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cross country travel gift ideas

31 Incredibly Useful Road Trip Gifts For Your Next Long Drive

Post Summary: The Best Road Trip Gifts

What do you get that person who loves going on road trips ? From the fearless adventurer to the cross-country trekkers, these are the best road trip gifts to give!

Keep scrolling for road trip gift ideas ranging from camping , tech , comfort , organization , and entertainment . We know you’re going to find something for the road trippers on your list!

Road Trip Gifts For The Traveler In Your Life

The Best Road Trip Gifts Pin - TheMandagies.com

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1. The Dyrt Pro SubScription ($35/year)

cross country travel gift ideas

One of the easiest ways to save money on the road is to find free and cheap camping spots to stay overnight. To do this, we use an app called The Dyrt . The pro version is only $35 dollars a year, and we can search for campsites offline , use the trip planner, and even get gear discounts with their partners.

A subscription to The Dyrt pro is one of the best gifts for road trippers, in our opinion! Try it free for 30 days too, using our code MANDAGIES .

2. BackSeat Organizer ($27)

cross country travel gift ideas

Your backseat passengers will love you for this road trip gift! This back seat organizer comes with two drink pockets, one clear velcro sleeve, and two deep storage pockets at the bottom.

It can hold everything you need to keep your passengers entertained the entire way. These organizers make great traveling gifts for parents AND kids!

Read More: 20 Popular Outdoorsy Gifts For Kids

3. ReachTop Car Window SCreens ($10 for 2)

cross country travel gift ideas

The ReachTop Car Window Screens are the ultimate gift for road trips, especially if you are a big summer camper! The sock-like double mesh screen fits snugly over your car door windows, allowing you to keep out mosquitoes while still being able to roll down your window.

It also serves as a blackout screen , for extra privacy in the evening when sleeping in your car. This is absolutely one of the most useful road trip essentials !

4. Roadside Emergency Kit ($49)

cross country travel gift ideas

Give the gift of roadside safety with this roadside assistance kit! It includes jumper cables, a safety triangle, gloves, bungee cords, a glass breaker, a first aid kit, and more.

This STDY Car Roadside Emergency kit will help you feel more prepared in unexpected situations on the road. ( Find a smaller, more compact version here ).

Ready to DIY your own kit? Click here to learn how to put together your own emergency car tool kit for winter!

5. YETI Hopper 18 Flip Soft Cooler ($299)

cross country travel gift ideas

Nothing beats a refreshing drink after a long drive! The Yeti Hopper 18 soft cooler is the absolute perfect size for lunch on the road for the whole family.

The straps make it easy to tote to your next picnic destination, and the puncture-proof exterior makes it tough enough in any terrain. Lunch with a view? It’s easy to take this car cooler on the go !

Want something a little more inexpensive? The REI Pack Away 12 Soft Cooler is only $35 !

6. NAT GEO Road Atlas: Adventure Edition ($24.95)

cross country travel gift ideas

When cell phone batteries die and service is nowhere in sight, do you have a paper map to rely on ?

This National Geographic Road Atlas covers the US, Mexico, and Canada . It also highlights national forests, national parks, and attractions along the way. With this paper road atlas, you won’t mind getting lost!

7. BESTEK Power Inverter ($29)

cross country travel gift ideas

Charge up all your equipment with one simple piece of gear! The Bestek Power inverter is what we’ve been using for years and it keeps our phones and camera batteries juiced up and ready for action.

This small but mighty tech is probably one of the most useful road trip gifts out there!

8. Belkin MagSafe Car Phone Mount ($39.99)

cross country travel gift ideas

When driving, it’s important to keep your hands free and your eyes on the road (and not your phone!). However, today, most people use their phones for directions and navigation.

Choosing a car mount for your phone keeps directions in sight, all while keeping your hands on the steering wheel. This magnetic c ar mount installs easily to your air vents , without obstructing any essential car functions.

If you have a Pop Socket on the back (like I do!), Pop Socket created their own car mount , where you can place your phone right into the holder. It’s one of the easiest road trip gifts to give!

9. BELKIN USB CAR CHARGER ($18)

cross country travel gift ideas

Tight on space? All you need for a quick charge is this Belkin USB/USB-C car charger . It’s compatible with two kinds of ports (USB and USB-C) and can take an iPhone from 0-50% charge in just 30 minutes!

Read More: The Best Outdoor Gifts Under $25

10. Rumpl Original Puffy Travel Blanket ($99)

cross country travel gift ideas

This cozy travel blanket should be a staple in every traveler’s road trip essentials list. Use it for a quick nap in the car, and bring it out for a cozy stay around the campfire at night. These Rumpl blankets come with stuff sacks that pack down small, so you can stow it away with ease.

But let’s be honest, you won’t have to pack it away because you’ll be cozying up in this blanket 24/7 !

11. TILE KEY FINDER ($34)

cross country travel gift ideas

Know someone who is constantly losing their keys?

This can be a major problem on the road, especially if you’re far away from home! Never lose your keys again by attaching a Tile Mate to your keyring! The Mate can be found up to 250 feet and sounds a pretty loud alarm for fast locating.

Read More: The Best Gift Guide For Photographers

12. America The Beautiful National Park Pass ($79.99)

cross country travel gift ideas

Discover all the national parks with the America The Beautiful Annual Pass ! This is the perfect gift for road trips, especially for people who are exploring more than one par k during their next adventure. This pass not only gives you access to National Parks, but access to over 2,000 federal lands all across the United States.

Read More: 7 Critical Pacific Northwest Forest Passes You Need (And Where To Use Them)

13. FJALLRAVE Kanken Hip Pack ($50)

cross country travel gift ideas

Take the classic Fjallraven Kanken Backpack , but make it compact ! This hip pack has buckles and straps for an adjustable, comfortable fit. There are multiple pouches for keys, phone, and cards, while keeping your hands free!

14. Goal Zero Flip Power Banks ($30+)

cross country travel gift ideas

Take a charge on the go with Goal Zero’s line of power banks . Charged by USB or Solar, this pocket-sized power bank can keep a phone, GPS or other small devices charged up until your next destination.

It’s ideal for quick hikes, day trips, or anytime you need a little bit of backup power , just in case.

15. AllBirds Wool Runners ($99)

cross country travel gift ideas

For long hours in the car, comfy shoes are an absolute must. Allbirds wool runners are the perfect combination of serious comfort and durability .

These are the ideal shoes for quick pit stops and stretching your legs on breaks. The wool runners come in tons of colors to fit your style!

Read More: The Best Outdoor Gifts For Hikers

16. Paracord Planet Type III Cord Kits With Buckles ($18)

cross country travel gift ideas

Paracord is arguably one of the most versatile and useful pieces of outdoor gear. Paracord also makes excellent gifts for road trips!

Use it for all kinds of things like hanging food from a tree, hanging up drying laundry, or securing your canoe to shore. The possibilities (and color combinations) are endless. Find all sorts of color combinations available on Amazon !

Read More: Outdoorsy Stocking Stuffers Under $10

17. Smartwool Tech Liner Gloves ($24)

Smartwool Tech Liner Gloves

Sometimes you just want to keep your hands warm without all the bulk . Use these Smartwool Tech Liner Gloves gloves for easy handling (hellooo touchscreen friendly!) and then layer up later when you’re ready for more intense adventures.

These are the perfect gloves to use when you need to address car issues and it’s cold outside!

Read More: How To Layer Clothes For Winter Adventures

18. Luno 2.0 Car Air Mattress ($329.99)

cross country travel gift ideas

Don’t settle for a bad outdoor sleep ever again! This Double Mattress by Luno is the absolute perfect gift for road trips. Form-fitted to fit around wheel wells and customizable for your specific car make and model, you can search for the perfect one to fit your rig’s measurements.

It also comes with an air pump, storage bag, base extenders, and the ability to blow up just one side at a time too.

It’s the perfect outdoor gift for couples too , for those people that just love to take awesome adventures with their person!

19. Teva Re-Ember Slip-Ons ($79)

cross country travel gift ideas

Why not get a shoe that can do it all? The Teva ReEmber Slip-On shoes are made from recycled materials, and feel like a sleeping bag on your feet!

Their sturdy soles and collapsible heel make it easy to hop in and out of the car. These are a must for every road trip lover!

20. Packing Cubes ($44)

Road Trip Gifts - Expandable Packing Cubes

Some of the most essential road trip must-haves include products that help with car organization! An easy way to do this is with packing cubes. These packing cubes by REI have a mesh front so you can easily see what’s inside.

This set comes in three sizes , so you can organize everything from small accessories to bulkier clothing.

21. Headphones

cross country travel gift ideas

Driving with multiple people? Sometimes, it’s nice to shut out the noise and listen to your own thing for a little while. These Bose QuietComfort headphones are pricey, but they have been worth absolutely every single penny for us. We use them at our desks, on the road, on the plane, and anytime we are waiting for long periods of time.

Have conventional headphones? Buy this headphone splitter so you and a friend can watch movies together or listen to the same music.

22. ROAD TRIP BOOKS

Epic Drives Of The World - Best Coffee Table Travel Books

Get inspired for your next road trip with Lonely Planet’s Epic Drives of the World . It’s filled with all sorts of incredible drives like the Pacific Coast Highway , Route 66, and other incredible international drives.

Other great books for road trip gifts include Roaming America by Matthew and Renee Hahnel, and The Open Road by Moon Travel.

Read More: The 15 Most Beautiful Coffee Table Travel Books

23. Audible Subscription

cross country travel gift ideas

Similar to books for road trips, an Audible subscription is ideal for those times when everyone wants to hear the story! Audiobooks are great road trip gifts for kids, and can help keep them entertained on long drives. Start your Audible free trial here!

24. Aeropress Travel coffee maker ($35)

Aeropress Coffee Press Gifts For Hikers

This portable travel coffee maker by Aeropress is the perfect camping road trip gift! It’s portable , lightweight, and packs down really small . Learn how to make coffee while camping before you go, and don’t forget to pack the coffee beans!

25. Compression Socks ($28)

cross country travel gift ideas

Compression socks are excellent road trip gifts for people of all ages. These form-fitting socks by Comrad are designed to promote blood circulation when sitting for long periods of time.

26. Soft Top Cargo Roof Bag ($109)

cross country travel gift ideas

Need a little extra room while you’re driving? Load everyone’s luggage in this soft top cargo roof bag for more space!

This one by Rigthline works with or without rooftop racks , making it a versatile road trip gift for any type of car.

27. Conversation Starters

cross country travel gift ideas

Want to start cool conversations with your passengers? Try out a card set like Table Topics to prompt interesting and engaging questions in the car. These cards are road trip gifts that keep on giving! Looking for road trip games specifically? Table Topics made a road trip version too!

Need some conversation starters now? Here are 101 road trip questions to ask your friends!

28. Hammock ($55)

cross country travel gift ideas

When you need a break from the car, it’s nice to have a portable way to kick up your feet and relax. That’s why an ENO hammock makes perfect road trip gifts for travelers because they pack down super small! Get a single hammock or a double hammock, and don’t forget to buy the straps too !

29. Foldable Travel Chair

cross country travel gift ideas

A portable travel chair is the ideal road trip gift when camping! The REI Co-Op Flexlite Camp Chair is known for its sturdiness and compact size. It’s a great choice for travelers who don’t have a lot of space to spare!

30. Camp Folding Table ($80)

cross country travel gift ideas

Finish off your outdoor setup with a folding table to go with your folding chairs. This one from REI packs down mega small, keeping your precious storage space free for other road trip essentials .

With camping chairs and this table, you can easily set up an outdoor kitchen and enjoy a meal from anywhere!

31. Biolite Portable Lantern ($60)

cross country travel gift ideas

These portable lights by Biolite make great road trip gifts for the family! With several settings, modes, and colors, you can adjust the lighting to fit any mood .

Use it around the picnic table for a lighted evening meal, or to easily grab and check around the car at night.

32. Instant Camera (Polaroid Go, $75)

Polaroid Go Instant Film Cameras

Don’t miss a single moment of your epic road trip! Read our round up of the best Instant film cameras for travel . Personally, we think the Polaroid Go is ideal for stashing in a pocket – it’s pretty small!

The Polaroid Go uses Polaroid Go Film , which comes in frames of color OR black and white ($19 for 16 exposures), or you can try the fun filters as well.

33 Bonus: Make Them A Road Trip Gift Basket

Did you find multiple road trip gift ideas in this post? One way to surprise your intrepid traveler is to create a road trip gift basket for them! This is a great way to send them off with lots of useful tools for their journey. A road trip care package can be customized in any way, which makes it a great personalized gift.

Here are some road trip gift basket ideas:

  • A cooler as the basket, filled with comforts like socks, card games, sunglasses, and lots of snacks.
  • A backseat car organizer, full of items to keep tidy like a car trash bin, cord organizer, and packing cubes.
  • A backpack full of handy car tech gear for the journey. Things like a car mount, phone charging cords, and navigation app subscriptions.
  • How about road trip goodie bag ideas for adults? Pack them a koozie, their favorite beer, and a camping chair to enjoy after a long day’s drive.

What are some road trip gifts you are giving to someone this holiday season? Let us know in the comments below!

More gift guides and travel gifts.

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Amazing Outdoor Gifts For Men

cross country travel gift ideas

Need to get a gift for a road trip lover? From classic essentials to high tech gadgets to fun stocking stuffers, here are our recommendations for the best road trip gift ideas for road trip travelers.

Home » Roadside Attractions Blog » Road Trip Planning » 55+ Best Road Trip Gift Ideas for Road Trip Travelers

55+ Best Road Trip Gift Ideas for Road Trip Travelers

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Need to get a gift for a road trip lover? From classic essentials to high tech gadgets to fun stocking stuffers, here are our recommendations for the best road trip gift ideas for road trip travelers.

Do you know someone who loves nothing more than traveling the open road? Who prefers long car rides to short plane trips? Who keeps a National Parks passport in their glovebox and the Roadside America app on their phone? Who will drive anywhere at any time for any reason? And are you looking to get that person the perfect present? If you’re looking for some road trip gift ideas for the travel lovers in your life you know, look no further. We’ve compiled more than fifty-five of the best road trip gift ideas that any roadtripper would love!

Whether you need a Christmas present for your road trip loving husband or wife, need birthday gifts for travelers in your family, or just want a special bon voyage present for a loved one taking off on a cross-country adventure, we’ve got you covered. From classic essentials and newfangled gadgets to indispensable books and unique experiences to things that are just plain fun, our recommendations for the best gifts for road trip travelers will have your friends or family thanking you from the road.

Explore our list of the best road trip gift ideas for travel lovers and pick up the perfect present for friends, family, or even yourself!

Best Road Trip Gift Ideas for Road Trip Travelers:

Road trip essentials gift ideas, must-have electronic road trip gifts, just for fun road trip gifts, road trip gift ideas: road trip books, experiential road trip gifts, pin this list of the best road trip gift ideas for road trip travelers to save for your next adventure.

There are certain things that every road trip traveler needs: things that keep them safe, on track, and comfortable when traversing their route. Any road trip essential would make the best gift for a cross country road trip from New York to California or a cross-city day trip that ends before midnight. Any one of these road trip gifts would become a must-have item fo the recipient to keep in their car!

1. YETI Hopper Flip Portable Cooler

 

Every road trip lover needs a good cooler. They are essential for keeping sodas, waters, snacks, and picnic lunches cool and fresh while on the road.

Good quality coolers like the YETI Hopper make great gifts for long car rides or short day trips. Look for a soft-sided cooler that easily conforms to the space available in the trunk while not adding too much extra weight.

Bonus: coolers also make the perfect vessel to stuff with other fun road trip gifts for a Road Trip Gift Basket .

2. Rumpl The Original Puffy Outdoor Camping Blanket (National Parks Collection)

 

A cozy blanket is always a welcome gift no matter who the recipient and road trippers know that a warm indoor and outdoor blanket is an indispensable item to keep in the car.

A puffy but lightweight blanket like the Rumpl Camping Blanket can provide an intimate shield while sleeping under the stars, a comfortable layer for backseat passengers, and an in-case-of emergency warm layer for snow storms and blistery nights.

Bonus: this camping blanket comes in a variety of fun national park themed prints, making it one of the best gifts for road trippers who love exploring the outdoors. Find a pattern that commemorates a special trip you took during the year or hints at your next adventure!

3. Osprey Daylite Plus Everyday Backpack

 

Whether hiking up a mountain or hiking up to the bar, every road tripper needs a good quality day pack. A smaller-sized hiking backpack allows you to keep your road trip luggage in the trunk and only bring the basics when taking a stroll down a trail or hopping in and out of the car.

Bonus: look for one like this Osprey hiking backpack that has a built-in sleeve for a hydration reservoir, making this road trip gift idea into a multi-purpose backpack that is suitable for any adventure.

4. Rand McNally Road Atlas

 

Friends don’t let friends get lost on the road. Even though many of us rely on on our smartphones and Google maps nowadays to get us to our destination, sometimes a good old fashioned paper atlas is a necessity.

Atlases, like the Rand McNally Road Atlas , allow you to see the big picture when driving across the country and, if technology fails or you’re out of a cell phone service zone, it can come in handy for reference. Every road trip lover should have an atlas in his or her car, so it makes a perfect road trip essentials gift.

Bonus: This atlas has expanded coverage of Canada and Mexico, making it one of the best road trip gifts for anyone driving across North America!

5. Lonely Planet USA Planning Map

 

This durable, folded, road trip planning map contains information about the top country attractions, itinerary suggestions, a transport guide, road trip planning information , and travel tips. It’s a great reference for on the road and a perfect addition to any road tripper’s glove box or Christmas stocking.

Bonus: This USA map is durable and waterproof so you won’t have to worry about it tearing apart as you plan your road trip route!

6. MagSafe Car Mount Magnetic Vent Phone Holder

 

While driving the interstate, you want to keep your eyes on the road. You also, often, need to check your phone quickly for directions, to change your Spotify playlist, or to pick up a hands-free call. This magnetic car mount locks to your air vent keeping your smartphone in place while not blocking any essential car functions. When shopping for gifts for car trips, a magnetic car mount makes for a great addition to your cart.

Bonus: Get one that has multiple mounts ( this one has both an adhesive and a magnetic vent mounting base) for the most flexible placement.

7. Comrad Compression Socks

 

Chances are, you’ve given socks for a present once or twice in your life. This holiday, skip the novelty socks with Santa’s face or smiling schnauzers and give some socks road trippers can really put to use.

Compression socks like these from Comrad increase circulation and blood flow, providing a great remedy for tired legs and cramped calves after being confined in a car all day. They should top any list of travel essentials gift ideas.

Bonus: Just because these socks are beneficial doesn’t mean they have to be boring! Look for fun patters like stripes or ombre !

8. Car Back Seat Organizer

 

No one likes a messy car. Back seat organizers make good road trip gifts because they keep all of those essentials, like road trip games , snacks, and maps, in one place. They make a perfect gift for road trippers or anyone with a messy car!

Bonus: Be sure to get one with an iPad holder to turn a boring back seat into an entertaining TV and movie station for kids or other passengers.

9. Samsonite Hardside Spinner Wheel Luggage

 

Luxurious luggage sets make the best road trip gift ideas. If you’re looking to splurge, a hardside luggage set like this one from Samsonite will be a present to impress. No road trip traveler should be without a nice set of baggage.

Bonus: Wheeled luggage makes getting from the trunk to the hotel room easy and the tough exterior means nothing gets crushed along the way.

Electronics and techy gadgets make for some of the best gifts for road trips. Road trip cameras and camera accessories are imperative for capturing memories perfect for sharing on Instagram or framing on your living room gallery wall. Portable gaming systems and tablets keep your passengers happy on long stretches of highway. And electronic car accessories will keep them safe, on track, and charged up all the way to the end of the road.

10. Canon Content Creator Kit

 

The best gift ideas for travelers are ones that they will use over and over again. And nothing (besides the car) will get as much use on a road trip as a camera.

Take road trip photos and videos that go beyond the smartphone. With a content creator kit you have everything you need to get started in creating fun road trip videos and take killer photos of National Parks and world’s largest things! A content creator kit like this one has a mirrorless camera and accessories to take superior photos and 4K vlogs and videos.

Bonus: there is a wide-range of cameras to choose for for photographers with various levels of skills and budgets. Check out our list of the best road trip cameras to find the perfect one to gift!

11. GoPro HERO12 Black

 

For those looking to step up their road trip captures, GoPro cameras make excellent road trip cameras and excellent gifts for roadtrippers.

Bonus: Designed for action, the best unique feature of the GoPro is TimeWarp, which allows you to take a super fast hyperlapse of your entire road trip journey. How cool would that be?

12. Cell Phone Selfie Stick Tripod

 

We’ve all been there: you’ve trying to take a selfie in front of the world’s largest cow and all you can get in frame is half your face and half her udder. As much as selfie sticks get a bad rap, they can be life savers when trying to take photos of yourself at road trip pit stops. They are definitely one of the most fun things to buy for a road trip!

Bonus: Selfie Sticks like this one, that double as a tripod make great gifts for roadtrippers to ensure they can always get that perfect road trip selfie.

13. Nintendo Switch Lite

 

Play all your favorite games on the go. Keep your family entertained and never hear, “are we there yet?” again. The portable design of the Nintendo Switch Lite makes it the perfect gaming system for road trips and back seat play and the perfect road trip gift for children and adult passengers alike.

Bonus: While a Nintendo Switch makes a good gift for travelers it can also be enjoyed all year long from the comfort of their own home!

14. WONNIE Dual Screen DVD Player

 

A duel car DVD player that clips to a car’s headrests can provide hours of entertainment for road trip passengers. With a dedicated screen you won’t have to give up your phone to your backseat passengers, especially if you need it for directions! This portable DVD player even comes with headphones to keep the kids and TV quiet in the backseat.

Bonus: This one plays DVDs or, for those who haven’t seen a DVD since the 90s, digital files stored on a USB or card reader.

15. Fire HD 10 Tablet

 

For long car trips, nothing beats an e-reader or tablet for keeping people entertained. Individual tablets like the Fire HD allow car passengers or a driver on break to watch movies, listen to music, read, or play games and make great gifts for long car trips and the families taking them.

Bonus: A Fire Tablet is one of the best gifts for long car rides but will also entertain the recipient at home!

16. Carpool Karaoke Wireless Car Karaoke Microphone

 

Allow your passengers to have even more fun singing along in the car! This Carpool Karaoke car karaoke microphone wirelessly connects to your car’s FM tuner and provides endless opportunities for do-it-yourself tunes.

Bonus: For an extra special gift idea for someone traveling, consider putting together a special playlist of the best road trip songs to accompany this car karaoke mic!

17. Tile Mate Bluetooth Tracker

 

Attach a Tile Mate Bluetooth Tracker to your keychain and never lose your keys. It’s the best gift for road trippers who are going back and forth from their car to gas stations , roadside attractions, hotels, and more. Moving around so much there’s always the possibility of losing your keys or dropping them between the seats. Pinging the tile from your phone helps you locate just where your keys are no matter where you left them.

Bonus: Get a multi-pack of Tiles that also contains a card that slips into a wallet and tracker sticker to make sure your gift recipient never misplaces their keys or wallet on the road again!

18. USB Car Charger

 

You never want your phone to go dead when on a road trip. It’s essential for GPS directions, looking up roadside attractions, booking hotels on the go, making emergency calls, and taking photos of every Welcome to State sign you pass. Every road trip lover needs a USB charger for their car. Even if your car has a built-in USB port, portable versions that plug into the cigarette lighter still offer more power to keep your phone working all the way to your destination.

Bonus: Be sure to get one with multiple ports so everyone in the car can keep charged at once.

19. DJI Mini 3 Drone

 

Imagine being able to follow your car with a camera as it winds down an abandoned road or being able to capture all of Carhenge from above. The only way to get epic aerial road trip videos and photos is with a drone.

Drones, like the DJI Mini 3 , make the best gifts for road trippers who want to take their road trip videography and photography to the next level.

Bonus: Make sure to get a kit that includes extra batteries, a charger, and case so the person you buy this road trip gift for has everything they need!

20. DJI Osmo Mobile 6 Smartphone Gimbal Stabilizer

 

Many road trip videos are unwatchable. Trying to take a video of that epic waterfall or breathtaking National Park view with a handheld iPhone will often result in a shaky movie that no one wants to watch. How do fix it? With a gimbal.

Gimbals suspend your phone for smooth stabilization that will take any road trip video from disastrous to delightful.

Bonus : This gimbal doubles as a tripod making it perfect for filming TikTok POVs or Instagram Lives.

21. Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera

 

For fun road trip photos that make retro souvenirs, an instant camera is a must have gift for road trip lovers. The Fujifilm Instax Mini is a cute camera that is compact enough to fit in the glove box to make memories on the go.

Bonus: Be sure to include a couple of packs of Instax Mini Film to make this one of the best gifts for a road trip!

22. Petcube Cam

 

Traveling can be hard for pet parents when they have to leave their dogs or cats at home. Give them peace of mind and a glimpse into what their four-legged friends do when they are not there, with a Petcube Cam . The most basic of the Petcube models these are a solid choice for travelers wanting to check in with their furry friends from afar.

Bonus: IYou can also find the Petcube Play that comes with a laser toy or the Petcube Bites that dispenses treats.

Not all road trip gift ideas have to be entirely practical. Sometimes the best gifts for road trip lovers are just fun. These presents will add a smile on the face of any recipient who loves car travel and seeing the world and will make their adventures (or returns from adventures) that much more fun.

23. The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

 

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation. The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book features fun and engaging journal prompts. plus 100 activities and games to play in the car, at your hotel, or at stops along your route.

Bonus: This book not only serves as an activity book to keep everyone entertained in the car but with fun journal prompts and a trip log it will serve as a road trip memento for years to come!

24. Fifty States Bucket List Water Bottle

Fifty States Bucket List Water Bottle

Keep track of all the states you’ve visited and keep hydrated along the way. The Fifty States Bucket List Water Bottle by Wondery Outdoors is a durable water bottle that comes with 50 stickers to add each time you drive through a new-to-you state.

Bonus: There are also bucket list bottles that feature National Parks and Parks of Canada !

25. The Wander Club Travel Tokens

The Wander Club Travel Tokens

Commemorate everywhere you went on a road trip or all your road trips! The Wander Club travel tokens are a modern charm bracelet for travelers. Small tokens represent countries, states, national parks, and other milestones. Collect charms for every adventure.

Bonus: Get a starter set with a key chain or necklace and few tokens, then add to it with every trip to come.

26. Scratch Off USA Map Poster

 

Help your favorite road tripper keep track of his or her travels with a scratch-off map of the United States . Complete with stickers and place markers this map will commemorate everywhere a road tripper has traveled and help them plan where to head to next.

Bonus: You can also find scratch off posters for favorite road trip destinations like National Parks and ballparks !

27. Homesick Scented Candle, Road Trip

 

For the road trip lover stuck at home, this road trip scented candle is a perfect stocking stuffer. With scents of amber, musk, leather, paper, and jasmine, it will remind the recipient of sight seeing on the open road (minus the stuffy car and air freshener smell).

Bonus: Speaking of air fresheners, Homesick also makes a Road Trip car air freshener !

28. Stanley Quencher Insulated Tumbler

 

The reusable cup du jour is always a good gift to give someone. But a reusable cup especially makes one of the best gifts for car travelers. The Stanley cup is double wall vacuum insulated and keeps your water cold or your coffee hot for hours on the road. Your gift recipient will thank you for the money and time (and environment) she or he will save when filling this stylish vessel up with refreshing water or pick-me-up coffee at the hotel.

Bonus: The Stanley cup comes in a variety of colors so you can find one in your gift recipient’s favorite hue!

29. Pendleton National Park Blanket, Yellowstone

 

Pendleton blankets offer the cozy comfort of a thick wool cover alongside style and history. Their National Park collection pays homage to your favorite road trip destinations that feature distinctive colors, the park name, and an image of an important natural feature. Pendleton National Park Blankets make fantastic gifts for road travelers who want to commemorate a special trip to their new favorite park.

