Class=article-title Data-tb-title Id=articleTitle>10 Best Road Trip Car Accessories For Epic Summer Drives

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Now that the "sun is shining, the weather is sweet," and black ice has given way to smooth tarmac, it's time to pack your bags and hit the road. If you are planning a longer road trip, be sure to have your car serviced, replace the winter tires with your all-season or summer set and complete your list of essential items you MUST NOT FORGET (this year).



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Whether it's a long-weekend getaway or a cross-country road trip, you will need to be prepared for the open road. So here's a handy list of must-have car accessories that will make your grand tour fun and fuss-free.

1. Roof racks
Roof racks are by far the best space saving idea in the history of car accessories. You can put most or all of your luggage on the roof and have the trunk vacant for other things that you may wish to carry. If not luggage then you can either mount a bike or your canoe. You don't get that kind of flexibility and practicality anywhere else.

Buy here:Amazon, Walmart, Canadian Tire


You can put most of your luggage on the roof and make room in the trunk.



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2. Portable electric cooler
There's nothing like an ice cold beverage on a hot summer's day. What's better is that you don't need to buy ice  for your chiller every other day. Plus, you can also carry some extra packaged food, snacks and fruits and you don't have to take a detour looking for a restaurant every time you feel hungry.

Buy here:Amazon, Walmart, Canadian Tire

3. Window visor
This nifty product is a great way to have the circulation going in the car when it's raining. Just prop open the window a little bit and let the cool air come into the cabin while keeping the rain out. There are two kinds available: the in-channel ones (that look much better) and the peel-and-stick type.

Buy here:Amazon, Walmart, Canadian Tire

4. Car awning
These add a whole new layer of comfort and protection from the elements at your road-trip destination. They provide shade when you're looking to rest or cook and, depending on the size, provide shelter for more than a few people. Get one with walls and you also get privacy even in the wilderness.





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Buy here:Amazon, Walmart



5. Power inverter
Nothing is worse than running out of juice on your laptop or smartphone out in the wild. And frankly, you can only look at the stars for so long. You might need some extra entertainment after a long day of driving, plus you can also run an electric kettle and brew yourself a nice cup of tea.

Buy here:Amazon, Walmart, Canadian Tire

6. Car mattress
Car seats are not a great place to sleep no matter how much you adjust them. What you need is a car mattress. These come in a variety of sizes and some manufacturers even customize their offerings to fit by make and model. Add a couple of inflatable pillows and you're guaranteed a peaceful night's rest.

Buy here:Amazon, Walmart, Canadian Tire


Buy a mattress that's designed for your car Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft

7. Trunk kitchen
One can only have so many bags of chips and Red Bulls in a day. And campfires are only good for roasting marshmallows and burning food. What you really need is a trunk kitchen to cook the fish that you just caught or elevate your camping culinary offerings.

Buy here:Amazon

8. Collapsible chairs/table
You need a comfortable relaxation area under the awning and picnic tables are just brutal on your back. A set of foldable chairs and table creates a great space to read a book, sip some coffee or just soak in the sun or hide in the shade. Plus, these are great for picnics and family outings and won't take up too much space in the trunk.

Buy here:Amazon, Walmart, Canadian Tire

9. Car seat organizer
If you're carrying a lot of stuff in the car, it's bound to end up in difficult to reach places such as under the seat or on the floor. Keep everything in place with a car seat organizer. Some of these come with tablet holders that will help keep the kids busy with MAS*H or Star Trek: The Original Series — or are kids watching something else these days?



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Buy here:Amazon, Walmart, Canadian Tire

10. Portable vacuum cleaner
It starts with the cookie crumbs and soon it all descends into chaos. If you, like yours truly, are a neat freak, but don't want to wait till the end of the road trip to vacuum the car, a portable vacuum cleaner is what you need.

Buy here:Amazon, Walmart, Canadian Tire


Car vacuums come in various sizes. Photo by Renita Naraine

So there you have it. Are there any car accessories that you swear by? Share your ideas in the comments below or hit us up on social media. Till then, safe travels.

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