Two Roaming Souls

12 Best Car Camping Mattress Options (Sleep In Your Car Comfortably)

By Author Emily Junda

Posted on Last updated: January 18, 2024

Categories Camping

Car camping is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy nature. While sleeping in a car doesn’t sound that comfortable, technology has advanced and there are tons of great car camping mattresses to help you catch some zzz’s at night. In this post we will go over the best mattress for a car camping trip and which one is best for you.

Car camping in a hatchback with a pillow and sleeping bag.

While Jake and I now live in a camper van, we did start our camping adventures via car camping many years ago. We first slept in a tent with a modest air mattress, but later learned Jake’s car seats could lay down flat. So we then changed to sleeping in his car when the weather was extra cold or rain was in the forecast.

And additionally, on a road trip from Denver to Boston, we saved a ton of money by renting a car and sleeping in the car instead of renting hotels along the way. 

A car camping sleep setup for two people in a sedan

Personally, Jake and I have just used the individual backpacking air pads. But if you want to take car camping seriously, there are tons of great car camping mattresses to choose from. Most are designed for SUVs or minivans where all the seats can lie flat.

But, if you are camping in a small sedan, you might want to consider getting one of these best backpacking sleeping pads . 

Let’s dive into the best mattresses for car camping below.

This post may contain affiliate links. Disclosure policy .

Hest Dually: 

road trip mattress

Hest created an awesome and very comfortable car camping mattress. One of my favorite features is that it folds in half. So if you go on a solo adventure, you can have double the comfort and more space in your vehicle for other things. 

Another awesome feature of Hest is that they offer a 100-night satisfaction or money-back guarantee. So after trying out this mattress for 100 nights, if you aren’t comfortable and fully satisfied, they will give you a full refund!

Hest offers two different styles. The Dually Long and the Dually Wide. To find out which car camping mattress is best for you, measure the length and width of your vehicle and see which one will fit better. 

One of the main reasons Hest Dually is one of the best mattresses for car camping is because of the dirt and water-resistant cover. The memory foam inside the mattress is protected. And you can even wash the cover between uses. 

Hest Dually Car Camping Mattress Stats

Thickness: 3.9 inches

Weight: Long: 26 pounds, Wide: 31 pounds

R-Value: Unavailable (although the foam is temperature-resilient)

Material:  Top Layer – Open Cell Foam, Bottom Layer – Closed Cell Foam

Pros Of The Hest Dually

  • Most comfortable camping mattress
  • Ease of use (just throw it in the car)
  • 100-night satisfaction or money-back guarantee
  • It comes in 2 different sizes
  • The cover is machine washable
  • Made of foam, so will not pop like other air mattresses
  • Easy to set up
  • Won’t shink on cold nights

Cons Of The Hest Dually

  • It doesn’t pack down very small
  • R-Value not disclosed (although the foam is temperature resilient)

Shop The Hest Dually Car Camping Mattress:

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Luno Car Camping Air Mattress:

Luno is your best car camping mattress built for ruggedness. So if you are looking for an air mattress that will last you through all your car camping adventures, look no further. Luno products are built for comfort, convenience, and durability.

One of the coolest features of the Luno air mattress is there are 2 separate air chambers. So if you are traveling solo you only have to blow up one side and fold the other half underneath. And if your partner or a friend joins in, you can blow up the other side! Plus their air mattress fits more than 1,800 different vehicles.

What is most unique about the Luno air mattress is the design. The top part of the mattress flares out the length of the doors and narrows in the back where the wheel wells come in. Most other air mattresses are just the shape of a rectangle. So this air mattress is specifically designed to nicely fill up the space of the SUV trunk and back seats.

road trip mattress

Additionally, Luno provides base extenders that can be placed behind the driver and passenger seats. This allows the air mattress to extend past the folded-down seats and helps the air mattress extend to lay flat an extra 12 inches.

The air mattress material is made of 300-denier Oxford fabric which is made for years of use. It can also withstand pet claws, pine needles, wood chips, and more. Although, it’s best to avoid anything sharp from hitting the mattress.

Luno includes a 1-year warranty for every purchase with the option of upgrading to a lifetime warranty. 

The Luno Mattress comes with an electric pump. Simply plug into your car outlet and it pumps up with no extra work.

Luno Air Mattress Stats

Thickness: 4 inches

Weight: 15 lbs

R-Value: Unavailable (although air provides a low R-value)

Material:  300D Oxford Fabric

Pros Of The Luno Air Mattress

  • Comfortable
  • Easy Inflation
  • 2 air chambers for single or double-use
  • 1-year warranty (with the option of adding a lifetime warranty)
  • Not too heavy
  • Easy set up and take down
  • Packs down rather small
  • Fit’s travelers up to 6’2”
  • Mattresses fit 1800 different vehicles
  • Material is made durable for many years of use
  • Included pump
  • The best option for a car camper

Cons Of The Luno Air Mattress

  • Air has a low R-value
  • It has the ability to pop
  • It is vulnerable to shrinking during cold nights

Shop Luno Car Camping Mattress:

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Exped Megamat

road trip mattress

Exped has a few different models for car camping mattresses, but for this specific review, we will be talking about the Exped Megamat Duo 10. BUT, this mattress won’t fit in every SUV or Truck bed like the Luno or Hest listed above.

While the Exped Megamat Max 15 Duo is probably one the most comfortable of the models, it simply won’t fit in most vehicles. Therefore, the Exped Megamat Duo 10 is one of the best mattresses for car camping if you are looking for a rectangular air mattress that will fit in a larger vehicle or truck bed. 

The dimensions of the Exped Megamat Duo 10 are a bit smaller at 72 x 41 x 3.9 inches. The dimensions of the Exped Megamat Duo 15 are 77.6 x 52 x 6 inches.

Therefore, these might be a bit large for some vehicle makes and models. It’s best to measure the inside of your vehicle to see if this will fit in. Or if you are traveling solo, they both carry a one-person mattress, which will most likely fit better. You can also refer to their vehicle fit guide .

Exped put a lot of extra thought into this mattress making it as close if not better than your home mattress. With an impressive R-value of 8.1, this bed will keep you warm all night long no matter the temperature outside. The vertical side walls make it extra wide for 2 people to sleep without feeling like you are going to fall off the edge.

The biggest drawback is deflating the Exped Megamat. With the powerful, self-inflating hole, it can be a challenge to get the air mattresses back to travel size. It often takes two people to deflate the mattress.

Stats For The Exped Megamat Duo 10 Car Camping Mattress

Weight: 7 lbs 8 oz

R-Value: 8.1

Material: Open-cell foam

Pros Of The Exped Megamat Duo 10

  • Very comfortable
  • Lightweight
  • Packable (if you can deflate it properly)
  • High R-Value of 8.1

Cons Of The Exped Megamat Duo 10

  • It doesn’t fit all vehicles
  • Hard to deflate
  • Doesn’t have 2 air chambers (it’s always blown up for 2 people)

Shop The Exped Megamat 10

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Stoic Double Cloud

road trip mattress

The Stoic Double Cloud is a budget-friendly mattress for car camping, yet still made of quality. The foam padding and stretchy fabric make it feel as though you are sleeping on a cloud, or so they say!

It is also probably one of the most packable air mattresses on this list. Plus the bottom is meant to withstand rough and abrasive surfaces. So whether you are using this air mattress for car camping or out in the backcountry, this mattress should withstand some wear and tear. 

The dimensions of the Stoic Cloud is 80 x 51.5 x 4in, which might be a bit long for some vehicles. Therefore, be sure to measure the inside of your vehicle before ordering this car camping mattress.

This might be better for longer truck beds, versus inside a small SUV like some of the other car camping mattresses listed above.

