20 of the Best Gifts for Road Trippers This Year
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for road trippers in your life, this list is packed with fun ideas.
From practical safety and organizational tools to cozy socks and sweaters, these are the best road trip gifts to use on the go and at home.
More folks than ever are hitting the road right now to explore the amazing national parks, forests and monuments the U.S. has to offer. It’s a great way to travel with a flexible schedule and more space to pack.
I went on a handful of road trips this year, including Southern Utah, Yellowstone National Park, and the Northeast, and most of these ideas are inspired by items I found super useful or wished I had with me while traveling.
Whether you need minimalistic gifts for RVers or are trying to find the perfect road trip gifts for your travel-loving friend, use this guide to spark some ideas this holiday season.
Best Gifts for Road Trips
These gifts for road trips include things to use in the car, at home, and on camping trips. Pair a couple together or add in a gas station or fast food restaurant gift card for a fun road trip-themed gift.
Road Atlas
While most everyone relies on their GPS for navigation these days, some of the most epic road trips go off the grid, where paper maps are a lifesaver! Wrap up a nice road atlas that can be stashed in the glove box for a gift that’s practical and helpful.
Roadside Emergency Kit
Every driver should have a roadside emergency kit in their vehicle, and an upgraded one makes a great gift for road trippers. Make sure the one you pick has essentials like jumper cables, a first aid kit, and a reflective vest.
Trunk Organizer
Add a trunk organizer to the shopping cart as a gift for road trip travelers who spend a lot of time in a car or SUV. When you’re in a smaller space, it’s essential to keep things sorted without a bunch of bulky storage containers.
Backseat Organizer
A backseat organizer is one of the best road trip gifts for families with kids. They can use it to store games, snacks, wipes and more in an easy-to-grab spot. Some even come with special slots for tablets so kids can keep themselves entertained with some screen time.
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes makes excellent gifts for someone going on a road trip or traveling by plane. You can use them to sort and compress clothing and to keep dirty clothes and shoes away from the clean stuff. For a present, pick packing cubes in a fun color or pattern.
Day Pack
A day pack is so useful for hiking and sightseeing. They come in a variety of price ranges and you can even fill them with smaller gifts for road trips for a fun, themed present. If you’re looking for a really nice quality backpack, the Osprey brand is a favorite with frequent travelers.
Hammock
Road trips and camping go hand-in-hand, and nothing says cozy evening under the stars like a comfy hammock. Road trips gifts like this are great because they can also be used at home!
Throw Blanket
Anyone who spends a lot of time in the car knows that traveling companions don’t always have the same temperature preferences. A plush throw blanket makes a thoughtful gift for road trippers that can also be used at home.
Oversized Sweater
Everyone likes to be comfortable on a long drive in the car. Wrap up a soft, oversized sweater for your travel-loving sister or friend that she can wear on her next adventure.
Comfy Socks
This may be controversial, but taking off your shoes to get comfy is the right of every passenger on a long road trip. Nothing says cozy gifts for road trips like a pair of fuzzy socks. Plus, they can be worn at home, too.
Sunglasses
A new pair of sunglasses may be one of the best gifts for road trippers as they’re both practical and pretty. Splurge on a nice pair you know your partner has been eyeing or grab your friend some stylish shades for selfies.
Rain Jacket
It’s always a good idea to pack a rain jacket while traveling, especially on a road trip! Use the holidays as a chance to gift a quality raincoat that will hold up for years of hiking and sightseeing. North Face is a quality brand that will hold up for years and Columbia offers more budget-friendly styles.
Travel Towel
A quick-dry travel towel is handy in so many situations, especially on road trips when you may be camping or spending time outdoors. You can gift individual towels or sets that include a few different sizes.
Toiletry Bag
An upgraded toiletry bag is a great gift idea for road trippers. You could even add in your loved one’s favorite cosmetics or some lux toiletries to make it a little more special.
Cooler
You can’t have too many coolers and they are a must on any road trip. Put it under the tree filled with some snacks or a favorite beverage for a gift inside a gift!
Camping Cookware Set
A compact camping cookware or dish set is the perfect gift for outdoorsy travelers. Cookware is perfect for camping trips while camping tableware sets are useful for any road trip to cut back on waste from disposable plates and cutlery.
Tumbler or Water Bottle
Insulated cups and tumblers are great for road trips to keep drinks at the right temperature. A reusable water bottle is another useful option for on-the-go. You can personalize either one with an engraved name or fun stickers.
Travel Games
Car games make the best gifts for road trips with family or friends. You can buy individual games for your kids or pick ones that the whole car can play together.
Box of Snacks
Nothing says road trip like an abundance of snacks. Pack them in a pretty basket with a bow and they’ll make a yummy gift for road trippers that everyone will love. You can also purchase pre-assembled snack boxes full of fun surprises.
Travel Journal
A travel journal is perfect for documenting destinations, stashing postcards and other mementos, and jotting down road trip thoughts.
FlipBelt
FlipBelts are a handy accessory for on the go, especially if you like to walk, hike, or run on a road trip. The fitted waist pouch has pockets for your keys, phone, ID, snacks, and even a small water bottle you can buy as an accessory. The FlipBelt can sit over your clothes or discretely hide underneath for safety while traveling.