Bonus: If the blanket is out of your budget, Pendleton also makes a more budget-friendly gift set of National Park socks !

30. Protect Our National Parks Playing Card Deck

 

National Parks playing cards make double duty gifts for road trips. Featuring iconic scenery from parks around the United States they serve as both a memento and inspiration while giving travelers entertaining opportunities for game play whether at home, in an AirBNB, or at a campsite.

Bonus: Each playing card face in this deck is designed with unique imagery of U.S. National Parks, so they make great gifts for someone who loves to explore National Parks on their road trips!

31. Sunflora Picnic Backpack for 2

 

For anyone planning on packing their own food, camping, or picnicking on a road trip, a picnic backpack complete with plates, glasses, and utensils would make a great road trip gift. It’s better for the environment than using disposable plastic plates and forks, and will have everything needed to enjoy meals on the go.

Bonus: If you gift a picnic basket consider filling out your road trip gift with some favorite road trip snacks or sparkling apple cider (they are driving after all!).

32. State Love Necklace

 

When trying to find road trip gifts for her, whether she is your girlfriend, wife, sister, mother, or best friend, jewelry probably will cross your mind. And a state-shaped necklace is the way to go.

Bonus: Gift the state she lives in so she never feels far from home or a particularly memorable road trip destination so she’s never forget the fun you had there.

33. Road Trip Money Coin Pouch

 

Not many people keep change on hand nowadays. But it’s always good to have a few coins on hand for a road trip. You never know when you’ll need some for a toll booth, an older parking meter, an old school soda machine, or a pressed penny mavhine! This road trip money coin pouch is the perfect place to keep your loose road trip change.

Bonus: this coin pouch makes the perfect vessel for delivering Christmas or birthday money for someone planning a big road trip!

34. Car Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser

 

After a few days in the car, it sometimes will start smelling less than fresh. A portable essential oil diffuser makes a great stocking stuffer and will bring a fresh scent to any long car ride. This one plugs into the car’s USB port and fits right in the cup holder for a fresh car the whole journey long.

Bonus: to make this best gift for road trip travel complete, include a set of essential oils !

35. Ray-Ban Classic Polarized Aviator Sunglasses

 

Every road trip lover needs a good pair of sunglasses. These polarized sunglasses feature offer UV protection and blue blocking lenses— essential features when driving on a sunny highway. They also offer a classic design that will have you feeling like you’re driving a Top Gun F-14 Tomcat instead of your Corolla.

Bonus: This classic style comes in a variety of lens and frame colors, including green and blue .

36. Road Trip Journal for a USA Road Trip

 

Keep the memory or your road trip alive. Use this road trip journal as a keepsake to document your vacation or plan your travel itinerary! The blank lined book can be used as a travel diary, logbook, or road trip planner for your car, van, or motorcycle adventure.

Bonus: For a complete roadtrip gift add a set of gel pens or road trip themed pencils .

37. TableTopics to GO Road Trip

 

Get the whole family excited and talking on your next car trip by gifting this TableTopics to GO Road Trip game . With travel-specific questions you’ll have fun while learning a lot about your fellow passengers.

Bonus: There are plenty of road trip games that make the best gifts for a road trip! Pick up a travel bingo set , a variety pack of travel-sized games , or a copy of The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book !

38. Saucemoto Dip Clip

 

The perfect road trip stocking stuffer for anyone who likes to eat in the car…and that’s everyone! Clip this ketchup/condiment holder into your car’s vent and never eat sauceless drive-through fries again!

Bonus: You can buy these car condiment containers in a variety of colors , like red, gray, or black, to match the road trip car!

39. Vintage Motel Keychain

 

An homage to vintage motel key chains you’d have on a retro road trip, modern versions with catchy phrases make fun road trip gifts for adults.

Bonus: You can find many varieties that both capture the nostalgia of the road and fit your gift recipient’s personality. Find ones for their favorite TV show hotel, an inspirational affirmation , a fun saying, a zodiac sign , a favorite attraction , or a favorite road trip activity .

40. Road Trip Tote Bag

 

A tote bag is a must-have road trip gift that everyone will love. On the road it can serve as a cute catch-all for all the things to take in the car, beachwear, or camping supplies.

Bonus: For gift giving, you can stuff this road trip tote bag with all kinds of other road trip gifts and stocking stuffers!

41. Hidden Pocket Infinity Scarf by Speakeasy Supply Co.

38. Hidden Pocket Infinity Scarf by Speakeasy Supply Co.

A scarf that’s both pretty and functional? Sign me up! The hidden pocket infinity scarves by Speakeasy Supply Co. are stylish wraps with a secret twist: inside is a pocket to keep your ID, credit card, keys, or whatever you want to conceal. These scarves are perfect for all types of travelers but especially helpful to roadtrippers who might be hopping in and out of the car all day and don’t want to carry a bag around or leave their essentials behind.

Bonus: these scarves come in a variety of colors and patterns for any tatse!

Books make fantastic gifts for roadtrip fanatics. They’re fun to flip through to enjoy photos of destinations near and far and provide inspiration for anyone planning a trip for the first time or not sure where they want to go next. These gifts for road trip lovers can also be useful on the road to help figure out what to see and where to go next!

42. 50 States, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do

 

Find the best things to do and see in every state in America with this illustrated book from National Geographic. From national parks to beaches, war memorials to museums, this guidebook has it all and will ignite your imagination and kick start your trip planning. It should top any road trip gift wish list!

43. 100 Parks, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do

 

Like the previous book suggestion, but for national parks alone, this sequel is full of breathtaking photography and travel tips for getting the most of the country’s national parks. These books make good gifts for car travelers, whether they are a national park novice or have every page stamped in their park passport.

44. Wanderlust Road Trips: 40 Beautiful Drives Around the World

 

Get inspired to take a new adventure by exploring forty of the world’s most incredible road trips across the US, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Colorful photos and illustrations compliment the overviews of each route, providing inspiration and practical tips.

45. Lonely Planet Epic Road Trips of the Americas

 

Epic Road Trips of the Americas showcases fifty of the greatest road trips across North America, South America, and the Caribbean. The book features first-person accounts, challenge levels, facts, inside tips, expert advice, and similar drives.

Travel Internationally? Also check out Epic Drives of the World !

46. Hotel Kitsch: A Pretty Cool Tour of America’s Fantasy Getaways

 

Take a tour of the best fantasy suites and honeymoon hotels across America and beyond, with photos and stories from the creators of A Pretty Cool Hotel Tour . If you love quirky destinations, heart-shaped tubs, and themed hotels, this is the perfect book to gift!

47. The Road Trip Book: 1001 Drives of a Lifetime

 

This book let’s you explore all the possibilities road trips have to offer. It presents a variety of road trips of all lengths and levels of challenge, including a transglobal route inspired by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman’s Long Way Round documentary series. This book will inspire you to hit the road and take a trip you couldn’t even imagine possible.

48. Road Trip USA: Cross-Country Adventures on America’s Two-Lane Highways

 

With route recommendations, off-the-road highlights, driving maps, colorful photography, and expert advice, Road Trip USA would be a fun gift for someone going on a road trip for the first time or the fiftieth!

49. She Explores: Stories of Life-Changing Adventures on the Road and in the Wild 

 

She Explores celebrates women on the road. With photography, narrative, and practical tips this book is an essential read for any woman who wants to take off on an outdoor adventure. Engage with the stories of 40 women who have taken unforgettable trips into nature: women who live in vans, hike, road trip, or backpack.

50. Unique America – Strange, Unusual, and Just Plain Fun: A Trip Through America

 

I can’t have a guide of road trip gift ideas without a book all about my favorite thing: roadside attractions.

Unique America celebrates the unusual sights you’ll find while road tripping the country with full-color highlights that will have anyone enthusiastically asking, “are we there yet?”

51. Subpar Parks: America’s Most Extraordinary National Parks and Their Least Impressed Visitors

 

Take a hilarious journey through the National Parks with this illustrated book that celebrates their beauty and the one star reviews people leave of them online. One of the best gifts for road trippers and a good laugh for anyone who loves traveling to national parks!

52. Roadside Attractions Adult Coloring Book

 

If you know someone who loves roadside attractions as much as I do and are looking for gift ideas for road trippers who love the weird and wacky, this roadside attractions coloring book will allow the recipient to unleash their inner child to color between the lines of some of America’s best world’s largest things.

Not all gifts for a road trip have to be physical things. Sometimes the best road trip gift ideas are for those things you can’t hold in your hands but can experience instead. Consider gifting a tour, a gift certificate, an attraction pass, or a whole road trip experience!

53. America the Beautiful – National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass

America the Beautiful - National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass

America the Beautiful passes make excellent gifts for car travelers. The annual pass allows the recipient to skip the entrance fee on over 2,000 federal recreation sites, including national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests, and grasslands. For the serious road tripper, this pass is gold.

54. Audible Gift Membership

Looking for unique gift ideas for car travelers? Give the gift of audio books! An Audible Gift Membership allows the recipient to download their favorite books along with new originals to listen to from anywhere, even their car. Audio books provide relief from the same Spotify playlists and double your productivity level allowing you to “read” while you drive.

55. Go City Pass

GoCity main page

A prepaid Go City Pass will save the recipient time and money at great road trip destinations across the US. If a big city excursion is on the list for the new year, this will help take their trip from ordinary to extraordinary. The passes will allow the holder to visit bucket list attractions, enjoy top tours, and discover handpicked hidden gems with the convenience of having one price and one pass on their phone.

56. Get Your Guide Gift Card

For the ultimate gift idea for someone going on a trip, why not book them an excursion? Tour companies like Get Your Guide offer tours, day trips, sightseeing, museum entrances, and more. Help your friend or loved one out by gifting them an experience to experience on their next road trip.

Bonus: Buy a Get Your Guide Gift Card so the recipient can choose for themselves! With thousands of excursions to choose from they will definitely find the perfect adventure to take on their next road trip!

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip! By Valerie Bromann

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything you need to have and record an epic road trip.

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

Need to get a gift for a road trip lover? From classic essentials to high tech gadgets to fun stocking stuffers, here are our recommendations for the best road trip gift ideas for road trip travelers.

Valerie Bromann

Founder & road trip expert.

Valerie Bromann is a a website manager, content creator, and writer from Chicago, Illinois (currently living in Dallas, Texas). As an avid road tripper who has visited hundreds of roadside attractions, Val always pull over for a world’s largest thing. Founder of Silly America and author of The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book , she visits, photographs, and writes about all the weird tourist destinations she visits and offers road trip planning advice and inspiration based on her own travels so you can hit the road for yourself.

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The road trip you’ve been dreaming of starts here! Journal about your stops and get to know your fellow passengers with activities and exercises designed to pass the time and bring you closer together. Instead of “Are we there yet?” you’ll find yourself asking, “We’re there already?”. Complete with prompts you can turn to while driving between locations, this journal will one day be a memento of your life-changing trip.

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Silly America - The best roadside attractions in America and road trip inspiration and road trip planning and advice.

Silly America is a roadside attractions blog designed to help travelers find unique stops for their next road trip. The website is a tribute to the great American road trip, devoted to all that is odd in America: roadside attractions, tourist traps, peculiar destinations, bizarre events, road food, fun festivals, and more! It’s a travel website and trip planner for those seeking an offbeat road trip.

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42 BEST Road Trip Gifts: Fun, Useful, & Essential [2024]

Best Road Trip Gifts

Published on: October 2, 2023

Short on time? Our picks for the best road trip gifts are the Tile Car Key Tracker and Nintendo Switch Lite .

BEST road trip gifts to make road trips a breeze and help the hours on the road fly by.

I grew up in the midwest of the United States. That means it took hours by car to get anywhere else in the country. 

Road trips were a staple of my childhood – long and short ones. 

My family often drove an hour in and out of the city that we lived near. Twice a year, we drove six hours each way to visit family in a nearby state. 

The most extensive trip of them all? We took 24-hour road trip adventures from Illinois to Florida for spring break. 

I’ve completed some road trips completely alone as well. I know what it’s like to be the backseat passenger as a kid and the adult driver behind the wheel. 

What I’m trying to say is, I’m no stranger to this form of travel. So, when it comes to gifts for road trips, I’m your girl. 

I’m here to share some of the best gift ideas for road trips based on my personal experience.  

Note: this article contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you so I can keep providing free recommendations.

cross country travel gift ideas

Table of Contents

Tile Tracker

cross country travel gift ideas

What’s the single most important item to keep track of? The car keys.

I mean, you can’t go anywhere without them – plain and simple! Therefore, a road trip lover can’t afford to lose them. 

Getting road trip lovers a Tile car key tracker will ensure they always have a way to know where their keys are. 

CHECK PRICE ON:

Car Mount Phone Holder

cross country travel gift ideas

What’s a good gift for someone who travels a lot in a car?

A phone mount.

We use our phones for everything nowadays. On road trips, a driver’s phone is usually their source of music, communication, and most likely their GPS.  

Gifting a phone mount like this allows the phone to be placed on the dashboard, as close to eye level as possible. Instead of looking down to check Google Maps, they can quickly glance to the side. 

I’m not encouraging phone use while driving by any means, but realistically, people glance at their phones. 

Phone mounts make navigation and DJing hands-free, so it’s a little safer.

Nintendo Switch Lite

cross country travel gift ideas

When I was a kid, one of the best ways to pass time on a long car trip was playing my Nintendo DS.

The Nintendo DS has aged out, and the Nintendo Switch has entered the picture.

For a road trip, I’d recommend the Nintendo Switch Lite. It’s a bit smaller than the regular-sized switch console because it’s primarily for personal play and is more portable. 

There are endless games available for purchase, so they’ll never get bored!

cross country travel gift ideas

I grew up before the era of Kindles. I was always torn between which book to bring on a road trip.  

Later, I’d find myself fidgeting with a clip-on reading light after the sun went down and the car was dark.

Kindles help eliminate both those problems. A world of books lives inside a Kindle, meaning they’ll have numerous books with them at one time. 

Multiple lighting settings allow them to read at any time of day, in any lighting. 

A Kindle is one of the best road trip gadgets, birthday gifts, or holiday gifts to get someone. They’re helpful during the car ride and after.

Car Backseat Organizer

cross country travel gift ideas

An organizer is the perfect road trip gift for anyone riding in the backseat. 

I’ve been in some cars where the seats don’t have back pockets. Even when they do, a single pocket is usually hard to stuff belongings into. 

Road trippers don’t have to worry about that with a gift like this. 

They simply slip this organizer over the front seat headrest, and ta-da! There’s space for all of their belongings at their fingertips.

Car Window Screens

cross country travel gift ideas

One time, my whole family was going on a long car journey, so we rented a larger and more equipped car for the trip. 

The car had pull-down screens for the windows, which made such a difference in keeping sunlight at bay during the trip.

This pack of window screens comes with both transparent and semi-transparent shade options. 

The screens have a no-residue cling design and work when pressed to a car window.

They’re helpful to keep sun rays at bay during any time of the year — especially, during the summer months, to help keep the car cooler. 

These are the best road trip gift ideas for road-trippers with babies in the backseat.

Foldable Car Seat Back Portable Tray for Food

cross country travel gift ideas

My family didn’t eat fast food often during our day-to-day lives, but it was a staple during road trips. 

As a backseat rider, you have no idea what I would have given to have something like this foldable tray that attaches to the front seat headrest.

This cuts down on drink or dipping sauce spills, an unfortunate event I know too well!

Of course, my mind went immediately to food, but it also holds a laptop or book.

Any road trip lover who finds themselves in the back seat will appreciate this.

200 Conversation Cards

cross country travel gift ideas

Consider conversation road trip games if you’re looking for the best road trip gifts for a family. 

It can be hard to get the whole family to be interested in the same thing. The prompts on these cards encourage conversations that everyone can partake in.

There are questions like, “What do children know more about than adults?” and “What is the one thing you couldn’t live without?”

My favorite thing about these cards is that they involve the driver, which is important.

It’s easy for all the passengers to plug into their phones or Kindles, but the driver has to keep their eyes on the road. 

Do note that some of the cards are not appropriate for kids, so parents might need to sort through the deck beforehand.

50 States 5,000 Ideas Book

cross country travel gift ideas

As the title states, this book offers insight into the 50 states of the USA. It has valuable travel tips about where to go, what to see, and what to do in each one.

Inclusive travel gifts like these are great road trip gift ideas because they inspire future road trips! 

They probably won’t drive through all 50 states in one journey, but as they read, they’ll find places and sights to drive to next time.

Road Trip Journal

cross country travel gift ideas

I’m sentimental – I  love to collect and document everything. If your giftee is anything like me, a journal like this is the perfect great road trip gift idea. 

There are two types of pages: open note-taking and easy-to-fill-prompt pages. 

They can quickly fill in the answers to questions like the weather, route taken, highlights, and so forth.

This road trip gift idea is suitable for a range of ages, meaning it’ll keep anyone entertained. 

Plus, they’ll have something to reflect on in the future.

Rand McNally Road Atlas

cross country travel gift ideas

Nowadays, we rely on our phones or built-in car systems. But as a kid, I remember my parents opening up physical paper maps for directions.

This spiral notebook contains large-scale maps of highways for every US state.

There are no advertisements inside, which helps you focus on the routes. There are also maps of specific cities and national parks.

A physical road atlas is one of the best gifts for a road tripper who likes things old-school.

Personalized Road Trip Map

cross country travel gift ideas

Before my family began our road trips, my dad always sketched out our route on a big paper map so my sisters and I could visualize our road trip route. 

We loved getting this perspective when we were kids.

If someone you know is heading on a monumental journey (like a cross-country road trip through the national parks or driving the Pacific Coast Highway ), this is the perfect gift to memorialize it.

Know someone who loves National Parks? Read our guides to the best National Park gifts , National Park Passport , National Park scratch-off maps , and the best National Park books .

cross country travel gift ideas

Hammocking is a universally enjoyable pastime, so hammocks make great road trip gifts for guys and girls alike. 

Eno hammocks are popular but pricey. I recommend Wise Owl hammocks as a more affordable alternative. Wise Owl hammocks even come with straps to secure them to trees, which Eno hammocks don’t include.

There are plenty of color options, and you can choose a single or double-person size, making hammocks one of the top road trip gifts for friends heading out on long car rides that may have scenic stops along the way. 

They’re a particularly great option for those road-tripping through National Parks.

Ever heard of hammock camping? Read about the best hammocks with mosquito nets and portable hammock stands .

Car Headrest Tablet Holder

cross country travel gift ideas

This car headrest tablet holder is a great way to entertain anyone in the backseat. Whether they’re using their phone or an iPad, they can stay hands-free and comfortable. 

It attaches quickly and easily without disrupting the headrest for the driver. The arm can be bent in a variety of angles and tilted.

This is a great road trip gift for road-tripping friends who are planning on watching movies or binge-watching a new series in the backseat.

Picnic Blanket

cross country travel gift ideas

A picnic blanket is helpful in so many situations – whether you’re actually using it for a picnic or not. I use my blanket anytime I’m sitting on the ground in an open area. 

This is another perfect road trip gift for loved ones heading into nature. A blanket will come in handy, whether they’re going on a day trip or a long-haul journey.

This one is great because it’s waterproof and sand-resistant. Plus, it comes with large handle carry straps, making it easy to transport once it’s rolled up.

Doodle Boards

cross country travel gift ideas

These kinds of doodle boards will keep kids entertained for hours. 

Not going to lie, I’ve also found myself fiddling around with them.

It’s easy to forget how relaxing and fun doodling is. They’re especially on a road trip, when any form of entertainment is welcome.

Compression Socks

cross country travel gift ideas

I’ve gone road-tripping by myself and driven for 13 hours straight on multiple occasions. 

By the end of those long stretches, all I wanted was to put my feet up! 

Compression socks are one of those road trip accessories that can help a loved one have a more pleasant experience. They help prevent swelling during any period of prolonged sitting. 

I think compression socks are some of the best road trip gear or road trip gift ideas for adults because they’re the ones doing the driving.

cross country travel gift ideas

Picture this: you’re best friend is rushing out of the house because they really need to get on the road. They have that nagging feeling that they’re forgetting something.

Pretty soon, they’re driving on the highway, blinded by the sun. That’s when it hits… they forgot their sunglasses.

This is why I always keep spare sunglasses in my car glove box. They’re solely my ‘car sunglasses’. My extra sunglasses have saved the day more times than I can count.

If you want to be that lifesaver, consider getting this set of polarized sunglasses for road trip lovers.

Slip On Shoes

cross country travel gift ideas

I always preferred to be barefoot in the car. It’s just more comfortable and clean.

Of course, whenever it was time to make a pit stop for food, gas, or the bathroom, it became a scramble to find my shoes. 

Especially during winter road trips, my boots took too long to lace up and tracked snow or gunk back into the car afterward.

Gift someone special a pair of slip-on shoes. Your giftee can keep them in their car as their ‘road trip shoes’. 

This way they’ll always have something to slip on and off during those quick pit stops. 

A spare pare of driving shoes is also helpful for anyone who likes wearing heels but not driving in them.

cross country travel gift ideas

My mom tried to keep our car as clean as possible. It wasn’t easy, and I wish she had a portable vacuum like this.

A mini car vacuum is the best road trip gift for anyone who likes a tidy car.

This handheld vacuum is wireless, rechargeable, and comes with an array of attachments – making it suitable to reach any crevice. 

Road trip gifts like these make it a quick and easy way to keep their limited space feeling clean.

Car Trash Can

cross country travel gift ideas

As backseat riders, my siblings and I always passed our garbage up to my mom in the front seat. 

That’s why I think this car trash can would have been one of the best road trip gifts for her.

Instead of making someone in charge of the ‘garbage bag’, they can have a car trash can like this. Everyone knows where to put their garbage (cough cough, not the floor).

Engraved Tumbler

cross country travel gift ideas

Road trippers don’t have access to heat their drink or add ice while driving. That’s why a tumbler that keeps coffee hot and iced tea cold is an excellent road trip gift idea.

Especially when I’m on a road trip alone, I like preparing my secondary beverage before leaving home. 

I take a juice or soda out of the cooler and pour it into a tumbler so it stays cold until I’m ready to drink it.

Tumblers are also a good road trip gift for anyone who appreciates personalization options. You can tailor this gift specifically to your road tripper.

Car Cup Holder Expander

cross country travel gift ideas

If you want gifts for a road trip that go above and beyond (literally), check out this car cup holder. 

I use a large hydroflask water bottle. Because of the big base, it doesn’t fit in a standard car cup holder. I was so excited when I found an enlarged cup holder that could accommodate its size.

You can go a step further with this car cup holder. It has an enlarged cup holder and a standard-size cup holder above. 

Next to that is a swiveling tray. This creates a space to put some small, easy-to-grab items for the driver. If there’s a passenger riding, it could also function as a tray for them.

If you’re looking for funny road trip gifts for couples, this is a good choice. It benefits passengers and drivers.

Bendable Pillow

cross country travel gift ideas

Road trip travelers know the struggle of finding a comfortable position to take a snooze. That’s why one of the best gifts for a road trip is a pillow that bends into any shape. 

Molding the pillow to meet their needs makes it much easier to get comfortable in an awkward space like a car.

There are also button snaps on either end of the pillow so that it will hold a standard travel pillow shape.

cross country travel gift ideas

Great road trip gift ideas involve items that can stay in the car, so they never have to worry about forgetting them. 

This blanket is a perfect example.

It’s always nice to have a blanket like this in the car. Even if they’re traveling during warmer months because it zips up into a pillow shape.

Sound Proof Earphones

cross country travel gift ideas

Road trips put everyone in tight quarters. Sound-cancelling headphones are the best way for your loved one to take a break. 

These headphones are budget-friendly, but you could always upgrade by gifting a brand like Bose .

Plus, this is one of those gifts for road trips that will be useful outside of the car, too.

Car Inverter

cross country travel gift ideas

For the most part, I grew up as a road-tripper without iPhones or tablets. There was minimal electronic usage, and once the battery ran out, that was that.

By the time I was in high school and had a laptop, I always wished there was a way to charge it while in the car. 

When I discovered a car inverter, I was sold. 

This inverter distributes and maximizes the existing power from the cigarette lighter plug in your car. Once plugged in, your giftee can access regular outlets, USB ports, and a USB C port.

It’s one of the best road trip gifts for a car full of music streamers.

Solar Power Bank

cross country travel gift ideas

Solar power banks make fantastic gifts for anyone going on an adventure. This power bank charges using the solar panels on the front of the device (don’t leave it in a hot car in direct sunlight, though). 

It’s a perfect gift for road-trippers headed through the national parks, where they’ll run their battery down taking pictures.

It’s waterproof and has a built-in flashlight. Portable chargers are a great gift idea that ensures they have a power source no matter what.

Inflatable Car Mattress

cross country travel gift ideas

Sometimes the best road trip gift ideas focus on getting enough sleep. 

Road travelers who sleep in their car know that having the right set-up is essential for feeling rested enough to drive day after day. 

Most people I know heading on multi-day trips have a hotel room booked or plan on driving through the night. 

But sleeping in the car has grown increasingly popular.

This inflatable car mattress is perfect for overnight road trips. The pump plugs into the car cigarette lighter for quick inflation. 

I prefer this style of car mattress over others on the market because it lays across the backseats without emptying the trunk.

cross country travel gift ideas

Here’s the thing about car air conditioning systems: they’re often not set up well for the backseat riders.

I can’t begin to tell you how many times my sisters and I bickered about the airflow direction from the small vents in the backseat section.

Solve that bickering problem with a gift like this: a car headrest fan.

Whether you purchase one or two for your road tripper, travel gifts like these will make their upcoming trip more peaceful.

Games on the Go

cross country travel gift ideas

After a while, it can be hard to come up with road trip games on your own. 

If your friends are tired of the classics, Games on the Go prompts some of the best road trip games.

It’s a deck of cards full of guessing games, riddles, trivia, and searching games (to name a few). 

It’s perfect for the car because Game on the Go states, “The only material you need is your imagination”.

Drop Stop Car Seat-Gap Filler

cross country travel gift ideas

This gap filler seems like a funny road trip gift, but it’s actually so helpful.

During road trips, my sisters and I constantly passed things up to my mom, who sat in the front seat. 

Quite a few times, whatever we were passing would drop into the abyss between the seats. 

I can guarantee even seasoned road trippers don’t enjoy crawling around on the car floor with a flashlight looking for dropped M&Ms and toys under the seat.

Eliminate that issue with a car seat gap filler like the Drop Stop.

cross country travel gift ideas

A road trip lover will make many road trips in their life, and they can use a dash cam to capture all of their incredible adventures.

And for any road trippers turned full-time car travelers, dash cams add a level of security.

A dash cam can attach to the front or rear of a vehicle and record video. Should they ever need evidence of good driving habits or what really happened during an accident, they’ll have it. 

Other pros to having a dash cam include deterring theft and potentially lowering their car insurance premium. Dash cams are one of the best gift ideas for road trips when your loved one wants to take every precaution possible.

Fold Out Chairs

cross country travel gift ideas

You may be looking for road trip gift ideas for someone heading to campgrounds at national forests. If your road tripper needs some outdoor gear, help them out. 

These chairs have armrests, pockets, and cupholders. They’re easy to keep tucked in a car trunk because they fold quickly and come in a traveling case. 

Grab this road trip gift idea for anyone who likes stopping to enjoy the view.

Ready for the comfiest camp chairs? Read our buying guides for reclining camp chairs and heavy-duty camp chairs .

cross country travel gift ideas

My family always ran out of space on car trips to and from holiday gatherings. Not only did we have to fit all of our luggage in the trunk, but also gifts to and from family members.

Car travel gifts like roof bags are handy when the car is too full. This bag sits on top of a protective mat and securely attaches to the car’s roof with straps. 

It’s made from waterproof material, so belongings inside stay safe.

cross country travel gift ideas

When it comes to gift ideas for the road, consider getting your favorite road trip travelers a collapsable cooler.

Soft-sided coolers are a good way to keep drinks cold and food temperature regulated on the drive. Road trip lovers will appreciate that this cooler fits in the middle seat and is less bulky than a hard-sided cooler.