Stats For The Stoic Cloud Car Camping Mattress

Weight: 10 lbs

R-Value: 8.4

Material: 30D stretch fabric, & 190T polyester

Pros Of The Stoic Cloud

  • Less expensive
  • Comfortable (although probably not top choice)
  • Packs down small
  • R-value of 8.4

Cons Of The Stoic Cloud

  • It doesn’t fit all vehicle makes & models

Shop The Stoic Cloud Car Camping Mattress:

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Therm-A-Rest MondoKing 3D

road trip mattress

The Therm-A-Rest MondoKing 3D is probably one of the comfiest car camping mattresses. But it can strike a challenge with its rigidity. If you often use your camping mattress for both tent camping and sleeping in your car, then this can be a great option.

There are 2 different sizes to choose from: Large and Extra Large. The Large car camping mattress has a length of 77 inches and the extra large has a length of 80 inches. This could pose a challenge in shorter vehicles.

One unique feature of the Therm-A-Rest MondoKing is that it is self-inflating. No extra setup time is needed. However, you may need to add a little extra air at the end. This alternatively does make it a bit more challenging for deflating. People have complained it’s harder to fit back in the stuff sack.

With the StrataCore™ construction, the pad has an impressive r-value. This layer incorporates a continuous layer of thermal foam sandwiched between alternating ridges of air and foam. Plus the stretch-knit fabric provides deluxe breathability and the ultimate comfort.

Because of its higher R-value is can be used in cold weather.

Stats For The Therm-A-Rest MondoKing 3D

Thickness: 4.25 inches

Weight: 5 lbs 8 oz

Material: Polyester, open-cell foam

Pros Of The Therm-A-Rest MondoKing 3D

  • R-Value of 7
  • Self-inflating pads
  • Best best sleeping pads for thickness

Cons Of The Therm-A-Rest MondoKing 3D

  • Vulnerable to pop
  • Can be hard to deflate because of its self-inflating mechanics
  • It doesn’t fit all car makes and models

Shop The Therm-A-Rest MondoKing 3D

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Budget-Friendly Mattresses For Car Camping

To be honest, Amazon has a few great options for the best mattresses for car camping. While I can’t personally vouch for their quality, they do come at a significant price drop compared to a few other mattresses on this list.

We don’t like to promote wasteful consumerism, but you could probably replace one of these mattresses a couple of times before reaching the total price of some of these other high-quality mattresses (but obviously I hope that doesn’t happen).

I do vouch for choosing one of the more high-quality best camping mattresses above, if budget is a concern, here are a few budget-friendly options for the best mattresses for car camping. 

Heytrip Air Mattress

 HEYTRIP SUV Inflatable Air Mattress for Car Camping, 4 Inch Thickened Car Camping Bed, Adjustable Firmness Sleeping Pad for 2 Persons (72 x 47 x 4 Inch)

The Heytrip Air Mattress is the budget-friendly version of a Luno Car Camping Mattress. BUT, that is definitely not to say the quality is made the same as a Luno mattress. Plus there is no warranty compared to the Luno. Although they do have a satisfaction assured plan, so if you are unhappy with your purchase, you can talk with their customer service.

The mattress is 4 inches thick and can be set up for 1 person or 2 people with 2 separate air chambers. This version doesn’t come with base extenders to help keep the top level between the extra space behind the driver and passenger seats. Therefore, if you are tall, you might need to stuff some extra clothes or something to support the top end of the mattress.

Personally, I think this can be a great budget-friendly car camping mattress. The drawback is it’s made of air, so the R-value might not be that great. Plus because it is made of air, it does have the possibility of popping. Ultimately, I think it can be a great option to get started with car camping.

Shop The Heytrip Car Camping Mattress:

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Wey & Fly Air Mattress

road trip mattress

The Wey & Fly Air Mattress is a unique air mattress that splits into 2 different air chambers. You can either have the mattress inflated for 2 people or for 1 person. But the 2 chambers are split into 60/40. Therefore if you need more space in the back of your vehicle, then you can just inflate 40% of the air mattress and vice versa. 

There are two air flaps on the sides that help protect from the hard plastic exterior of the vehicle. This can be a great mattress for car camping, but I don’t know if it will last years and years like some of the other car camping mattresses on the list.

Shop The Wey & Fly Air Mattress

Tescamp camping mattress.

road trip mattress

While the Tescamp Camping Mattress only claims to work in Tesla Model Y vehicles, I believe these memory foam blocks could also work in non-Teslas vehicles. It’s the closest version to the HEST mattress listed above. Although, I do feel it might be less comfortable because it’s only 2.6 inches thick. Therefore, if you are a side sleeper, the HEST will likely suit you better. 

Comparing the price to the HEST car camping mattress, the Tescamp is half the price. Therefore, you could purchase this, and cut any memory foam to fit your vehicle type better. The best part about memory foam, is it won’t pop at night, so you can be confident in sleeping through the night. 

Shop The Tescamp Car Camping Mattress:

Losthorizon airsoft 4.5” thick self inflating sleeping pad.

LOSTHORIZON 4.5”Thick Self Inflating Sleeping Pad for Tesla Model 3, Camping Mattress with Pump Sack, Solid Foam, R-Value 13, 4 Seasons

This is another air mattress designed specifically for Tesla model vehicles. But with the shape of the mattress, I find it hard to believe that it wouldn’t fit in many other SUV’s. Unlike the Luno air mattress which has many different styles of their air mattress.

The mattress is 4.5″ thick making it very comfortable. The air mattress is self-inflating, making it easy to set up. You have the option between manual deflation or electric deflation. Plus 3 different sizes for air mattresses.

The Losthorizon mattress claims to have an R-value of 13, which is the highest of all the car camping mattresses on this list. If you are looking for a 4-season air mattress that can even keep you warm in the winter months for winter camping, you are in luck with this bed.

Shop The Losthorizon Car Camping Mattress:

Gotidy car mattress pad.

 GOTIDY SUV Air Mattress, Inflatable Car Air Mattress Back Seat, 10inch Full Size SUV Inflatable Bed Air Mattress with Built in Pump for SUV Car 2 Persons

If you are looking for an extra plump air mattress, the Gotidy Car Mattress Pad is the perfect fit. It is a 10″ mattress that can fit into most SUV trunks. The Gotidy comes with a built-in pump for easy inflation.

The Gotidy claims to fit around the wheel wells on more than 1,800 vehicles, including Subaru, Toyota, Jeep, Tesla & more.

One concern is with the height of the mattress being 10″ means you will have less headroom to sit up in the back on the SUV. But the comfort can be a great trade-off.

Shop The Gotidy Car Mattress Pad

D-hive unbeatable durability suv air mattress.

 D-Hive Unbeatable Durability SUV Air Mattress for Car Camping, Durable Extra Thick 300D Oxford Fabric, Quick Easy Set-Up w/Electric Pump, Car Bed Mattress

The D-Hive Car Camping Mattress is essentially the off-brand of the Luno Mattress. It’s “built” for durability and made to fit many different makes and models. It even comes with extenders which essentially help the mattress stay upright.

It’s made with durable extra thick 300D Oxford Fabric, quick and easy to set-up with the electric pump.

For the price, it’s a fraction of the cost of the Luno. So if budget is a concern, you might consider giving the D-Hive a solid chance.

Shop The D-Hive Mattress For Car Camping

Onirii car inflatable air mattress.

road trip mattress

And if you are short and traveling in a sedan, then the Onirii air mattress might be the best fit. This air mattress blows up sideways in the back seat, with a support air chamber to extend the flat space.

This might not be quite as comfy as the other models where you can lay flat in the back of an SUV, but if a sedan is all you have, this allows for a decently comfy sleep.  The only limitation is that it only allows for the width of your vehicle, which is too short for most people to sleep comfortably.

If you are short or a dedicated side sleeper then it may work for you.

Shop The Onirii Car Inflatable Air Mattress:

Tips for car camping:, what kind of mattress do i need for car camping:.

