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1. A set of packing cubes to masterfully pack all of your absolute travel essentials without having to sacrifice your most prized industrial hair dryer you can't live without.
Includes a large bag, medium cube, underwear bag, makeup bag, flat bag, shoe bag, and a laundry bag!
Promising review: "So versatile, and the material is great! Game changer for a person who travels a lot. Color exactly as depicted." —Taylor Mortensen
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in six colors).
2. A three-piece luggage set so you never have to worry if you have the right size luggage for your next trip. This set includes a perfect carry-on size, a smaller checked bag, and a larger one for the bigger vacations.
They also have TSA locks and 360 degree wheels.
Promising review: "My family travels internationally, which means lots of airplane transfers, rail, ferry loading and unloading. Each member has their own set. Only one cosmetic scuff has appeared. About to order another set for my mother as we are taking her to London, Scotland, and Ireland for the holidays. We rarely use the middle size. The small size we carry on, and the largest size we check. Very pleased with maneuvering and durability of wheels on various rough surfaces. The retractable handle makes for easy storage on ferries and railway. We’ve had zero issues with locking mechanism. We are a family of four with kids age 8 and 12." —ChiefLaughALot
Get it from Amazon for $189.99+ (available in 17 colors).
3. Expandable hangers because sometimes Airbnbs and hotels either forget to supply hangers, or they just don't have enough for your things.
Promising review: "I bought these to take on a cruise since there are never enough hangers in the cabin for our clothes. These are very lightweight and come in a nice drawstring bag. Despite being lightweight, they are very sturdy — strong enough to hold my husband's suit coat without any problem. You can extend them to larger for adult clothes or leave them smaller for tank tops/lingerie!" —Gail
Get a pack of twelve from Amazon for $14.99.
4. An SD card reader to effortlessly transfer all of those high-quality photos you're taking on your camera during your trip straight to your phone for easy social media sharing.
Support all iPhones with iOS 9.2 and up and iPads with iOS 8.0 or later.
Promising review: "Sleek, compact, and it does what it says it's going to do! As a photographer for a rock band, it's important to be able to get the great shots out on social media as soon as we can. The minute the set is over, I pop my card out, connect it to my phone with the product, and get the shots on social media within a few minutes. I saw lots of people using this for hunting game cameras as well. Regardless of what you're using it for, this product gets the job done with style. Thank you!" —Donald Bryan Spitko
Get it from Amazon for $11.04.
5. A bungee luggage strap that'll securely hold down your personal item, making traveling through the airport an absolute ~breeze~.
Promising review: "Been looking for something to hold my large purse and luggage together. Thank goodness I waited and tried this out. Easy to use and can throw it in my purse or jacket pocket with no problem. Absolutely worth it! Takes two seconds to put on." —Sunny California
Get it from Amazon for $9.59+ (available in six colors).
6. A jewelry organizer so you can not only keep your things organized and easily accessible, but it'll also prevent them from getting annoyingly tangled.
Promising review: "I absolutely love this product!! Came exactly as advertised. The feel is nice quality, and zippers and pockets all good quality. My favorite is the necklace compartment! The separate elastic bands really do prevent my necklaces from tangling together. Everything is easy to see and store. I highly recommend buying this for yourself or as a gift!" —Kristid
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two sizes and nine colors).
7. A pair of no-tie elastic shoelaces perfect for anyone who would rather just slip their shoes on and rush out the TSA line instead of wasting time trying to remember which way the bunny ears are supposed to twist. Bonus: the fasteners on these are hidden, so it'll be your lil' time-saving secret!
Promising review: "At first I was skeptical that these laces wouldn't hold my shoes on tightly enough, but I decided to give them a try in my Converse Chucks. They're fantastic! I like the way the 'hidden' fasteners sit inside the shoes below the eyelets, but on top of the tongue, and I can't feel the fastener at all with my foot in the shoe. I've had them in for around eight months, and they're still just as elastic as ever. They haven't stretched at all and show no signs of wearing out. I loved them so much that I bought five more sets to put in all of my shoes! No more triple knotting my shoes so they don't become untied. I tie knots pretty slowly so these laces have honestly saved me tons of time. I couldn't be happier with them." —lucidity
Get them from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 38 colors).
8. A handmade diffuser where you can choose from a variety (31!!) of scents to help mask the smell of stinky socks and fast food that's been permeating the car for the past 300 miles.
I finally bought a few for myself, and I'm already obsessed! It's hard to choose which scent, but I ended up buying eight different ones, and I can confirm that they all smell amazing! It's super easy to set up (follow the care instructions so you don't make a mess!), and it looks so pretty in my car. It worked instantly, and now every time I open my car door, I get a lovely subtle smell of amber and vanilla. It's perfect!
