18 Pro Road Trip Hacks That Actually Go the Distance

Last week, I finally found time to hit the road again! It was just a quick trip to Monterey, CA after two whole years of no real road trips.

Normally, I forget to pack a cooler (and realize it when I’m already well into the trip), but this time I came prepared because I knew I’d be hitting up farmers markets while I was down there—it is the Salad Bowl of America, after all. Have you guys ever had strawberries from Watsonville, CA? Yummm!!

But of course, not everything went smoothly. We brought wine to enjoy back at the hotel…aaaand forgot to pack a wine opener from home.

We called the front desk of the hotel, and they said they had one to borrow. When we got there, they said they couldn’t find it. Sigh. So there we were, staring at a perfectly good bottle of wine we couldn’t open.

All that to say, road trip hacks matter! Whether it’s staying organized or just thinking a few steps ahead, these small tricks can save the day. Here are some of my favorite tips—some from experience, others from lessons learned the hard way.

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1. Pack a “day one” bag

Instead of scrambling through your main suitcase the moment you arrive, pack a small duffel or backpack with just the essentials you’ll need for that first night.

This means your day one bag will contain necessities like pajamas, toiletries, phone chargers, and fresh clothes.

This dedicated bag helps you avoid the annoying cycle of constantly unpacking and repacking your main bag throughout the trip, which means you can settle in and check out of your hotel quickly without the hassle of repacking.

2. Pack along a multipurpose shower curtain

For under $10, you can grab a utility shower curtain or even a used bedsheet that doubles as a seat protector and a portable picnic blanket.

We love this road trip hack for many reasons. First off, it’s perfect for protecting your car seats from messy snacks or wet swimsuits after beach days, especially if you’re traveling with kids in the backseat.

Plus, when you stop at a park or roadside diner with outdoor tables, it turns into an instant clean spot to sit or spread out food.

For the front seats, I also recommend towel-material seat covers you can drape over them to keep things neat and tidy during your trip. Again, they’re great for scenarios where you find yourself dirty (after dusty hikes, a surf or swim at the beach, etc.).

3. Keep a “quirky stops” folder on Google Maps

Experienced road trippers always have a running list of quirky roadside attractions, tiny-town food gems, and offbeat museums saved for spontaneous detours. Pre-saving these to a custom Google map means you won’t miss cool spots like UFO museums or the world’s largest rocking chair just off the highway.

Some of my personal favorites while exploring the West are old general stores, trading posts, desert art museums, and even Bigfoot museums (surprisingly, there are several across the U.S., and they’re way more fun than you’d expect)!

4. Reusable food containers > ziplock bags

Ditch the flimsy plastic bags and pack a few nesting reusable food containers instead. They’re sturdier for storing leftovers, perfect for DIY snack packs, and when empty, they double as small trash bins on the go.

Plus, they stack neatly in your cooler, so fruits and cheeses don’t get crushed under heavier items like drinks. This small swap helps keep your snacks fresh and your car cleaner throughout the trip.

5. Bring a cooler that doesn’t take up all your trunk space

Coolers are a must for us. We love buying fruits, cheese, fresh pies, and other perishables on our travels! These days, we have an at-home cooler (larger, used for parties and BBQs) and a travel-friendly cooler.

Our travel cooler has been a game-changer for road trips! We’re no longer dealing with trunk space struggles (the full-sized hard cooler was bulky and taking up way too much room in the car).

If you’re going on a shorter road trip, a collapsible soft cooler with a waterproof liner stores drinks and perishables just as well but folds down flat for easy storage when empty.

For those longer road trips, I’m a fan of hard coolers—but the travel-friendly kind. For days of cooling power, the YETI Roadie 15 is my go-to, a compact version of the legendary YETI Tundra. If soft is more your style, the YETI Flip soft cooler is a great alternative that won’t cramp your packing style.

6. Use hotel lobbies for breaks (even if you’re not staying)

Need a clean bathroom, reliable Wi-Fi, or just a nicer spot to stretch your legs? Walk confidently into hotel lobbies—even if you’re not a guest, many hotels welcome visitors, especially if you grab a coffee or find a quiet lounge area to recharge.

This one’s a nice little hack to avoid grungy highway rest stops and dirty gas station bathrooms!

7. Swap out music for audiobooks and podcasts

One of our favorite road trip swaps? Ditching music for podcasts or audiobooks. It turns long drives into built-in learning time—or at least a chance to mix things up.

You can even “read” a book together as a group. The Harry Potter audiobooks are such a good time, even if you’ve read them before (Jim Dale’s voice acting is next level).

If you want something fun and informative, podcasts like Stuff You Should Know or How I Built This always spark great car conversations.