When looking for a car camping mattress, there are a few things to consider. Air does not hold a very high R-value, because it typically matches the temperature of the air. So if it’s cold outside, the air will hold the same temperature inside the mattress.

But if there is a type of insulation that can hold heat, the air can expand a higher R-value.

If you are traveling with pets, it’s likely a good idea to stick to a foam mattress pad. Although there are a few durable air mattresses on this list of great car camping mattress options.

Plus foam typically holds a higher R-value. But it also takes up more space because it doesn’t pack down as small.

Personally, if I was car camping often, I’d opt for the HEST Dually . But if I wanted to be able to pack my air mattress away for easy stowing, then a good choice would be the Luno Air Mattress .

If budget was a concern, I’d choose one of the Amazon air mattresses listed above. Just be sure to always have the patch kit with you, so you can patch any holes to continue to enjoy the great outdoors on your camping adventure!

Follow These Car Camping Expert Tips:

There are a few key elements to mastering car camping . Such as making sure a window is cracked for proper ventilation. As well as making sure you can charge up your electronics or protect yourself from the sun/heat with Reflectix. This post on 10 expert tips for sleeping in your car dives deeper into all the expert tips to successfully go car camping.

External Storage:

When sleeping in your vehicle, you will want to have somewhere to put all your belongings. While you might be able to place your bags outside, what if it rains? Or if it’s bear country, it’s extremely unsafe or maybe even illegal. So having external storage to put your stuff can be super helpful to save space and stay organized.

Car Camping Kitchen Essentials:

Don’t forget the kitchen! When car camping, you can create an awesome car camping kitchen setup to save money and cook your own food. There are many different camp stoves to choose from and coolers to keep foods fresh. We personally love our Camp Chef Stovetop and RTIC cooler products .

Sun Shade/ Rain Protection:

Also, it’s nice to have a living area outside your car for when you don’t want to sit in a hot box. Therefore, we suggest having a sun shade or protection for if it rains. Jake and I love our Moonshade and CGear Sand Free mat . We set it up right outside our vehicle and it extends our outdoor living space!

Takeaway | Best Mattresses For Car Camping

These are some of the best mattresses for car camping, no doubt. But they definitely differ in price and quality. Therefore, I suggest looking deeper into what is important to you when choosing the best car camping mattresses. Obviously, I personally feel comfort should be pretty high on the list, but the price might help you decide as well! 

If you have space for a memory foam mattress in your car camping set-up, I think it’s the best option. You don’t have to worry about inflating and deflating the mattress or fear of it popping. And it will last for many years with no issues. 

Our top choices are either the HEST Dually or the Luno Air Mattress . Both mattresses have great warranties or satisfaction policies. And both should provide you with a good night’s sleep.

Both companies are exclusively in the car camping mattress game. Therefore, you know you are getting a quality product. We hope this post helps you choose one of the best mattresses for car camping and you can catch some zzz’s on all your camping adventures!

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road trip mattress

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10 Best Mattresses for Sleeping in SUV – Let the Comfort Be Your Top Priority!

Did you know that you spend about one-third of your entire life sleeping. Therefore, premium sleep comfort should be among your top priorities, whether you spend most of your time at home or in the outdoors. If you are an outlander or are considering SUV camping, you should consider getting the best mattress for sleeping in an SUV. Shopping for one can be a hassle, especially with all the options on the market. In this article, we’ve rounded up the cream of the crop to help you make the best buy.

Some of the crucial features we considered in our review include materials and durability, size, weight, and insulation, among others. The features are key determinants for the mattress’ overall quality and longevity.

  • Quick Summary
  • Editor’s Choice: Goplus SUV Air Mattress "An air mattress with a super-comfortable skin-friendly flocking surface, 8 compartments that offer unmatched versatility, is waterproof, and easy to wash."
  • Premium Pick: Milliard Tri Folding Memory Foam Mattress "A high-quality CertiPur-US certified memory foam mattress that folds and unfolds easily for sleeping or storage, with a breathable cover and mesh side for temperature regulation."
  • Best Temperature Regulating : WEY&FLY SUV Air Mattress "A high-end SUV air mattress with a firm, thickened double-sided flock that offers ultra-comfort, excellent temperature regulation, and is environment-friendly."
  • Best with Accessories: SAYGOGO SUV Air Mattress "Resilient SUV air mattress durably made with flocking materials that offer a comfortable sleeping surface that can sleep up to 3 adults."
  • Best for Camping: BETTER HABITAT Camping Mattress "Lightweight fiberglass-free CertiPur-US certified memory foam mattress that is highly portable, easy to maintain, and comfortable for both lightweight and average-weight people."
  • Best PVC Air Mattress: Berocia SUV Air Mattress "A CE RoHS certified SUV air mattress with a durable, super-comfortable surface with an ergonomic wave design that can be adjusted to fit in any SUV space."
  • Best Double-Sided Air Mattress: Nifusu SUV Air Mattress "Medium firm SUV air mattress with a double-row seam edge technology that removes the risk of leakage and a honeycomb design that enhances comfort."
  • Budget Pick: HAITRAL Portable Inflatable Mattress "A small, portable, versatile, and very affordable inflatable mattress with a unique design that fits in almost all car models."
  • Best Lightweight: HIRALIY Car Air Mattress "Multifunctional car mattress bed made with heavy-duty oxford cloth material for top-notch puncture resistance and a comfortable, breathable flocking top."
  • Best Multi-Purpose: JINGWEI Folding Mattress "A multi-purpose folding mattress made with durable and comfortable materials to keep you cool and offer your body the perfect support."

Top 10 Mattresses for Sleeping in SUV Review 2024

Goplus SUV Air Mattress

Goplus SUV Air Mattress

  • Size: 48.5” x 75”
  • Thickness: 5”
  • Materials: flocking surface, polyvinyl chloride
  • Weight: 32.5 lbs.

Other features: 5 separate compartments with independent air inlets, fully or partially inflated.

customizable to your needs and is specially designed to offer maximum comfort. The mattress is very popular among outlanders and outdoorsy people because of its comfortable flocking skin-friendly surface.

The GoPlus SUV mattress distinguishes itself with its 5 separate compartments. Each of them has an air inlet that allows you to use the mattress in different sizes. If you are doing a solo trip, you don’t have to inflate the entire mattress. This also allows you to use the mattress in different car models with different capacities.

Unlike most air mattresses, the mattress has PVC bottom stitches and double sealed air nozzles for airtightness. It is also incredibly easy to inflate thanks to the electric pump and few air compartments. In sum, the mattress is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for an easy-to-use and versatile SUV mattress that can fit in different types of vehicles.

  • The most impressive thing about this mattress is that it is customizable in both firmness and size, plus you can use it outside the vehicle as it is waterproof and easy to wash. We also liked the accessories it comes with; repair patches, nozzle set, and storage bag. They offer excellent value for money.
  • The GoPlus SUV mattress ticks nearly all the checkboxes, but it has a few shortcomings. We realized that it loses air after long usage. With time, it may get cracked, and air may get away. Also, there are infamous reviews about the repair patches. Some users claim they do not work as they should.

Milliard Tri Folding Memory Foam Mattress

Milliard Tri Folding Memory Foam Mattress

  • Size: Twin XL, Full, Queen, Cot
  • Thickness: 6”
  • Materials: memory foam, jacquard ultra-soft cover
  • Weight: 36 lbs.

Other features: firm, CertiPUR certified foam, anti-slip bottom, breathable mesh sides.

Air mattresses are the most portable, but they are quite a hassle to set up. Foldable mattresses like the Milliard tri folding mattress are unbeatable when it comes to ease of use. The mattress offers superior comfort with its 2 layers of foam. The top layer offers the perfect balanced sleep while the bottom one supports the body.

