10 Road Trip Essentials to Keep in Your Car This Fall and Winter

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Fall is one of my favorite times for a road trip, but it’s also a good reminder to make sure your car is prepared for colder weather. A dead battery, low tire or even a phone that’s running out of juice can quickly turn an otherwise great trip into a headache.

I’m a big believer in being prepared before hitting the road, especially when traveling with my family. You don’t need to carry half your garage with you, but there are a handful of relatively small and inexpensive products that can make a huge difference when something goes wrong.

I originally put this list together during Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days, but the sale is now over, so I’ve updated it with 10 road-trip essentials worth keeping in your car regardless of whether they’re discounted. As always, Amazon prices change frequently, so check the current price before purchasing.

Here are 10 products that I think are worth considering before your next road trip.

1. NOCO Portable Jump Starters

This is one of those products you hope you never have to use but will be very glad you have if your battery dies, especially if you’re far from home. NOCO makes several different sizes, including the GBX155, GB150, GB70 and GB40 so choose one that’s appropriate for your vehicle. The beauty of carrying a portable jump starter is that you don’t have to wait for another driver or roadside assistance to give you a jump.

2. NOCO AX65 Boost Air Portable Jump Starter + Air Compressor

If you want something a little more versatile, check out the NOCO AX65. It’s both a portable jump starter and an air compressor, so it can help with a dead battery or a low tire without taking up space in your car for two separate devices. That’s especially useful on a road trip when trunk space is at a premium.

3. TESSAN 200W Car Power Inverter Charger

The TESSAN 200W Car Power Inverter Charger is such a clever addition to a road-trip arsenal. It plugs into your car’s 12V outlet and gives you AC outlets and USB charging ports, essentially turning your car into a mini charging station. That’s particularly helpful on a family road trip when everyone seems to have a phone, tablet, laptop or other device that needs power. Disclosure: TESSAN is a JohnnyJet.com partner.

4. Mothers NuLens Headlight Renewal Kit

Shorter fall and winter days mean more driving in the dark, so don’t overlook your headlights. If the lenses have become cloudy or oxidized, restoring them can improve their appearance and help keep them clear. The Mothers NuLens Headlight Renewal Kit is an inexpensive way to restore dull, yellowed headlights without replacing the entire assembly.

5. Mothers California Gold Carnauba Wash & Wax

Rain, dirt, bugs and road grime can do a number on your car during a long drive. Giving it a good wash and wax before a trip can help protect the finish and make cleanup easier afterward. The 64-ounce Mothers California Gold Carnauba Wash & Wax combines washing and waxing in one step.

6. Amazon Basics Emergency Escape Tool 

I’m not sure if the Amazon Basics Emergency Escape Tool is one of those inexpensive items I think every driver should keep within easy reach in their car. The bright orange safety hammer has a hardened metal window breaker on one end and a seatbelt cutter on the other, and you get two in a pack. Hopefully, you’ll never need to use one, but it’s a no-brainer to keep one handy.

7. Care Science 110-Piece First Aid Kit

The Care Science First Aid Kit comes with 110 pieces for treating minor cuts, scrapes, burns and other everyday injuries and is compact enough to keep in your trunk or road-trip bag. It’s designed for travel, cars, camping, hiking and emergencies, making it an easy addition to your road-trip essentials.

8. Mini Gaffers Tape 4-Pack 

I always keep a small roll of gaffers tape in both my carry-on bag and my car because you never know when it will come in handy. I’ve used gaffers tape for all kinds of quick fixes while traveling, and unlike duct tape, it’s designed to come off without leaving a sticky mess behind. This four-pack includes compact 1-inch by 11-yard rolls, so they don’t take up much space in your glove compartment or luggage. It’s one of those simple travel essentials I rarely leave home without.

9. Jackery Explorer Portable Power Station

I keep a Jackery Explorer Portable Power Station in our garage and bring it on road trips so we have backup power to charge our phones and other devices in an emergency. It’s also useful for camping, tailgating or anywhere you might not have easy access to an outlet. We have a larger Jackery power station at home for emergencies too (scroll down for that one).

10. LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

Finally, it’s always smart to have a LifeStraw Personal Water Filter in your emergency kit, especially on a road trip. It can filter up to 1,000 gallons (4,000 liters) of water without batteries or moving parts, making it a simple backup if you ever find yourself without access to safe drinking water. One of my well-traveled friends takes a LifeStraw wherever he goes in the world, and I’ve always thought that was a pretty smart idea.

5 Quick Fall Road-Trip Car-Care Tips

If you’re planning a fall road trip, a few minutes of basic car maintenance before you leave can help prevent headaches along the way.

• Clear out leaves and debris. Check around the hood, windshield, trunk and sunroof drains. Fallen leaves can clog drains, trap moisture and potentially cause problems.
• Check your headlights. With the days getting shorter, you’ll probably be driving in the dark more often. Make sure all your lights are working and if your headlights are cloudy or oxidized, consider restoring them.
• Check your tire pressure. Do this before a long drive and remember that tire pressure typically drops as temperatures fall. Check the recommended pressure on the sticker inside the driver’s door rather than the number printed on the tire.
• Test your battery. Cold weather can be tough on car batteries. If yours is getting older, have it tested and consider keeping a portable jump starter in the car. If yours is getting older, have it tested and consider keeping a portable jump starter in the car. It’s an easy way to avoid getting stranded with a dead battery.
• Don’t forget your devices. Between navigation, music, calls and keeping the kids entertained, a road trip can drain batteries quickly. Make sure you have a reliable car charger, charging cables and, for longer trips, a portable power bank or power inverter.

Bottom line

You don’t need to fill your trunk with emergency gear before every road trip, but a few carefully chosen items can make a big difference when something goes wrong. A portable jump starter, tire inflator, first aid kit, emergency escape tool and backup power source are especially useful to have in your car.

The best part is that most of these products aren’t just for road trips. I keep many of them in our car year-round because you never know when you, a family member or even another driver might need them.

Remember that prices on Amazon change frequently, so always check the current price before purchasing.