Summer Road Trip Essentials
As we hit the open road this spring and summer season, there are a few tricks to staying organized, traveling comfortably and keeping the peace as a family. Here are six unique, must-have finds to help make your next road adventure a breeze, as seen on NBC’s TODAY show!
Yakuss Car Backseat Organizer
amazon
There’s nothing worse than having a backseat passenger scrambling for a snack or something to do. This multi-pocket, car organizer has plenty of mesh pockets to stash your essentials including hand sanitizer, wipes, grab-and-go snacks, picture books, coloring pencils, a tablet with touchscreen capability, drinks and more.
I love using it solely as a pet organizer to keep everything you need for Fido at hand including collar, treats, pop-up water bowl, bandana, bundled leash, and pet toys.
$9.99, amazon.com
Nomadix Multi-Use Original Towels
Nomadix Original Towel: Smoky Mountains National Park
These post-consumer towels made of recycled material are perfect for any use on the road, as a beach towel with its quick-dry, odor-resistant and sand-repellant weave to an impromptu yoga mat on the grass. I like to say it’s for lying, drying and tree posing! There are numerous towel designs to chose from, my favorite being the individual national parks like Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon and Shenandoah, retro stripes and 60’s sunset vibes.
Plus the Fifty-Nine Parks US Map Original Towel is a collaboration with Fifty-Nine Parks and Nomadix, where a portion of proceeds is devoted to protecting our lands through the Conservation Alliance.
From $39.95-$44.95, nomadix.co
Santa Barbara Design Studio Canvas Travel Totes
Santa Barbara Design Studio
Walking out the door with several small bags isn’t functional. These ample-sized totes of heavy-weight canvas and sturdy leather handles enable you to group and pack your needs to stay organized while traveling. Apropos saying like “Road Trip,” “Sunshine,” “Weekend Vibes,” “Always on Vacay,” and “Sunkissed” set the perfect tone, and black-on-black and grey bags are a newer design that sport a waterproof lining and inside pocket. Utilize these for wet swimsuits, towels and dog toys and shammies.
From $44 - $48 (for waterproof styles), sb-designstudio.com
Mabel’s Labels Water Bottle Bands
Mabel’s Labels
NEW! These personalized, reusable water bottle bands assure that you never sip from the wrong water bottle in the car. Designed to stretch and fit snugly over most-sized bottles, the BPA-free bands are dishwasher and microwave-safe, so you won't have to worry about them falling off!
Simply select from one of the six colors, input a name, choose font and design and get a minimum of 2 bands. Also available in 3 ($17.75) or 4 ($21.25) bands per package.
2 for $14.25, mabelslabels.com
Lifeline AA Excursion Road Kit
Lowe’s
Simply purchase this 76-piece emergency road kit, complete with first aid, place in the back of your vehicle and feel assured that you are prepared for a roadside emergency. Includes a compact design, basic tools, jumper cables, a hazard triangle and First Aid supplies for minor injuries.
$89.99, lowes.com
Chill Monkee Lazy Loungers
Chill Monkee
Heard of a pop-up shop? How about a pop-up seat? These easily inflatable Lazy Loungers start off folded in a small, portable sack, and fill to a delightfully fun seat that can be used atop nearly any surface while on the go, including gravel, rocks, sand, dirt, grass and yes, even water! The 210T Ripstop Polyester fabric is the same that’s found in parachutes so it’s insanely durable while holding air securely. The best part? You don’t need a pump, you simply scoop the air to inflate (find a detailed demo here, you’ll have it up and running in no time). I love the punchy colors, and you have 10 to choose from. Weighs 2 lbs.
$59.95, chillmonkee.com
To watch these products in action, check out the video here!
Prices reflect time of airing. This post and segment are editorial.