The mattress sets itself apart with its Temperature regulating capabilities. It features breathable mesh sides that allow you to sleep cool in hot weather. Moreover, it comes with a Jacquard ultra-soft cover that offers extra plushness. It is easily removable and washable.

All considered, this mattress is the perfect choice for anyone who thinks deflating and inflating is annoying or can’t take the risk of leakages that comes with air mattresses. You only have to ensure it fits in your SUV because, unlike air mattresses, it is not customizable.

  • We loved that the mattress offers home mattress comfort and can be used for guests at home or for other light uses besides the SUV. It is probably popular because of how easy it is to set up and store. You only have to unfold it to sleep and fold it to store.
  • The only issue we had with the Milliard tri folding mattress is that you have to be sure of the space in your SUV before purchasing it. You must have at least 26x 58x 18 inches of space in your SUV. Also, it is not the best for big people, as it would sag after a few uses.

WEY&FLY SUV Air Mattress

WEY&FLY SUV Air Mattress

  • Size: 76” x 47”/51”
  • Thickness: 3.9” – 4.7”
  • Materials: polyvinyl chloride
  • Weight: 8 lbs.

Other features: firm, thickened, and double-sided flocking, 6P environmental protection, thickness 38UM, cold-resistant 25 degrees.

When it comes to ultimate temperature regulation, nothing comes close to the WEY&FLY SUV air mattress. It is made to last and offers premium comfort with high-end 58P PVC material. It boasts a firm, thickened, and double-sided flocking that is stable enough to bear a load of up to 260kg. Even big people can sleep on the mattress comfortably.

Moreover, the mattress can fit in almost all SUV models. It features foldable edges that you can adjust for it to fit in different SUVs with different capacities. The upgraded version of the mattress can be split into two; 60% and 40%. If you are on your own, you can inflate the mattress halfway, but if you are with another adult, you can inflate it fully. Just like any other standard air mattress, WEY&FLY comes with a DC 12V air pump.

If you are looking for a mattress that adapts to various temperature conditions, this is your best bet. The mattress can adapt to temperature conditions that range from -25 degrees C to 50 degrees C.

  • Besides its ability to adjust to different weather conditions for added sleep comfort, we loved the mattress’ ability to adjust to different SUV models. It also features a polymer surface that is not only comfortable but also environmentally friendly. Plus, anyone can sleep on it comfortably regardless of their weight, and it will remain in top shape for long as it should.
  • The biggest downside to this mattress is that it deflates after 12 hours when inflated for the first time. You will have to refill it again after the leakage, which can turn off for some people. Another issue is that although the mattress is slightly adjustable, it is not guaranteed that it can all types of SUVs.

SAYGOGO SUV Air Mattress

SAYGOGO SUV Air Mattress

  • Size: 68.8” x 51.1”
  • Thickness: 5.9”
  • Materials: flocking and PVC
  • Weight: 7 lbs.

Other features: 6 airbags, dual-purpose pump, inflating time of 8 min

This is one of the best mattresses you can get if you love a good pennyworth. It is incredibly versatile and comes with tons of accessories. It is remarkably lightweight and can fit in various SUV sizes. Since it features 6 airbag compartments, you can customize it as you like. If your SUV space is smaller than the mattress size, you have nothing to worry about.

The most outstanding feature of the SAYGOGO SUV mattress is its dual pumping capability. When at home, and using it for guests or at the balcony, you can easily charge it with a wall adapter. When you are in the outdoors camping, you can inflate it with your car’s power.

The mattress is best suited for anyone who likes real value for their money. Besides offering a comfortable surface that can sleep up to 3 people, the mattress comes with valuable equipment, including; 1 air pump, 2 pillows, a back seat filler, 1 carry bag, and 1 long pier.

  • The dual pumping is just mind-blowing. We were also impressed by the mattress' solid construction that can bear the weight of up to 3 people. Plus, very few air mattresses come with pillows. We also liked that its length and width are adjustable to fit in virtually all SUVs.
  • We didn't like that the mattress takes a relatively long time to inflate. We also found the cord for the air pump too short and inconvenient. Another issue is that the mattress is not very comfortable for more than two people, and its pump is not compatible with some power outlets in the US and Canada.

BETTER HABITAT Camping Mattress

BETTER HABITAT Camping Mattress

  • Size: Single, Twin
  • Thickness: 3”
  • Materials: memory foam
  • Weight: 17 lbs.

Other features: machine washable, removable cover; non-slip water-resistant bottom; 12-month warranty

This is a mattress you can use when you go on your outlanding adventures or at home when you have guests. It is easily portable, and you can tote it around in camping areas. It comes with a storage bag that resembles a golf bag. When rolled and stored in the bag, it weighs 18 pounds which is quite manageable.

The memory foam can fit in various SUV sizes. However, do check that the dimensions can fit in your SUV space before purchasing it because it is not adjustable. The most exciting feature of this mattress is its non-slip water-resistant bottom and convenient cover that you can easily remove and wash.

Overall, this mattress is a prime option for lightweight and average-weight campers who love a comfortable place to lay their head after a long day of adventure. It is relatively thin and easily portable so that it wouldn’t weigh you down.

  • We loved how comfortable the mattress is for any person under 230 pounds. Its lightweight nature and carry bag set it apart as one of the best portable camping mattresses. You can also use the mattress at home for guests or other bed uses. What’s more, unlike most brands, Better habitat guarantees quality with a 12-month warranty.
  • We wish the mattress were suitable for everyone. It cannot comfortably sleep big people who weigh over 230 pounds. Anyone heavier than this will feel like they are sleeping on the floor. It is also relatively pricey for its size, but some of its features and the 12-month warranty justify its cost.

Berocia SUV Air Mattress

Berocia SUV Air Mattress

  • Size: 70.86” x 50.4”
  • Thickness: 4.7”
  • Weight: 8.1 lbs.

Other features: thickened design, 3 separate air chambers, fast inflation

This is one of the best plastic air mattresses on the market currently. Plastic is a very infamous material for not being healthy and eco-friendly. The Berocca SUV air mattress is made with high-end 6P pure PVC materials that are free of chemicals and odor. The mattress boasts a thickened design that offers unmatched comfort.

Unlike many air mattresses, the Berocca mattress inflates and deflates quickly. You only need 90 seconds to set it up, as it only comes with 3 airbags. The electric pump it comes with also makes its set up a breeze. Another unique thing is the ergonomic wave design of its surface. 2 of the air chambers are foldable on 2 sides, allowing you to adjust the mattress to fit in any SUV space.

This mattress is ideal for eco-centric people who hate to spend long inflating a mattress. It also offers excellent value for money with the multiple accessories it comes with. You will get a car charger, USB home charger, repair patches, storage bag, and nozzle set.

  • We found the quick inflation and tons of accessories pretty impressive. Also, despite being lightweight and averagely thick, it can support up to 200kg. This means it can comfortably sleep, 2 people. Its ability to adjust is another great feature as it allows you to fit in the mattress in different SUV models.
  • Since the mattress only features 3 air chambers, it is not the best customizable air mattress out there. We don't like that the mattress takes up a lot of space when adjusted, unlike other popular air mattresses like SAYGOGO and Goplus. That said, you have to ensure you match the mattress' dimensions to your SUV space.

Nifusu SUV Air Mattress

Nifusu SUV Air Mattress

  • Size: 68.9” x 51.2”
  • Thickness: 3.9”
  • Materials: Flocking and PVC
  • Weight: 7.1 lbs.

Other features: medium firmness, 6 separately airbags, equipped an electric air pump

The Nifusu SUV mattress doesn’t have any special bells and whistles, but it offers everything you would need on an air mattress at a very affordable price point. The mattress features 6 air chambers that are foldable in non-inflated condition for easy portability. 2 of the air chambers work as the headboard.

