15 road trip essentials for solo travelers

When I was a kid, road trips were a novelty. As the daughters of airline pilots, we usually took advantage of standby privileges when traveling as a family. That's why when it came time to go on a family road trip, it was a big deal. odor. transaction. The middle seat of the minivan was removed, a CD was burned (with songs from Celine Dion to the Fugees), and snacks began to be prepared months before we left the garage. I fell in love with the freedom that riding on the road gave me early on, and even wrote a children's book about it. Even as an adult, I have ventured out on public roads almost every chance I get. The road…even if it's your own.

None of my friends were as interested as I was in exploring Eastern Europe, so I flew to Vilnius, rented a car, and drove around Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia by myself, trying to find something that interested me. I stopped by on the way every time. I've traversed American national parks, Albanian mountain passes, Texas highways, and French country roads all by myself.

Spending a lot of time with myself forced me to learn myselfwhat excites me, what doesn't, and what I'm drawn to when no one else is channeling my influence. We also learned what you need when traveling solo, including a safety lock for a hotel in the middle of nowhere in Missouri, a car seat cushion to prevent back pain, and comfortable shoes. Easy to put on and take off between gas station stops. Read this article to learn about the essentials you need for your road trip. Most can be purchased on Amazon.

Sinsen 3-in-1 Auto Safety Tool

There are some things I bring on road trips that I hope I never have to use, like this emergency 3-in-1 safety device. I know exactly where it is in my car when I travel, and it saves my life if I ever need to unbuckle my seatbelt, break a window, or get out of a situation. I know it's possible.

fortem car seat cushion

I first tried this memory foam cushion when I borrowed my father-in-law's car for a quick errand, and my coccyx still remembers how it felt. It sells out quickly, but luckily there are plenty of highly rated options, including the Fortem chair cushion. He has more than 13,000 5-star reviews for Fortem chair cushions, including one from a traveler who said he took a 12-hour road trip and said, “This is it.” It was helpful. “This kind of seat cushion is suitable for a great many drivers and can help prevent future sciatica as much as it can relieve existing sciatica.

Andobil car phone mount

Since my phone has a PopSocket, I usually travel using the PopSocket air vent mount. You can easily throw it into the bag you're traveling with. But this military-grade car mount is a solid choice as a universal option. . I love using a hands-free phone holder when I'm on a road trip. He gave this device 5 stars on Amazon, as do nearly 20,000 reviewers.

EMDMAK door stop alarm

Staying safe during a solo road trip only applies to the time you spend on the road. And I always travel with an alarm with a doorstop (even in luxury hotels, of course). Although rare, your room's electronic key can be cloned (whether intentionally or by accident), and a little bit of caution can help you sleep better at night. I like this brand because you can adjust the sensitivity of the trigger so it doesn't activate unnecessarily.

Emergency road kit: jumper cables, blankets, first aid kit.

Although not the most exciting road trip essential, I keep an emergency road kit in my trunk. Along with jumper cables, a first aid kit, a flashlight, and extra water bottles, this emergency blanket is something I carry with me on every road trip. I haven't had to use this and I hope I never will, but I bought it before driving through the Italian Alps. It's super easy to throw in your bag or trunk before hitting the road.

She's Birdie Personal Safety Alarm

There are many reasons why I love this keychain-sized personal safety alarm device. That's because I feel like there's someone else nearby who can cry out for help when I can't help myself. Sirens are very loud, perfect for solo travelers. I have it on my key chain so I always have it in my hand as I walk around the parking lot, enter and leave the gas station, and even when I'm on a hotel nightstand. room.

Everfun Insulated Cooler

I like traveling with a small cooler like this. Whether it's on a plane (yes, you can bring a cooler on a plane!) or just getting in and out of a hotel while traveling. My cooler is almost always filled with carrots, sandwiches, and fruit from the hotel breakfast buffet the night before. Then, just toss everything into a mini-fridge in your next hotel room to keep it chilled.

camelback forge travel mug

I field tested quite a few travel coffee mugs before arriving at this vacuum sealed version. Staying alert while driving is essential, and in my case, I accomplish that with a steady rotation of caffeine and guilty pleasure playlists and audiobooks. This mug is insulated and spill-proof for both hot and cold drinks (thanks to the locking device for one-handed control). I use this for hot coffee, cold soda, oatmeal, etc. I have a carabiner on the handle so I can easily hook it to my backpack or duffel when entering the hotel (I'm a one-trip girl!). Do the same thing after you pack your carabiner at breakfast. Buffet before heading back on the road. It has never leaked during my travels. For water, fill the Owala FreeSip insulated bottle, which retains cold and is spill-proof.

Scenery Travel Backpack

As a solo traveler, I don't like lugging a large suitcase to my hotel every night on a road trip for safety and convenience reasons. A good road trip backpack, like this one from Sinaliy, is roomy yet easy to access while driving (if needed). My favorite is the Lojel Niru Daypack, which can hold a toiletry bag, a packing cube with pajamas and a change of clothes, a laptop, chargers, etc. In fact, I bought his Lojel bag for commuting on the subway and the access through the side zipper makes it easy to access the entire contents whenever you need it by simply placing the bag on its side. Very convenient for traveling.

Sojos polarized aviator sunglasses

A good pair of driving sunglasses should always have UV protection (to block harmful rays) and polarized lenses (to prevent eye strain and reduce glare). In my opinion they should also be cute. Chances are, if you see me on the road, I'll be wearing my favorite Bajio Soldado sunglasses (which are scratch resistant!). But these sunglasses on Amazon are perfect to throw in your car as an inexpensive backup.

Roxy Minnow slip-on sneakers

I grew up near a lake in Texas, where the official footwear for road trips was flip-flops. They're not the best shoe for every situation, but there's something to be said for the convenience of being able to take them off between gas stations and put them right back on. Like these sneakers, my shoe options have matured a bit, but I always choose slip-on shoes for road trips. There is no problem even if there is no string.

Skechers Women's Go Walk Pants

I'll explain why shorts aren't the ideal option for road trips (i.e. hot seats, bad sunburn, etc.) and why you shouldn't wear jeans (i.e. uncomfortable, hot, stains, etc.) I learned it the hard way. Good road trip pants are breathable, dark in color, and have a bit of stretch. That's why I often travel in his NuStretch kick flare pants from DU/ER. Skechers sells a more affordable version that's easy to dress up or down depending on your top, and it's also easy to clean the place in your hotel room.

parallel traveler bag

The last thing you want to do after a day of driving is unpack your luggage. I use packing cubes whenever possible to organize what I need each night, and I use this toiletry bag. Unzip and unzip to create a portable vanity that stays in place no matter where you open it. I love the compartments and mesh pouch to keep everything organized.

National Geographic Road Atlas: Adventure Edition

It may seem old-fashioned, but when driving alone, I always try to have a physical road map with me wherever I go. Of course, I use my phone for navigation, but all it takes is losing one phone charger or dropping one phone in water and you're stranded without a map…and , that's not a risk I'd take. Most gas stations in Europe and the US still have physical maps, but it's never a bad idea to order one before your trip to make sure you have what you need .

Durcord iPhone Charger, 10ft

My husband initially made fun of this “excessive” charger when he bought the 3-piece set, but now it's the only charger I use. It's durable and flexible enough to withstand the rigors of travel, but I mainly use it when I'm in a hotel room because I'm never without the nearest outlet near my bed. Yes, the cable is long (10 feet!), and no, you probably won't need to use the cord to lift the tire (though you actually can). But if you need a strong rope or are trying to reach from a place where there isn't enough – this lighting charger with an outlet on your nightstand is a game changer.

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