This Maelstrom Soft Cooler Bag has a five-layer insulation design. The outside even features outer pockets, a bottle-opener key chain, and bungee gridding.

It also comes in a variety of colors, like blue, grey, black, and orange. 

Looking for more cooler recommendations? Read our article on the best coolers for camping .

Road Trip Gift Basket

cross country travel gift ideas

I love unique gift ideas, like anything you assemble or personalize on your own. If you’re the same way, consider making a road trip care package.

This is the same premise as a road trip gift basket – but uses a road trip gift bag like the one pictured.

Throw in some road trip essentials like wet wipes, water bottles, road trip snacks, and so forth.

If your giftee is traveling with children, include some fun road trip gifts like these themed printable road trip games from Etsy.

Roadside Emergency Kit

Roadside Emergency Kit with the contents spread out to display things like jumper cables, bungee cords, a reflective triangle, a first aid kit, and a thermal blanket.

Roadside kits are one of those gifts you hope they’ll never have to use. I know it sounds a bit backward – not wanting the recipient to use the gift?

A roadside emergency kit is a road trip essential. Thinking back, I would have been so relieved if someone had gifted me one.

This kit comes with survival road trip gear, like jumper cables, a seatbelt cutter, a glass breaker, and a portable air compressor. 

This specific option comes with a first aid kit – it hits two birds with one stone.

If you’re gifting it to a new driver or new car owner, there’s a good chance they don’t have an emergency kit like this yet.

Triple AAA Membership

Triple AAA Membership website screenshot of a man and woman leaning against a car on the side of the road.

Similar to a first aid kit, roadside assistance is one of those things you hope they’ll never have to use. Regardless, it’s important to have for a road trip. 

Triple AAA will help if their car breaks down and has complicated issues beyond a roadside assistance kit.

So, when it comes to road trip gift ideas, consider getting someone an annual membership to Triple AAA.

Pro Tip: Triple AAA offers special coverage for recreational vehicles, horse trailers, and boat trailers.

America the Beautiful Annual Pass

America the Beautiful Annual Pass

Consider getting a national park pass for road trippers heading to National Parks. 

The most popular choice is the America the Beautiful Pass.

Having this with them on their road trip covers park entrance fees for a driver and all passengers in the vehicle (up to 4 adults).

This pass works for national forests and sites managed by the Forest Service, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and others. Check out the full list here .

Plus, when you purchase from REI, they donate 10% of the proceeds to outdoor beneficiary organizations!

Road Trip Gift Cards

Three REI Gift Cards with various designs.

What do you give someone who is going on a long trip?

What.they.want!

You can never go wrong with a gift card – especially if the other road trip gift ideas aren’t speaking to you.

When it comes to great road trip gifts, a gift card opens doors to so many options. And the best gifts make their life easier.

If you’re making someone a road trip gift basket, it wouldn’t hurt to throw a Starbucks gift card in.

When I was driving halfway across the country solo, audiobooks and music were my best friends. Find out if your friend or family member has Audible or Spotify Premium.

I even had a friend get a gift card to a gas station once. Anything helps! 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Monroe Dziersk smiling as she poses high up above the skyline

Monroe Dziersk

Monroe Dziersk is a twenty-something American who has lived in the USA, Italy, and Czechia. A self-proclaimed Europhile, she has a passion for international education, traveling, and becoming a global citizen, having visited more than twenty countries. You can often find her accompanied by a good book and her calico cat.

Looking for more gift guides and road trip inspiration? Check out these related posts below! 

Best Van Life Gifts

Best Moving Away Gifts

California Gift Ideas

Best Gifts for Hikers

Gifts for RV Owners

Best Gifts for Surfers

Best Gifts for Bourbon Lovers

Best Christmas Gifts for Parents

San Francisco to Redwood National Park: Road Trip Guide

LA to San Francisco: Road Trip Guide

17-Mile Drive: Road Trip Guide

California Road Trip E-Book

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cross country travel gift ideas

Hi, I'm Mimi! I'm an outdoorsy Californian who has spent over 28 years immersed in the incredible natural beauty that California has to offer. My goal is to inspire others to get out and find their next adventure in California. Whether it’s escaping to an alpine lake in the Sierras, finding peace among the giant redwoods, or road tripping down the PCH, there’s always more to explore in this beautiful state.

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The Globetrotting Teacher

27 Best Road Trip Gifts for People Who Love the Open Road

Are you searching for the best road trip gifts for someone on your shopping list?

Good on you for taking the time to think about a gift that speaks to that family member or friend’s interests and passions!

This list has 27 of the best road trip gift ideas, including road trip essentials and some out-of-the-box ideas you might not have considered.

27 Best Road Trip Gifts For People Who Love the Open Road

Road Trip Essentials

Fun road trips begin before the car, campervan, or RV leave the driveway. Nothing ruins a good road-tripping-time like being ill-prepared or unorganized.

1. Roadside Emergency Kit

A perfect gift for road trip peace of mind! This  Emergency Roadsid e Kit comes with jumper cables, an air compressor, a tow strap, and much more all packaged inside a handy, portable case. It can handle roadside assistance for cars, trucks, vans, and RVs.

Everlit Survival Car Emergency Kit, Roadside Safety Tool Kit with Gloves,Digital Auto Air Compressor Tire Inflator, First Aid Kit, 12 Feet Jumper Cable, Tow Strap, Flashlight for Women, Men, Teenagers

  • The Road Guardian- The portable roadside assistance kit is designed and hand picked by a group of experienced veterans and experts to provide every…
  • Top-Notch Digital Auto Tire Inflator- lightweight and compact air compressor can inflate your standard vehicles tire in seconds. With auto shutoff…
  • Copper-Clad Aluminum 12 Feet 8 Gauge Jumper Cable- A durable battery starter cable is a must-have for your trip. Unlike other kits on the market, our…

Road trips can come with long stretches where there are no gas stations and rugged roads. So while it may not be the sexiest of road travel gifts, it’s essential to have some tools at the ready in case of vehicle troubles.

2. Paper Road Atlas

All serious road trippers must have a paper map. The  Rand McNally 2024 Road Atlas  is a spiral-bound booklet with large, easy-to-read print that covers all 50 States. The atlas zooms in on cities and National Parks for a complete look at the area. 

Rand McNally 2024 Large Scale Road Atlas - 100th Anniversary Collector's Edition (The Rand McNally Large Scale Road Atlas)

  • Rand McNally (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 286 Pages – 04/17/2023 (Publication Date) – Rand McNally (Publisher)

GPS and Google Maps are certainly useful tools but driving around remote areas or making spontaneous stops could come with gaps in cell phone coverage or area maps that haven’t been downloaded for offline use.

As a road tripper myself, not having a physical map is a  road trip mistake  I won’t make again! This is one of the best gifts for people who drive a lot for their travels!

3. First Aid Kit

Small, portable, and packed with the essentials, this  First Aid Kit  is a must for car trips. The kit includes bandages and ointments for injuries, sting and burn relief medicine, aspirin, ibuprofen, and more. 

First Aid Only 442 All-Purpose Emergency First Aid Kit for Home, Work, and Travel, 298 Pieces

  • Comprehensive Emergency Kit: Includes adhesive fabric and plastic bandages, antibiotic ointments, BZK antiseptic towelettes, burn cream packets, aspirin, ibuprofen, gauze roll and pads, wound closures, cold pack, and other multi-use first aid items
  • Convenient Packaging: An ideal workplace and home first aid, it comes in a soft-sided zippered case complete with clear plastic pockets designed to keep first aid supplies neatly organized and easy to locate
  • Easy Access: This convenient and versatile work, home and car emergency kit features 2 separate layers with individual compartments that make accessing first aid supplies quick and easy

Whether it’s needed to attend to a sick passenger or dress a wound from a trip and fall outside the car, all road trippers should have first aid basics at the ready.

4. Car Mount Phone Holder

If the road tripper on your gift-giving list uses their phone for Google Maps or navigation tools, a  car mount phone holder  keeps their phone screen in view without moving or needing any hand adjustments while driving. It’s one of the best gifts for road trips because you can safely see where you need to go.

iOttie Easy One Touch 4 Dash & Windshield Universal Car Mount Phone Holder Desk Stand for -iPhone, Samsung, Moto, Huawei, Nokia, LG, Smartphones, Black

  • EASY ONE TOUCH LOCK/RELEASE: The patented Easy One Touch mechanism allows you to quickly mount and remove your phone with one hand.
  • ADJUSTABLE VIEWING: The telescopic arm extends from 4 – 6.5 inches and pivots on 260 degree arc for a variety of mounting positions. The rotating ball joint allows you to view your phone in both landscape and portrait mode.
  • UNIVERSAL MOUNTING: Holds all phone and case combinations from 2.3 inches to 3.5 inches in width.

Be sure to include an  adhesive dashboard pad  as a stocking stuffer. I’ve used this exact phone mount for my road trips and found the adhesive pad is stronger, especially in warmer temperatures, compared to the suction cup.

5. Car Phone Charger

Navigation, travel apps, and listening to favorite podcasts and music for long periods of time is a surefire way to burn a phone’s battery. A  car phone charger  plugs into the lighter socket for quick, full-speed charging. It’s one of those gifts for drivers and road trippers that ensures everyone in the car stays happy with charged devices.

Car Charger, Anker Quick Charge 3.0 39W Dual USB Car Charger Adapter, PowerDrive Speed 2 for Galaxy S10/S9/S8/S7/S6/Plus, Note 9, Poweriq for iPhone 11/XS/Max/XR/X/8/7, Ipad Pro, LG, Nexus, and More

  • The Anker Advantage: Join the 50 million+ powered by America’s leading USB charging brand.
  • Faster Charging: Quick Charge 3.0 charges devices up to 80% in just 35 minutes. PowerIQ and VoltageBoost deliver the fastest possible charge to all non-Quick Charge devices.
  • Double the Charge: Dual ports pump out 39W. Enough power to charge power-hungry USB devices at full speed.

This charger is a great road-themed gift because it’s compact and the double USB ports allow more than one device to be plugged in at a time.

Organizational Gift Ideas for Road Trippers 

If you’ve ever been on a road trip, you know it’s not long before the inside of the car can become messy and disorganized. It’s during one of those moments when road-trippers panic thinking they’ve left their favorite travel coffee cup behind or dig unsuccessfully for their snacks and sunglasses. 

That’s why a road trip gift to keep things in their places can  go a long way  to saving sanity.

6. Backseat Car Organizer

Backseat Car Organizer Kick Mats, KNGUVTH Car Seat Back Protectors with Clear 10' Tablet Holder + 5 Storage Pockets Back seat Organizer for Kids Toy Bottle Drink Vehicles Travel Accessories (2 Pack)

  • 🚗【CAR ORGANIZERS AND STORAGE】Multi-Pocket Storage, easy handy storage of snack foods, children toys, water bottles, drinks, books, magazines…
  • 🚗【UPDATED MATERIALS】Premium quality better than others, which is environmentally friendly materials 600D Polyester, perfect protect your seats…
  • 🚗【CLEAR IPAD HOLDER】The kick mats can hold up to 10″ iPad and tablets. The screen of the tablet is well visible through the window pocket and…

This  2-pack seatback pocket organizer  holds snacks, water bottles, toys, books, and necessities like kleenex and glasses. There’s even a clear pouch designed to hold a standard-sized iPad or tablet. 

The material is water-resistant and durable. It also functions as a kick mat that can be cleaned with a wet wipe. Whether on a short weekend car trip or a cross-country road trip, the many pockets in this organizer will be put to good use and keep clutter off the floor.

7. Vehicle Trash Bin

One banana peel is all it takes to realize how important having a  trash bin for the car  is. Imagine hundreds of miles of snack wrappers and drink cups!

This strong bag container helps to avoid the inevitable mess that comes from eating and drinking on the go. It protects the inside of the car from leaks and can fit securely on the floor or around a headrest all without blocking any vents.

KMMOTORS Car Trash Can, Leather Trash Bag Foldable Hanging bin, Cute car Gadgets, Garbage Container, Vegan Leather(Medium, Black)

  • ▶[*CAUTIONS*]◀Customized plastic bags are NOT INCLUDED. Sold separately.
  • [KEEP YOUR CAR CLEAN AND TIDY] Car trash can ‘Jopps’ has 1.85 gallon of capacity which helps to stay organized and neat in your car
  • [STURDY BOTTOM SUPPORT BOARD] Jopps have plastic board on the bottom which keeps the trash can in shape and prevents it from closing

The bag also doubles as a cooler bag that can keep water bottles and other drinks cold. When not in use, the container folds up flat and can be stored away. 

8. Accessory Organizer

Cocoon CPG10BK GRID-IT!® Accessory Organizer compatible with Tablets - Medium 12' x 8' (Black)

  • GRID-IT! organization system – a rubberized woven elastic object retention system for the ultimate in organization
  • Organize gadgets: chargers, cords, headphones and gadgets
  • Organize makeup: lipstick, brushes and nail polish

Your road-trip-loving family and friends will thank you for this  genius organization gift . No need to throw cords, gadgets, tools, or even toiletries into a bag only to waste time digging to the bottom to finally find what you need. 

The straps hold items firmly in place and the zipper encloses everything inside the case to keep all items securely where they need to be. Cords are no longer tangled and with just a glance you’ll know if something is missing. The organizer can even fit into a daypack or a seatback for convenient on-the-go use.

9. Packing Cubes

Gonex Compression Packing Cubes, 3pcs/4pcs Expandable Storage Travel Luggage Bags Organizers

  • 【Set Includes】1x XL: 44x33x9 cm/17.3x13x3.54 inch, 1x L: 37x27x9 cm/14.5×10.6×3.54 inch, 1x M: 30×22.5×9 cm/11.8×8.9×3.54 inch, 1x S: 25x19x8 cm/9.8×7.5×3.54 inch
  • 【Soft Material】 Ultra soft lightweight rip-stop nylon with high density and extensibility and smooth zipper make this compression packing cube set extremely durable when they are filled with more essentials.
  • 【Revolutionized Your Packing】 Our packing cubes make packing a breeze and cut down on the space needed for trips dramatically. No longer overpack!

Of course,  packing cubes  are great travel gifts in general. But for road-trippers, packing cubes make it easy to just grab the necessities instead of lugging an entire suitcase or bag into a tent or hotel room for the night.

Organize packing cubes with complete outfits and pajamas. Their compact sizes can easily be stowed in hotel drawers. These can even be stored inside car storage bins to eliminate the need for bulky suitcases on a road trip!

Road Trip Gifts for Comfort in the Car, Campervan, or RV

Any guide with gifts for road trip travelers has to list ideas that’ll get everyone feeling comfy! The beauty of these items, though, is their versatility. They can be used outside of the car for any road trip camping combo, as well as for other travel adventures.

10. Travel Pillow

The beauty of this  Therm-a-Rest compressible pillow  is that it’s both a compact travel size and can also open up into a full-size pillow. It can easily serve as a headrest in the car and then be used with a favorite sleeping bag for a comfortable night of camping.

Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow

It has a soft, true pillow-like feeling and expands into a fuller pillow the longer it’s open to its full size. Road-trippers and campers will love the comfort and convenience of this pillow!

11. Versatile Puffy Blanket

The  Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket  pairs perfectly with the above travel pillow for ultimate comfort whether in the car trying to catch a snooze or cozying up in the campervan for a night of sleep.

Rumpl The Original Puffy | Printed Outdoor Camping Blanket for Traveling, Picnics, Beach Trips, Concerts | 52' x 75' | Geo, 1-Person

  • ORIGINAL PUFFY BLANKET: The Original Puffy outdoor blanket is a packable, portable, warm blanket that you can take just about anywhere. With a ripstop…
  • PACKABLE PUFFY QUILT: The single person Original Puffy measures 52” x 75” when laid flat and 7” x 16” when packed. Your purchase includes a…
  • WARM INSULATION: The Original Puffy Blanket combines the same technical materials found in premium sleeping bags and insulated jackets to keep you…

This blanket makes the perfect gift because it’s warm, waterproof, lightweight, and can withstand being used for everything from a picnic blanket to a sleeping bag replacement. It repels stains and is machine-washable. This blanket also packs down into a stuff sack for easy, low-profile storage when not in use.

ProTip:  Outdoor gear merchant  REI sells the Rumpl Blanket  in different sizes and patterns in clearance or on sale.

12. Compression Socks

Road trips come with a lot of time sitting in a car, campervan, or RV.  Compressions socks  help with circulation and are perfect gifts for travelers whether they’re on a long drive or a long flight.

Compression Socks for Men & Women, BEST Graduated Athletic Fit for Running, Nurses, Shin Splints, Flight Travel, & Maternity Pregnancy. Boost Stamina, Circulation, & Recovery - Includes FREE EBook!

These socks wick moisture and odors away and won’t lose their grip after being washed. Travelers and road trippers can arrive at their destination with fresh legs, not swollen from sitting, ready to take on a national park hike or some city sightseeing.

13. Headphones

Whether it’s a road trip with kids, friends, or family, headphones let everyone enjoy their favorite movies, music, and games without disturbing others.  Kids’ headphones  with a wired cord mean no charging or batteries are necessary. They also happen to be one of the most loved road trip gifts for adults, too! 😉

noot products Kids Headphones with Microphone K12 Stereo 5ft Long Cord with 85dB/94dB Volume Limit Wired On-Ear Headset for iPad/Amazon Kindle,Fire/Toddler/Boys/Girls/School(Blue/Lime)

  • 24-Month Hassle-Free Warranty, Easy to Reach Customer Service
  • Designed for kids ages 3 to 16, little or older kids, girls, boys, children, toddlers, home/online school, training, long plane or car rides. On-ear…
  • Features a built-in microphone, multi-functional button, and an adjustable slider for volume limit. The adjustable slider allows you to easily switch…

While  AirPods  for teens and adults can help someone sleep before taking over behind the wheel as they connect wirelessly to a favorite podcast or playlist.

14. Road Trip Gift Basket

All successful road trips need snacks or else you inevitably wind up feeling hungry along a long stretch of dusty road where there’s barely a gas station in sight. A  road trip basket  full of snacks is a surefire way to keep road trippers of all ages happy.

CRAVEBOX Healthy Snack Box (45 Count) Easter Variety Pack Care Package Gift Basket Kid Men Women Adult Nuts Health Nutrition Assortment College

  • HEALTHY SNACKS: This 45 count care package includes a mix of healthy snacks (that are still sweet and savory). Best essential brands of nuts, bars,…
  • DIMENSIONS: 13.5in x 12in x 3in. Gift wrapping and message available at checkout. Contents included: 1 Boom Chika Pop, 2 Nutrition Bars, 4 Granola…
  • EASTER 2024: The perfct Easter Gift! Better than an Easter Basket. Pre-filled snacks box and presented as a gift. Easter basket for kids, easter…

The gift box is packed with an assortment of the best road trip snacks including granola bars, fruit snacks, and popcorn to satisfy sweet and salty cravings. Not to mention, everything stays fresh because everyone gets to open and eat the snack they want.

15. Iceless Cooler

Keeping road trip food does not need to be messy or a hassle. A leaky cooler full of melted ice soaking the inside of the car doesn’t make for fun times. This  Igloo Iceless Cooler   plugs into the vehicle’s lighter outlet and keeps foods fresh and cool inside and everything else dry outside.

Igloo Thermoelectric Iceless 28-40 Qt Electric Plug-in 12V Coolers, 28qt Iceless Gray

  • Swing-up bale handle with comfort grip for easy carrying
  • Molded-in side handles for two handed carrying or lifting. Capacity-32 12-oz cans; 26 quarts (24 liters)
  • 8′ long power cord plugs into any 12V DC receptacle (e.g. cigarette lighter) for portable use – good universal fit in 12V outlet

This cooler fits on the floor behind the front seats and has a handle for easy carrying. For overnights in a hotel, plug the cooler into a standard electrical outlet to keep the items inside cool while the car or campervan is off.

16. Conversation Starters

TableTopics  are the top-selling conversation card game and one of the most fun things to buy for a road trip. What better way to get everyone off their devices and talking than 135 questions designed to help families and friends reconnect?

TableTopics Original - 10th Anniversary Edition: Questions to Start Great Conversations, The Best Way to Spark a New Conversation & Create New Memories with Friends & Family, Or Meeting Someone New

  • Spark Meaningful Conversations: TableTopics Original is a collection of 135 fun and thought-provoking questions covering a wide range of topics. The beautiful cube container that holds the perfectly proportioned 3 x 3-inch cards blends well with any décor, so you can keep it on your dinner table, kitchen counter, or coffee table all the time.
  • Elevate Social Occasions: Whether you’re enjoying a glass of wine with friends, gathering for a casual chat with coworkers, or simply spending time with loved ones, using these question cards will enhance your interactions. The conversation topics are endlessly engaging and can transform any social gathering into a more enjoyable and memorable experience.
  • Ice Breakers that Create Connection: TableTopics Original is a fantastic tool for fostering connections among diverse groups of people. Whether you’re with friends, acquaintances, parents, in-laws, distant relatives, or coworkers, these cards break the ice and create a welcoming atmosphere where everyone can participate and feel included.

The original set is designed for ages 12+, but box sets are also available for families and couples and in themes like “Happiness” or “What Would You Do.” Road trips are all about being together and engaging with the world in real time. With no small pieces and nothing to charge, this is one of the best road trip games whether in the car or around the campfire.

ProTip: If you’re trying to choose from the top road trip games for couples, then consider Couple Connect.

17. Dog Booster Seat

Road trips are the ultimate form of pet-friendly travel! And fur babies deserve some car comfort (and safety), too. This  pet booster seat  elevates off the seat with a strap around the seat headrest so dogs can see out the window and secures in place with a lower strap around the back of the seat.

PetSafe Happy Ride Quilted Booster Seat - Dog Booster Seat for Cars, Trucks and SUVs - Easy to Adjust Strap - Durable Padded Liner is Machine Washable and Easy to Clean - X-Large

  • WINDOW SEAT: Boost your dog to the perfect height to look out the car window
  • AVAILABLE IN 2 SIZES: Check the size chart to find the perfect size for your pup; the largest size booster seat comfortably holds 1 or 2 dogs weighing up to 25 pounds
  • SAFE TRAVEL: Connect your car seat belt and use the safety tether to keep a restless pet secure

Best of all, this durable seat with a machine-washable inside liner comes with a safety leash to protect pups from sudden stops or vehicle movements. My fur baby loves this seat and has used it from puppy to senior on all of our road trips.

Road Trip Gifts for Comfort Outside the Vehicle

Half the fun of a road trip is getting out of the car to hike, explore, sightsee, and enjoy all the destinations along the drive. But in order to enjoy every moment, comfort, convenience, and of course, good eats are required.

18. Portable Hammock

Give the gift of throwing any sense of time out the window. This comes while lying in an  ENO DoubleBreasted hammock  in a peaceful slice of forest discovered only because the road led to this unplanned solitude.

REI ENO DoubleBreasted Hammock

This hammock just needs 2 trees and a couple of minutes to be strung up and enjoyed. When not in use, it stuffs down to the size of a softball perfect for road trip travel where storage space comes at a premium. But don’t let the small size fool you, this hammock is stitched to hold 2 adults and belongs on any list highlighting the best road trip gear.

19. Portable Light 

Whether it’s a  string of lights  or a solar-powered lantern , a little extra light in the campervan once it’s dark can provide hours of soft light for reading, cooking, and as a guide to wayfinding.

BioLite SiteLight Overhead String Lights, SiteLight Mini

  • 10 feet (3 meters) of cord – Four lights per strand with 21 inches (533 mm) between each light
  • Daisy Chain Output – Connect additional strands or mix and match with other BioLite SiteLights
  • Cord Stabilizers – Assists in hanging over branches

Portable solar-powered lighting is the perfect solution for road-trippers who can charge lanterns during the day, either from the dashboard or strategically placed to catch the sun. And if the daytime drive turns into a night of camping, both of these lighting options are easily set up in tents and around campsites.

20. Folding Table

Road trips come with the freedom to go where the road leads but it’s also an opportunity to pull over and enjoy the surroundings. No camping is necessary to get use out of this  small, portable folding table . 

REDCAMP Small Folding Table Adjustable Height 23.6'x15.7'x10.2'/19', Aluminum Camping Table Lightweight

  • 【2 Heights】 This 2ft folding table open size is L24″xW16″, heights are 10″ in low and 19″ in high with the adjustable legs. Pack size is 16″x12″x3″ when folded in half.
  • 【Easy to Setup】 Install the folding camp table easily within several seconds. Quick to fold out and take with the carry handle. Easy to clean the tabletop with a paper or cloth.
  • 【Light and Compact】 The small portable table weighs 5.5lbs, holds up to 70lbs. Lightweight folding table is convenient to take for camping trip, travel, outdoor concert, sports events.

Use it for picnic lunch prep, sipping a morning coffee, or just about anytime extra space is needed outdoors or in. Whether in a car or an RV, all road trippers will appreciate the versatility of this table and its adjustable legs to accommodate different heights. Not to mention, it folds up discreetly and can be stored away in a narrow space.

21. Travel Chair

Road trip stops are certainly meant for stretching those legs. But when it’s time to enjoy a cup of coffee a car camping meal or just to take in the view, the road tripper on your list will appreciate a  travel folding stool.

Travel Chair Slacker Chair for Camping, Black (1389VBK), Rip-Stop polyester, Adjustable Carry Strap for easy transport|Oversized Duck Feet for improved stabilit

  • ADVENTURE: Discovering the outdoors is full of fun and adventure, but sometimes you just want to take a seat. Our Slacker stool is perfect for those hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing, or hunting breaks. Enjoy nature’s scenery while relaxing.
  • COMFORTABLE: Take a load off and relax with our folding stool. This tripod seat has been designed to be practical, durable, and comfortable. With both nail head and Ripstop polyester fabric and space to relax, this is one comfy chair.
  • TRAVEL CHAIR: Life is constantly on the move, and our portable seat can move with you. This lightweight stool weighs only 1.9 lbs. and measures 2.75” x 2.75” x 24″ when closed. The carry strap and hook-and-loop closure make this chair a breeze to move.

22. Portable Stove

Coleman Portable Butane Stove with Carrying Case

  • Instastart ignition for matchless lighting; 7,650 total BTUs of cooking power
  • Fits up to a 10-inch pan
  • Lasts up to 1.25 hours on high on one 8.8 oz. butane gas cylinder (sold separately)

Car campers will  l-o-v-e  this  Coleman Stove  for making the best road trip food! It sets up quickly, is super portable, and can cook for more than an hour at high heat. It’s great for prepping breakfast, heating a kettle, or slow-cooking a hearty stew for a chilly night. As with all the best road trip gifts, size matters. This stove has a low profile and can be neatly stored away. And, the carrying case makes it easy to transport.

23. French-Press Coffee Maker

For most people, morning coffee is non-negotiable. This  French-Press Coffee Maker  guarantees no-such sacrifice has to be made from the road and is much more eco-friendly than purchasing a coffee in a styrofoam cup each morning.

Coffee Gator French Press Coffee Maker- Insulated, Stainless Steel Manual Coffee Makers For Home, Camping w/Travel Canister- Presses 4 Cup Serving- Large, Green

  • Hate boring, cold coffee? Us too. Our huge capacity kit is vacuum-layered and double-filtered for flavor fuller than a centipede’s sock drawer and a toasty brew for longer. Oh yeah, you even get a mini canister for storing your next caffeine hit
  • Keep coffee (or tea) warm for 60 minutes longer than glass. 304 stainless steel is 33% thicker and 20% heavier than the competition. A cool touch handle protects your hands and the spring-loaded, double-screen filter brews a cleaner cup
  • Professional-grade in every way. This brewer is tough, durable and rust proof. Unlike glass it won’t break when you drop it (but your floor might need some attention). Your search for coffee that makes you smile every time ends here

24. Outdoor Cook Prep Set

To enjoy a road trip meal out of the car or campervan, some basic meal prep tools are essential. This  24-piece Outdoor Cook Set  comes in a portable case to keep everything organized. It’s also one of the best road trip gifts for guys who are missing their BBQ cooking tools back home!