So, why the Nifusu SUV mattress? Well, other than the fact that you will save some pocket change, you don’t have to worry about leakage and finding yourself on the floor in the middle of your sweet sleep. The mattress’ air chambers are closed with double-row seam edge technology that prevents leakage.

This is another perfect choice for anyone looking for excellent value for their money. It is suitable for nearly all SUV vehicles, and it offers great comfort with its medium-firm ergonomic surface.

  • The first thing that struck us about this mattress is its honeycomb design that enhances comfort and the flocking surface that enhances support while making the mattress breathable. We also liked the accessories the mattress comes with including, 2 pillows, an electric air pump for quick set-up, and 1 back seat filler.
  • We only wish the mattress was water-resistant so it could be used on water as a floater. Also, the mattress is likely to deflate after a few hours because of stretching. It’s normal with most new air mattresses, but the idea of re-inflating the mattress to maintain the desired firmness doesn’t sound good to most users.

HAITRAL Portable Inflatable Mattress

HAITRAL Portable Inflatable Mattress

  • Size: 53.5” x 32.2” x 16.5”
  • Thickness: not specified
  • Materials: PVC/Oxford
  • Weight: 4.8 lbs.

Other features: fits most car models, waterproof design, comes with two pillows.

This is one of the best small SUV mattresses you can lay your hands on. It is also a top budget pick. The mattress is remarkably lightweight, coming in at a mere 4.8 pounds. It has a unique design and back seat filler that makes it suitable for various SUV models and other car models.

The HAITRAL portable mattress is a versatile unit. Besides sleeping in your car, you can use it as a sofa outdoors or as a floater in a pool. The velvety PVC oxford fabric used to make it gives it a soft touch and makes it super comfortable.

If you don’t want to dig too deep into your pockets, this is your best bet. The mattress comes at a pocket-friendly price point. Also, it is ideal for small and average-weight people because it is relatively small.

  • Besides being usable in almost all car models, we loved the mattress’ double sealed double valve design that keeps air inside and makes inflating easier. The two pillows provided are another plus and the mattress’ waterproof design increases its versatility. You can use it as a floater in a pool.
  • The mattress could be much better if it were bigger as it is too small for some people. We also realized that it is not usable on plain surfaces because of its added back seat filler. The mattress also loses points with its electric pump that doesn't come with a wall adapter.

HIRALIY Car Air Mattress

HIRALIY Car Air Mattress

  • Size: 53.94” x 34.25” x 17.72”
  • Materials: flocking, PVC, Oxford
  • Weight: 2.2 lbs.

Other features: waterproof, 2-layer anti-leak valve caps

For a warm and comfortable sleep in your car, it is hard to beat the HIRALIY car mattress. It boasts an anti-slip soft flocked material that offers unmatched comfort. The mattress only weighs 2.2 pounds, so you can easily carry it around. Plus, unlike most air mattresses, it is durably constructed with heavy-duty oxford cloth to enhance its puncture resistance.

The most distinguishing feature of the HIRALIY car mattress is its leak-proof design. Its car air bed seams have been welded to keep all the air in. What’s more, it has a 2 in 1 valve design. The inner valve ensures fast inflation, while the outer valve is for adding air within a few seconds.

Overall, the HIRALIY car mattress is best suited for anyone who hates to spend ages setting up their mattress. In a matter of 2 minutes, you’d have achieved your desired firmness.

  • There's so much to like about this air mattress. First off, the mattress is waterproof. You can use it in different environments without any worries. We also liked the mattress' leak-proof design and system that makes inflating and deflating a breeze. Moreover, the mattress features a detachable filler for the back seat that increases its versatility.
  • Although this mattress has a couple of bells and whistles, it has a few downsides. We noticed that it is a great length for children, but adults would have to curl their legs up when sleeping. Also, as much as the manufacturer claims it inflates easily, you must inflate the support and 2-piece mattress separately.

JINGWEI Folding Mattress

JINGWEI Folding Mattress

  • Size: Narrow Twin, Small Twin, Twin, Full, Queen
  • Thickness: 4” – 6”
  • Materials: m emory foam
  • Weight: 18.2 lbs.

Other features: 2-layer design, 10-year limited warranty

Last but not least on our list is the grand JINGWEI mattress. It is the king of multi-functionality. The folding mattress comes in a super-comfortable and convenient 2-layer design. The first layer is made of 1-inch cooling gel memory foam that absorbs up to 95% of your body pressure. The 2 nd layer is made of high-density foam that offers perfect body support.

The JINGWEI mattress is in its own league with the cooling gel memory foam that keeps you cool all night. Its medium-firm feel also contributes to its comfort and ergonomic support.

The mattress is a perfect option for anyone looking for a multi-purpose mattress. You can fold it and throw it in your car when you travel or go for your outdoor adventures, then easily unfold it when you want to sleep. You can also use it as a mattress floor when you have guests at home.

  • We really loved the mattress' consistent quality. It is CertiPur-US, and OEKO-TEX certified, thus free from unhealthy chemicals like formaldehyde. Its foldable and lightweight design also makes it easy to carry around and store at home. Moreover, its quality is backed by a whopping 10-year warranty and a 30-days money-back return policy.
  • Although the mattress ticks nearly all the checkboxes for a high-quality SUV mattress, we were not very impressed by its sloppy covers and defective zippers. The zippers are very low-quality and can easily get damaged when compressed. Also, from popular reviews, we gathered that the mattress has an unpleasant odor that takes time to go away.
  • Things to Consider

Choosing the best mattress for sleeping in your SUV can be a daunting process because the available options are overwhelming. It can be twice as hard if you have no idea what to look for. This buying guide has detailed information that will help you make the best-informed choice.

How to choose the best SUV mattress

Here are some of the crucial aspects to consider when purchasing an SUV mattress:

You need a portable yet comfortable mattress that can fit perfectly in your SUV. Foldable memory foam mattresses and air mattresses are the top options. They are comfortable, easily portable, and easy to set up.

10 Best Mattresses for Sleeping in SUV - Let the Comfort Be Your Top Priority!

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to car mattresses. You need to find a mattress with dimensions that fit your SUV space. Most Air mattresses like the Goplus SUV Air Mattress are adjustable. This reduces the worry of getting a mattress that doesn’t fit your car.

This is a top concern when buying an SUV mattress. Industry experts Trusted Source The best car airbed - Chicago Tribune Long-distance car travel is full of challenges, and one of them is finding a place to rest and recover. A motel room isn’t always an option, either for financial or logistical reasons. Most car back seats are not designed for quality sleep. www.chicagotribune.com advise on considering the weight of the mattress and the weight it can bear. The lighter the mattress, the easier it is to carry it around. Some mattresses like the HIRALIY Car Air Mattress cannot bear so much weight. A mattress that can hold up to 200kgs should be okay as it can comfortably sleep even 2 people.

Air mattresses have better weight-bearing capacity compared to memory foam folding mattresses. Some can even bear up to 400 pounds.

  • Materials and durability

The materials used to make the mattress will determine its quality and durability. The most common materials used to make car mattresses are memory foam, PVC, and flocking. Be sure to choose a mattress that has been certified by a credible quality control board like OEKO-TEX and CertiPur-US.

Because your SUV lacks traditional thermal insulation, it would be wise to go for a mattress with thermal insulation. They are made with high-quality insulating materials like wool, aerogel, or glass mat then coated with aluminum, Teflon, or glass fiber fabric. The mattresses usually have a high resistance to weather conditions, are highly flexible, and can be used on irregular surfaces easily. Memory foam camping mattresses like Milliard Tri-Folding Memory Foam Mattress are good insulators. Here Trusted Source Why removable insulation mattresses are great insulation solution? Removable insulation or Insulation mattresses that’s just a few terms for great insulation products. Find out why these are such a great material to use. mattress-insulation.com is some in-depth information about insulation mattresses.