Amber and Wood Co. is a small business based out of Valparaiso, Indiana that sells thoughtfully sourced aromatic goods such as diffusers and candles.
Promising review: "This is the cutest diffuser I’ve ever purchased, and the car smells amazing. I can’t wait to try other scents as the seasons change. They’re quick and easy to use. And shipping was quick!" —Jennifer Wingard
Get it from Amber and Wood Co. on Etsy for $9 (available in 31 scents).
9. A tablet holder that'll easily mount on the headrest, making it easy for your kids to binge all the Studio Ghibli films and not have to tire their arms holding the screen up. Or worse, drop it when they fall asleep.
It has a 360-degree rotation ability, so you'll always find the perfect angle! Also, it extends forward up to 9.8 inches!
Promising review: "We got this and have used it on long car rides for our kids. Its ability to twist and turn is amazing. We love how it could extend further out or to the side, which made it easy for both kids to watch something since the headrest is not very centrally located. It is very easy to install, and it held my phone and surface pro because of the ability to adjust." —Laura
Get it from Amazon for $22.99.
10. A cup holder because have you tried to walk around the airport while holding your luggage handle, your personal bag on your elbow, your phone in one hand, your drink in the other, and your breakfast somewhere in-between? It's a MESS.
Promising review: "Got compliments on its first travel day! So easy to use and sturdy. I use one side for drinks, the other side for sandwiches, and the small pocket for receipts, napkins, or utensils. Made traveling easy." —Joanne Livingston
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in 23 colors).
11. A compact trash bin that will keep your car tidy and clean throughout the road trip without the hassle of picking everything up off the floor at the next rest stop.
This 1.85-gallon trashcan has adjustable straps and a waterproof interior, and it's leakproof!
Promising review: "This is a very convenient addition to my car and fits perfectly without being in the way of passengers in the second row seating area. I highly recommend. Fits easily in vehicles that have a center armrest in the front passenger seating area. Universal fit." —Paula D. Thomas
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three sizes).
12. An air mattress, because is there anything more uncomfortable than trying to sleep in the front seats during a road trip? Okay maybe, like, two other things, but this is on the top of *my* list!
It comes with one air mattress, two inflatable pillows, one inflator/deflator pump, and one storage bag.
Promising review: "I have to say that this is amazing! This bed can be used in a truck or the back of a car, which is so practical. The machine it comes with helps it inflate quickly. It can also be used anytime you're camping, not just in a car. It shocked me how spacious the back seat was with this air mattress. And the cushion is very comfortable. It's easily portable because it's not heavy at all. Such good quality!" —Amy
Get it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in five colors).
13. A makeup sponge holder to keep your beauty blender away from your clothes and other brushes. There's vented slots on both sides — aka, no weird smells!
Promising review: "This is perfect because I like to grab my makeup and run. I was always putting my beauty blender in a tissue when I traveled, and that got dirty quick. I left it at home on the counter and felt it was gross leaving it there. This is a perfect product for at home and on the go. Going to buy as a gift for my friends!" —Mallory Walters
Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in three colors).
14. Road trip games that'll keep everyone in the back seat entertained for hours while you get some much-needed "you time." It's perfect for parents who prefer their kids not look at screens the entire trip!
Capable By Design is a small business based in Saint John, Indiana that sells custom T-Shirts, towels, pillows, and many other accessories.
If you have an idea for a type of game you want for your kids, you can personalize this product, and the seller will help bring it to life!
Get it from Capable By Design on Etsy for $21.21 (originally $24.95).
15. A first aid clutch kit because who said being prepared couldn't be stylish? Not me. I would never.
What's included: 6 antiseptic cleansing wipes, 6 sting relief pads, 6 alcohol pads, 10 safety pins, 18 cotton swabs, 10 fabric bandages, 5 knuckle bandages, 5 finger bandages, 2 butterfly bandages, 5 gauze pads, and 1 gauze tape. Whew!
Promising review: "I carry this in my purse 24/7! I get cuts and scrapes all the time. It’s the perfect size, and the design is super cute. I love the little quote on the inside cover. It has absolutely everything I need; I’ve tried a couple of other “emergency” packs/pouches, and they just always had something missing. This one is just perfect." —Alexis Trombley
Get it from Amazon for $26.
16. A stick-on shade to block the sun's bright rays and also all the haters from judging you for napping in your backseat during a road trip break. Mind ya business.
17. A super compact portable charger because after spending an entire day at Disney taking photos, there's nothing I believe someone needs more when they travel than one of these bad boys.
It can charge an iPhone 8 up to 1.5 times and a iPhone X one full time.
Promising review: "The holy grail of portable chargers!!! I was traveling to Disney for vacation, and knowing me, I would drain my battery with just taking pictures alone. I wanted a portable battery but didn’t want a carry a cord either, so I was excited when I found this little baby! It does exactly as described, pretty color, and I get one full charge of battery for my phone. Get it; you will not be disappointed!" —Meghan Doble
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in five colors).