GSI Outdoors, Destination Cooking Set 24, Serves 4 People

  • 24-piece camp dining set feeds a family of four—enjoy food, fun and adventure with four sets of cutlery, preparation and cooking utensils, condiment containers and cleaning gear
  • Chef tools to whip up on-the-go homestyle meal—flip and stir with rotating spatula and spoon; grate cheese and vegetables with lightweight grater; skin wild-caught fare with utility knife
  • Add flavor to food with waterproof salt and pepper shaker; Transport savory oils and sauces in soft-sided condiment containers with easy-to-use flip-top squeeze lids

This set pairs perfectly with the folding table and 2-burner stove above for a convenient, compact way to prepare and enjoy meals on the go. The kit includes a utility knife and cutting board, along with cooking utensils like a spatula and whisk, all of which store away in the zipper case.

25. Resuable Water Bottle

Water bottles are a must on a road trip. Not only do they help reduce how much plastic you use, but they also keep drinks secure and potentially at the right temperature if the bottle is insulated.

IRON FLASK Sports Water Bottle - 40 Oz 3 Lids (Straw Lid), Leak Proof - Stainless Steel Gym Bottles for Men, Women & Kids - Double Walled, Insulated Thermos - Valentines Day Gifts for Him or Her

  • INSULATED SPORTS WATER BOTTLE: Goodbye sweat! The double wall insulation makes the Iron Flask sweat-free! It keeps your drink COLD for up to 24 hours, and HOT for up to 12 hours. *NOTE: ONLY the 14 Oz, 18 Oz, & 22 Oz fit in cupholders*
  • 3 LIDS: YES, Iron Flask comes with THREE different 100% LEAK PROOF lids. Carabiner Straw Lid with 2 Straws, Flip Lid, and a Stainless Steel Lid! *NOTE: The stainless steel lid is plastic from inside and stainless steel from outside*
  • 18/8 PREMIUM STAINLESS STEEL: The Iron Flask is made of 18/8 Stainless steel that is 100% BPA free and non-toxic. It will never leave a metal taste or rust. HAND WASH ONLY WITH SOAPY HOT WATER!

The Iron Flask is insulated so your drink will be cold or hot when you want to drink it. The straw makes it easier to drink without needing to open a lid on undo a cap. In fact, the Iron Flask comes with 3 different lids all that are leak-proof so that you can switch the lids to be right for the type of drink in the bottle.

Out-of-the-Box Road Trip Gifts

If you’re looking for gifts for road warriors who have it all, how about a more experiential gift that creates a happy memory.

26. National Park Pass

One of the most popular types of road trips is to explore some of the 61 National Parks, not to mention the 400+ monuments, forests, seashores, and recreation areas that are part of the National Parks system.

National Parks Pass

An  America the Beautiful National Parks Pass  is good for 1 year from the month of purchase. The pass includes admission for the driver of the vehicle and all the passengers (up to 4 adults.) to all National Parks including popular road trip destinations like the  Grand Canyon  and  Zion National Park.  Kids 15 and younger are free. 

The pass also covers many National Monuments and National Forests like some that can be visited along an Oregon Coast road trip.

27. Get Your Guide Gift Card

Give experiences over stuff and let the recipient choose depending on their destination and their interests. With a  Get Your Guide Gift Card , you can choose from thousands of experiences including activities and tours in National Parks and U.S. cities like New York, New Orleans, and Chicago. How it works is simple.

Just select a value for your gift card and let the lucky traveler choose! The gift card is valid for up to 3 years from the purchase date.

GYG GIft Card

So if the road-tripper on your list is headed off on a  National Park road trip to Utah , they can choose a 4×4 off-roading adventure.

Or while in Grand Teton National Park, head off on a guided wildlife safari. It’ll be their choice to decide what’s right for their travel plans and the best souvenir with which to return home.

Gifts for road travelers combine versatility, usefulness, and size. But car travel gifts are also items that make the whole trip an unforgettable success!

Which road trip gifts are on your list?

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27 Best Road Trip Gifts For People Who Love the Open Road

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30 Road Trip Essentials for Your Next Cross-Country Adventure

All the gear you need to get road trip-ready.

seat cushion, phone holder, water bottle, travel pillow, car cooler, car tissue box, car trash can

If you buy something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?

Since there’s no 50-pound weight limit when you drive, it’s tempting to stuff everything you own into the car with you — but the reality is, there’s only so much room before you reach maximum capacity in that Subaru Outback. And if you want all passengers to be comfortable, legroom is not something to sacrifice — trust us, it’s for the greater good.

Instead of haphazardly shoving everything but your kitchen sink into the trunk and backseat, though, try to focus on checking just the essentials off your list. We're not just talking about the basics either: We mean things you probably would have forgotten, as well as things you never even thought about bringing.

To make sure you lock in a vacation to remember in summer 2022, scroll through this list of road trip essentials for the must-haves you never knew you needed. From seat organizers and hand sanitizer holders to disposable urinals and, yes, even an air mattress for the back of your vehicle, we've got you covered for every scenario. For even more options, check out these discounted picks on Amazon .

Original Soft Cooler

Original Soft Cooler

This affordable but durable soft cooler offers enough space for 24 cans of soda and 14 pounds of ice, while still being narrow enough to store on the floor mat behind your front seat. It's highly insulated and keeps ice frozen for 24 hours, even in the summertime. It comes in several colors and includes a convenient shoulder strap.

More: The Best Dash Cam for Some Added Peace of Mind While Driving

Standard Reusable Shopping Bag (3-Pack)

Standard Reusable Shopping Bag (3-Pack)

These reusable bags can hold up to 50 pounds, but they fold down to about the size of a coin purse. We're big fans of their colorful and cheeky designs and love that they are machine-washable.

Handy for loading and unloading your vehicle, when you're not on your road trip, you can also use them at the grocery store. It's a win-win!

ComfiLife Gel Enhanced Seat Cushion

ComfiLife Gel Enhanced Seat Cushion

If you’ve ever been on a road trip, whether it was a 3-hour drive or a 16-hour one, arguably the hardest part was the seating. Sitting for hours on end is not all that comfortable, but this ComfiLife Gel Enhanced Seat Cushion is here to save your booty.

With over 53,000 five-star ratings, it’s pretty safe to say your bum will thank you. Plus, when you’re not on the road, reviewers swear by it for use on office chairs and even during yoga.

Coffee Collection

Coffee Collection

Clif Bars are a tasty, nutritious snack that helps curb your hunger on the road. Most flavors contain 250 calories, at least 10 grams of protein, and about 5 grams of fat. They have a shelf life of a year and come in several different flavors.

This variant packs 65 milligrams of caffeine, which is the equivalent of a shot of espresso. So if you need a jolt of energy on your drive, this snack has your back.

Sleep Eye Mask

Sleep Eye Mask

Sleep doesn't come easily to all when there's no cozy bed in sight, but this light-blocking sleep mask is sure to help fix that. Use it on the road (passengers only, please) and/or at the hotel, motel, Airbnb, or other locations along the way. A more peaceful sleep awaits you this vacation.

More: 11 Eye Masks for Sleeping That Give You the Best Night's Rest

Hand Sanitizer Holder for Car

Hand Sanitizer Holder for Car

You know the drill: Wherever there are snacks, there needs to be hand sanitizer, especially when there's no sink for miles. This nifty holder makes accessing your hand sanitizer easier, so you can eat in a pinch when you feel yourselves getting hangry mid-trip.

No sticky, germy fingers here! Simply clip it wherever you'd like inside the vehicle — the headrest, door, et cetera — and enjoy the drive with convenience at your fingertips.

Car Backseat Organizer (2-Pack)

Car Backseat Organizer (2-Pack)

No matter who you're traveling with, there are always a million loose items that get taken out of bags and tossed around throughout the ride. These backseat organizers are lifesavers for this very reason, especially if you're traveling with children. They can hold everything and anything a passenger could need without having to rummage through bags or fight over what belongs to who.

299-Piece All-Purpose First-Aid Kit

299-Piece All-Purpose First-Aid Kit

This first-aid kit may not look like anything special on the outside, but this soft-sided case contains a whopping 299 pieces. Supplies include vinyl gloves, bandages, a cold compress, gauze pads, a trauma pad, cotton-tipped applicators, first-aid tape roll, antiseptics, and all three common over-the-counter pain medications. The inner pockets are clear so you can find whatever you're looking for quickly.

Windproof Travel Umbrella

Windproof Travel Umbrella

A lot can happen from one destination to the next — and if there’s one thing we won’t allow you to do, it’s get caught in a storm without being prepared. No need to get drenched from head to toe at a rest stop with this compact, windproof umbrella: It’s top-rated and won’t take up much space in your car, making it a win-win.

Car Headrest Mount

Car Headrest Mount

This headrest mount clasps to the arms underneath your vehicle's adjustable headrest. It keeps a Nintendo Switch secure and easily in view during those long road trips and comes in black, red, or white to perfectly match your car's interior.

The stand will work with a smartphone or small tablet. We were glad to see that it doesn't block the Switch's charging port, either.

DriveSmart 55 GPS Navigator

DriveSmart 55 GPS Navigator

Sure, you can use your smartphone to get turn-by-turn directions, but in rural areas where coverage is spotty, you may be left in the dark! Not to mention, using your phone's GPS will drain its battery and use up your data plan.

This Garmin offers a convenient split-screen design that shows you what lanes to be in when you approach your exit. It's easy to use, and the device receives map and traffic updates at no cost to you.

Easy One-Touch Wireless 2 Car Charger

Easy One-Touch Wireless 2 Car Charger

A wireless car charger helps keep your phone juiced up while driving. We love that it's easy to mount and unmount your phone, and we found its suction cup to be secure. The suction cup can also be installed on your dash multiple times.

If you don't want to stick anything to your dashboard, it's worth mentioning that iOttie also manufactures a model that mounts to your CD player or affixes to your vehicle's air conditioning vent .

No-Spill Dog Travel Bowl

No-Spill Dog Travel Bowl

This portable dog food bowl works for mealtime or for keeping your pet hydrated on the drive. It features a tapered lip that keeps splashing to a minimum, so your car's interior won't get sopping wet from spillage. It's also dishwasher-safe, backed by a lifetime warranty, and comes in red or blue.

KibbleGo Dog Food Travel Bag

KibbleGo Dog Food Travel Bag

Most pet owners are guilty of reusing a plastic grocery bag or Ziplock to store their pet’s dry food when traveling. This pet food travel bag is a much better alternative: It has enough space for up to 10 pounds of kibble and will help keep food fresh.

You can carry it using the included strap or by the handle at its top. We appreciate the addition of its roomy front pocket for storing treats and medication. It even has a bungee for holding a bottle of water, and there's an integrated poop bag dispenser, too.

Car Tissue Holder with Facial Tissue Bulk (4-Pack)

Car Tissue Holder with Facial Tissue Bulk (4-Pack)

Don’t add “futile digging for a tissue” to the list of possible stressors on your summer road trip. These adorable tissues fit perfectly in a car cup holder so you never have to worry about a snotty situation. Step aside, seasonal allergies!

Car Seat Hooks

Car Seat Hooks

Optimize space and bless backseat passengers with a little extra legroom by using car seat hooks. Not only will they allow for more space on the floor to keep things tidy, but they'll also help stop things from spilling out of your purse when you hit a pothole or two. Bonus points for being functional on a daily basis when you're no longer traveling!

PD 45W Type-C Car Charger

PD 45W Type-C Car Charger

This accessory is one of the few car chargers that can recharge a 13-inch MacBook Pro at its fastest rate (29 watts), making it one of the most powerful models available. It can recharge a Nintendo Switch, your smartphone, or your tablet, too. Best of all, it comes with a USB-C cable and costs less than $20.

More: The 5 Best USB Car Chargers That Will Fully Recharge Your iPhone In Less Than An Hour

AirPods Pro

AirPods Pro

We hear “road trip” and immediately think of blasting tunes while driving down the highway. While this is absolutely a source of fun on car trips, don’t come unprepared without having headphones for when the energy shifts and you want to watch TikToks but another person is trying to sleep.

Of course, if the ones you bring along are wireless , make sure they're fully charged and have a case to give them some extra power when the battery starts to run low.

Wilderness Wipes

Wilderness Wipes

The longer the road trip, the messier it becomes. Whether your hands get sticky from snacking or drink spillage, or you just get sweaty from the sun beating on you all day, these wipes are the best we’ve come across.

Measuring in at 8x12 inches, they’re much larger than the competition so they can help clean bigger messes. The wipes contain moisturizing vitamin E and soothing aloe vera to keep your skin feeling fresh and clean.

Premium Day Tripper Set

Premium Day Tripper Set

Nothing ruins a trip quite like sunburn. Protect yourself from UVA and UVB rays with an SPF-packed body lotion and lip balm, but also come prepared with after-sun products to soothe any discomfort. This Sun Bum kit has one of each, plus a cute little pouch, so you can drive assured that you're ready to take on the heat.

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Brandon Carte has been covering technology at BestProducts.com since 2017, where he's been writing about the latest gadgets, appliances, and scouring the internet for the products that make life easier. His reporting has been featured on TopTenReviews.com , Good Housekeeping and USA Today. When he's not researching washing machines or testing robot vacuums, you can find him at concerts, swimming laps, or at the movies. He thinks smartphones are too big, prefers MP3s to Spotify, and misses his iPhone’s headphone jack.

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The 58 Best Gifts for Travel Lovers in 2024

Peruse these practical and thoughtful gift ideas for every traveler on your list.

cross country travel gift ideas

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Travel + Leisure / David Hattan

Shopping for your travel-loving friends and family can be tricky — after all, you’ll want to ensure you’re picking up something practical, but you also don’t want to gift them something they already have. It’s also worth considering that frequent travelers, especially digital nomads, tend to live a more minimalist life. This means practical gear will reign supreme over more frivolous items.

You’ll also want to take into account the kind of travel your favorite globetrotters or influencers are into. City explorers or luxury-leaning travelers, for example, probably won’t want the same gear as someone who spends their PTO hiking and trekking through the wilderness.

The following options were hand-picked by our team to suit every type of traveler and vacationer on your list. We’ve extensively researched (or personally tested) all of the following gifts to ensure your purchase will make a thoughtful and genuinely practical addition to your loved one’s travels. Here are the best gifts travelers will love — for all budgets and needs.

Solo Re:Define Backpack

You can’t go wrong with a new travel backpack, and the Solo Re:Define Backpack earns our top pick as the absolute best laptop backpack in the game. It’s lightweight and stylish while still roomy enough to hold the essentials whether your gift recipient plans to use it as a carry-on bag or as a city bag while exploring a new town. It also has a built-in USB port and headphone jack for ease of use.

Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow

The gift of a good night’s sleep on a red eye isn’t exactly something you can wrap in a bow and place underneath the tree — but the Cabeau TNE S3 Travel Pillow makes it possible. This is the best travel pillow in our book; it’s designed to attach to any headrest which helps keep the user’s head from dropping or moving around when sleeping. The air-like cushion is also super comfortable and cozy without being too hot.

Samsonite Freeform Carry-on Spinner

If your giftee is on the go a lot, chances are they could use new carry-on luggage . The Samsonite Freeform Carry-on Spinner is our top pick when it comes to long-lasting and practical carry-on luggage. It’s aesthetically pleasing but also incredibly durable and is able to withstand packed travel schedules thanks to the polycarbonate design.

Away Travel The Compression Socks

Compression socks might not seem like the most exciting holiday gift at first glance — but trust us when we say that once your loved ones start flying with the compression socks from Away, they won’t want to go back. These are the best compression socks we’ve found not just because they’re stylish but also because they work well (see: help prevent swelling and discomfort) without being too tight.

Paravel Passport Case

If your favorite travelers don’t already have a high-quality passport cover, you might want to consider the Paravel Cabana Passport Case. The elegant leather case is our highest rated passport case and can even be personalized with a hand-painted monogram or custom graphic to add another layer of elegance. We also like that this option has an abundance of pockets and card slots to make organization easier.

Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler

The Stanley Quencher has become everyone’s favorite emotional support bottle over the past few months — and it’s easy to see why. This aesthetically pleasing cup fits up to 64 ounces of their favorite beverage and promises to keep their drink ice cold for hours. It’s also available in a ton of fun colorways and patterns.

Boka Fresh on the Go

The Boka Fresh on the Go set was made for travelers who avoid checking a bag at all costs. It includes everything they’ll need to maintain good oral hygiene while on the go, but the toothpaste is TSA-approved and the mouthwash — this is the best part — comes in the form of chewable tablets so it won’t even count toward their liquid quota.

T-core Power Bank

The T-core Power Bank makes a great stocking stuffer — look how tiny it is! — for travelers who are constantly in search of a power outlet to juice up their devices. The compact 10,000mAh portable power bank is small enough to fit in your pocket and can fully charge a new iPhone 2.9 times with one charge.

Jamaica Vibes

Jamaica Vibes is the latest in the Assouline coffee table book family — and possibly one of the most fun options to date. The stunning visual-first book will allow travelers to reminisce about any time spent in Jamaica (or dream about future trips) while the cover and spine of the book will add a dose of elegant and trendy style to coffee tables and bookshelves.

Contiki Tour

You can’t go wrong with the gift of travel itself, and if you’re looking for a big-ticket experience gift for a younger traveler in your life, look no further than a Contiki tour. The pre-packaged trips will take them all over the world with like-minded young people and range from exploring the Garden Route in South Africa to road-tripping through the Balkans.

Epicka Universal Travel Adapter

Sure, a travel adapter might not immediately come off as the most exciting gift. But any traveler will tell you just how valuable a reliable one really is. The Epicka Universal Travel Adapter is the best travel adapter in our book; it works in more than 150 countries and it’s super compact and easy to pack thanks to the modular design. Plus, you can always pair it with a flashier item like a travel-themed phone case .

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream

Luxury hand cream is a great gift for anyone, but particularly for the frequent flyer. The L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream is very lightly scented (which is great for the plane), but it’s also incredibly moisturizing and rich in texture. It’ll serve as the hydration and comfort MVP during long, dry flights.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 16GB

Being a traveler and a voracious reader can be tricky — you likely don’t want to go bookless on the go, but who wants to lug several books from city to city just to make sure they’ve got reading material? Certainly not us, and that’s why the Kindle Paperwhite has become a non-negotiable. The ultra-lightweight device can store thousands of books in one spot and you can even download new content while traveling — so avid readers will never run out of material (or worry about going over the carry-on weight limit with books).

Mise 店 Udon Gift Set

Traveling to Japan changes you; once you’ve visited, you’ll want to return again and again. That’s why the Mise 店 Shoshi Watanabe Udon Gift Set is a major win for anyone who has traveled to (and fallen in love) with the country. The bundle includes everything your gift recipient will need to cook delicious udon at home, all of which has been sourced directly from Japan.

Lavazza Espresso Italiano

If they’re constantly posting throwbacks to their summer vacation in Italy, give them the gift of an Italian morning at home. The Lavazza Espresso Italiano tastes just like those shots of espresso you can guzzle at every corner cafe in Rome. Bonus points if you pick up a set of espresso cups to really set the mood.

SereneLife Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board

 Amazon

The SereneLife Stand-up Paddle Board is an excellent option for anyone who wants to bring the spirit of resort life home. We tested out a variety of inflatable paddle boards and our team agrees that this is the best board on the market thanks to the lightweight, portable design and impressive stability in the water.

Jabra Elite 8 True Wireless Earbuds

It doesn’t matter if your gift recipient is a city or a wilderness traveler: everyone can use a reliable pair of earbuds to take on the road. The Jabra Elite 10 True Wireless Earbuds offer the same high-quality sound and design as much more expensive options, but the under-the-radar headphones come with a much more digestible price tag.

LARQ Bottle PureVis

The Larq Self-cleaning Water Bottle is a true game changer for all kinds of travelers. The smart bottle uses UV technology to not just disinfect itself but also to purify the water you’re drinking. This means the jetsetter you’re shopping for will be able to comfortably drink from most water sources without worrying about getting sick.

Tommy Bahama Backpack Beach Chair

The Tommy Bahama Backpack Beach Chair is simply the best beach chair around — and it makes a great gift for road-trippers and camping enthusiasts alike. It’s super easy to transport thanks to the folding backpack design and is surprisingly comfortable due to the adjustable head pillow and elongated seat. We also like that the frame is rust-proof, meaning it’s perfect for using at the beach or in the rain.

Gonex Compression Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are a game changer for efficient and organized packing, and the Gonex Compression Packing Cubes are our top pick for best packing cubes . The ultra-soft, lightweight ripstop nylon design simplifies packing and compresses everything from T-shirts and sweaters to socks and underwear, taking up way less space in a suitcase and making it easy to find specific garments without having to unpack completely.

Raytix RFID Money Belt

Travelers who take organization — and safety — seriously will particularly appreciate the Raytix RFID Money Belt. Our number one pick for the best money belt , this practical pouch is super comfortable to wear and is also large enough to hold things like earbuds, transit tickets, and other small travel accessories they may want to keep close by. It’s also available in a huge variety of fun colorways to suit every style

Intelligent Change Inc. The Five Minute Journal

Sometimes, it can be hard to live in the moment and absorb all the magic that is travel — but a gratitude journal can help ensure your globetrotter stays centered on the go. The Five Minute Journal takes, as advertised, just five minutes of a traveler’s time, but jotting down their thoughts for those few minutes will help them remember and appreciate the most exciting parts of their day while traveling or at home.

The Alchemist

This famous fable by Paulo Coelho is an excellent gift for travelers (and aspiring travelers) of all ages. The Alchemist is one of those books that we’ve read time and time again when searching for inspiration. It’s a quick but impactful read that’ll inspire anyone to continue to work toward their goals and find their own Personal Legend.

Andobil Car Phone Holder Mount

The best car phone holder mount in our book is the Andobil Car Phone Holder Mount, and it’ll make a great gift for roadtrippers and car commuters. It’s super easy to install and, once set up, is incredibly stable and easy to use while on the go. There’s also space to plug in a charger so drivers won’t have to mess around with their phone just to get some juice.

Puffer Hug 418 Scarf

Think of the Puffer Hug 418 Scarf as a stylish and equally practical alternative to the fishing vest. Hear us out: this cozy accessory serves as a regular scarf but also has tons of pockets for things like a smartphone or passport. It’s great for wearing to the airport when you need to have documents at the ready but is equally sensible for wearing to explore a new city.

Slip Silk Skinny Scrunchies

The Slip Pure Silk 4-pack Skinny Scrunchies is a fail-safe gift for anyone with long hair. The silk design is gentle on the hair and is designed to not pull or cause breakage, even with regular use. We also really like the elegant patterns and colors of the scrunchies, which can easily double as cute arm candy among a stack of bracelets.

Vinarmour Travel Wine Carrier

Wine-loving travelers will flip for the Vinarmour Travel Wine Carrier. This stunning carrier is designed to transport a bottle of wine without any risk of breakage. It features sufficient padding to keep the bottle safe while in transit, but it’s also made from leak-proof material — so even if the bottle was already damaged and cracks while in cargo, it won’t spill on the rest of your luggage.

Smithsonian White Mineral Globe Paperweight

Smithsonian

The Smithsonian White Mineral Globe Paperweight makes for a stunning addition to a coffee table or desk. The hand-polished globe is crafted from a stunning combination of two kinds of green jade, lilac lepidolite, red stone, marble, and abalone, and it’s designed to pay tribute to the National Gem and Mineral Collection — one of the largest collections of its kind.

The Harmonist Travel Coffret

The Harmonist

The Harmonist Travel Coffret is a game-changer when it comes to feeling fresh and relaxed in transit. The set of three heavily-concentrated perfumes were designed to foster a sense of calmness and relaxation thanks to the various notes, including patchouli, pomelo, Bulgarian rose, and vanilla. It also comes with a striking travel case to keep the vials safe in transit.

Spirit Daughter Malachite Palm Stone

Spirit Daughter

If you’ve got a nervous traveler on your list (or someone who could use a little extra protection), consider the gift of a Malachite Palm Stone. Malachite is believed to ward off danger and fight off illness which makes it a great healing crystal for any traveler to keep in their carry-on or toiletry kit while traversing the globe.

Twelve South AirFly Pro

The Twelve South AirFly Pro is such an easy way to upgrade the economy experience. This handy little device allows travelers to use their own Bluetooth headphones or earbuds with the inflight entertainment system rather than having to use the sub-par freebies provided by the airline. The AirFly is super easy to use as well — all you have to do is plug it into the headphone jack on the plane and pair it with your headphones.

Tumi Leather Jewelry Case

The Tumi Leather Jewelry Case is a game changer for anyone who typically travels with their jewelry loose in their carry-on or cosmetic bag. The beautiful leather accessory is striking in its own right, but the interior makes it incredibly easy to keep all jewelry and accessories properly stowed and organized on the go. The suede interior is also super soft and won’t scratch or scuff delicate pieces.

Four Seasons Velvet Slippers

Four Seasons

There’s something inherently luxurious about slipping into a pair of hotel slippers upon check in — and the Four Seasons Velvet Slippers amplify that feeling and bring it home. These stunning slippers are made in Italy from sleek velvet and cotton with the Four Seasons logo embroidered on the top. The elastic back and rubber sole make them appropriate for both indoor and outdoor use.

Apple AirTag

Don’t let your loved one get stuck with lost luggage sans AirTag. This tiny gadget offers major peace of mind for anyone who has to check a bag (and it’s worth throwing one in a carry-on, too — just in case a gate check situation arises). The AirTag is no bigger than a quarter and pairs with iPhones to easily track and monitor the location of gear at all times — and it has actually helped people get their suitcases back faster.

Nurse Jamie Super Cryo Mini Massaging Orb

The Nurse Jamie Super Cryo Mini Massaging Orb is a frequent flyer’s best friend. The device works to increase localized circulation and reduce surface-level inflammation in the skin. It stays cool for up to six hours at a time which should be more than enough to get jetsetters through a red eye to Europe. The stainless steel device can also be used hot for a soothing under-eye treatment.

Birdie Personal Safety Alarm

Here’s one for the solo female travelers on your list. The She's Birdie Personal Safety Alarm is designed to fit incognito in her handbag or pocket — but if she finds herself in any kind of trouble, it’s easy to grab and sound the alarm to draw attention and deter an attack. All she has to do is pull off the top tab to activate the 130-decibel siren and flashing strobe light.

Dagne Dover Tech Organizer

Dagne Dover

Nobody thinks they need a tech organizer while traveling, but when you take into account all the cables and adapters required to make international travel smooth, having a specific spot to keep everything untangled is major. The Dagne Dover Arlo Tech Organizer is small enough to pop into a carry-on but has plenty of interior space to store everything a traveler needs.

Lindsay Albanese Toptote Leather Hat Holder

Traveling with a cute hat seems like a great idea, but in practice it can be a bit of a pain. The Lindsay Albanese Toptote Leather Hat Holder allows travelers to bring along a wide-brim hat without having to wear it the entire commute or risking it getting crushed in a suitcase. The clip attaches to the brim of a hat and the built-in carabiner lets you pop it onto a handbag or carry-on for a hands-free solution.

Diptyque Travel Cleansing & Moisturizing Set

This cleansing and moisturizing set will be a welcome addition to any routine whether at home or on the go. The decadent set includes both rinse-free and regular hand wash as well as a moisturizing hand lotion — all of which smell just like your favorite luxury hotel bath products. We also like that this option comes with a cute carrying case that makes it easy to store the items in a handbag or carry-on.

Tangle Teezer Compact Styler Detangling Hairbrush

This detangling hairbrush is a must-have addition to any cosmetic bag thanks to its compact design and convenient top cover. The brush combats knots and tangles without damaging the hair, but it’s truly the streamlined design that makes it so great for travel; your giftee won’t have to worry about squishing the bristles or getting anything stuck in the brush. Plus, the shiny holographic-inspired finish is very pretty to look at.

Baimei Jade Roller & Gua Sha Facial Tools

You’ve probably already heard about the wonders of a jade roller, but the gua sha is just as efficient. This set of two gives travelers everything they’ll need to depuff after long flights or nights out. Note that this set is also available in amethyst and rose quartz, should your favorite traveler prefer a different hue.

