Essential Car Accessories for a Successful Vacation

Before you head out on a road trip, you need to ensure you have all the essentials for a safe and happy trip. That’s why we took the time to break down both the essentials you need to keep everyone safe on the road and to keep everyone entertained as you drive.

If you’re still looking for more car accessories after reading the article, simply read more here for up-to-date information on everything that can make your road trip go a little smoother.

Necessities/Preparation Accessories

There are things that make your car trip more enjoyable, and there are things you need to keep your vacation moving along. We’ve focused on the latter here – these are essentials you don’t want to leave home without.

• Jumper Cables/Jump Starter Pack

Nothing stops a trip faster than a dead battery. You have two options here, a set of jumper cables or a jump starter pack – we recommend both.

Because while a jump starter pack can bail you out when there’s no one else around, jumper cables can typically transfer more amperage and voltage, which means it can start vehicles with batteries with lower voltage.
In short, a jump starter pack might not do the trick if you have a very dead battery, a quality set of jumper cables can.

• First Aid Kit

While it’s something you hope you never need, you’ll sure be glad you have it when you do. Whether it’s for the band-aides for the kids or some of the more serious medical supplies, a top-notch first aid kit can save your or someone else’s life on the road.

• Roadside Emergency Kit

Not only do you need a first aid kit, but you might need everything else that comes in a roadside emergency kit. They usually come with cones to give other drives advance notice of a downed vehicle, reflective vests that make you more visible, flares, and other emergency supplies.

Whether a snowstorm caught you by surprise and trapped you, or you’re broke down on the side of the road, a roadside emergency kit can be a literal lifesaver.

• Tire Pressure Gauge

It might seem like a small tool, but when you’re on a road trip, the last thing you want to deal with is low tire pressure. That’s because low tire pressure can lead to blowouts and a litany of other concerns.
With an inexpensive tire pressure gauge, you can get a little extra peace of mind knowing that you have the right tire pressure after each stop – which will keep you on the road.

• Seat Belt Cutter/Window Glass Breaker

This might seem like an excessive piece of equipment to have handy, but when you need it, you’ll be glad you have it. Whether you just crashed and you’re stuck, or you need to escape a vehicle sinking in the water, a seat belt cutter/window glass breaker can save your life.

Just be sure to keep it somewhere handy, like the glovebox. That way, if you need it, it’s within easy reach.

Entertainment Accessories

While having a successful vacation starts with keeping everybody safe and getting them to their destination, it’s about more than getting from point A to point B. These useful accessories will keep everyone happy and entertained throughout the entire journey.

• Portable Battery Pack

Nothing kills a trip faster than a dead battery. Portable battery packs keep all the electronics charged, and you don’t need to worry about finding an outlet or something similar in the car. Even better, when you reach your destination, these are small enough to easily slide into a purse or backpack.

With these handy devices, your electronic device won’t die when you need it most!

• Smartphone Car Mount

While GPSs used to rule the roost, today everything is about the smartphone. You can use these handy devices as your GPS, but you still don’t want to be using a mobile device while driving. That’s where the smartphone car mount comes into play.

These devices mount your smartphone to your windshield or dash so you can easily see your directions while driving.

Not only that, but if you’re using your smartphone to play music, you can change the song without taking your eyes off the road.

It’s hands-free and safe – just don’t get tempted to text while you’re driving down the road.

• USB Car Adaptor

Everything runs off USB devices now, but if you’re driving an older car, all you’ll have is the old cigarette lighter. A handy USB car adaptor brings your car into the modern 21st century by converting those openings into two different USB outlets.

Whether it’s charging your phone or plugging in an accessory, a USB car adaptor makes everything possible. Even better, as long as you’re driving, everything stays powered indefinity!

• Cooler

Whether you’re packing lunch or drinks for when you reach your destination, you want everything to stay fresh and cold when you’re ready for it. A cooler helps with that a ton. You don’t need to spend a ton of money on a cooler, and they come in various sizes for you to choose from.

Larger coolers are great for SUVs and family outings, while smaller coolers easily fit into smaller vehicles. When you come prepared, you end up spending less money and making better decisions. From meals on the road to drinks at the beach, coolers can make a great vacation even better.

Final Thoughts

Before you head out for your next vacation, ensure you have everything you need for a smooth vacation. Whether it’s a road trip across the country or just the drive to the airport, don’t let your vacation start out on the wrong foot by neglecting what you need in the car!