Road trip gadgets to make your vacation safe and memorable.

Pack some entertainment

If the first thing you plan when someone yells “road trip!” is your playlist and snacks, then you’re definitely in it for the fun. Get the most out of your experience with some of these travel devices.

• USB charger
  You always have a cell phone or other device that needs to be charged, and a long road trip only makes that a bigger deal. Choose a car charger with multiple USB ports and don’t forget the people in the backseat. Belkin has one with a longer cable so everyone can plug in.
  
  
• Mobile hot spot
  Whether you need to connect in the car, at the campsite or somewhere without free WiFi, a mobile hot spot can help you stay in touch. We recommended the Skyroam Solis in our gift guide for travelers.
  
  
• Bluetooth adapter
  If your older car doesn’t have a Bluetooth connection, get an adapter like the Nulaxy KM18 so you can listen to classic road trip music from your phone. Because it also helps with hands-free calling, we could have put this in the safety section below as well.
  
  
• Cord organizer
  You have everything you need, but now you can’t find it because you’re drowning in cables and small devices. Get an organizer to keep everything together and tangle-free. There’s nothing worse than buying a replacement charger, only to find it between the seats the next day.
  
  
• Travel vacuum
  No, it’s not about sucking up those errant Cheerios your kids dropped. This small vacuum from Vago helps compress items in your luggage to make more space. If you’re already feeling the pinch in the car and know you’ll be picking up souvenirs along the way, be sure to pick up this little gadget.
  
  
• Amazon Alexa
  If you’re one of the lucky people whose car comes with Alexa Auto, you can use the voice assistant the same way in your car as you would at home. Everyone else might like the Garmin Speak, which connects with Alexa and lets you make many of the same requests. Whether you have Alexa Auto or the Garmin, you can ask Alexa for directions, get traffic reports, play games and more.
  
  
• Travel apps
  There’s no shortage of travel apps helping you find the best gas prices, nearby restaurants and hotel accommodations. Others can guide you to attractions. Try FreeTour for locating free and budget tours in the area, or Oh, Ranger! ParkFinder for national, state and city parks. Both are free for Android and iOS.
  

Plan safe travels

Even with the greatest gadgets, it’s hard to enjoy your trip if you’re worried about staying safe and healthy. Stock your car with these items, some more high tech than others, so you can focus on what’s important – family fun.

• Cell phone car mount
  You don’t want to be bumbling around with your phone at any point as the driver. A car mount is a necessity, especially if you plan to use your cell phone as a GPS. Choose a mount that works best for you, whether it attaches on the windshield, dashboard or air vent.
  
  
• Tile Mate
  Stop worrying about your keys and try Tile Mate. This Bluetooth-connected tracker attaches to your keyring and transmits its location if you’ve misplaced your keys.
  
  
• Jump start kit
  Hopefully you have a kit to jump start your car with you at all times, but it’s especially important on a road trip where you might be hours away from the closest service station. A high-tech version like the Anker Compact Car Jump Starter and Portable Charger can help get you back on the road quickly and easily. And don’t forget the rechargeable LED road flares.
  
  
• First aid kit
  Before you hit the road, check that your first aid kit is fully stocked and that all items are still in good working order. Some items do expire, so inspect them closely. You might also download the First Aid by American Red Cross app on your phone.
  
  
• Disinfecting kit
  When traveling during COVID-19, you’ll want extra cleaning materials close at hand. You won’t always have soap and water available, especially if you’re camping or using lots of public restrooms. Stock a kit with hand sanitizer, paper towels, antibacterial wipes and some extra masks. Remember that even if you live in an area that doesn’t require personal protective equipment in public places, you might be traveling somewhere that does. It’s best to be prepared.
  
  
• Smart lock
  OK, so this isn’t so much for your car as it is for your peace of mind. With a smart lock like the Schlage Encode™ Smart WiFi Deadbolt, you can keep an eye on your home from anywhere. Use an app to make sure you locked your door before you left. If someone is checking on pets or plants while you’re away, you can create unique access codes so you don’t have to give them a spare key. Use the app again to make sure they locked up after performing their neighborly duties.
  

Ride large in an RV

A lot of the items above are ideal no matter what kind of vehicle you’re in, but some apps and gadgets are especially helpful for the RV traveler.

• Kitchen tools
  One of the nice things about traveling by RV is that you can be more self-sufficient. If you have a kitchen onboard, you don’t have to eat at restaurants as often. If you plan to cook for yourself, try a solar oven, Instant Pot and stovetop cover to make meal prep easier, safer and more energy efficient.
  
  
• CO alarm
  Carbon monoxide in your RV is nothing to take lightly. Some rigs come with a CO detector, but if not, invest in one. Be sure to double-check the batteries before heading out.
  
  
• Tire pressure monitor
  A tire gauge is handy to have no matter the vehicle, but with something as large as an RV, you need to stay extra vigilant with tire pressure. Accutire takes Consumer Reports’ top five spots for best digital pressure gauges.
  
  
• Dehumidifier
  Moisture in your RV is something that a lot of people complain about but few think about before it’s too late. The dehumidifier doesn’t have to be huge to help make your ride more comfortable and help keep your RV in good shape.
  
  
• RV toilet paper
  It would be easy to make a joke about needing plenty of toilet paper during a post-COVID road trip, but when talking about RVs, remember that special TP is often needed. The same goes for compressed paper towels. You’ll need towels, so make sure you choose something that doesn’t take up much space and can be disposed of properly.

A fantastic road trip isn’t just about the car and the destination. Take these home security steps before leaving for vacation so you can enjoy the ride and come back to things just as you left them.