Tinggly Bucketlist Experience Collection

If you prefer to gift experiences over physical items but aren’t sure where or when your recipient’s next trip is, consider a Tinggly Bucketlist Experience Collection. The gift package allows them to choose from hundreds of different experiences to partake in around the world, from sandboarding in Abu Dhabi to a food tour of Istanbul.

Vasco V4 Language Translator Device

World travelers always have a few favorite travel products they swear by. For traveling abroad, the Vasco V4 Language Translator Device makes the experience so much easier — not just on the traveler but on the locals as well. This genius device provides instant voice translation in 108 languages and comes with free lifetime internet to ensure it’ll always be functional anywhere in the world. The instant translations mean your traveling pal can have real-time conversations with people across the globe, even if there’s no common spoken language.

Pokoloko Harem Towel

The Pokoloko Harem Towel is handcrafted using 100 percent Turkish cotton by artisans in Turkey — and it’s the perfect beach bag essential. It’s very lightweight and rolls down much smaller than the average towel. However, it’s also incredibly absorbent and quick-drying, so travelers can pop it back into their beach bag at the end of the day without worrying about lugging home a soggy towel.

Ugg Franca Hooded Travel Cardigan

The Ugg Franca Hooded Travel Cardigan was designed with travelers in mind. It’s ultra-cozy and comfortable, but it’s also incredibly easy to fold up and pack away when not in use. We love that it’s fitted like a structured cardigan so you can get away with wearing it from the plane and right into the city if you’re so inclined.

Fellow Carter Everywhere Mug

If your giftee is still traveling the world using disposable coffee cups, it’s time they’ve upgraded. The Fellow Carter Everywhere Travel Mug is a super chic reusable coffee cup that is particularly great for travel, as it has a leak-proof seal that prevents the cup from spilling everywhere when tossed into a carry-on. It also keeps beverages hot for up to 12 hours (and cold for up to 24), so travelers won’t have to deal with lukewarm coffee or water on even the longest travel days.

Vacation Luxury Shine Duo

You can’t go wrong with a selection of sun care products, especially if the traveler on your list tends to prefer warm-weather destinations. The Vacation Luxury Shine Duo offers a cheeky, oil-based take on sunscreen with high-quality ingredients and retro packaging that’ll keep beachgoers protected from the sun without actually smelling like sunscreen.

Babelio Mini Sound Machine

Light sleepers might struggle to fall asleep in a hotel, but the Babelio Mini Sound Machine makes it a whole lot easier. The tiny sound machine won’t take up any space in a carry-on, but the powerful white noise will be more than enough to lull your loved one to sleep, whether they’re in a noisy hostel or a too-quiet luxury suite.

Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag 1L

It’s called the Everywhere Belt Bag for a reason! This Lululemon staple has quickly become a cult classic for travelers (it has quite literally been everywhere this year). The adjustable belt bag is super convenient for everything from hiking to exploring cities hands-free, and the durable nylon material means you won’t have to worry about potential spillage or getting stuck in the rain (it’ll wipe clean with a bit of water).

Longchamp Le Pliage Filet Mesh Bag

Bloomingdale's

Regular travelers know the importance of throwing a decent-sized tote into their luggage. After all, you never know when you’ll need the extra bit of space while on the road. The Longchamp Le Pliage Filet L Mesh Bag offers a sophisticated take on the humble mesh tote complete with a snap closure and both a top handle and shoulder strap for added versatility.

Conair Travel Garment Dual Voltage Steamer

The Conair Power Steam Handheld Travel Garment Steamer makes looking and feeling put together on the road a snap. The compact steamer is small enough to slip into a carry-on bag and pull out as needed while traveling. It boasts a 35-second heat-up time so the traveler in your life can power away wrinkles and creases in no time at all.

Sidney Sleep Mini Travel Size Neck Pillow

Sometimes you just need the comfort of your own pillow to get a good night’s sleep, and this mini travel pillow will do just the trick. The travel-sized memory foam pillow is great for using on planes or camping trips, and the compact size means it can easily slip into a bag for easy carrying when not in use. Consider adding a cozy travel blanket to complete the set.

YETI Roadie 24 Cooler

The Yeti Roadie 24 Hard Cooler will be well received by the road trip warriors and beach bums on your list. Not only is it super aesthetically pleasing, but it can also actually fit an incredible amount in such a compact space — we’re talking up to 33 cans, 26 pounds of ice, and even full-sized bottles of wine.

Loop Quiet Ear Plugs

You don’t quite realize how high-quality the Loop Quiet earplugs are until you really need them. The surprisingly stylish earplugs were designed to be comfortable while sleeping and will serve as a major blessing the next time your gift recipient has been put in a hotel room next to a crying baby or bachelorette party.

Native Union Universal Sling

The Native Union Universal Sling is designed to pop onto smartphones like a phone case — but it comes with a built-in strap that allows travelers to wear their phone like a crossbody bag or around their neck like a lanyard. It’s available in a variety of colorways and is made from recycled material for a more sustainable approach. It’s perfect for travel as it’s more secure than throwing a phone in a pocket or bag as well.

Hotel Lobby Candle City Collection Trio

Hotel Lobby Candle

There’s something inherently luxurious about slipping into a pair of hotel slippers upon check in — and the Four Seasons Velvet Slippers amplify that feeling and bring it home. These stunning slippers are made in Italy from cozy velvet and cotton with the Four Seasons logo embroidered on the top. The elastic back and rubber sole make them appropriate for both indoor and outdoor use.

Conscious Coconut Coconut Oil Travel Ready Tube

Conscious Coconut

Frequent flyers and dry skin just go together, unfortunately — which is why it’s so essential to have heavy moisturizer on hand at all times. The Conscious Coconut Coconut Oil Travel Ready Tube is pretty much the best way to carry around ultra-moisturizing coconut oil without getting it everywhere. It’s pure but packaged in a convenient tube that makes application much easier than that of your standard coconut oil jar.

Metáfora Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Portugalia Marketplace

If you’re shopping for a frequent flyer who doubles as an excellent home cook, you’ll want to consider Metáfora Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This high-quality olive oil is imported directly from Portugal and offers a surprisingly spicy flavor, which makes it great for cooking Mediterranean dishes or simply serving with fresh bread and cheeses.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Kaitlyn McInnis is a lifestyle editor-turned-freelance travel writer for T+L. She started her career as a gift guide editor and has a long-standing passion for helping others find the absolute best gifts (at great prices) for everyone in their life.

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cross country travel gift ideas

Travel Tips and Trivia

Last Updated: January 23, 2024

25 Best Gifts for a Road Tripper [2021]

Are you struggling to find the best gifts for road trippers? Don’t miss this guide to the best road trip gifts for travel lovers!

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Danny Newman

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I hope this post helps you find the best gifts for a road tripper possible!

Now that we’ve fully transitioned into 2021, experts are deeming this the “ Year of the Road Trip ”!

While many people are busting to get out and explore again, it seems like they’re looking for adventures that keep them closer to home.

Road trips are ideal in this regard, offering you the opportunity to see the world outside your door, but keeping the trip within driving distance.

Do you know someone who’s itching to get out on the open road? And are you looking for gifts to send them on their merry way with?!

Well, today I’m going to go through 25 of the best gifts for a road tripper that might help with the hunt.

Whether they’ve planned an epic cross-country jaunt or a local adventure, these road trip gift ideas should help them stay safe, happy, and comfortable around every corner.

Heads up, this post contains affiliate links.

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The best road trip gifts will be happily received by anybody who loves getting behind the wheel and hitting the open road.

25 Best Gifts for Road Trips

Let’s get into it then! Here’s a big bunch of amazing road trip gift ideas that anybody getting behind the wheel is sure to love.

1. Scenic Drive Book

cross country travel gift ideas

The movies make it look glamorous to simply close your eyes and point to a spot on the map where you’d like to travel. However, most people like to have some sort of itinerary before they head out!

Get your friend or loved one a book that charts some of the most breath-taking drives across the country to help inspire and direct their plans.

2. Bluetooth FM Transmitter

cross country travel gift ideas

Every seasoned road-tripper knows that you can’t just drive in silence. Well, you could, but what’s the fun in that? You need an awesome playlist to serve as a soundtrack!

A Bluetooth FM transmitter does more than just play their favourite jams from a USB/MP3 player. It also works as a charger and a hands-free calling device so they can check in at any time.

3. Heated Travel Mug

cross country travel gift ideas

Coffee just tastes better when you’re sipping it from the passenger seat at sunrise, headed to your next destination. It also tastes better when it’s hot, not lukewarm!

Your favourite road-tripper will appreciate a heated travel mug that’ll keep their beverage at the right temperature all day long. It might seem like a little thing, but it makes a huge difference.

This post about the best travel french press coffee makers might also come in handy!

4. Conversation Starter Cards

cross country travel gift ideas

The scenery outside the window might be jaw-dropping, but there will inevitably come a time in every road trip where the energy starts to lull. This is especially the case on those long, flat drives between stops.

A pack of conversation starter cards can perk the mood up in an instant. Each one features interesting, thought-provoking questions meant to help you learn more about your travel companions.

Looking for more cool road trip games and questions? Check out my ultimate guide to keep everyone entertained!

5. Travel Pillow

cross country travel gift ideas

If you’ve ever tried to awkwardly wedge a full-sized pillow between your head and the car window, you know that the setup isn’t exactly ideal.

A convenient travel pillow is one of the best gifts for road trips, offering a ton more comfort and support! Find a gel-filled one to keep your friend cool on a summer trip too.

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With endless stretches of road to navigate, universal car phone mounts make awesome road trip gifts to help you check the GPS safely.

6. Universal Car Phone Mount

cross country travel gift ideas

Road trippers everywhere rejoiced when GPS technology emerged on the scene. Now, it’s nearly impossible to imagine a sojourn that isn’t directed by a voice telling you exactly where to turn and how far to drive.

Of course, it’s never wise to take your eyes off the road, even to read directions. This is where a car phone mount will come in handy! Magnetic models attach to the dashboard in seconds, and can hold a variety of smart devices for easy (and safe) navigation.

7. Car Trash Can

cross country travel gift ideas

On-the-go meals help make road trips unforgettable. Unfortunately, they can also result in piles of paper wrappers, cups, and other general debris.

A car trash can is one of those essential, yet easy-to-forget gifts for road trips. Most attach in seconds to the back of a car seat, offering tons of storage and opening up extra floor space.

8. Portable Bladder Reliever

cross country travel gift ideas

If you know, you know. It can be absolutely miserable when nature calls but you’re an hour away from the closest restroom. While no one exactly plans to use these bottles, they can be lifesavers when you need them the most. It’d also make a nice and funny gift for road trippers!

9. Premium Road Kit

cross country travel gift ideas

Nothing ruins a great road trip like a flat tire or a dead battery.

Give your friend the gift of peace of mind with a multi-piece road kit that includes essentials including jumper cables, flashlights, first-aid gear and other basic tools. They’ll be glad it’s in the trunk if they ever need it.

10. Coccyx Seat Cushion

cross country travel gift ideas

Even the comfiest car seats can turn your tailbone numb. This is due to the extra pressure created as you sit for an extended period of time.

A coccyx seat cushion is designed to alleviate this pressure, keeping both drivers and riders as supported as possible. The best ones are made of gel or premium memory foam for hours of comfort.

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Nobody likes dropping their phone down the gap between their seat and the centre console. That’s why car seat gap organizers make great road trip gift ideas!

11. Car Seat Gap Organizer

cross country travel gift ideas

You’d think that by now, car manufacturers would have come up with a design to eliminate that pesky gap between the car seat and the centre console.

Still, most vehicles continue to leave just the right amount of room for you to accidentally lose your keys, credit card or other small accessories. To fill it up and eliminate this worry, give your loved one a car seat gap organizer! These include different compartments to keep all of their essentials safe and within reach.

12. Portable Safe

cross country travel gift ideas

Regardless of where they’re spending the night, your friend will likely have a few high-value possessions that they want to keep safe during their road trip.

A portable safe is a great, compact spot to store their smartphone, camera, jewellery and more. Most allow users to set their own combinations and are easy to conceal.

13. On-the-Go Laundry System

cross country travel gift ideas

Sure, road trippers can look for the nearest laundry facility and take care of their washing and drying needs.

Yet that isn’t always the most feasible, practical or economic route. Plus, there are many destinations where such resources are simply nowhere to be found.

Today, you can find portable and lightweight wash bags that take care of this task with ease. Just add laundry, soap and water and scrub!

14. Stainless Steel Water Bottle

cross country travel gift ideas

Is the road-tripper in your life planning to stop along the way for some gorgeous hikes? If so, then a solid, durable water bottle is a must-have.

Look for one made of stainless steel, designed to offer cool refreshment for hours. There are lots of options on the market, so find one in their favourite colour and you’re good to go!

15. Hiking Backpack

cross country travel gift ideas

Speaking of hikes, if they don’t already have a hiking backpack they love, this is a great time to get them one.

Look for a lightweight day pack that they can easily take up a mountain or on an impromptu downtown adventure. This way, they can keep their luggage in the trunk and only take what they need.

Don’t want to spend too much? Check out my guide to the best hiking backpacks under $100 .

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Portable coolers make perfect, practical gifts for a road tripper too.

16. Portable Cooler

cross country travel gift ideas

What’s more fun than a road trip? Road trip snacks!

Even if you’re only planning a short excursion, it’s always a smart idea to bring along refreshments. A portable cooler can help keep these items fresh, which is ideal for deli sandwiches or anything else that needs to stay cold.

Print out this comprehensive road trip food list to inspire the recipient with 50 snacks and meals that travel exceptionally well.

17. Camping Blanket

cross country travel gift ideas

One of the beautiful things about road-tripping is that you never know what surprises might await you around the next turn. Before you know it, you could be sitting on the hood of your car, looking up at the stars and down at the city below.

A comfy, indoor/outdoor camping blanket allows travellers to be spontaneous, even if it’s a little chilly out.

Heads up, you might also like this post about the 30 Best Gifts for Beach Lovers !

18. Compression Socks

cross country travel gift ideas

I know, no one exactly likes to give (or receive) socks as a gift. However, hear me out! These aren’t covered with smiling puppies or designed in a pattern that would make your grandma reminisce.

Modern compression socks are actually cool , and they serve a great purpose. They increase the circulation and blood flow in a wearer’s legs, making them ideal for anyone riding in a car for a long period of time. No more cramped calves or sleeping feet!

19. Great Set of Luggage

cross country travel gift ideas

Luggage can be an investment, but it’s a smart one that any recipient will appreciate.

If your budget allows, look for a wheeled, hardside set that will last for years, maintaining its shape and safeguarding the items inside. The ideal pieces are rugged and high-quality, but streamlined enough to easily slip inside a trunk.

20. Selfie Stick

cross country travel gift ideas

Part of the joy of this kind of travel is that you’re guaranteed to pass by plenty of unique and interesting sights along the way.

Selfie sticks get a bad rap, but they can be super useful for all of those infamous road trip pit stops. Print out this list of weird roadside attractions and you’ve got one of the most unique and useful road trip gifts!

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Finding ways to keep kids entertained isn’t always easy on long drives. Portable DVD players solve the problem and make some of the best gifts for road trips as a result!

21. Portable DVD Player

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Does your pal intend to road trip with little ones in tow? While this can be a magical experience for children, there may be a few meltdowns along the way.

This is when they’ll be glad they have a portable DVD player on board. Pop in Paw Patrol, avert the crisis, and take in the view.

cross country travel gift ideas

This is one of the priciest road trip gift ideas, but it can help anyone make the most of their experience.

A drone can follow above the car, capturing each back road travelled and every vista viewed. Your loved one can compile the footage to make a special video of their trip when they return home.

23. Mini Instant Camera

cross country travel gift ideas

What’s old will one day become new again, and that’s certainly the case with fast film.

A step up from the Polaroids of old, today’s mini instant cameras allow users to easily capture the scenes outside their window. Then, they print out the image immediately, so there’s no delayed gratification.

The best part? No shaking required!

24. Car Essential Oil Diffuser

cross country travel gift ideas

A few days on the road is enough to make any car smell…less than fresh.

While air fresheners are always a fun and quirky gift, you can take it up a notch with a sophisticated essential oil diffuser!

Portable models make it easy to spruce up the scent of your car on the go, and can also act as valuable stress relievers if the drive gets a little tense.

25. Road Trip Passport

cross country travel gift ideas

Think of this as a mini journal, with space to record thoughts, plans and experiences on the road.

A road trip passport is a welcome companion on any journey, allowing users to record their favourite moments, memorable stops and more. Many will also include descriptions of popular destinations, as well as helpful checklists and road trip games .

Gifts for a Road Tripper They’ll Actually Use

Do you know someone who plans to explore more in 2021? A road trip is a great way to get outdoors, experience new destinations, and enjoy sights that others miss as they cruise through rush hour.

These gifts for a road tripper are ideal for anyone in your life who’s filled with wanderlust and can’t wait to hit the road. Thinking about hopping in your car and taking off yourself?

Here are 40 epic ideas for what to do on your next adventure behind the wheel!

cross country travel gift ideas

10 Road Trip Gift Ideas for Adults Heading Out for a Cross-Country Trip

On a road trip, kids are pretty easy to shop for – they want stuffed animals, coloring books, kids magazines to flip through. Maybe a deck of Bluey cards to play Go Fish or an iPad with some educational games loaded up. Aaaand done.

When you’re gift shopping for an adult who’s headed out on a road trip, on the other hand, it can be tricky to strike the right balance between practical and fun. Is it helpful enough that it’s okay it’s boring? Is it so “fun” they won’t even pack it to save space? That’s why we’re walking you through some of the best road trip gift ideas for adults – ones they’ll be happy to have, mile after mile, day after day.

Stay tuned for our road trip gift ideas, like:

  • Practical car gifts they can pull out in case of emergency
  • Gifts that will keep them awake on the road with road trip themed entertainment
  • Even road trips gift that help them get the most out of each stop along the way

Get to Know GiftYa, the Gift Card You Can Text

Gift cards don’t have to be old school. You can even get a gift to your favorite road tripper after they’ve pulled out of the garage when you get them a GiftYa eGift card.

Choose from thousands of local and national brands, from their favorite restaurants to their favorite gas station. Customize it with a meaningful photo – maybe their wheels if they’re a car lover or a shot of them on their last vacation – or choose a predesigned wrapper. Add a message, and it’s ready to send by text or email. Schedule it in advance or send it instantly – it’s up to you!

Plus if your friend isn’t a fan of the brand you pick for any reason, there are several ways to exchange, cash out, or otherwise swap their balance – so they’re guaranteed to get something that will really come in handy on their adventure.

1. New Shades from Knockaround

High quality sunglasses that won’t break the bank.

a person wearing sunglasses and smiling

Sunglasses are absolutely a road trip essential. When you’re driving for hours, for hundreds of miles of highway at a time, keeping the sun out of your eyes is the key to staying safe. So rather than popping down the sun visor and hoping that it cuts the glare enough, pick up a pair of shades from Knockaround. 

Knockaround is to sunglasses what Roku is to TVs – they use all the same high-quality parts as high-end luxury brands, but they cut out the middle man to sell them cheaper.

With a variety of silhouettes to choose from and designs in everything from sleek classic colors to bright fun ones, you’re sure to find a pair they’ll be happy to keep on their head or dashboard. Not to mention, Knockaround is always joining new partnerships to bring truly unique glasses to its customers – including present and past collabs with brands such as Care Bears, The American Cancer Society, Bob Marley, and the NHL.

2. Pep Boys Gift Card

So they’re prepared in the event of automotive difficulties.

Text a Pep Boys gift card

Pep Boys gift card

When you’re heading out on the open road, it helps to be prepared. And that means more than carrying a bag of kitty litter in case of icy mountain terrain or brushing up on how to change a tire. They’ve probably got survival essentials like water bottles in the trunk already, so get them a Pep Boys gift card to keep them covered in case something more catastrophic derails their road trip.

Whether they drive over some glass and pop a tire, get into a fender bender or their battery stalls out, this gift is a practical way to show you care about their safety. With everything from tires to towing to car batteries available, Pep Boys will be able to help your road tripper no matter what the highway throws their way.

3. Travel Journal

Give them space to record their adventures so they’ll never forget a detail of their road trip.

a hand holding a book

For many Americans, road tripping across the country is something of a spiritual experience, a bucket list item they finally get to cross off. There’s just something about experiencing the country from coast to coast or top to bottom that feels a little magical – the way plains transition to mountains transition to rainforest transition to coastline. 

Give them space to plan their trip and preserve every memory when you gift them a travel journal like this one from Papier . With room to record six journeys, this handy book will serve them well on this adventure and more down the line. They’ll record their favorite memories from their own perspective in the journal, scrapbook souvenirs, and evey play travel games to kill time on long journeys.

4. Book or Audiobook

Entertain them with tales of the most famous travels in all of american literature.

Book or Audiobook

Whether they’re holed up in a hotel until morning or sleeping in the backseat under a streetlight, there’s bound to be some downtime on any adventure. Keep the spirit of travel alive even in the dull moments when you get them one of America’s quintessential travel stories to read in the evenings or listen to by audiobook while they drive. 

American writers ranging from F. Scott Fitzgerald to John Steinbeck to Hunter S. Thompson have taken to the open road and written about the experience. These are must-read stories for anyone taking up the tradition of traveling across the greatest country on earth.

Not sure where to start? Here are a few road trip reads we recommend for any type of road tripper:

  • The Road by Jack Kerouac : The ultimate road trip story. Inspired by his own adventures, two friends take off on a cross country road trip.
  • Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson : A wild and drug-fueled road trip through the desert to Las Vegas that isn’t for the faint of heart.
  • Travels With Charley in Search of America by John Steinbeck : Yes, the John Steinbeck. Traveling the country he loved one last time.
  • American Nomads by Richard Grant: A nonfiction look about the country’s travelers and drifters by a lifelong essayist.

GiftYa Recommends: Text a Barnes & Noble gift card to complete the gift. With millions of books and audio books to choose from, they’ll have entertainment for their whole road trip and beyond.

5. Sheetz Gift Card

One of our favorite brands, where they can also get fuel for themselves and fuel for their car.

Text a Sheetz gift card

Sheetz gift card

With locations across the Eastern seaboard and mid-central US, Sheetz makes a great gift for any traveler whose adventures take them through the region. Based in Altoona, PA, Sheetz is founded on the promise of awesome made to order food, excellent service, and great rewards on fuel for cars and people 24/7/365.

Seriously, it’s like the best fast food restaurant you’ve had attached to a gas station with major savings and fancy artisan coffee and energy drinks thrown in. They can grab caffeine to help them get through a long stretch of road or just put some gas in the tank. Either way, Sheetz is a must-have gift card for any roadtripper traveling through Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, and more.

6. Portable Charger

For the friend who wants to upgrade their job.

Portable Charger

Not all portable chargers are creative equal. This one is eco-friendly, fast charging, and charges two devices at once, putting at the top of our list!

7. Car Organizer

Keep their laundry out of their snack stash.

Car Organizer

When you head out for a long car trip, you’ve gotta pack all the essentials. From clothes to safety gear to snacks, help them keep it all organized with this handy hex organizer that fits right in their truck. Whether they’re renting a car or bringing their own, this is a must-have.

Get Them Where They Need to Go with a Full Tank of Gas

Send a Citgo gift card

Citgo gift card

No matter how well maintained your road tripper’s vehicle of choice is – how carefully the waxed, how meticulously they vacuumed the interior ahead of their adventure – it won’t take them anywhere without a full tank of gas. And with gas prices fluctuating wildly over the last couple of years, it can be a strain to fill ‘er up enough to get to the next gas pump let alone all the way to their destination.

Keep your favorite road tripper, well, on the road with a gift card to Citgo . Plus with Citgo Pay, saving money on gas and paying for their trip to the pump has never been easier. With a few taps on the Citgo smartphone app, they can pay the bill from the comfort of their car or while they’re pursuing the snacks inside… which means on a road trip, they’ll rack up tons of rewards!

9. ROAM Museum Membership

Keep your pals out of some stinky stituations .

a museum wall with paintings on it

Museums are a great way for road trippers to experience the culture of stops across the country. And for people who have a tight schedule to keep, it’s perhaps the best one-stop option. 

When you purchase them a membership to any museum participant in the ROAM (Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums) program, they get free admission to not only their home museum, but admission and perks at other museums in the organization as well. That includes over 500 museums in 46 states and several countries, including big names like San Francisco’s Cartoon Art Museum, New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Pittsburgh’s four Carnegie Museums among many others.

Plus, a museum membership isn’t as expensive as it sounds. Typically, it costs little more than two admissions. And it goes towards supporting museum programs and preserving culturally significant art!

10. Visa Gift Card

Design a gift card they can use on practically anything.

Build a custom Visa gift card

Custom Visa Gift Card

Still feel like you’re searching for the ultimate road trip gift ideas? Then consider building them a custom Visa gift card. Accepted anywhere that Visa credit cards are accepted, this gift can be used for practically anything they want or need on the road

Plus, in just a few clicks you can customize the gift card with a preset design or a photo of your own.Most customized Visa gift cards print the same day and ship out the next, so you’ll have this awesome gift in hand in no time. 

That’s it for our road trip gift ideas for adults.

Still searching for the perfect gift? Be sure to check out the full GiftYa catalog for even more awesome local and national gift card ideas for the road tripper in your life. Happy shopping!

cross country travel gift ideas

Trae Bodge is the shopping expert here at GiftYa. Trae helps people find the best deals and ideas on popular new items to purchase.

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cross country travel gift ideas

Intentional Travelers

Surprisingly Useful Travel Gifts: 18+ Practical Gift Ideas for Travelers

After years of long-term travel to 20+ countries, there are certain items we’ve found to be surprisingly useful. If you’re looking for gift ideas for someone going traveling, we think a present from this list of useful travel gifts will be much appreciated.

I’ve noticed that a lot of gift guides for travelers are full of gimmicky stuff. They might be fun and cute, but who knows if they’ll actually get used.

That’s why in this post, each gift idea is something we regularly pack on our own trips . They may not all be universal travel  essentials. But they’re some of the best gear and travel accessories that we personally find useful and recommend.

Updated: November 2023. Originally published: 2021.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase through one of our links, we may get a small commission at no additional cost to you. 

Super Useful Travel Gifts

These are our recommendations of useful travel gifts for men and women who like to travel.

Nomatic Wallet: Gift under $20 for travelers

Actually, I think Nomatic has a lot of really cool travel products (like their travel pack and planner). 

The wallet’s novel design allows you to carry multiple cards as well as cash in a slim holder. Just pull on the tab and you cards slide out for easy access.

It fits in your front pocket without bulging – a perfect gift for traveling light.

Available in black, gray, red, and mint. 

Check out the Nomatic wallet here >

Pocket Travel Wifi Hotspot: Gift for Nomads and Frequent Travelers

Travel wifi device in box with manual

Help your loved one stay connected while abroad. This handy device is the size of a smartphone and can connect to data plans in over 130 countries. 

This is a great gift for travelers who plan to visit multiple countries. It saves the headache of having to navigate foreign data plans or set up SIM cards in each new place.

You can purchase a Travel Wifi pocket device for under $150. It includes a small amount of global data preloaded. Then your recipient can purchase data plans as they go, depending on their destination and usage. There’s no contract or subscription.

Packing Cubes: Gift under $50 for travelers

packing cubes travel gear gift ideas

Not only do they keep clothes from becoming a disorganized mess in your luggage, they can also double as “drawers” when you’re staying somewhere with limited storage. This happens to us pretty often.

Just slide the cubes, packed with your clothes, under a bed or stack them on a table, and voila – you have an instant armoire!

Our cubes are mostly by Eagle Creek from REI. We like to use a variety of sizes, which you can get when buying a set.

Browse all packing cubes at REI >

Toiletry Bag: Practical Gift for Any Traveler

useful travel gift ideas

I was gifted my toiletry bag (also known as a dopp kit) a loong time ago, and I still use it every single day.