18. A mini wet brush so you can bring your favorite essential with you everywhere you go. It works wonderfully for all hair types, but it's loved most by reviewers with curls and coils.
Promising review: "These are small, but get the tangles out without excessive pain. I purchased them to leave in our swimming bags and for my girls to pack when traveling so they don't have to bring a full-sized brush. I recently was trying to pack lightly for a trip and decided to bring one of these little brushes for myself. Even though it is tiny, it did a great job in my thick blonde hair. One of my daughters has curly hair and the other very long, straight hair. We all three prefer these to the many other brushes we have. We have used them in both wet and dry hair. I'm now planning to purchase the larger version as well." —Amazon customer
*Another* promising review: "I have curly hair that gets matted up very easily. These brushes are the best I've found at working through the knots. The travel size is perfect to keep in a bag or car and work just was well as the full size." —Courtney
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $9.99 (also available individually in 24 color options).
19. A brush holder because there's nothing that makes me sadder than opening my luggage and seeing my brushes have been crushed in a weird position for over eight hours. 😢
Promising review: "I am one of those people who heavily relies on other peoples' reviews but rarely leaves my own. However, this little item is GENIUS. When it arrived, I thought it would be too short, but it fits all of my MAC brushes and even my tallest LAURA MERCIER brush. When zipped for travel, it lays FLAT. A quick unzip and flip of the fabric, and it is a sturdy brush caddy with easy access. Great, Great, GREAT!!!" —Kimberly S.
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in two sizes and nine styles).
20. A foldable toiletry bag to conveniently store literally *all* of your toiletries in one place. The best part? It has a hook to hang it for easy reachin'!
21. A silicone mat for your hot hair tools to not only protect the counters from heat, but when you're in a rush to head out the door, you can just slip the hot tool in your pouch and be on your way!
Promising review: "I love love LOVE this product! I usually straighten my hair in the bathroom, and this protects my counter top from being damaged. It also prevents my curling iron from rolling off of the counter! Which always happened to me before I bought this. Sometimes, I curl my hair in front of my floor-length mirror and sit on the floor. My floor is carpeted, and this product keeps my carpet from getting burned! (My curler goes up to 450 degrees). When I move the mat, the carpet feels warm, but not hot. I have also placed my straightener inside, and it works great. I LOVE IT! Definitely recommend!!!" —Amazon customer
Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in six colors).
22. A portable wash bag because if you're lucky, your hotel has laundry, but it's $$$. This will easily pay for itself in just a few washes. It has a built-in washboard so it's like a modern day version of washing your laundry in a bucket! Timeless *and* effective!
Ideal for small to medium loads including T-Shirts, underwear, socks, camping dishcloths, and face masks or hand washing delicates, including bras and lingerie. Between washes, you can use it as a dry bag to keep gear dry or as a dirty laundry bag or hamper.
Promising review: "Works great! Had about three months of heavy use, and it shows no signs of wear and tear. It also cleans clothes better than the commercial washing machine, so the Scrubba definitely gets the seal of approval for sure." —Jake D.
Get it from Amazon for $45.82+ (available in three colors).
23. A door stop alarm to give you some serious peace of mind knowing that if anyone even attempts to jimmy the door open, they'll be spooked by an ~alarming~ sound.
It's as loud as 120db!!
Promising review: "Loud little dude! Good for home and travel for hotel room doors. Sensitivity control and on/off switch. Be sure to measure from floor to bottom of door to make sure it will engage the alarm. After demonstrating it, my sister-in-law, niece, and mom wanted them. A little peace of mind for very little money." —Jim Walker
Get a two pack from Amazon for $13.99 (available in multiple packs and two colors).
24. And a portable door lock for even *more* security! Hotel staff can easily get into your room if they need to, and that can be unnerving as a solo traveler.
Promising review: "We took this device anytime we were staying at a hotel or an AirB&B we rented. It is easy to figure out how to set it on the door striker. You can download a video for directions. It has two sizes you can choose depending on the size of your striker. This is great for added security for you while at home or traveling. Our granddaughter uses it if she is home alone after school. When you go to a hotel, a lot of people have access to your room like the housekeeper or maintenance workers. You just attach this to the door while you are in the room for extra protection." —Debra B.
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (also available in a two-pack).
25. A car visor extender because you've got a long roadtrip ahead of you and the sun *always* has to be exactly below the visor, making it impossible to see the road without glare.
Glare Guard, the clever small business that makes this add-on visor, was started by maker Mark Smith. Mark used to work in the movie theater business, and now he and his son are helpin' drivers see better on the roads with their smart invention. It blocks up to 99.9% of UVA and UVB rays, reduces glare, and dims brightness.
