charging or batteries.

They are also one of the most popular road trip presents for adults!

While AirPods for adults can help people sleep before getting behind the wheel by wirelessly connecting to a favorite podcast or music.

14. Gift Basket for a Road Trip

All effective road journeys require snacks, otherwise you’ll end yourself feeling hungry along a long length of sandy road with no petrol stations in sight. A snack box for the road is a definite way to keep road trippers of all ages pleased.

The gift box contains a variety of the greatest road trip goodies, including as granola bars, fruit snacks, and popcorn, to fulfill both sweet and salty desires. Not to mention that everything stays fresh because everyone gets to unwrap and consume their preferred food.

15. Ice-Free Cooler

Keeping road trip food does not have to be difficult or time-consuming. A leaking cooler full of melting ice flooding the interior of the automobile is not a good moment. This Igloo Iceless Cooler connects to the vehicle’s lighter outlet and keeps food fresh and chilled inside while keeping everything else dry outside.

This cooler sits behind the front seats and features a handle for easy transport. When staying in a hotel, connect the cooler into a regular electrical socket to keep the contents chilled while the car or campervan is turned off.

16. Topics for Discussion

TableTopics is the most popular discussion card game, and what better way to get everyone off their gadgets and chatting than 135 questions designed to help families and friends reconnect?

The original set is intended for children aged 12 and older, however box sets in themes such as “Happiness” and “What Would You Do?” are also available. Road vacations are all about spending time together and interacting with the outside world in real time. This is one of the finest road trip games, whether in the vehicle or over the campfire, because there are no little pieces and nothing to charge.

17. Booster Seat for Dogs

Road vacations are the pinnacle of pet-friendly travel! Pets, too, need some driving comfort (and safety). This pet booster seat lifts dogs off the seat with a strap over the seat headrest and secures in place with a lower strap around the back of the seat.

Best of all, this tough seat with a machine-washable interior cushion has a safety leash to keep pups safe from unexpected stops or vehicle movements. My dog adores this seat and has used it on all of our road trips since he was a puppy.

Outside-of-the-Vehicle Road Trip Gifts

Getting out of the car to walk, explore, sightsee, and enjoy all of the sites along the way is half the enjoyment of a road trip. To appreciate every minute, however, comfort, convenience, and, of course, good food are essential.

18. Folding Hammock

Give the gift of tossing away any sense of time. This is while resting in an ENO DoubleBreasted hammock in a tranquil patch of forest discovered by accident because the road led to this unforeseen isolation.

This hammock only requires two trees and a few minutes to set up and enjoy. When not in use, it collapses to the size of a softball, making it ideal for road trips when storage space is limited. But don’t be fooled by the modest size; this hammock is constructed to hold two persons and deserves on any list of the best road trip gear.

19. Portable Lighting

A little more light in the campervan once it’s dark, whether it’s a string of lights or a solar-powered lantern, may give hours of gentle light for reading, cooking, and as a guide to navigating.

Portable solar-powered illumination is ideal for road trippers since lanterns can be charged throughout the day, either from the dashboard or strategically placed to catch the sun. If the daytime journey evolves into a night of camping, both of these lighting alternatives are simple to install in tents and around campgrounds.

20. Table that folds

Road trips allow you to go wherever the road takes you, but they also allow you to stop and appreciate the scenery. This compact, portable folding table does not require camping to be used.

Use it for picnic food preparation, drinking a morning coffee, or any other time extra room is required outside or indoors. All road trippers, whether in a vehicle or an RV, will appreciate the adaptability of this table and its movable legs to fit varied heights. Not to mention that it folds up neatly and can be stored in a small place.

21. Travel Chair 

Road trip rest breaks are designed to allow you to stretch your legs. However, when it comes time to have a cup of coffee, a car camping supper, or simply to take in the scenery, the road tripper on your list will appreciate a travel folding stool.

It’s powerful enough for an adult, but light and portable enough to take on a trek. With the foldable table above, you’ve got two of the finest presents for road trippers.

22. Travel Stove

This Coleman Stove is perfect for creating the tastiest road trip cuisine! It swiftly assembles, is extremely portable, and can cook for more than an hour at high heat. It’s ideal for making breakfast, warming a kettle, or slow-cooking a substantial stew on a cold night.