I especially love that I can hang the bag anywhere. Or I can detach the self-contained bottom pouch if I need to pack light. The material is durable, like a rain coat, so it’s easy to wipe down and keep clean.

Browse all travel toiletry bags at REI >

Kindle Paperwhite: Gift for Travelers and Study Abroad Students

cross country travel gift ideas

If you’re shopping for someone who loves to read and travel, the Kindle is a winner. It will save lots of space in their luggage.

Amazon makes different versions of their e-reader and we’ve found the Paperwhite is the best for our needs.

Its display and readability is amazing; and it doesn’t have extra, unnecessary features that the high-end model has. Though in a bind, you can use it to browse websites. We suggest spending a little extra for ad-free.

Check out the Kindle Paperwhite on Amazon >

Unconventional Budget Accommodations Book

An Intentional Travelers Guide to Unconventional Budget Accommodations by Michelle C. Chang

Notice the shameless plug for our book in that Kindle picture above? It’s true, Michelle wrote a book about the money saving strategies we use to have more meaningful trips on a budget.

And it would make a great gift, too!

The book’s called Unconventional Budget Accommodations: Creative Ways to Save Money on Transformational Travel. 

Update: Our budget travel book was updated in 2021! It’s available for Kindle (use on any smartphone or other device with the Kindle app) and paperback. The original edition is available on audiobook.

Check out the Unconventional Budget Accommodations book on Amazon >

Down Jacket: All Weather Travel Gift

cross country travel gift ideas

First, we both carry highly compressible down jackets on every trip. Even if we’re headed to a warm climate, we still bring them for the plane ride.

It packs up so small and light, there’s no harm in bringing it as a back up in case the temperatures drop or we need a makeshift pillow!

Check out REI’s top-rated compressible down jacket for men > and women here >

Runner’s Belt: Smart Gift for Travel

This has become one of the best travel accessories we’ve found for international travel. The Flip Belt is designed for runners, but we use it as an alternative to those awkward hidden travel belts or waist packs.

It’s comfortable and a great way to hide keys, money, cards, and even small phones.

Check out the FlipBelt at REI >

REI Gift Card: Flexible Gift You Can Email

A gift card for REI can be an incredibly useful travel gift. If the person wants special outdoor gear that’s a bit expensive, you can contribute a set amount with a gift card.

And it’s flexible, in case they need to pick out a specific style and size for themselves.

When our family and friends ask what to give us for Christmas, often we’ll request an REI gift card.

Purchase REI gift cards and e-cards here >

Fun Travel Gifts

Push pin wall map: home decor for travelers.

push pin wall map

We use our push pin wall map to keep track of the places we’ve been. 

There is a wide selection of artistic maps on Etsy. Sturdy canvas ones like ours are best for using push pins, and you’ll also find some made out of wood. Other poster-style maps let you scratch off the countries and States you’ve visited.

We chose a five panel map for our bedroom wall so it would fill up more space but is easier to ship than a giant single piece. The sizes, styles, and colors are endless on Etsy.

Check out wall maps on Etsy here >

Gift Stories, Not Stuff! Tinggly Gift Experiences

Tinggly gift box - give experiences, not things gift

We discovered Tinggly , and think it’s a brilliant idea. This service lets you choose a gift box at a flat price, sends it to your recipient (either a physical box in the mail, or an e-voucher), and the recipient can then choose from 100’s of experiences all over the world.

Gift box options include:

– Birthday, Wedding, Merry Christmas – For Him, For Her, Fun Together – Bucket List – Euro Trip – Gap Year Collection – 2 or 3 Day Getaway

So you can select whatever occasion and price point you want, and the recipient has up to 5 years to make a booking from experiences available in that category.

We had the pleasure of trying this out on our recent trip to San Diego, compliments of Tinggly. We were thrilled to try something we probably wouldn’t have spent money on ourselves: indoor skydiving!

This particular experience is part of Tinggly’s Ultimate Collection gift box , which offers the recipient 790+ experiences to book for one or two people. Here’s a sample of some other options in this gift box:

– A sailing experience for two in Rhode Island – A foodie tour for two in Cuba – A canal float for two in Tulum, Mexico – A pastry class for two in Paris – Walking tour and afternoon tea for two at Buckingham Palace – A bungee jump in Austria – And many, many more unforgettable experiences

We selected the indoor skydiving because we’ve never done anything like it and it was conveniently located during our San Diego trip. Our Tinggly gift allowed us to make our booking through iFly San Diego on our own time. We each got 4-minutes of flight with an instructor, plus a video of us in action (see above). It was a blast!

Purchase Tinggly gift boxes here

Chicca’s Cooking Club Gift Certificates

Review: Why Cooking in Tuscany With Chicca is the best home cooking class in Italy! | Intentional Travelers

Cooking alongside a local cook in another destination revives the excitement of cross-cultural exchange.

Chicca, a charismatic host, teaches seasonal dishes from her Italian heritage live via Zoom from her home kitchen in Tuscany.

P.S. We are proud co-founders of the Club but no longer admins of her classes.

Gifting a membership to Chicca’s Cooking Club gives the recipient a whole season of live cooking classes. You can print or email the gift certificate.

Learn more and purchase Cooking Club gifts here >

Small + Practical Travel Gifts

Field notebooks: stocking stuffers for travelers.

Pocket-sized field notebooks are another easy, useful gift for someone going traveling. We use them all the time to take notes for future blog posts, record words we learn in a new language, sketch out itineraries, or track expenses.

You can find these field notebooks in bookstores, gift shops, and – of course – Amazon.

Browse field notebooks on Amazon >

Clothes Line: Stocking stuffer gift under $15 for travelers

useful travel gift ideas

It’s actually a double cord with sliding beads that help secure your clothing without bulky clothes pins.

You can tie it from tree to tree while camping or hang it up in the corner of a guest room in Europe.

Laundry is always an issue when you’re traveling on longer trips and many places don’t have drying machines readily available. This little pack takes up almost no space, so it’s especially practical for backpackers.

Check out the Sea to Summit Lite Clothes Line at REI >

Travel Towel: Practical Travel Gift

useful travel gift ideas

You might be surprised how practical a travel towel can be.

For most long-term or minimalist travelers, a normal bath or beach towel would take up too much packing space. But this synthetic fiber towel folds up smaller than a t-shirt and it dries faster, too.

Not only can a travel towel save you if your Airbnb doesn’t provide towels, it’s useful in other ways, too.

It can double as a picnic blanket, a makeshift cushion for stadium seating, or a temporary cover over valuables you have to keep in the backseat of a car.

Those are just examples. The point is, the thing is multi-purpose!

Check out the Multi Towel Lite in three different sizes at REI >

Power Adapter: Practical Gift for World Travelers

Digital Nomad Travel Gear Essentials - Tech gear and electronics reviews for long-term travel and working online | Intentional Travelers

This adapter by Bestek is another item we take  everywhere. 

With the wall adapters, you can plug into outlets around the world.

It also converts voltage, which is important if you need to charge up devices in foreign countries.

Since we travel as a pair with laptops, phones, and more, we especially like that you can charge up to 7 devices simultaneously, including via USB.

Check out the Bestek International Power Adapter on Amazon >

Battery Pack: Practical Gift for Electronics Users

Digital Nomad Travel Gear Essentials - Tech gear and electronics reviews for long-term travel and working online | Intentional Travelers

Sometimes your ability to charge devices while traveling is limited. This is especially true on road trips and long flights. That’s why we invested in a really good power bank.

This one from Anker can recharge a smartphone four times. Then just plug it in overnight to power it back up.

We have found this to be really useful if we’re using our phones to watch movies on long, overseas flights. Also, when taking road trips in unfamiliar places, we use Google Maps with our phones’ GPS to navigate. This can drain the phone battery quickly, so the power bank is necessary to keep the phone alive!

You can see our phone cord plugged into our first power bank in the photo above during our New Zealand campervan trip . We now have a similar Anker charger but with USB-C port.

Check out the Anker Portable Charger  or Get it on Amazon >

See also: Digital Nomad Tech Gear Essentials for more in depth reviews of electronics for travel.

Travel Clothing

A nice combo of need + want, travel clothing gifts are both practical and fun. If you don’t have a sense of the recipient’s style and sizing, consider gifting clothing items with a gift receipt attached, in case they need to exchange it.

Woolly two-tone women's sweater and men's travel pants

It’s ideal if you can find a clothing brand that they’ll connect with, too. For us in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle-based Woolly has a nice collection of sustainable and versatile travel clothing.

You might also like these posts:

– Long Term Travel Essentials: Clothing Recommendations – Packing Hacks of Frequent Travelers – 12 Items We Take With Us on Every Trip

Useful travel gifts and ideas for what to buy people going traveling

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Thanks, Kathy. We got our clothes line from REI, as with most of our gear, since their returning policy is generous if it turns out to be not quite what you need.

Hola Michelle y Jedd! Que grandes ideas! We won’t need some of these for our upcoming trip to Mexico but when we return to Europe next summer I can definitely see how some of these would be handy. And yes, I agree with the others that the clothes line is super useful. Can you not remember where you got it? ~Kathy

Very helpful gift ideas. Going to hop on to Amazon and buy the clothes line, travel towel and packing cubes!

Down jackets and power banks are definitely quite useful stuff! We’re so glad we brought them with us here in South America!

Those gifts are actually super useful. I personally love the clothes line <3

Thanks, Thomas. We’re glad you agree!

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10 Great Travel Gifts for Road Trip Warriors!

by Sharon Rowley Leave a Comment

Is this the year that you are planning that once-in-a-lifetime cross-country road trip with the kids? Perhaps you'll be spending the holidays traveling to Grandma's house seven states away? Or maybe you just spend hours in your car each week driving your kids to all of their travel team games! No matter what makes you a card-carrying member of the “road trip warrior” club- you know how important it is to have an organized car and one that is set up to entertain the kids while you are on the go. Here are 10 items that make great travel gifts  to take along on family road trips !

No matter what makes you a card carrying member of the "road trip warrior" club- you know how important it is to have an organized car, and one that is set up to entertain the kids while you are on the go. Here are 10 items that make great gifts for families to take along on road trips!

Great Travel Gifts #1: Car Seat Organizer

travel gifts: car seat organizer

If I am going to be in the car for a long period- I need to keep it organized! And one of the biggest things I can do is to corral all of the items that the kids bring into the car, so they aren’t all over the floor when we make a rest stop!

If your kids sit in a bench style row of seats and there is an open seat between them, then you will love this large kids car seat organizer This is an affiliate link: MomOf6 earns a commission if you purchase, at no additional cost to you. with plenty of space for books, DVDs, iPads, snacks, as well as two cup holders to keep drinks upright.

And this bin comes with a top that can be flipped over and used as a food tray- which we find to be quite handy!

#2: Power Inverter

travel gifts: power inverter

If your road trips are all under 2 hours, you probably don’t need a power inverter for your car. Or, if you are lucky enough that your newer model vehicle comes with power ports next to every seat- then you’re all set! But for those of us who need to get power to each family member so that DVD players can run or other electronic devices can be recharged while in transit- then you might want to consider investing in a power inverter This is an affiliate link: MomOf6 earns a commission if you purchase, at no additional cost to you. .

This box plugs into a standard car outlet and makes the power supplied by your car’s battery available to regular plug-in devices. We snake extension cords under the passenger seats so that everyone has access to an outlet to plug in a device (one per person!) as we travel.

#3 Dual Screen Portable DVD Players

travel gifts: portable DVD players

When we purchased our big family vehicle, we specifically did not want to have DVD players permanently installed in the car, because we didn’t want our kids to expect to watch a movie every time we drove just across town. But a long road trip is an entirely different matter!

Over the years we’ve gone through a lot of different DVD players- from having the kids share one screen between two of them, to having a two-screen model where both screens played the same film, to this dual-screen DVD player This is an affiliate link: MomOf6 earns a commission if you purchase, at no additional cost to you. which we have had for over 3 years now and gives us the option of either playing the same movie on two screens (a cord connects the two screens) or playing two separate movies each on its own screen.

The DVD players came with straps that allow you to mount them onto the back of the headrest of the seat in front of you, or more often, my kids just like to hold them in their laps while they watch a movie.

#4 Leak-Proof Trash Bin

travel gifts: leak proof trash can

If you are going to allow your kids to eat in the car, which we always do on road trips, then there is going to be a fair amount of trash. And if you are going to indulge them in a mid-afternoon ice cream sundae on a road trip- there is going to be trash that leaks!

To protect your car (and keep you sane), you are going to want to have a few of these leak-proof trash bins This is an affiliate link: MomOf6 earns a commission if you purchase, at no additional cost to you. on hand, at least one for every row of kids in the car! I line mine with plastic shopping bags so the trash can easily be thrown out at rest stops, but sometimes those plastic bags leak- so it is nice to know that the trash bin will keep it contained until you can rinse it out at your destination!

#5 Leak-Proof Water Bottles

travel gifts: leak proof water bottles

And speaking of leaks…. it is important to travel with leak-proof water bottles! Sure- you can pass out plastic bottles of Gatorade or water, but you and I both know the kids are going to forget to replace the cap, or worse, drop the cap on the floor where they won't be able to find it en route! The next thing you know, someone bumps something and their drink spills all over the floor!

These CamelBak bottles This is an affiliate link: MomOf6 earns a commission if you purchase, at no additional cost to you. make things so much easier! They have a twist-lock top which makes them completely leak proof. And even if your kids forget to lock the top, if they drop it on the floor it won't easily spill out while they are retrieving their bottle.

cross country travel gift ideas

Then be sure to check out this list of the Best Travel Games This is an affiliate link: MomOf6 earns a commission if you purchase, at no additional cost to you. for kids over on my Amazon influencer page This is an affiliate link: MomOf6 earns a commission if you purchase, at no additional cost to you. !

#6 Phone Holder and Organizer

travel gifts: cup holder organizer

I like to have my phone, my charger, my sunglasses and my EOS lip balm handy- but I couldn't squish all of that into a cupholder- until now! I am loving this cupholder organizer This is an affiliate link: MomOf6 earns a commission if you purchase, at no additional cost to you. .

It is wide enough to fit my phone and charger in the back section, with my sunglasses tucked behind. And I can still fit my egg-shaped lip balm in the front. Now nothing rattles around in my cup holder while I drive (which makes me crazy!)

#7 Lap Desk

travel gifts: lap desk

For those of us that like to get a little work done while someone else drives, these lap desks This is an affiliate link: MomOf6 earns a commission if you purchase, at no additional cost to you. are fantastic! I love how they have compartments at the top that can hold your phone, pencils, pens, and post it notes. There is plenty of room on the desk to write, draw, or work on your laptop. It allows me to make great use of all of that time we spend on the road!

#8 Rest Stop Guide Book!

travel gifts: Next Exit book

I love, love, love this book called Next Exit This is an affiliate link: MomOf6 earns a commission if you purchase, at no additional cost to you. that contains a listing of fast food places, restaurants, gas stations, and hotels at upcoming exits on all of the interstates across the United States. When the kids start getting hungry in the car, we can just look up what’s available up ahead at the next 3 or 4 exits and decide which place we would like to stop at.

#9 Soft Cooler

travel gifts: soft sided cooler

We also purchased these re-freezable ice cube sheets This is an affiliate link: MomOf6 earns a commission if you purchase, at no additional cost to you. – they are very lightweight, and they wrap around bottles and other things we are trying to keep cold, so we can fit them in between items in the cooler and we keep everything nice and cold.

#10 Cozy Car Blanket

travel gifts: cozy car blanket

Especially when we take road trips in the colder months, my kids love having a lightweight fleece blanket to wrap around them. And I love that these car blankets This is an affiliate link: MomOf6 earns a commission if you purchase, at no additional cost to you. are warm and fuzzy, yet roll up into a small size so they can be tucked next to an armrest or under a seat when not in use.

Packing for a road trip?

You might want to check out these other posts that offer tips and advice on planning and packing for road trips:

  • How to Plan a Great American Road Trip
  • Packing for a Road Trip : How to Pack the Inside of Your Car
  • The Best Car Coolers for a Family Road Trip

And if you are looking for some cool family road trip destinations:

  • 10 Great  Things to Do in Atlanta with Kids !
  • 10 Great  Things to Do In South Dakota  with Kids!
  • Things to Do in Williamsburg with Kids!
  • Things to Do in New Smyrna Beach Florida with Kids!
  • 5 Reasons to Visit Mammoth Caves with Kids
  • 7 Great  Things to Do in Lake Placid  with Kids

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Home » Travel Gear » 25 Perfect Gifts For Someone Going Travelling That Are Actually Useful

25 Perfect Gifts For Someone Going Travelling That Are Actually Useful

Links in this article may earn us a little money if you book/ order stuff. More here .

Gifts for Travel Lovers

Need Gifts for Someone Going Travelling? Welcome to Our List! 

If you need gift ideas for someone going travelling, you’ve come to the right place! There are loads of large and small travel gifts for people who love to travel. The trick is to find gifts that they will actually want and use when they are out on the open road!

This is a topic we know quite a bit about. It’s taken a few years to refine our travel gear but we are now at a point where we’re happy with how we travel and our packing list . That said, since we travel light and lean, most larger gifts/items don’t work for us.

This makes it hard for people to buy us a good leaving present. Not because we are picky and want the best luxury travel gifts – we just travel light and we don’t usually have the room to spare!

As an “essentials only” travel duo, this list reflects useful and practical gifts that we use all the time. So, whoever you have in your life heading off on their next adventure – like friends or family going travelling – here are 25 great ideas for gifts for her or gift ideas for him!

Things to Consider When Buying Gifts For Someone Going Travelling

When buying gifts for someone going travelling, you should to consider a few buying factors before you make any purchases. We chat about a few of them below in no particular order!

Purpose:  The purpose of the gift should be pretty self-explanatory given the kind of product you buy. A camera is for taking photos and a dry towel is for towelling off, obviously.

What we mean by “purpose” is: Is your traveller in mind going to use it? Does it serve their needs? Do they need whatever it is you are buying them?

The Traveller: Have a think about their “travel style” and you’ll very quickly begin to piece together what they might need and what they might find useless.

This is not to say that you bought a bad gift – because these products are all great ideas – but does YOUR traveller need whatever you are buying them for their trip? That’s the better question to ask. 

For example, we probably wouldn’t need a neck pillow because we don’t have the space in/on our bag AND we try to take the train short distances at a time. That said, your traveller might be on long haul flight after flight so a neck pillow can be a life saver.

Price/Quality:  Obviously, you will want to have a think about the price of the gift as a buying factor. Is the gift idea even within your price range that you set out?

Is it wise to buy your traveller an expensive “thing” if they are going to a country where it might get stolen? These are things to think about.

Regarding quality, a higher price usually reflects a better quality good – but NOT always. Eric has a cheaper travel towel that he got in 2015 but it still works great for him.

It’s pretty soft and very packable! You will want to ensure product quality on an item like a combination lock, however. Those types of gifts are important to get right. Plus, a good lock can last a lifetime.

Cheap Gifts For Someone Going Travelling

There are a ton of cheap gift options for someone going travelling. Many of these are “add-on”gifts that compliment things they already have or are smaller detail-oriented gifts (like a travel lock).

You could also find out which of these smaller items your traveller doesn’t have and then buy a few of them like a “traveller sampler pack”!

Travel Journal –  Shop Now

cross country travel gift ideas

Eric has been journalling since 2007 and – while now on his third notebook – his written ideas have spanned four continents.

His most recent journal is a leather-bound one like the one featured here. It’s durable for tossing into his backpack and the leather string keeps it closed and the pages protected.

A travel journal is a great gift for someone travelling for the first time – and they might thank you years later for it!

Travel Adapter – Shop Now

cross country travel gift ideas

If you are travelling to or from North America to Europe, Australia, or other parts of the world, it is very likely that you’ll need a travel adapter for your electronics since otherwise you’ll not be able to charge any of them.

We have quite a few travel adapters at home since Eric with his North American prongs needs a travel adapter in Europe while Lisa with her European prongs needs a travel adapter when we are in Canada.

We really like adapters that come with USB-slots (like the one pictured above) since it means that we can charge both of our phones at the same time.

So if your person going travelling is going on an international trip, check if the plugs are different in that location. In case they are, consider getting them a travel adapter.

You can never have too many (good) travel adapters and admittedly checking the plugs at the travel destination be something that travellers often forget to think about!

Travel Towel –  Shop Now

cross country travel gift ideas

They fold quite small and are quick drying which makes them perfect to take to the beach or even use as a blanket when having an impromptu picnic.

If your traveller is planning a backpacking or adventure trip then a travel towel is an essential item. If you know that they don’t have one yet, then this might be a perfect addition to their travel gear!

Buying for a Backpacker? –   Check Out These Great Travel Gadgets for Backpackers

Combination Lock –  Shop Now

cross country travel gift ideas

These locks are great for locking up your valuable at hostels and often you are expected to bring your own.

Lisa actually also has a smaller combination lock that she uses to lock up her backpack (which we mention it further below).

While this might not really be necessary it gives her peace of mind when we are walking around or on a train/bus with all of our valuables in the bags.

Sleep Mask –  Shop Now

cross country travel gift ideas

If the person going travelling has a trip planned that includes a long-distance flight or long-distance bus/train ride then getting them a sleeping mask can be a great addition.

Sometimes the light on airplanes doesn’t get dimmed and trying the sleep when the light is really bright can be a struggle that we have both been through many times.

A sleeping mask can help your traveller get more sleep that they otherwise would which allows them to reach their destination better rested.

Travel Cord Organizer –  Shop Now

cross country travel gift ideas

Having a travel cord organizer can be a lifesaver in this case. If the person going travelling plans on taking a similar amount of electronic cords and likes to keep his/her bag or suitcase somewhat organized, then a travel cord organizer like the one above can be a super useful gift.

Small Wireless Speaker –  Shop Now

cross country travel gift ideas

If your traveller enjoys listening to music as well and is going to be surrounded by other people, having a wireless speaker in a travel size can be a great way to bring people together.

We don’t actually own the one pictured above but Lisa is considering getting one like this for Eric. We like the hook that it comes with which makes it easy to attach to your bag or keychain if you wanted to.

Passport Cover –   Shop Now

cross country travel gift ideas

Now that the corners of her passport are quite worn and admittedly look terrible she understands exactly why people get passport covers: to protect their passports from any potential damage or wear and tear over time.

This is quite important since your passport is literally the most important document to have with you when travelling to another country. We found the passport cover pictured above on Amazon and really like the design.

Lisa is actually considering ordering a passport cover for herself now. We think this is a great stocking stuffer or gift idea for anyone that travels abroad frequently.

Mid-Range Gifts For Someone Going Travelling

Mid-range gifts are more the kind of gifts that are travel essentials and having a good one can make or break a travel experience. A great example of this is a daypack.

A good day pack does what it is supposed to and does it well and comfortably. You then never have to worry about your choice of daypack.

A bad daypack – whether poorly made or otherwise – can be an uncomfortable hassle for the entire trip. See how important these kinds of gifts are? Here are a few more examples:

Foldable Daypack –  Shop Now  

cross country travel gift ideas

There are quite a few different brands – Eric actually has a Herschel foldable backpack – but Lisa is a fan of the Osprey daypack .

It also comes with a couple of extra features like side pockets that some other foldable daypacks usually don’t have. If you are interested, we wrote a whole guide on buying a great daypack .

Packing Cubes –  Shop Now

cross country travel gift ideas

Even though her backpack is great and makes it easy to keep things organized, her improvised system of packing cubes works super well.

Now, she would actually be super happy to get some actual packing cubes such as this set of five which comes in different sizes and gives the person going travelling more than enough space to organize the things they’ll take on the trip.

Lifestraw Filter Bottle –  Shop Now

cross country travel gift ideas

However, when we visited Albania we were told to buy bottled water instead. Since we like to drink lots of water throughout the day we created quite a bit of plastic waste and it was also a hassle having to carry the big bottles of water to our apartment.

Therefore we can really recommend that you get the person going travelling a reusable water bottle with a filter straw . This way they don’t have to buy plastic water bottles and can drink tap water that will be filtered through the straw before actually entering their body.

It’s a great gift idea for someone going travelling to Central or South America as well as some parts of Asia, Eastern Europe or Africa or for a person that goes hiking frequently.

Gorillapod Tripod –  Shop Now

cross country travel gift ideas

This is where the Gorillapod Tripod comes in since you can pretty much attach it to any tree, pole etc. and get the photo that you want.

This is a great gift idea if the person going travelling is travelling with someone else or a photography fan. There are different versions of the Gorillapod Tripod depending on how heavy the camera is that you want to attach to it.

We chose the one that would fit Lisa’s mirrorless camera (mentioned below), but if the tripod is only supposed to hold a smartphone you could get the lighter version as well.

External Battery –   Shop Now

cross country travel gift ideas

Having an external battery with you to be able to charge your phone can be crucial if you need said phone to navigate to your hotel or on public transport.

In our opinion, this is a must-have item for any person going travelling – but can be even more important for people who use their phones to take photos since this can drain the smartphone battery quickly.

The external battery we linked to is super slim which is nice since it doesn’t take up a lot of space. This external battery can also hold enough charge to charge your phone more than once.

Fleece Jacket With Zipper –  Shop Now

cross country travel gift ideas

This way, it’s easy to keep the most important personal belongings close to your body. It’s also a bit more secure than having these items in the pockets of your pants.

We would recommend bringing a fleece jackets to anyone going travelling to an area with frequent weather changes.

A fleece jacket keeps the traveller warm during the cold morning and evening hours but is also easy to take off and carry around during the warmer hours of the day. Seriously, consider a fleece jacket with zip pockets as the perfect practical outer layer gift.

Small Toiletries Bag –  Shop Now

cross country travel gift ideas

Lisa has a toiletries bag that is even smaller than this one which fits the minimal amount of make-up she usually takes on trips as well as a travel-sized hair brush. In addition, she also has an airport security approved plastic bag for shampoo, toothpaste etc.

Eric has one that looks pretty much exactly like the one pictured above (but in all black) and it fits travel sized shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, a razor, and lots of other necessities easily.

So overall, if the person going travelling has to watch the amount of things they are taking, a small toiletries bag is definitely a good gift idea.

Travel Coffee Maker –  Shop Now

cross country travel gift ideas

While we really like drinking coffee, we don’t HAVE to have it every morning. That’s why we personally don’t have a travel coffee maker.

But we also understand that there are people whose morning routine would not be complete without a cup of coffee! So, if the person you are looking to buy a gift for is like that, then this travel coffee maker might be a great gift option!

Phone Camera Lens Kit –  Shop Now

cross country travel gift ideas

We didn’t actually know until recently that smartphone camera lenses are a a thing, but they sound super convenient. You just clip the lens in front of your phone camera and then have many more options for taking photos.

This is a great gift idea for people who usually take photos with their phones and are interested in making them look a little nicer than just snapshots.

Since the smartphone camera lenses are quite small it’s also a suitable gift for someone travelling with hand-luggage only.

Travel Wrap –  Shop Now

cross country travel gift ideas

The travel wrap pictured above is essentially the same but specifically designed for travellers and is therefore probably even better than a normal scarf.

It is quite lightweight and folds small but is still big enough so that it can be used as a blanket on an airplane, bus, or train. That’s what Lisa likes to use her scarf for since with some cheaper airlines you don’t get a blanket for long-distance flights anymore.

Having something to wrap around you when you’re tired just makes it so much easier to fall asleep – or at least stay warm.

If the person going travelling likes to wear scarves or is similar to Lisa in this regard, then we think this travel wrap/scarf would be a great gift for them!

High-End Gifts For Someone Going Travelling

If you want to go big and get a more expensive gift, or if you know your traveller is itching for a bigger piece of travel gear, then here are a few ideas listed below.

Typically, these are gifts that you buy once and then don’t buy again for a few years (like a camera or backpack).

These are also mostly products that we already use/would recommend so we put our “Penguin Stamp of Approval” on a few of these items!