Into mysteries or drama? Try Crime Junkie or The Retrievals. True crime, history, business, or even absurd trivia—there’s a podcast for every literally every topic, and they make the miles fly by.

8. Carry a hotel-quality power strip

Nothing’s worse than fighting over outlets or unplugging chargers in cramped hotel rooms or Airbnbs. Bring along a slim power strip with USB ports so everyone can charge their devices simultaneously and keep the peace.

This small and easy-to-pack gadget makes a huge difference, especially when you’ve got multiple phones, cameras, and other gear that need juice at the end of a long day.

9. Download these trusty road trip apps

There are some apps every pro road tripper swears by:

• Flush – maps clean public restrooms with user reviews.
• AllTrails – helps you find hikes and outdoor adventures near your route.
• Roadtrippers – uncovers quirky stops with real reviews.
• Gasbuddy – helps you find cheap gas near you.
• HotelTonight – lets you snag last-minute hotel deals.

Having these apps ready means you’re prepared for all kinds of fun detours and necessities!

10. Bring along a snack-organizing box for the kids

Find yourself a plastic craft or tackle organizer with multiple compartments. Fill each compartment with different snacks—nuts, dried fruit, granola bars, candy, or whatever your crew loves.

It’s perfect for kids (and adults) who can’t decide what they want and keeps everything organized and easy to grab while driving!

11. Pre-load entertainment with offline access

Don’t rely on spotty cell service in the middle of nowhere. Download podcasts, playlists, YouTube videos, or a couple of streaming shows before you hit the road so you have plenty to keep everyone entertained without needing Wi-Fi.

12. Rent a car with cruise control that actually works

If you’re renting, ask for a vehicle with adaptive cruise control. This super life-changing feature automatically adjusts your speed to maintain a safe distance from the car ahead, reducing stress and fatigue on long highway stretches.

I fell in love with this feature when I rented a Mazda CX-5 recently! It made hours of driving way easier and was a big factor in why I ended up buying one of my own.

13. Pack wet wipes and microfiber towels

Sticky hands, dusty dashboards, spilled drinks—you’re almost guaranteed to encounter messes on any road trip.

Wet wipes and a microfiber towel will save you more than once by helping you clean hands, wipe down surfaces, or dry off quickly after unexpected weather or splashy stops.

14. Store a few trash bags in the glove compartment

Keep one gallon-sized trash bag per travel day, rolled up and ready to go. You’ll certainly generate lots of trash when you’re on the road.

Bonus hack: Bring some sort of a hook or even binder clips to attach them to the back of seats so trash stays contained and your car stays tidy throughout the trip. I own the Clipa Bag Hanger (which I treasure so much on my travels) and it works great as a temporary hook!

15. Don’t forget to plan out your “backpocket” stops

We always like to have 2–3 backup attractions or coffee shops saved for each day in case plans go sideways.

Feeling too tired to take on that hike you planned? Go strolling through a new town’s downtown area instead. Sudden downpour cancels your beach day? Hit a local museum, bookstore, or brunch spot. Long wait at a must-try restaurant? Head to your Plan B food option instead.

These little backup options will help you seamlessly switch gears without scrambling or wasting time researching things to do when you’re already on your trip.

16. Pack an air mattress and ‘camp’ in the car

If you’re cool with a bit of car camping, renting a mid-size SUV and bringing an SUV trunk air mattress can save you hundreds on lodging.

We did this at Coachella, and I was shocked at how comfy it was—normally I toss and turn camping, but I got a solid 7–8 hours of sleep on the trunk mattress.

This setup is perfect for scenic campgrounds, music festivals, or when hotels are full or way over budget.

17. Pack a mini kitchen kit

You don’t need a full camping setup, but having a basic stash of utensils and tools can seriously come in clutch on the road.

Toss a few spare forks, spoons, and knives (those takeout extras finally have a purpose!) into a zip pouch, along with a wine opener, bottle opener, scissors, and a fruit knife. I also keep a small microwave-safe glass food container in the kit—great for packing leftovers and reheating them safely.

Add a mini bottle of dish soap and a sponge in a Ziploc so you can wash things quickly in a hotel sink. Bonus points if you toss in a few napkins, paper towels, a reusable straw, and even a can opener.

18. Add in a car trash bin

It might sound extra, but a leakproof, foldable car trash bin (or even a reusable grocery bag or cereal container with a liner) can be a game-changer on the road.

Think about how often you need to toss something: you blow your nose, wipe your hands after pumping gas, peel a banana, finish a bag of chips, or realize your sandwich wrapper is still sitting on your lap.

If you’re traveling with kids, multiply that mess: juice boxes, snack wrappers, wet wipes, random toy packaging… it adds up fast.

Having a designated spot for all of it keeps the car clean and your sanity intact. Just empty it at gas stations or hotel stops and you’re good to go!

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