Size matters, as it does with all of the finest road trip presents. This stove has a low profile and may be stored conveniently. Furthermore, the carrying case makes transportation simple.

23. Coffee Maker with a French Press

Morning coffee is a non-negotiable for most people. This French-Press Coffee Maker eliminates the need for such sacrifices on the road and is far more eco-friendly than purchasing a coffee in a styrofoam cup each morning.

The stainless-steel construction outlasts glass-bodied competitors, and the double screen filter removes the need for paper filters. Simply add hot water and press for a rich-tasting cup of coffee in the morning. It’s not just one of the top road trip gadgets on our list, but it’s also necessary for morning caffeine bliss!

24. Outdoor Cooking Preparation Set

Some basic meal prep items are required to enjoy a road trip meal outside of the vehicle or campervan. To keep everything organized, this 24-piece Outdoor Cook Set comes in a compact container. It’s also one of the finest road trip presents for guys who miss their barbecue cooking gear at home!

This set complements the folding table and 2-burner stove seen above to provide a simple, compact method to cook and enjoy meals on the road. The set comes with a utility knife and cutting board, as well as kitchen implements like a spatula and whisk, all of which fit within the zipper case.

25. HydroCap 

A road journey requires the use of water bottles. However, HydroCap has transformed the water bottle so that road trippers, hikers, and travelers may have clean water wherever the road takes them.

Because its UV-powered cap kills 99.99996 percent of germs and viruses, HydroCap was named a Time Magazine top innovation. It can even disinfect the bottle. Not only is HydroCap a fantastic present, but it also removes the need to buy disposable water bottles and carry a constant supply of fresh, clean drinking water.

Unusual Road Trip Presents

If you’re looking for presents for road warriors who have everything, consider an experience gift that will create a joyful memory.

26. Passport to National Parks

Exploring some of the 61 National Parks, not to mention the 400+ monuments, woods, seashores, and leisure areas that are part of the National Parks system, is one of the most popular forms of road trips.

A National Parks Pass for America the Beautiful is valid for one year from the date of purchase. The permit allows access to all National Parks for the driver and all passengers (up to four people) including major road trip sites such as the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park. Children under the age of 15 are free.

The pass also includes several National Monuments and National Forests, such as those seen along an Oregon Coast road trip.

27. Get Your Guide Gift Card 

Give experiences over things and let the receiver decide based on their destination and interests. With a Get Your Guide Gift Card, you may select from hundreds of experiences, including activities and tours in National Parks and cities around the United States, such as New York, New Orleans, and Chicago. It operates in a straightforward manner.

Simply specify a monetary amount for your gift card and let the lucky traveler decide! The gift card is valid for up to three years from the date of purchase.

So, if the road-tripper on your list is planning a National Park road trip to Utah, they may choose for a 4×4 experience.

Alternatively, when visiting Grand Teton National Park, go on a guided wildlife safari. It will be up to them to determine what is ideal for their vacation plans and the greatest keepsake to bring home.

28. At-home COVID-19 examinations

On the road, it might be difficult to find a testing facility, but some establishments need documentation of a negative test to access restaurants and other facilities. Make someone’s life simpler by obtaining CDC-approved at-home COVID testing for travel.

29. Travel protection insurance

People are more interested than ever in the question “what if?” Give the gift of security and peace of mind by giving the gift of travel insurance. You can buy tickets for individual trips or for the whole year.

30. Lumbar assistance

This present will come in handy after a hard day on the road, letting the receiver to relax comfortably for extended periods of time.

BONUS: CREATE A ROAD TRIP GIFT BASKET FOR THEM.

Did this post provide you with several road trip gift ideas? Make a road trip gift box for your adventurous traveler as one way to surprise them! This is an excellent way to send them out with a plethora of important tools. A road trip care box may be tailored in any manner, making it an excellent personalized present.

Here are some suggestions for road trip gift baskets:

• As the basket, a cooler loaded with comforts such as socks, card games, sunglasses, and plenty of food.
• A backseat vehicle organizer with accessories to keep things neat, such as a car trash bin, cable organizer, and packing cubes.
• For the journey, a rucksack packed of useful vehicle tech items. Such as a vehicle mount, phone charging cables, and subscriptions to navigation apps.
• What about adult road trip goodie bag ideas? Pack a koozie, their favorite beer, and a camping chair for them to relax on after a long day of driving.

Enjoy your travel!