Stabilizer For Smartphone –  Shop Now

cross country travel gift ideas

A great alternative is getting a stabilizer for your phone. While this gift is of course not for everyone, we do believe that it’s a perfect leaving present for someone going travelling who wants to capture their adventures for their family and friends at home on video without bringing an additional camera.

A phone camera stabilizer can make videos a lot smoother and improve the shooting quality to a noticeable extent. It can also be a great hint if you want your traveller to share some of their experiences with you when they are gone.

Travel Backpack –  Shop Now

cross country travel gift ideas

This makes it easy to keep things organized in the bag – whereas Eric frequently has to take everything out of his top-loading backpack if we needs to grab something from the bottom. We chat more about comparing travel backpacks here .

If the person going travelling plans on doing a backpacking trip or just prefers NOT to travel with suitcases (which can sometimes be a struggle when walking through cobblestoney Old Towns in Europe, for example), then have a look at the Osprey Farpoint 40 .

We think it is a great size for males and females alike and have never had trouble taking it onto a plane as carry-on luggage.

Noise Cancelling Headphones –  Shop Now

cross country travel gift ideas

Sometimes, it’s nice to just get away and listen to music – or drown out annoying sounds around you!

There are versions that fold down smaller or come with a great carrying case so have a look for the pair that works best for your traveller.

Oh, but if you do use these in the airport – make sure to watch the screens because you might run the risk of missing announcements for your flight! Check out these Bose noise cancelling headphones here .

Unique Carry-On Suitcase –  Shop Now

cross country travel gift ideas

It can actually have great benefits, too. With more and more cheap airlines making you put your carry-on suitcase in the hold before you board the plane, there is a chance that someone mistakes your suitcase for theirs if you have one in a very generic color. Just something to think about.

The awesome colourful suitcase in the photo comes in quite a few different designs which you can check out – but of course there are also lots of other styles.

Mirrorless Camera –  Shop Now

cross country travel gift ideas

The photos it takes when in auto-setting are great but you also have the option to shoot manual if you want.

If your traveller likes taking photos but is more of an amateur photographer than a real pro, then this mirrorless camera is a great option and gift idea!

GoPro Action Camera –  Shop Now

cross country travel gift ideas

However, sometimes it would be nice to see what we are actually filming since unfortunately this model does not have a screen at the back.

We still think the videos so far have turned out quite decent – you can check some of them out on our YouTube Channel . Of course, you could always get a different model!

We think that a GoPro is a great gift for anyone going travelling that wants to capture some of his/her travel moments on video for the family and friends at home to see.

Also, if your traveller plans an adventure trip with water or mud involved a GoPro is definitely recommended over a normal phone or camera.

E-Book Reader –  Shop Now

cross country travel gift ideas

That’s why Lisa is glad that she has her Kindle E-Book reader which she usually takes with her when we go on longer trips. It’s not a Kindle paperwhite but she would definitely upgrade to one when she gets a new one.

If the person going travelling is an avid reader but does not have the space to take multiple books (also remember, books can be quite heavy!), getting them an E-Book reader is a great way for them to take their reading material on a trip.

And there you have it – 25 of the best travel gifts for those heading out on their next grand tour. In the end, there are loads of good ideas out there for gifts that can make travel more comfortable, convenient, safe, and fun.

You just have to know your receiver and buy accordingly! Are you a pro at buying travel gifts? Let us know which gifts are a knockout every time!

As always, Happy Travel Gift Buying’, -L&E

  • Compare flights on Skyscanner
  • Check for Hotel Deals or Book A Hostel
  • Get A Rental Car (depending on the destination)
  • Research plug types and possibly get a travel adapter
  • Go over our packing list

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cross country travel gift ideas

Live A Wilder Life

CROSS COUNTRY ROAD TRIP 101: THE BEST ITINERARIES AND HOW TO PLAN FOR THE GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIP

Post Summary: How to plan a cross country road trip, including the best routes, tips, and resources to use so that it’s smooth sailing once you hit the open road.

A cross country road trip through America is the kind of experience every adventurer needs to try once in their life.

With extraordinary national parks, breathtaking beaches, locally inspired cuisine, and quirky roadside attractions, there’s enough to keep you exploring for a lifetime. But how do you begin to plan a road trip?

The recipe for a great American road trip includes having the most current resources and tips at your disposal so you can get the most out of your time on the road.

That and a great playlist.

We embarked on our own three-month cross country trip in our renovated camper and learned a lot about how to plan a road trip across America.

We’re sharing everything we know, including the best cross country road trip routes and our own road-tested tips to help you plan an extraordinary adventure.

*We loved our USA road trip so much that we knew we had to include it in our post on the essential bucket list for families . Check it out for more inspiring travel ideas in the United States.

*This Cross Country Road Trip post may contain affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission if you purchase from them. This is at no extra cost to you. We only suggest what we think is truly awesome.

CROSS COUNTRY ROAD TRIP GUIDE

This is an in-depth article that will cover everything you need for planning a cross country road trip. You can use the table of contents above to skip around to a section you want to read.

In this article, we’ll cover:

  • How many days you’ll need
  • What kind of car you need
  • Things you need for a cross country road trip
  • Cross country road trip cost analysis
  • Cross country road trip tips
  • The best cross country road trip routes

HOW LONG DO YOU NEED FOR A CROSS COUNTRY ROAD TRIP?

empty desert road leading to Utah National Parks

So how long does it take to do a cross country road trip? The drive from Los Angeles to New York City is 2776 miles and takes roughly 41 hours without stopping. At 8 hours a day, that would take you five days to complete.

But what about stops and, you know…enjoying the ride?

Without knowing your route, it’s hard to suggest a time frame. At a minimum, you’ll need a week for a one-way cross country road trip. Two weeks is better, though. Two weeks allows you to drive for shorter distances and to take more time to enjoy the places you stop at. Three weeks is perfection!

America is the 3rd largest country in the world, so there’s a lot of ground to cover when driving cross country. It’s estimated that it takes about three months to see every state in the lower 48.

THE BEST ROAD TRIP ROUTES IN THE US

cross country travel gift ideas

When planning a road trip, the question “What is the best cross country road trip?” is bound to come up. The sheer size of the US makes answering it a complicated task. Below, I will cover the most iconic road trip routes and a few other suggestions to spark your own creativity. 

Some things to consider for yourself are how much time you have, what season you’ll be traveling in, and what kind of stops you’re interested in making. Do you want to focus on nature activities, touring big cities, tasting America’s best food, or quirky roadside attractions? 

Let the following routes be an inspiration, but don’t forget it’s also possible to plan your trip as you go. 

When we built our cross country road trip itinerary, we knew we needed to get from North Idaho to Maryland. It was winter, so we chose to avoid the Rocky Mountains and any hazardous winter driving conditions. We opened up a map (really, it’s more like we opened up an internet browser and looked at Google Maps) and figured we should head South and plan as we go. 

We knew we would visit Utah’s National Parks, but other than that, we left it open to allow for spontaneity and random side trips.

On our way traveling through Arkansas, I looked at the map and noticed we would be close to Hot Springs National Park. We had time, so we decided to make a small detour to see America’s first unofficial National Park. Those are the kind of things you want to leave time and space for. 

Let’s explore the most popular cross country road trip routes.

*Also, the maps pictured below for each road trip aren’t for driving purposes. They are there to help get you a visual of where the road trip happens.

cross country travel gift ideas

Famous For:  Kitschy roadside attractions, old-fashioned motels, and its throwback Americana feel

Route 66 is the most famous American road trip that is more about the journey than the sights. You’ll travel through small towns where the most you’ll see is an old-fashioned main street and an old diner. It’s worth it to tap into an old-time Americana complete with neon lights and Art Deco motels. It’s also a great opportunity to see underrated cities like Albuquerque and Oklahoma City.

Map of Route 66

Begins and Ends:  Downtown Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles, CA

Time Needed:  At 2448 Miles, Two Weeks (one way)

Highlights :  Cadillac Ranch  in Amarillo, TX, eating a hamburger and an ice cream float in an old-fashioned diner, getting a photo op in front of a Route 66 sign, Tower Station and U Drop Inn Cafe in Texas, Gateway Arch in Missouri.

BEFORE YOU GO: The road can be hard to navigate using GPS. The book Route 66:EZ66 Guide For Travelers is from a passionate lover of Route 66. It’s a thorough guide with descriptive maps. It’s highly recommended for anyone who wants to drive the entire route.

PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY

cross country travel gift ideas

Famous For:  Gorgeous, sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.

The PCH, or Highway 1, is one of the most iconic drives in America. We’ve done sections of the drive, and it never disappoints. From the fecund forests of Washington to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco to the sunny ocean vibes of Southern California, there’s something for everyone on this beautiful coastal drive.

cross country travel gift ideas

Begins and Ends:  Seattle, WA to San Diego, CA

Time Needed:  1650 Miles, It can be done in one week, but 2 weeks is better (one way).

Highlights :  Olympic National Park , Big Sur, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Redwood National Park, Mendocino, Hearst Castle, Los Angeles, San Diego Zoo, Laguna Beach, Tacos in San Diego

Tip : Drive North to South so you can be closer to the water for the drive.

Recommended Guide: Moon Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip: California, Oregon & Washington (Travel Guide)

THE LONELIEST ROAD

woman holding child with his hands up in the air. In the background are the red rocks of arches national park

Famous For:  Large stretches of driving where you’ll see little to no signs of civilization.

Route 50, also known as “The Loneliest Road” and “the backbone of America,” is a true cross country road trip. Taking you from coast to coast, you’ll pass through 11 states on this grand road trip across America. From metropolitan cities like Washington D.C to deserted ghost towns to the azure waters of Lake Tahoe, this route takes you on a diverse cross-section of the US that’s guaranteed to give you a little bit of everything.

cross country travel gift ideas

Begins and Ends:  Sacramento, CA to Ocean City, MD

Time Needed:  3000 Miles, Can be done in two weeks, but three weeks is ideal (one way).

Highlights:  Great Basin National Park, Colorado National Monument, Washington D.C, Lake Tahoe, Moab, Arches National Park

TIP : Make sure your car is in GREAT condition for this road trip.

THE GREAT NORTHERN ROAD

cross country travel gift ideas

Famous For:  The longest transcontinental highway in the US

Highway 2, or The Great Northern Road, takes you coast to coast through 10 states and Canada. From the lush forests of the Idaho Panhandle to the windswept plains of North Dakota to the sophisticated allure of Montreal, this route takes you through some of America’s most beautiful spots. This is the best cross country route for exploring the vast terrain of the northern US.

cross country travel gift ideas

Begins and Ends:  Seattle, WA to Acadia National Park in Maine

Time Needed:  3600 miles, Two weeks is enough, but three weeks is best (one way).

Highlights:  Glacier National Park , Montreal, Duluth MN, Burlington VT, Seattle WA, Sandpoint ID, Acadia National Park

Book Recommendation : Moon Guide: Road Trip USA: The Great Northern, Highway 2 

THE OREGON TRAIL

man and son on a bucket list adventure throwing rocks into blue waters near Teton mountain range.

Famous For:  An arduous, historical one-way trail people used in the 1800s to find better opportunities out West.

Go back in time and explore the trek that hundreds of thousands of pioneers made on their way West. While not an official road, the journey can be loosely followed along with interesting stops to learn more about the history and the pilgrims who took this path. History buffs will love learning about Lewis and Clark, city lovers will enjoy exploring Boise and Boston, and nature seekers will love seeing Yellowstone , America’s 1st National Park.

cross country travel gift ideas

Begins and Ends:  Cannon Beach, Oregon to Provincetown, MA

Time Needed:  3300 Miles, Two weeks is enough, but three weeks is best (one way).

Highlights:   Yellowstone National Park ,  Boise , Grand Teton National Park, Mount Rushmore, Niagara Falls, Boston

Book Recommendation : Moon Guide:  Oregon Trail Road Trip

THE ATLANTIC COAST

cross country travel gift ideas

Famous For:  Driving through America’s most iconic and historic cities.

Explore America’s oldest cities and charming beachside communities by taking a drive down The Atlantic Coast. This route takes you on I-95, where you can go from historical sites like the Statue of Liberty, wild horses on Assateague Island, to the artsy beach town of Saint Augustine, Florida. This is a great cross country trip for someone who doesn’t want large chunks of time in the car with nothing to see. There is so much to do and something for everyone.

map of Atlantic Coast cross country road trip

Begins and Ends:  Maine to Florida

Time Needed: 1900 miles, 10 days is good, but two weeks is best (one way).

Highlights : Mystic CN, Boston MA, Savannah GA, NYC, detours to the beaches of North and South Carolina, St. Augustine, The Florida Keys

TIP: I-95 is great to hop on to when you want to get somewhere faster, but the true beauty of this road trip is mainly on the smaller roads that run along the coast. Deviate from the 95 to explore the coastal islands that run down the entire east coast.

THE MIGHTY FIVE

cross country travel gift ideas

Famous For:  Out of this world red rock desert landscapes and bucket-list hikes.

A Utah National Parks road trip  to explore all 5 of Utah’s National Parks (dubbed the Mighty 5) is perfect for adventurers and explorers. With mindboggling hikes, slot canyons to wade through, white water rafting, and an ocean of red desert to traverse, Southern Utah will leave an imprint on your soul.

cross country travel gift ideas

Begins and Ends:  Moab, Utah to Springdale, Utah

Time Needed:  375 Miles, Can be done at warp speed in 7 days, but 10 days are best (one way).

Highlights:  Angels Landing Hike and The Narrows in Zion, Delicate Arch in Arches , Fruit Picking in Capitol Reef, Mesa Arch in Canyonlands, Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon

READ NEXT:  For all the details on making this trip check out our comprehensive guide to planning a  Mighty 5 Roadtrip .

THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

an adventurous family of three posing in front of a high elevation sign

Famous For:  Stunning Fall foliage display.

The  Blue Ridge Parkway  takes you through the beating heart of Appalachia, where you’ll pass waterfalls, lookouts, charming tunnels, small towns, and meandering rivers. If you’re driving it in Fall (the most popular time) you’ll see Fall foliage that rivals the best of New England. With a maximum speed of 45 MPH and no big trucks allowed, it’s the kind of road where you’ll want to take your time to enjoy the views while Bluegrass music plays on repeat.

cross country travel gift ideas

Begins and Ends:  Great Smoky Mountain National Park in NC to Shenandoah National Park in VA.

Time Needed:  469 Miles, 3 days is enough, 7 Days is ideal (one way)

Highlights:  Great Smoky Mountain National Park,  Asheville, NC, Mile High Swinging Bridge, Blue Ridge Music Center, Mabry Mill, Shenandoah National Park , Roanoke, VA

TIP:  If you want an even longer journey, you could include additional  East Coast National Parks  in your itinerary for even more sublime nature.

READ NEXT:  Time spent in the funky mountain town of Asheville, NC, is a must when driving the parkway. Learn more about Asheville with our guide to how to spend  36 Hours in Asheville .

These are tried and true cross-country road ideas, but don’t forget you can always make up your own road trip route . You could go on a donut road trip and check out the best donuts in every state (psst-the  best donuts are in Boise ), or you could see as many  west coast national parks  as you can. 

Maybe you’ll be road-tripping in Spring and want to see the most exquisite wildflower blooms in the country, or it’s summer, and you’ll hit up America’s best waterparks. The sky is the limit!

Now, let’s discuss how to plan a cross-country road trip. Based on our experiences, we’ve created a cross-country travel guide that includes everything we did and learned along the way.

BEST CROSS COUNTRY ROAD TRIP CAR

woman looking out of passenger side window of green SUV with steam rising up from a hot spring behind the car

If you won’t be using your own car, you’ll need to find the best cross country road trip car for your needs. If you’ll be traveling in winter or in places with rugged terrain like Southern Utah, it’s recommended to have a four-wheel-drive vehicle that can handle the rougher conditions.

The first choice is to use a car rental service. You can look on rentalcars.com to see what the going rates are for rental cars. It’s a search engine that specializes in rental car prices across the web. You can often get a discounted rate if you’ll be using the car for a longer period.

Also, don’t forget if you are only going one way with the car, most places will charge a one-way delivery fee.

Another option is to rent a camper or RV for your big adventure. You can rent from a peer-to-peer service like RV Share and Outdoorsy , or you can opt for a company like Cruise America .

If you like the idea of an RV but want something smaller, you could also opt for a converted van that typically has a bed, a fridge, and other amenities. It’s a great option for solo or couples travel. The biggest renter of campervans is Escape Campervans . Since they have multiple offices, it’s a great choice for someone who wants a one-way rental. You can also check the sites I mentioned above, RV Share and Outdoorsy, for campervan rentals.

An RV or campervan rental can range from $100-$500 a day. It’s a more expensive option, but the potential for savings is better because you can cook your own meals and potentially camp for free. But don’t forget about gas prices! This brings me to our next section..coming up with a cross country road trip budget.

TIP: A n alternative option to a rental car is to try your luck at a one-way car or RV transfer service like immova and transfercar . The basic idea is that a company or person needs a car or RV moved and you pay as low as $1 a day to have a practically free vehicle. A great option if you are flexible and their travel dates work for you. You can also look at when big RV companies like El Monte RV need their RVs moved and offer them at exceptionally low rates.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO DRIVE ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

cross country travel gift ideas

There’s no straight answer to what a cross-country road trip costs. We averaged about $150 a day on a three-week road trip in our RV. Could we have done it for less? ABSOLUTELY. We didn’t go crazy, but we also didn’t scrimp. If you’re willing to cut corners and camp in free places, you can potentially do a road trip for $50-75 a day.

Let’s explore how to plan a road trip on a budget. I’ll discuss the five main expenses and offer tips on how to save money.

  • GAS : Depending on what kind of vehicle you are driving, this will probably be one of your biggest expenses. You can use a fuel calculator to estimate what it will cost for your trip and your car type. If you are driving an RV, you can use this fuel calculator to get a rough idea of what it would cost. As for saving money, you can use the GasBuddy App to see the cheapest gas stations on your route. We also use our AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Credit Card, which gives us 3% cash back on gas and 6% cash back on groceries . We spent $1300 on gas, which means we earned roughly $40 back. That’s a free tank of gas! That and the $150 sign-up bonus make it a great money-saving choice.
  • LODGING: Here is where you have a lot of options for saving money. Camping is the cheapest way to travel cross country whether you choose to pitch a tent, sleep in your car, or are in an RV or campervan. You can stay in conventional campsites that range from $25 to $60 a night, or you can try to find free campsites. Free campsites are generally found on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land or parking lots (Walmart parking lots are popular) that allow you to sleep overnight – but please don’t pitch a tent in a parking lot! Only vehicles are allowed. The best way to find camping spots is to search on the Dyrt App . It’s a camp reviewing site that is a GREAT resource for finding campsites and free sites. It’s worth upgrading to the pro version to have access to it offline. If camping isn’t your thing, you can look for cheap room rentals with an app like HotelTonight. HotelTonight is perfect for road trips since it searches for last-minute discounts on hotels. It’s also a tiered service so the more you use it, the more exclusive discounts you can access. If you sign up for an account and put in my discount code CGRANCE in your Account Settings, you can get $25 off a booking. You can also use the sites like Booking to see what’s available around you. Airbnb or VRBO could also have cheap options, but you’ll have to plan ahead since it’s not always possible to book it the same day. In general, lodging in a budget hotel will cost you $50-$125 a night.
  • FOOD: We spent roughly $25 a day for a family of three. Granted, we ate all of our meals in our camper and rarely got takeout. That’s where having a fully functioning kitchen on wheels can go a long way to saving you money. If you aren’t traveling in an RV, you’ll want to save money by making your own meals as much as possible. Pack a cooler and eat turkey sandwiches every day if you need to. My favorite way to get fancy on the cheap is to make a charcuterie spread of summer sausage, salami, crackers, cheese, olives, almonds, and dried fruit. I even bring a wood cutting board and stemless wineglasses with silicone sleeves because it’s how I roll. Also, most gas stations will have microwaves. We would often buy frozen burritos from Amy’s beforehand at a grocery store and heat them at a gas station for lunch.
  • ENTERTAINMENT: Our entertainment costs came out to about $3 a day. We spent very little since we had a primarily nature-based itinerary. Hiking is free! Plus, we opted to buy the National Parks pass that gets you into every National Park and additional federal land sites. You should definitely buy the pass if you are going to any National Parks. You can buy and learn more about the pass here. If you are visiting a big city, you can check if it offers a City Pass . A city pass will typically give you discounts to restaurants, museums, and popular attractions.
  • MISCELLANEOUS – There are always little costs that come up while you travel, whether that’s souvenirs, oil for your car, or payment for a toll. You should leave room in your cross country road trip budget for random things that always pop up. I would budget $5-$10 a day for miscellaneous items.

We recorded everything we paid for. You, of course, don’t need to do that, but if making spreadsheets is fun for you (woohoo!), then I would recommend using Excel or Numbers and using one of their pre-formatted templates for logging your costs.

TIPS FOR A CROSS COUNTRY ROAD TRIP

mom and son in front of a 1979 camper van

Before you head out on your big adventure, here’s some cross country road trip advice to spare you any headaches.

  • Before you leave, make sure to get an oil change and a full check-up on your car, including having your tires checked. It’s also worth investing in a roadside assistance plan, especially if you have an older vehicle. We used AAA and had to use it three times on the road. AAA is great for regular cars, and Good Sam Roadside is good for RVs. You can check prices for  AAA here  and  Good Sam Roadside here . 
  • Make sure to download your maps beforehand! You don’t want to be stuck in Utah because you have no service and no idea which road to take. Google Maps has the ability to download maps. Use it!
  • We prefer to drive for a maximum of five hours. Anything more than that makes the road trip unenjoyable. Find the sweet spot for you. It’s okay to do a few long 8-hour days, but remember to balance them with days off of driving.
  • If you’re looking for a cross country road trip planner, you can use the app or website Roadtrippers to help you find interesting sights along the way. We’ve never used the app but have heard good things about it.
  • Lastly, use travel bloggers like myself, Pinterest, and Instagram for fun tips on places you will be visiting. Pinterest has a wealth of great travel information, and you’ll be able to find fun off-the-beaten-path recommendations. You can check out our Pinterest page and our Instagram page . While you’re there, give us a follow, will you?

CROSS COUNTRY ROAD TRIP PACKING LIST

We have an extensive post detailing what every person needs to have on their road trip packing list . Be sure to check it out for a detailed list of what to bring. Here’s a simple rundown of a few cross country road trip essentials.

  • Emergency Roadside Kit – Having a   roadside emergency kit  with a surplus of safety devices is essential for a road trip. At the very least, make sure you have a   high-quality set of jumper cables . If you are driving in a remote area where other cars might not be able to help you out, you might want to consider a  mobile battery jumper  that allows you to jumpstart your car on your own.
  • First Aid Kit – A first aid kit is something you should always have in your car. Don’t forget it for your big road trip.
  • Cooler – A high-quality cooler that will keep your food cold for days is a great investment. We are die-hard fans of Yeti and love the Yeti Roadie 24 Hard Cooler  for road trips. It can fit behind the passenger’s seat and is long enough to fit a bottle of wine. More economical choices are the Arctic Zone Cooler and the   Igloo Quart MaxCold Cooler .
  • Phone Chargers and Power Bank – In addition to our phone charger that goes into the cigarette lighter, we bring a  splitter  so multiple people can plug in their device and a  solar charger power bank,  so we’re never left without something to charge our devices. It’s handy when traveling with many people so everyone can have a way to charge a device.
  • Car Organizers – Having an organization system is great if you’ll be on the road for a while or are making a family cross country road trip. We like this  backseat organizer  with SO MANY pockets for your gadgets, notebooks, and snacks. It’s a fantastic option if you’re traveling with young kids. We particularly like that it has a tablet holder.
  • I also think this  car seat gap organizer  is brilliant. It sits in the gap between the console and the passenger or driver’s seat. It’s that little bit of space where you always drop your phone, and you’re like  “$%^&*!”  because it’s so difficult to fit your hand in there. Well, this organizer stops anything from falling in that gap while also providing extra storage. Like I said…brilliant.
  • Conversation Starters – When you hit the road, pull up our post of 160 road trip questions and road trip trivia questions. These are perfect for long stretches of time when you can either get to know your travel companion even better or test out your trivia skills on each other. Also, read through our post on the best things to do on a road trip for more fun games and ideas.
  • Entertainment – Your podcasts, e-books, road trip playlists, and Netflix shows should all be already downloaded (don’t rely on your cell service). If you’re not already signed up, you can even do a trial run of Audible or Amazon Music to get free fun content for the road.
  • Cozy Everything – Being cozy on a road trip is paramount! Bring some cozy slip-on shoes, a sherpa blanket from Pendleton, and breathable clothing.

READ NEXT: If you are traveling in an RV, check out our post on the Camper Must Haves you’ll need to bring on the road.

We hope we’ve prepared you for an extraordinary road trip across the country.

Happy travels, and here’s to an amazing cross country road trip!

LOOKING FOR MORE CROSS COUNTRY ROAD TRIP POSTS?

17+ Boredom Busting Things To Do On A Road Trip How To Road Trip With A Toddler Like A Boss How We Did A $650 Farmhouse Camper Renovation 160 Questions To Cure Road Trip Boredom 41 Fun and Challenging Road Trip Trivia Questions The Definitive List Of Road Trip Worthy Snacks For Your Next Ride Road Trip Essentials You Need To Pack

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Hi, we’re Christina and Brad, Idaho based writers and photographers who live to explore. We did a short stint of traveling full time with our two year old and discovered we're much happier as part time nomads. What does that mean? We travel a lot! And then we go home. We love helping fellow parents and everyday adventurers discover new places and experiences.

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Hi. Reading your time to allow for each trip has me confused. Are talking one way, or round trip? I can’t imagine doing a cross country trip in two, or even three weeks and have it not be an awful lot of all day driving round trip.

Hi Barbara, thanks for bringing this to my attention. You are right, two weeks round trip would be A LOT of driving. We mean one way, but I’ll edit the article so it’s more clear. Thank you!

Heya! Are your “needed X days” recommendations for *round trip* or *one way*? It seems like they are round trip but I just wanted to be sure. This article is fantastic, btw. -JDS

Hi! I’m glad you enjoyed the article. Sorry for not responding sooner. We were traveling in Thailand, and I just saw this today. Yes, all the recommended drive times are for one way. Round trip, you would need to double it or cut out a lot of day trips and exploration to reduce your time.

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Running Shop Track & Cross Country Gifts

Track and cross country runners will love these original gifts including apparel, phone cases, bib and medal hangers and lots more, ideal for any occasion. Choose from our comfortable and stylish long and short sleeve T-Shirts as well as leggings, sweatpants, and lounge pants, plus fun accessories such as iPhone® cases and ceramic mugs, as well as personalizable medal and bib hangers that any proud runner will love to have to display their medals and bibs. We even have special track and cross country sterling bracelets and necklaces, many of which are custom engraved for one-of-a-kind gifts. Runners will also enjoy personalized beach towels and picture frames, as as well as fun and stylish trucker hats and flip flops. You'll find the perfect gift for any track and field runner in our collection, and one that's ideal for the end of the season, birthdays, holidays, or any special occasion.

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9 Items To Take with You On A Cross-Country Road Trip

If you’re experiencing wanderlust, there are few ideas more exciting than packing up your car for a coast-to-coast road trip..

The chance to drive across the country with your friends and stop by some of the nation’s most sought-after locations is an experience you’ll never forget. 

But before you hit the road and knock the cross-country trip off your bucket list, you should ensure that you’re properly prepared . Crossing the country is a ton of ground to cover, and you’ll want to be ready in case an incident throws a wrench in your plans.

Portable Charger

car phone charger

For most road trips, smartphones end up being the unanimous MVP.

You’re going to rely on them for navigation , music, to drafting up spontaneous plans. Bring a car phone charger and USB cord to ensure you’ll always have a battery. Today, this is a bit of a no-brainer. But it does deserve a mention, even just to save you $15 at the gas station. 

spare tire

Nothing deflates the momentum of a road trip quite like having to pull over and replace a flat tire.

Check to make sure the tires are properly inflated before embarking on your adventure and bring a spare that’s in good condition.