10 Best Mattresses for Sleeping in SUV - Let the Comfort Be Your Top Priority!

Comfort should be your top priority if you value good quality sleep. Check the material on the surface of the material. If it’s uncomfortable and rough, you won’t be able to sleep well. Go for a mattress with a flocking surface or one with a comfortable fabric on the surface.

  • What kind of mattress is best for sleeping in SUV?
  • How much should you spend on an SUV mattress?
  • Our verdict

If home is where you park your SUV, then you definitely need the best mattress for sleeping in SUV. With all the options available on the market, it can be challenging to pick a suitable one within your budget. We have reduced the burden for you with our round-up of some of the best models. For instance, our best overall pick, the Goplus SUV Air Mattress , is the best air mattress that money can buy out there. It offers supreme comfort and is highly adjustable to sleep either one person or more comfortably.

Our premium pick, the Milliard Tri-Folding Memory Foam Mattress , is the best insulating mattress you can get for unmatched comfort in your SUV. It is easy to set up and can be used for many other bed uses other than sleeping in SUV.

Our third best option, the WEY&FLY SUV Air Mattress , is the ultimate choice for eco-conscious people. It is made with eco-friendly PVC and is cold resistant up to 25 degrees.

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The best RV mattresses of 2021 for long road trips

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

  • A comfortable mattress makes a world of difference when you're on the road and sleeping in an RV.
  • But not any regular mattress will do as you'll want to make sure the one you buy fits the rig you're driving.
  • The most important features to consider when buying an RV mattress are its weight, size, and materials. 

Insider Today

As people start to plan summer vacations, many are still wary of the safety of flying . Because of that, alternative forms of travel, like renting RVs , are experiencing a massive boom. Take the Airbnb-style RV rental marketplace, Outdoorsy.com , for instance. Between March 2020 and July 2020, bookings on its platform rose by a staggering 4,500%. That's no minor blip — hitting the open road in a mobile house on wheels is  very in.

But it's important to note that there's still no guarantee of safety right now when it comes to travel, even while RVing. We always recommend following guidelines from the CDC , practicing safe social distancing, and washing your hands frequently. 

That said, there are many elements to consider if you are planning an RV trip, such as where to park for the night , how many supplies to pack, and what accessories to bring. But for a peaceful night's rest, a good RV mattress may be the most important factor.

According to Paige Bouma, Vice President of RV Trader , a marketplace for RV sales and rentals, "some of the most important things to consider when purchasing an RV mattress is deciding on the type of mattress, setting your budget, and determining the size, length, and weight needed for your RV."

For more detailed info on what to consider when buying an RV mattress, read to the bottom of this article .

Here are the best RV mattresses:

Brooklyn bedding aurora hybrid.

road trip mattress

No matter if your travel plans take you to a warm or cool destination, having an RV mattress that adapts well in different climates is essential. This mattress is made with gel beads that liquify once temperatures rise to cool you down and then resolidify once temperatures dip.

The Tuft & Needle Original Mattress

road trip mattress

The Original Mattress for Tuft & Needle is a great choice for RV and camper use since at 10 inches tall, it's a bit shorter than the brand's other mattresses. This helps it fit into small spaces more easily and adds a little less weight to the RV.

However, this model is larger than many other RV-specific mattresses, so it's best for vehicles that have more room for a standard-sized mattress.

Avocado Green Mattress

road trip mattress

The handmade Avocado Green Mattress is 11-inches thick and delivers firm support with the use of sustainable latex and organic cotton and wool material. This brand sets the standard for affordable eco-luxury.

While this is best for larger RVs with enough space for a traditional-sized mattress, leaving the pillowtop option off saves you two inches on the depth. The sturdy handles on the sides also make the mattress easy to hoist into the RV.

Dynasty Mattress 10 Inch Cool Breeze Gel Memory Foam

road trip mattress

The Dynasty Mattress has a gel interior to help regulate your body temperature when you sleep. This memory foam mattress is medium-firm and comes in King RV, Queen RV, and Short King RV sizes depending on the specs you need.

The Queen size weighs around 55 pounds. On Amazon , some reviewers noted how the mattress helps eliminate night sweats, while others say it allows them to sleep just as well as they would on their premium mattresses at home.

Haven Premier

road trip mattress

A luxury mattress option for RVs that welcome standard sizes, the Haven Premier has a 12-layer memory foam construction. The foam features five layers of cooling gel and is ideal for tighter sleep situations or for the sleeper who runs hot.

The 12-inch thick mattress is described by user feedback on the website as comfy and sturdy.

Idle Gel Foam

road trip mattress

Idle's 12-inch gel foam mattress rapidly returns to form when you move around at night. As an added bonus, there's a removable, washable quilted cover that makes keeping your mattress clean super easy, even while on the road. 

This mattress is on the firmer side and is an especially good option for back sleepers.

Live and Sleep Ultra RV Mattress, Short Queen Gel Memory Foam Mattress

road trip mattress

The 60-pound Short Queen mattress by Live and Sleep is made from a gel foam material. The medium-firm mattress comes with a soft linen cover for extra comfort. Eco-conscious travelers will like that this mattress is made from environmentally friendly ingredients, too. The CertiPUR-US certification means that the mattress was made without ozone depleters, mercury, or lead.

Casper Nova

road trip mattress

After a long day spent hiking outdoors or driving, collapsing into this hybrid mattress is just the ticket, since it offers both comfort and breathability. The Nova mattress is made with foam and springs for increased airflow, making it great for hot sleepers. There are also seven support zones built in to help align your spine while you sleep.

Bonus: Each mattress cover is made from approximately 70 recycled bottles.

The Allswell

road trip mattress

A budget-friendly mattress that fits most standard-size RVs, The Allswell has charcoal and copper gel-infused memory foam that absorbs heat away from the body to cool you down at night.

Most sleepers rate this mattress as a medium-firm feel and say it is supportive and supremely comfortable.

What to consider when buying an RV mattress

While you may not usually think about the weight when it comes to choosing mattresses, it's incredibly important when it comes to RV mattresses since every last ounce is precious.

"In an RV, weight and size matter for all components, since the load weight is critical when towing a travel trailer or driveable RV," says Bouma. "Most RV mattresses weigh between 50 to 75 pounds, but this can increase depending on the size and type of mattress selected," she notes.

You'll want to keep weight in mind when choosing both size and type of material. "For example, a king-sized premium memory foam option will weigh more than a polyurethane foam queen size mattress," Bouma explains.

Almost all RVs have a space for a bed, but some spaces are smaller or shorter than a standard size mattress and have a lower profile. The most common RV mattress measurements are 60 inches by 75 inches by 80 inches, which doesn't match standard measurements for home mattresses.

After measuring your space, you will see that it may measure somewhere between a Queen and King size. If this is the case, you'll want to look for an RV-specific option with specialized measurements. However, there are also some RV models that have room for standard-sized mattresses.

Prices vary depending on a variety of factors, including quality, size, materials, and customization. Additionally, if you're in the market for your first RV purchase and there is an opportunity to buy an RV with an already-upgraded mattress, it may be a better value to pay a little more upfront, rather than paying to swap out the mattress later. 

Standard-sized mattresses and RV mattresses come in a wide variety of materials. "Low-cost polyurethane foam mattresses are the most common and most firm style. They usually come standard with an off-the-lot RV," says Bouma.

"However, if you're going to spend a lot of time in your RV or if great sleep is important to you, it is worth splurging on a different, more supportive material. Some of these materials include gel, memory foam, innerspring, and natural latex," she notes. "If you're planning to do most of your RVing in hot climates, though, consider a gel mattress. This material is also more supportive than polyurethane foam and provides the additional benefit of a cooling effect."