Promising review: " Absolutely love this thing! I cannot believe I've been driving this long and ever bought this. Shout out to short ladies, you need this! I'm 5ft tall and I drive a sedan for reference. This also fits perfectly on my visor and the inside mirror isn't blocked at all." —Stevie
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
26. A portable water flosser so you can keep your sparkly whites, well, sparklin' even on vacation!
It has three pressure modes and removes 99.99% of plaque!
Promising review: "I like how compact this flosser is. It is easy to travel with or stick in my purse to take to work. It’s good for when you are on the go, but if you are using it as your primary flosser at home, its capacity is small so you will have to fill it multiple times per use." —Kaila
Get it from Amazon for $38.88.
27. A Lay-N-Go makeup bag for the person who doesn't really *care* about organizing their products when traveling. You're just a "throw it all in a bag and go" kind of person, and I like that about you.
Promising review: "I LOVE this bag! I’m actually a very precise, organized person, but the bundle of scattered makeup items really works for me. New vanity center drawer is too small, difficult to keep my things. As photos illustrate, bag is kept in deeper drawer, then retrieved while in use. Then back to the drawer until next time." —Neverland
Get a 20-inch bag from Amazon for $29.95 (available in four sizes and 27 colors).
28. A travel shoe bag that'll keep your kicks organized *and* away from your clean clothes. The idea of putting my dirty shoes in the same bag as my crisp shirts makes me want to cry.
Can hold three pairs, but maybe more depending on your shoe size!
Promising review: "Great for traveling! I’m visiting my sister end of March and I always over pack. I honestly probably only need two pairs of shoes but I’m taking extra for different outfits. I was able to fit my Minnie Mouse Vans in the larger compartment, Tory Burch sandals and my Birkenstock dupes in this bag. I like that it all fits in one bag vs having three bags to keep track of. Also the carrying handle makes it easier to carry all pairs together. The back also has a small pocket to store a couple of no-show socks(I have one pair in the pocket)." —Jackie
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in nine colors).
29. A tissue holder so when that sad song on your "Road Trip Essentials" playlist plays, you're ready for it.
Tiger98 is a small business based in San Angelo, Texas that sells handmade items for your car.
Promising review: "Obsessed! It’s so perfect and exactly what I was looking for. I love the pattern and got a matching trash holder, too! It also came with a pack of tissues, which I appreciate so much! If I could give it 10 stars, I would!" —Traci Adams
Get it from Tiger98 on Etsy for $8 (available in 46 patterns).
30. An international power converter because it's time we stop shorting out electronics whenever we travel internationally.
You can use American electronics in 150 countries!
Promising review: "Prior to this purchase we've killed an appliance or two in overseas travel. We bought the Sokoo Power Converter for a trip to the Philippines. It worked like a champ! We charged our iPhones and other high end devices with peace of mind. My wife used her flat iron with this just fine. I like that it has plug adapters for outlets around the world, so I know where ever we go we can use this. I recommend this to anyone doing international travel." —David Aiken
Get it from Amazon for $41.98.
31. A passport and vaccine card holder that'll make going through the security lines at the airport unbelievably easy.
It has built in RFID Blocking!
Promising review: "I was looking for a way to keep my vaccine card safe and thought this was a great option to protect the card and my passport. It's the perfect size to hold both, and even comes with a tiny pen! There are spots for credit cards, etc., so definitely functions as a small wallet as well if you don't need to carry cash. Very happy with this purchase!" —Stephanie Hotze
Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in 45 colors).
32. A luggage scale to help reduce that inevitable anxiety you feel when you can't stop thinking, "OMG, what if my luggage is an ounce too heavy?!"
Can measure up to 110 pounds.
Promising review: "This was a great buy! It’s saved me and my family time and money when we travel! I’ve even given it to friends to borrow so they don’t have to worry about the weight of their luggage when they get to the airport. It can be tricky to be accurate if you don’t hold it properly and stay still but even so, it’s possibly a pound or a few ounces off if you can’t hold it upright for too long. Definitely recommend this tool especially for the low price!" —Annette M.
Get it from Amazon for $11.59+ (available in five colors).
33. And finally, a sunglasses organizer because some of us (me) like having options to match our outfits and we shouldn't have to sacrifice that for travel, right? RIGHT.
Holds five glasses!
Promising review: "This organizer is even better quality than expected. It's really sturdy and solid. Great craftsmanship. It's super cool looking. Definitely looks more expensive than what you pay. The material where the glasses are held is extremely soft like suede, so this should prevent scratches and protect them while transporting. I really like that it has a way of keeping the glasses in place. I noticed other similar items don't have this feature, which is why I chose this above the others." —Namiko Minakata
Get it from Amazon for $36.99.
You when your partner comments on your overstuffed luggage:
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