Emergency Road Kit

emergency road kit

You never know when your car is going to have a maintenance issue, especially if your lovely reliable is a pre-owned vehicle.

Even with a traveling buddy , you don’t want to get trapped on the side of the road somewhere unfamiliar. Keeping an emergency road kit handy makes certain that, even if your car breaks down, your trip won’t.

Every emergency road kit should include:

  • Booster Cables – for when your car battery dies
  • Safety-Related Items – such as a warning triangle, light sticks, reflective vest and whistle
  • Tire Pressure Gauge – to prevent tire blowouts by ensuring that your tire pressure is always at an optimal level
  • Poncho – to mitigate the misery of being stuck in the rain
  • Flashlight – for when you have to check the engine or do anything mechanical at night

tow strap

If you and several friends are traveling in a caravan, a tow strap can be a godsend if a car decides to kick the bucket. The best tow straps on the market are:

  • Capable of pulling several tons
  • Several feet long
  • Made of durable material
  • Designed with several reinforced holes for tow hooks that prevent scratches and abrasion
  • Light and compact, so they’re easy to keep with you in your car
  • Metal-free, so they don’t overheat in the summer or freeze in the winter

Medical Kit

first aid

Similar to maintenances issues, medical issues can occur at any time without warning. And if it happens during a cross-country trip, there’s a chance it could be when the nearest hospital is 100 miles away.

Along with your regular travel kit , having a medical kit is a must. At the very least, it can slow down a medical problem until you can reach a health care professional.

sunscreen

Remember that strange song from the late ’90s with that guy imploring us to “wear sunscreen?” Well, he was right.

This is especially true if you’re constantly beneath the sun. Even if your ride isn’t a convertible, the sunlight piercing through the windows can still cause sunburn. No one ever thinks to wear sunscreen in a car. But it’s different when you’re going to be in it for 5000 miles.

Hand Sanitizer

wash hands

If a maintenance issue requires you to check out your car’s engine or catalytic converter, there’s a good chance you’re going to end up with mechanic-hands.

Keep hand sanitizer with you to clean off your hands after addressing a maintenance problem, or for any moment when you encounter something unsanitary.

map or gps

You know those wireless network advertisements that show you a map of where they provide coverage and a few blank splotches where they don’t? Well, on a cross-country trip, chances are you’re going to drive through at least a few of them.

Keep a GPS or even an actual map with you for the times when you’re navigating a region that doesn’t provide cell phone coverage. You don’t want to be solely dependent on a smartphone.

Reusable Water Bottle

water

Staying hydrated is important, even though the bathroom pitstops might get annoying. And some food for thought, instead of constantly buying plastic water bottles, maybe bring an eco-friendly reusable water bottle . If you’re not driving electric or hybrid, the carbon footprint is going to be deep. Do things to help the earth along the way!

You’ve Got Your List. Now Hit the Road!

These trips usually take several days. In which case, preparation is everything. Shooting from the hip might be romanticized, but you’ll thank yourself later when one of these items shapeshifts from a convenience to a necessity.

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Zack Litchfield

Six Fun and Unique Cross Country Road Trip Ideas

T here are literally COUNTLESS cross country road trip ideas you can imagine. There are almost an equal amount of blogs like this one listing out how to drive one of these cross country road trip ideas, or recommending the absolute best ones to take. I love a good cross country trip as much as you do. I’ve had a chance to drive some of the most iconic road trips in America, but so have a lot of other people. So, I wanted to think outside the box a bit for my next great road trip idea.

As I got my planning juices flowing and started my research, there have been a ton of great ideas. I wanted these potential trips to fulfil two qualities. First, it has to be a multi-state trip of at least 500 miles. That’s short enough for a long weekend, while still technically being a cross country trip. Second, it had to have a clear theme. I wanted them to have a roughly definable “purpose” that outlines why you might want to embark on the trip in the first place. You’ll find at the bottom of each entry an embedded map. You can use these to preview these unique road trip routes and even download the direction directly!

I’m not quite sure which of these cross country road trip routes I’m going to tackle next, but why wait to share these awesome trip ideas with you? So here are six fun and unique cross country road trip ideas I’ve planned out!

1. Great Lakes Shoreline Road Trip

This is a cross country road trip idea I’ve had bubbling in my head for years. The great coastal road trips, like the Pacific Coast Highway, get a lot of attention. However, America has an often forgotten “coast” along the Great Lakes. I wanted to design a route which offered that shoreline, coastal feel in the heart of America. This road trip clocks in at a monster 4,317 miles! That is a trunk-load and then some of driving, spread out over a whole month. Yet, the real secret of this trip is how flexible it can be.

With all the spots I have mapped out, you can do a loop of any of the great lakes in just a couple days. Lake Erie or Ontario loops can be done over a three or four day weekend. The bigger lakes like Superior, Michigan, and Huron could easily be done in a week or less. The Lake Michigan Loop in particular, has huge variety. Sandy beaches, rolling dunes, deep forests, and the urban landscape of Chicago are all included.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore’s Lover’s Leap in the Fall is particularly striking

Those who are crazy enough, like me, to tackle the entire trip are in for a treat. The first portion of this cross country road trip idea explores the shores of Lake Superior. This is one of the best parts for outdoor lovers. Visits to Isle Royale National Park and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore are highlights. Then you’ll journey through Wisconsin to the Windy City. After catching a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, you’ll get a chance to visit the lovely small towns of Michigan’s western shore.

After spending a day on Mackinac Island, it’s time to follow Michigan’s Sunrise Coast. Once you reach Detroit, the trip becomes a lot more urban. Cities like Toledo, Cleveland, Erie, and Buffalo hug the shores of Lake Erie. Make sure you stop at Niagara Falls to enjoy it’s breathtaking misty vistas. The final US portion goes along the southern shore of Lake Ontario to Sackets Harbor.

If you’ve got your passport handy, you can tack on an extension through Canada. This portion of the trip has it’s own big city, Toronto. However, after you leave Canada’s largest city, this trip is far more of a wilderness road trip. Much of it follows the Trans-Canada Highway along the northern shores of the Great Lakes. It’s a fantastic way to see huge parts of Ontario and makes for an epic final leg on your Great Lakes Shoreline road trip!

2. The Great BBQ Pilgrimage

Let’s be real: Everyone loves BBQ (no matter how you choose to spell it). I’m definitely among the BBQ faithful. What better way to celebrate your love for this delicious cuisine than taking a cross country trip to try as much of it as you can. This was one of the first cross country road trip ideas I came up with, but one of the hardest to map out. How can you narrow it down to just a few BBQ joints? I’ve done my best to collect some exemplary examples of each regional style across the country.

Each stop on this cross country trip invokes that region’s specialty. The map at the bottom shows you all the stops, but a few key ones need to be called out. Big Bob Gibson’s in Decatur, Alabama is the original home of Alabama White BBQ. You’ve got to take the chance and try it! The Moonlite Bar-b-q Inn serves up the unique mutton that makes Kentucky’s BBQ stand out as part of this road trip idea. My final call out is Goldee’s Barbecue in Texas. This has been named the #1 BBQ joint in Texas, so that’s certainly hard to pass up. It was even featured on a pretty neat YouTube documentary that you can watch below!

There will be plenty to eat as you cover over 2,700 miles on this cross country trip. With the primary purpose of this road trip idea being eating, you’re not gonna need a lot of time for other things. The trip can be done in as few as eight days for the truly hungry, or as many as twelve if you want to savor every bite. I’ve built 11 stops across seven states, though you’ll pass through a few more. However, I encourage you to find even more delicious BBQ along the way! Sometimes the most unique road trip routes are the ones that have unplanned detours!

One of the best aspects of this fun and tasty cross country trip is that it can be taken year-round. BBQ doesn’t depend on the weather to enjoy it! Of all the cross country road trip ideas I came up with, this one is definitely the most laid back. So grab a partner, choose a starting point, and get to driving (and eating)!

3. Colonial New England Loop

Over 200 years of American history can be explored if you follow this cross country road trip idea. History buffs can delight in this colorful journey. That’s especially true if you take it during the height of the fall colors in New England. One of the best parts about this loop is the ability to modify it to your heart’s content. If you visited every site on this list, it would cover 1,000 miles across every state in New England. That doesn’t make it the longest trip on this list of cross country road trip ideas, but it’s still pretty sizeable. It also is very flexible with the number of days you need to spend. You could spend as few as seven days or as many as 20!

Check out the USS Constitution while you’re hanging around Boston!

The reason for so much flexibility in this trip is that you can prioritize what you want to see. A quick loop might encompass a single day in Boston followed by drives to the other major towns. Lengthening the trip is as easy as settling down in one area for a few more days. This is how I’d recommend the trip be done. Enjoying and exploring the history of not only the places I’ve included on this list but the hidden or forgotten ones along the way. Not to mention that there are literally hundreds of great historical sites with no colonial connections at all you can visit along the way.

Many of the places you’ll find on this list won’t take much time to see. However, they do tell a collective story of our nation. There is a rich and complicated history built into the very fabric of the land. I think it’s important to spend time understanding how such an influential part of our nation’s history came to be. Doing that through exploring historic homes, cities, and battlefields helps us create a connection to a time we often idealize but fail to understand.

4. Big Sky Adventure

For those who love a good open road, it’ll be hard to beat the Big Sky Adventure. This cross country road trip idea takes you through America’s Big Sky Country. You’ll be venturing across four states (S. Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho) while visiting iconic sites of America’s western frontier. Be prepared for winding roads, long empty stretches, and hundreds of scenic views. I’d recommend between 11-14 days to cover the 1,739 miles of this journey.

It all begins in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This picturesque town gives access to many points east for major travelers. Leaving Sioux Falls you’ll head to the southwestern part of the state. Southwestern South Dakota is an underappreciated part of the country. While many people know the famous sites, such as the Badlands or Mount Rushmore, these areas don’t get the same visitation numbers as many similar places across the country. This is good for you because it means your trip won’t be too crowded.

The Badlands are truly a sight to behold and one of the most stunning locations out of all these unique road trip routes

From here you’ll head west into Wyoming towards Bighorn National Forest. Hiking and outdoors enthusiasts might want to spend an extra day or so exploring the rugged expanse of this forest. For the less adventurous, you’ll make your way to another famous western site. The Battle of Little Bighorn has become an iconic part of the American mythos. Like many stories from the American frontier days, what is fact and what is fiction can be hard to separate so it’s great to learn the truth where it all happened.

The adventure continues across the Montana cities of Billings and Bozeman. It’s also easy to find the “headwaters” of the Missouri River, so don’t pass up that chance outside Bozeman. At this point, it’s time to visit the Granddaddy of them all, Yellowstone. What can really extend the time needed for this trip is how long you plan on staying in Yellowstone. For those who have never been and want to explore, you’ll need at least three or four days. Don’t shortchange yourself here. Yellowstone is all it’s hyped up to be and more for those willing to put in some effort away from the crowds.

After Yellowstone, this iconic cross country road trip idea will be coming to its close. Parks like Grand Teton and Craters of the Moon are amazing in their own rights. That’s especially true in the Fall, as Grand Teton is one of the be st fall national parks

The tail end of this trip features a stop at the impressive Snake River Canyon outside Twin Falls. This is the spot of Evel Kineval’s final jump, just don’t try it yourself. Finally, you’ll come to an end in Boise, Idaho. Much like the start in Sioux Falls, Boise is an excellent gateway to many more sites to the west. Boise serves as the end of Big Sky Country, so it’s a fitting end to your Big Sky Adventure!

5. Civil War Battlefield Route

I wanted to come up with a road trip idea that was perfect for history buffs of all kinds. The American Civil War is a defining period of our nation’s history. A road trip to visit these sites can be both a memorable and educational experience. It’s also a fantastic way to experience a part of the country often overlooked for road trips. Many of the sites I’ve included are also among A merica’s best national battlefields .

I’ve included both a main route and a potential alternative route you can follow. The main route covers 1,329 miles and needs a minimum of eight days. The alternate route takes a more southern approach. You’ll drive over 1,758 miles, which means you’ll need about ten to eleven days for it. I prefer the main, northern path better, but it does miss out on Fort Sumter where it all really began.

You’ll find a bunch of monuments like this one in Vicksburg on this cross country trip!

One of the best parts of this trip is how it connects two points in time. The ending points of the journey both involve battles that culminated the first week of July 1863. The Siege of Vicksburg was a pivotal point in the Western Theater. Right as it was ending, the Battle of Gettysburg was raging in Pennsylvania. The fact that these two battles occurred at the same time and with the fate of a country at stake is a quirk of history. By making this trip you can connect these two points, and the men who fought at these sites, on a journey into the past.

Both of the routes will allow you to visit critical moments during the war. This includes the numerous battles fought across Virginia. This state was the major battleground during the war. The alternate route rejoins the main road trip at Appomattox Courthouse. Robert E. Lee surrendered his army, bringing an end to the war at this location. It’s fitting then that its serves as a “midway” point of sorts. Grant’s victory at Vicksburg and Lee’s defeat at Gettysburg would ultimately bring them together at Appomattox.

No matter which direction you choose to travel, you’ll be impacted by this road trip. Exploring America through it’s complicated and troubled past is a great way to gain understanding we need to make a better future. I can say from experience, visiting these hallowed grounds is a humbling moment and one that I hope you’ll experience for yourself. It’s definitely one of the more unique road trip routes I could come up with.

6. The Four Corners Loop

This cross country road trip idea is a giant, looping, journey across the American Southwest. It’s also one of the best national park road trips you could plan as well. You’ll visit four states (Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah) as your cruise across the highways of the southwest. It also features stops at eleven different national parks and even a few national monuments as well. This massive loop covers over 3,026 miles. Any trip that follows the directions will take a bare minimum of two weeks. I’d recommend taking more like twenty-four days to one month if you want to spend any time hiking or enjoying more than one day at a location.

You’ll find sunrises like this one at Black Canyon of the Gunnison all over this Four Corners cross country trip

The Four Corners Loop can start in one of three major cities. Denver, Phoenix, and Albuquerque are all big stops on the way. If you live near one of these cities then you’re all set. Those having to fly in can pick whichever one offers the best airfare. Once you’ve picked your starting point, it’s time to choose the direction. This loop can be driven either clockwise or counterclockwise. The biggest suggestion I have is heading in the direction that has the places you most want to see. For instance, I’d start in Denver and drive counterclockwise. This gets you to the Mighty Five in Utah quickly and gives options for ways to make worthwhile detours if you’re inclined.

Of course, no Four Corners Loop road trip is complete without a visit to the Four Corners monument. The Monument is pretty out of the way for most of the trip. As part of the loop, I’ve placed it between a visit to Santa Fe, NM and Mesa Verde. This is the best point on the trip because you will get to see the, frankly lackluster monument and then visit one of the most historic and culturally important sites in America.

There are plenty of highlights on this road trip. Part of the reason I put it at the end of this list is because there is simply so much to see. I’ve spent time visiting the Mighty Five in Utah, so parks like Arches and Canyonlands are major highlights to me. Rocky Mountain National Park might be one of the most beautiful parks in America. The drive through Grand Staircase might be one of the most hair-raising on the entire list. The entire trip courses through some of the most iconic American scenery, which makes it one of the best cross country road trip ideas.

Creating Your Own Cross Country Road Trip Routes

I’m certainly not the only authority on fun and unique road trip routes. In fact, YOU probably have just as many great cross country road trip ideas as me! When it comes to crafting your own cross country trip, it just takes a bit of imagination and a touch of Google-fu. Each road trip idea I came up with started with a simple premise. From there I jumped on google to do a bit of research. Then I took all those destinations and plugged them into Google’s My Maps feature. This is the ultimate (and FREE) road planning tool. It’s how I created all those fancy maps you see above. Once you’ve got your own cross country road trip ideas down, all you have to do is p lan out the rest of the trip . When you combine one of my unique road trip routes (or your own) with my road trip hacks , you’ll be all set to get going!

The post Six Fun and Unique Cross Country Road Trip Ideas appeared first on Florida Man on the Run !

Six Fun and Unique Cross Country Road Trip Ideas

NorWiSki.com

18 Best Holiday Gift Ideas for Cross-Country Skiers

Table of Contents

For cross country skiers, the best part about the holiday season is that it is also the season for skiing! So why not combine the two to come up with some amazing holiday gift ideas that would make any cross country skier jump with joy – or should we say ski with joy!

New XC Poles

A good cross country ski pole is a cross country skier’s best friend. It helps the skier in keeping balance as well as momentum on the slopes. Getting your skiing enthusiast a great quality cross country ski pole is a good way to show how much you care about your loved one and his/ her passion for skiing.

The best way is to check the specifications of the old ski pole and replace a new one with the same size. Poles used in classic XC skiing are relatively shorter than the ones used in skate skiing. If you are new to the sport and are thinking of getting your loved one who enjoys skating a ski pole, make sure the measurements are right. You can multiply the skier’s height in centimeters by 0.89 to get a good fit. For a classic XC ski pole, the pole should come up to the shoulder and the pole can be ordered using the formula: skier’s height in centimeters multiplied by 0.83.

In case the ideal pole length falls between two sizes, go for the pole that is longer in size. Do not worry about it being on the longer side, the skier can always get it cut by a few centimeters underneath the grip.

Swix Excalibur Dark DD4 Adult Cross Country Ski Poles, 110

A wax table makes a great gift. It shows you care without causing a blow to your bank account. You can gift your XC ski loving friend a Swix Economy Waxing Table and make his/ her holiday season truly memorable.

The Swix Waxing table is the most widely used and trusted waxing table in the skiing world. The table has a size of 96 x 45 centimeters and weighs around 25 pounds. It has sturdy folding legs and the table has a height of 83 dm. If you want to show your loved one you really care, give him/ her something out of the box that they would never think about – and something that makes their holiday unforgettable.

Swix T75W Wide, 120 x 35cm | Compact Lightweight Wax Table One Leg Height Adjustment ski-and-Snowboard-Tuning-Accessories, Red

Beginner’s XC Ski Package

The holiday season is not just a time to have some fun, it is also the time when a lot of people reflect upon the year and make resolutions. If you think your friend or family member always wanted to ski but has not yet tried it, why not give them a chance to not have any excuse to hit the slopes this season. A beginner’s cross country ski package makes a wonderful and thoughtful gift. It shows that you care deeply as when you are gifting someone with a ski package, you are gifting them with a life-long supply of winter fun.

An ideal cross country ski package for beginners generally includes a pair of skis, bindings, ski poles, and boots. Once they receive it, all they have to do is to find a slope and have the best time of their life!

One of the best xc ski packages recommended by us is the Rossignol Package including:

  • Rossignol Evo XC 60 Posigrip Cross Country Skis with Turnamic Bindings
  • Rossignol X5 OT Womens or Rossignol X5 OT Mens Cross Country Ski Boots
  • Rossignol FT 500 Cross Country Ski Poles

Roller Skis

Roller skis are gaining more and more popularity these days as they are the off-snow equivalent to XC skiing. If your loved one has a passion for cross country skiing during the season, why not let them enjoy it throughout the year? The skiing techniques used in roller skis are almost the same as the ones used in XC skiing.

Roller skis are a great way to train the body in summers to make it ready for the ski season. It is also a great physical exercise that helps the cross country skiers enjoy XC skiing even when there is no snow or slope in sight.

RSE-530 Black 42-47 Binding NNN Roller ski Skating Medium Wheels

Premium Gift Ideas for XC Skiers under $300

When sending a gift to a loved one, it is not the money but the thought that counts. However, there are times when you have the budget to give them something that can make their holiday season truly memorable. How about these premium gift ideas for your cross country family member or friend? These gift ideas will cost you under $300 but they will cherish it for a lifetime. We promise!

Gift Certificate for Cross-Country Skiing Lessons

There is always room for improvement no matter how long one has been skiing for. How about gifting your loved one with a gift certificate for cross country skiing lessons? This is a great gift for a beginner who loves to explore cross country ski as well as for the intermediate level skiers who would like to polish their skiing style.

Learning to ski is a life-long skill and something not many people have. Once you know how to do cross country skiing, your winter season can never be boring. It is also a great family activity. If you think a family member needs some extra push and would benefit from skiing lessons, gift him/ her with a gift certificate of XC skiing lessons. Skiing will remind them of you whenever they are out on the slopes.

Season Pass for a Ski Area

A season pass for a ski area makes a wonderful and thoughtful gift. The rates of different ski areas vary, and many XC skiers will find them expensive. Giving your loved one a chance to enjoy skiing all season long makes a great gift – it brings a smile and is exactly what the holiday season is supposed to be about.

If you are looking for a holiday gift for your partner or friend, you can get a season pass for the two of you and enjoy spending time together while skiing. Do you know what is better than a skier enjoying skiing? Two skiers enjoying the sport they love together!

10 Useful Budget Gift Ideas for XC Skiers

In contrast to the common belief, cross country skiing gear does not have to cost you the moon. You can get your loved one some great budget friendly XC skiing gifts. Here are some of the options that would make any XC skier delighted without causing any pressure on your wallet.

Day Pass for a Ski Area

There is no place a cross country skiing enthusiast would want to be other than the ski area. A day trail pass to a ski area makes a great gift. You can even bump it up to a booklet of skiing passes, or a season pass to a certain ski area.

Cross-Country Ski Magazine Subscription

cross-country-skier-magazine

If you are a skier, you know that whether it is off-season or you are somehow away from that snow-covered terrain, all you want to know more about is skiing, and all stuff related to cross country skiing. For this reason, getting your loved one a cross country ski magazine subscription is a great holiday gift idea. The magazine subscription does not cost too much but is a great reminder of your love, consideration, and thought whenever they get their issue. Depending upon your budget, you can get them a monthly subscription or an annual one. Through an XC ski magazine subscription, your skiing enthusiast friend or family member will get access to all the good stuff that’s happening around the XC skiing world.

Books about Cross-Country Skiing

It is an old saying that a book is a man’s best friend. But for skiers, a book is a great way to relax after a long day of adventures on the slope, as well as a connection to their favorite sport in the off-season. There are plenty of good books about cross country skiing , and a good cross country book makes a perfect gift.

Long Distance: Testing the Limits of Body and Spirit in a Year of Living Strenuously

Thermal Underwear

As they say, there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. Put some warm thoughts into your loved one’s clothing and gift them something practical and useful at the same time. During the ski trip, thermal underwear will keep the skier warm and comfortable. It is a thoughtful gift that all skiers need. A skier can never have too many of the thermal underwear!

xc holiday gift ideas

Ski Socks, Hats and Gloves

Ski socks , gloves , and hats always make great holiday presents. Kids outgrow them and adult skiers often lose them, or they just need more of them (sometimes as a backup as these items can get wet). You can also gift them a set or a basket that has assorted socks, gloves, and a ski hat – something that will make the XC skier warm and remind him/ her of you on the slopes! Make sure you know the right size. Many times these items come in a “one size fits all” case. You can also choose between different colors and make your gift look more attractive.

Swix Men's Star XC 3.0 Durable Flexible Breathable Warm Insulated Soft Winter Sports Gloves, Black/Silver, L

All cross country skiers use some kind of waxes . Even the waxless skis need a bit of waxing at the right place to keep the skis well-maintained. You do not need grip wax for fish scale patterned skis or the skin skis. The waxable classic cross country skis need to be waxed at the grip zone – that is the part underneath the feet. Make sure you know a little bit about the ski type or the kind of waxes your loved one uses. If the skier uses waxable skis, they will have to apply a good quality kick wax on them before heading out to ski. As a skier who constantly invests in waxes, ski waxes make a great gift and a relief that one won’t have to buy it for some time.

XCMAN Complete Ski Snowboard Tuning and Waxing Kit with Waxing Iron, Ski Wax, Waxing Brush,Edge Tuner,Waxing Scraper,PTEX

Ski brushes are the most misunderstood and under-rated tools. Only an avid skier knows the importance of having the right kind of brush. When tuning the skis, brushes play a vital role in the pre as well as post wax stages of the XC ski. If you are not into skiing, it is natural to get confused between synthetic fibers, hair, and metal brushes. There are also these drill powered brushes.

If you know the kind of brushes your loved one uses for his/ her skis, then problem solved! Order a new shiny pack of those. If not, then keep in mind that ski wax brushes come in a variety of sizes and stiffness levels. The larger diameter bristles are good for large area cleaning, rough wax, as well as removing dirt. The brushes with smaller bristles are used as finishing brushes as they are used for fine wax removal, polishing, and getting the wax out of the base structure.

A headlamp makes a great gift – it is thoughtful as well as presentable. For a skier, a headlamp can be a versatile tool. If the gift receiver enjoys skiing at night or lives in an area where he/ she can ski at night, this makes a great gift. Having a headlamp makes cross country skiing safe and more fun.

Headlamps are also useful for skiers who ski at a fast pace. When a skier skis fast, he/ she needs to view the area in front of him/ her instantly and clearly so the skier could make adjustments in case of any collision. For the safety and quality of skiing, a headlamp is a great gift. And in the off-season, it can be used by the skier in many other practical ways!

BLACK DIAMOND Equipment Spot 400 Lumen LED Headlamp (Graphite)

Hydration Pack

Water is important for everyone, and for cross country skiers having a hydration pack is crucial. It not only keeps them hydrated but a good hydration pack helps them to enjoy long hours on the slopes. There are different kinds of hydration packs available for you to choose from. A Hydration pack makes a thoughtful and useful gift and does not cost you much.

Energy Snacks

Cross country skiing burns tons of calories and snacks are super important for skiers. Gifting them with a box of energy snacks shows how much you care. It is something you know they will always use and will remind them of you when they are out skiing and need refueling.

Some Funny Gift Ideas for XC Skiers

Do you what is better than gifting a cross country skier a good XC related gift? An XC ski gift that has a touch of humor so it can bring a smile to your loved one’s face every time he/ she uses it or looks at it. Here are some great funny gift ideas for cross country skiers :

Funny Cross Country Ski Funny Mug, Gifts For Cross Country Skiers, For Him, For Her,

Funny Cross-Country Ski Mugs

Who doesn’t use a mug? Whether your skier friend loves to drink hot chocolate or is a coffee buff, or just want to keep a collection of pens and pencils, a mug is a versatile gift. And if the mug has a tagline, there is nothing better!

How about this black ceramic mug with the tagline “ Relationship Status: Single, Married, In love with Cross Country Skiing ”? You can order your preferred size.

Or how about this black ceramic mug that says “ Cross country skiing is the best medicine ”? Another option is this color changing white/ black mug that says “If you don’t like Cross Country Skiing, then probably you won’t like me…And I’m okay with that”. There is nothing better than a touch of humor with your morning mug of coffee or tea.

xc ski mugs

Funny T-Shirts and Hoodies

T-shirts and hoodies make great gifts. Bringing your favorite skier a dash of a smile, gift him/ her one of these and they will surely relate to what the tagline says!

The Evolution of Skier T-shirt makes a funny gift for skiers of all ages, whether they are male, female, or young skiing buffs. Another super hilarious T-shirt is this one that says” Imagine a life without cross country skiing; now slap yourself and never do it again” – you can purchase it. The “ Eat Sleep Cross Country Repeat ” hoodie is fun and catchy, and you can gift it to your loved one.

You can never go wrong with a funny T-shirt/ hoody gift. Get it to gift not only the shirt but a smile to your loved one – and you will end up ordering one for yourself as well!

Cross Country Skiing Funny XC Skier Present T-Shirt

If you are looking for the perfect gift for a cross country skier, there are so many options to choose from. It mainly depends upon the age, skill level, and interests of the skier. The skiing gift items mentioned above are perfect, and you can add an extra item to the gift that shows your extra thought – such as a foot warmer, headband, neck-up, ski sleeves, lip balms, and even sunscreen.

If you are in doubt of their size or preference of color choice of a certain gift item, gift vouchers and certificates make great gift options that are safe to give. After all, gift certificates are always the right size and color! They also allow the receiver to choose what they need or like.

Check your budget and get your loved one their ideal gift this season – something that gets them excited about their cross country skiing activity. If you love XC skiing, why don’t you get your shopping done early and go hit the slopes!

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COMMENTS

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