Innerspring mattresses contain many coils and thus are often more supportive, while memory foam mattresses help distribute weight evenly, which can be important depending on the type of sleeper you are. Additionally, natural latex is similar to memory foam, but more durable and has a longer lifespan due to a rubber material component.

road trip mattress

Subscribe to our newsletter. You can purchase syndication rights to this story here. Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected] .

road trip mattress

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AnnesAnalytics - We Research. You Find Awesome Things. home

Road Trip Comfort: The Top SUV Mattresses for Restful Adventures

Embarking on a road trip? Discover the ultimate comfort for your SUV adventures with our guide to the best SUV mattresses. Say goodbye to uncomfortable nights and hello to restful journeys!

Road Trip Comfort: The Top SUV Mattresses for Restful Adventures

Attention road trippers and adventure seekers! Tired of uncomfortable and sleepless nights on the go? Look no further because we have the solution you've been dreaming of – the best SUV mattresses for ultimate comfort during your journeys.

Are you tired of tossing and turning during your road trips, struggling to find a comfortable sleeping solution in your SUV?

We understand the importance of a good night's sleep while on the road. That's why we've researched and compiled a list of the top SUV mattresses that will transform your travel experience.

Imagine waking up well-rested and ready to explore new destinations, thanks to a comfortable and supportive SUV mattress designed to fit perfectly in your vehicle.

Don't compromise on comfort any longer! Explore our handpicked selection of SUV mattresses and make your road trips truly restful adventures. Upgrade your travel experience today!

How We Choose Road Trip Comfort: The Top SUV Mattresses for Restful Adventures for You

Finding comfort during road trips can be a real challenge, with standard car seats and uneven surfaces causing restless nights.

But fear not, we've tackled this issue head-on to ensure you have a peaceful journey.

Our rigorous selection process for the top SUV mattresses guarantees you a restful adventure. We consider factors like size, thickness, material, and compatibility.

So, when it comes to road trip comfort, we've got your back – literally!

We hope you find your next awesome thing from the list below!  Each product was independently selected by our editors. Some may have been sent as samples for us to fiddle with, but all opinions in this article are our own.  Oh, and FYI — AnnesAnalytics may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to buy something (that's how we stay in business). Reviews have been edited for length and clarity.  Enjoy finding your next awesome thing!

road trip mattress

D-Hive SUV Air Mattress

Ultra-Thick Material Extra-High Car Air Mattress

Why We Love It

Introducing the D-Hive SUV Air Mattress – Your Ticket to Unmatched Comfort on the Road!

Are you tired of struggling to get a good night's sleep during your road trips in your Toyota 4Runner or Jeep Wrangler? The D-Hive SUV Air Mattress is here to transform your travel experience into a restful adventure.

Ultra-Thick Material: Crafted with durability in mind, our SUV mattress features an ultra-thick design that resists wear and tear, ensuring long-lasting use.

Extra-High Car Air Mattress: The extra-high design offers ample cushioning and support, so you can bid farewell to those uncomfortable nights on the road.

Tailor-Made for Toyota 4Runner and Jeep Wrangler: This inflatable car air mattress is perfectly sized to fit your Toyota 4Runner or Jeep Wrangler, providing a snug and secure fit.

Built-in Pump for Easy Inflation: Say goodbye to manual pumping. With the built-in pump, you can inflate your mattress effortlessly, allowing you to set up camp in minutes.

Sleek Grey Design: The D-Hive SUV Air Mattress comes in a stylish grey color that complements the interior of your vehicle, adding a touch of elegance to your road trip setup.

Whether you're embarking on a cross-country adventure or a weekend getaway, this car mattress will be your reliable companion, ensuring you wake up well-rested and ready to explore. Don't compromise on comfort during your road trips any longer – choose the D-Hive SUV Air Mattress and experience a whole new level of road trip comfort. Get yours today and turn your car into a cozy, on-the-go haven!

Encouraging Review

"Perfect for VW Atlas. I was worried the 10in height might be too tall, but plenty of headroom and a great fit. Quick and easy to fill using the 12 V lighter cord and will be perfect for car camping as the weather gets colder. Very comfy!" Amazon Review by wagonwheels

road trip mattress

Dsmtousa SUV Air Mattress Camping Bed

For Both Car Back Seats and SUVs

Elevate Your Road Trips with the Dsmtousa SUV Air Mattress Camping Bed!

When it comes to comfortable travel and on-the-go relaxation, the Dsmtousa SUV Air Mattress is your perfect companion. Whether you're planning a camping adventure, a cross-country road trip, or a simple weekend getaway, this versatile car mattress is designed to cater to your comfort needs.

Key Features:

Portable and Foldable Design: The Dsmtousa SUV Air Mattress is designed with your convenience in mind. It's not just comfortable; it's highly portable and easy to fold, making it a breeze to set up and stow away when not in use. Perfect for sedans, SUVs, and trucks, this mattress can be your comfortable haven wherever you go.

Full-Size Comfort: Enjoy the luxury of a full-size mattress right in your car! The Dsmtousa SUV Air Mattress provides ample space for a restful night's sleep, ensuring you wake up rejuvenated and ready to tackle your next adventure.

Durable and High-Quality: Crafted with high-quality materials, this car mattress is built to withstand the rigors of travel. The robust construction ensures it remains comfortable and supportive even after repeated use.

Tailored for Versatility: Whether you have a sedan, an SUV, or a truck, this mattress accommodates them all, offering a universal fit that's second to none.

Ergonomic Comfort: Designed to provide excellent lumbar support, the Dsmtousa SUV Air Mattress ensures that you experience a restful night's sleep, free from discomfort and aches.

When you invest in the Dsmtousa SUV Air Mattress, you're investing in a better travel experience. It's not just a mattress; it's your portable, comfortable retreat on the road. Say goodbye to restless nights during your journeys and embrace the ultimate in car mattress comfort. Order yours today and start enjoying a new level of road trip relaxation!

"Love this mattress. I sometimes camp in my car on roadtrips. The back seat can be a little uncomfortable but this makes the back seat even and more comfortable, easy to use! I put a thick blanket on top of it to lay on and I am good to go!" Amazon Review by Hailey

road trip mattress

GOTIDY SUV Air Mattress

10inch Full Size SUV Inflatable Bed Air Mattress

Why We Love This

Experience Unparalleled Comfort with the GOTIDY SUV Air Mattress!

Make your road trips and camping adventures more enjoyable with the GOTIDY SUV Air Mattress. Tailored to meet the needs of travelers seeking the utmost in comfort, this inflatable car air mattress will transform your vehicle into a cozy retreat on wheels.

Full-Size Comfort: With a generous 10-inch thickness, this full-size SUV inflatable bed provides ample cushioning, ensuring a restful night's sleep for you and your travel companion. Say goodbye to cramped and uncomfortable car rides.

Built-In Pump for Effortless Setup: No more manual inflation hassles. The GOTIDY SUV Air Mattress features a built-in pump that allows you to inflate and deflate your mattress with ease. You can be all set up in a matter of minutes, ready to unwind or catch some Z's.

Perfect for 2 Persons: This spacious inflatable car air mattress comfortably accommodates two people, making it an ideal choice for couples, friends, or families traveling together. It's designed to foster cozy togetherness during your adventures.

Durable and Reliable: Crafted from high-quality materials, the GOTIDY SUV Air Mattress is built to last. Its sturdy construction ensures it can endure the demands of your journeys and continue to provide exceptional comfort.

Tailored for SUVs: This inflatable bed is specially designed to fit snugly in the back seat of your SUV, providing a secure and stable sleeping surface that maximizes space and minimizes discomfort.

Don't settle for restless nights in your vehicle any longer. The GOTIDY SUV Air Mattress is your ticket to a more comfortable and enjoyable travel experience. Whether you're hitting the open road, going camping, or simply need a break during a long journey, this mattress will make sure you're well-rested and ready for your next adventure. Order yours today and elevate your travel comfort to new heights!

"I have a 2019 Wrangler Unlimited Sport and this fit perfectly. Great as an alternative from a tent for those quick trips that you don’t want to waste time setting up. Amazon Review by Jessica C. Serna

road trip mattress

KMZ SUV Air Mattress with Built-in Electric Pump

Thickened and Flocked Car Bed Mattress for Travel and Camping

Discover Unmatched Comfort with the KMZ SUV Air Mattress – Your Perfect Travel Companion!

Tired of those uncomfortable car seats and restless nights during your travels? The KMZ SUV Air Mattress is here to transform your road trips, camping adventures, and overnight stays into a luxurious and restful experience.

Built-in Electric Pump: Setting up your sleeping space has never been easier. The KMZ SUV Air Mattress comes with a built-in electric pump that effortlessly inflates and deflates your mattress in a matter of minutes. No more manual pumping or struggling with external pumps.

Thickened and Flocked Design: Crafted with care, this car bed mattress boasts a thickened and flocked surface, offering a plush and comfortable sleeping area. You'll feel like you're resting on a cloud, ensuring you wake up refreshed and ready for your next adventure.

High Weight Capacity: With a remarkable weight capacity of 660lbs, this mattress is designed to accommodate you and your travel companion comfortably. It's ideal for couples, friends, or families looking for quality time on the road.

Tailored for Travel: The KMZ SUV Air Mattress is designed to fit most SUVs, creating a seamless and supportive sleeping platform. Its secure fit ensures you won't be bothered by uneven surfaces or gaps during the night.

Elegant Grey Finish: The stylish grey color not only complements the interior of your vehicle but also adds a touch of sophistication to your mobile sleeping setup.

Say goodbye to uncomfortable travel experiences and hello to a new level of comfort with the KMZ SUV Air Mattress. Whether you're embarking on a long road trip, camping under the stars, or need a quick nap on the go, this mattress will ensure you enjoy a peaceful and rejuvenating rest. Don't wait any longer to upgrade your travel comfort – order the KMZ SUV Air Mattress today and start your journey towards a more comfortable and restful adventure!

"So I purchased this hesitantly because my friend wanted to car camp while we drove from Alaska to Oregon this week. I read the reviews but as I am a plus size woman with significant back issues, I imagined that I would be able to do one night and would be done. I WAS WRONG! We both slept comfortably for 3 nights only having to refill it a little after night 2. This is a firm mattress. I drive a 2015 GMC Acadia Denali with captain chairs in the middle row and we didn’t have to put anything underneath the mattress. If you’re considering a mattress for car camping, this is the one!" Amazon Review by Heather Hagelberger

road trip mattress

HEYTRIP SUV Inflatable Air Mattress for Car Camping

4 Inch Thickened Car Camping Bed

Elevate Your Car Camping Experience with the HEYTRIP SUV Inflatable Air Mattress!

Make your outdoor adventures, road trips, and camping experiences more comfortable and enjoyable with the HEYTRIP SUV Inflatable Air Mattress. This well-crafted, thickened car camping bed is designed to provide a cozy, restful night's sleep for you and your travel companion.

Customizable Firmness: The HEYTRIP SUV Inflatable Air Mattress features an adjustable firmness design, allowing you to tailor your sleeping experience to your personal preference. Simply inflate or deflate the mattress to achieve the perfect level of comfort.

Spacious for Two: Measuring a generous 72 x 47 inches, this mattress offers ample room for two people to sleep side by side. Whether you're traveling with a partner, a friend, or family, you'll have all the space you need to rest comfortably.

4-Inch Thickened Comfort: The 4-inch thickness of this car camping bed provides excellent cushioning and support, ensuring you wake up well-rested and ready to take on the day's adventures.

Durable and High-Quality: Crafted from durable materials, the HEYTRIP SUV Inflatable Air Mattress is built to withstand the rigors of travel. It resists wear and tear, making it a long-lasting addition to your camping gear.

Sleek Dark Grey Design: The dark grey color adds a touch of elegance to your vehicle's interior, making your car camping setup not only comfortable but also stylish.

Whether you're planning an extended camping trip, a weekend getaway, or just need a quick rest stop on a long journey, the HEYTRIP SUV Inflatable Air Mattress is your solution for a better night's sleep. Say goodbye to uncomfortable sleeping arrangements and embrace the ultimate in car camping comfort. Order yours today and experience a new level of relaxation on the road!

"I was so worried about finding the right air mattress for my car, since nothing seemed to have perfect reviews. I'm so glad I chose this one! It inflates super quickly and stayed inflated for my entire weekend trip. Super comfy, and bigger than it looks! The side gaps are actually perfect, since it gave me room to add more sheets and blankets." Amazon Review by Tina H Smith

Which Road Trip Comfort: The Top SUV Mattresses for Restful Adventures is Right for You?

In the world of road trip comfort, choosing the right SUV mattress can be a game-changer for your adventures. Whether you opt for the ultra-thick D-Hive, the versatile Dsmtousa, the spacious GOTIDY, or the customizable HEYTRIP, rest assured that each option is designed to elevate your journey. The decision ultimately comes down to your specific needs and preferences, ensuring that your road trip comfort is tailored to your liking. So, whether you're a solo traveler or journeying with a companion, whether you prefer an extra-high mattress or adjustable firmness, there's an SUV mattress just right for you. With the right choice, you'll find yourself waking up rejuvenated and ready for the next leg of your adventure, making every mile on the road a truly restful one.

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Finding the Best RV Mattress for Your Road Trip - DynastyMattress

Finding the Best RV Mattress for Your Road Trip

  • Posted by Andrea Reyes on
  • Jan 05, 2023

If you're planning a road trip in your RV, one of the key considerations is finding the right mattress. A good RV mattress can make a big difference in your comfort and sleep quality, helping you feel rested and refreshed for your adventures. However, with so many different options available, it can be overwhelming to determine what product is best for your RV needs. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you navigate the process and find the perfect RV mattress for you!

Determining Your Mattress Size

One of the first and most important factors to consider when purchasing an RV mattress is its size. It's essential that the mattress fits precisely in the space provided - otherwise there will be some big problems. You want there to be no gaps between the edges of the mattress and the walls of the RV; this will maintain structural integrity so that the bed stays in place even when the vehicle is in motion.

If the mattress is too small, it could leave a dangerous gap that may pose a risk to young children. On the other hand, if your RV mattress is too big, it may be difficult to move around in the vehicle. To avoid either of these problems and ensure your purchase the right size mattress, measure the interior dimensions of your RV's sleeping area before shopping.

Double and triple-check during this process if you feel you need to - the measurement must be exact! It’ll go a long way to help you select a mattress that fits perfectly and provides a safe and comfortable sleep surface.

Considering Gel For Your RV Mattress

The materials used to construct your RV mattress are another critical element to take into account. While there are several different options on the market, memory foam has risen above the rest as a best-in-class material. Gel-based memory foam - a cousin-like derivative of the original material - has recently emerged as a popular choice amongst sleepers of all kinds; this is particularly due to the material’s supportive and pressure-relieving properties.

Why Go With Gel?

These products feature a layer of gel in their outer membrane, a subtle modification that catalyzes a slew of benefits, enhancing overall sleep quality from the inside-out. With a unique composition, gel memory foam makes for a prime choice of material for RV mattresses - let’s find out why!

Stability and Support

Support and stability are both crucial considerations in picking an RV mattress, and they ultimately come down to your material choice. You'll be spending a lot of your time on the road, and a good night's sleep is essential to staying refreshed and energized for your trip.

Gel-based memory foam caters well to these interests with its supportive and pressure-relieving properties. The foam is able to conform to the unique contours of your body, distributing weight and pressure evenly across the surface of the mattress. This can help to reduce the risk of pressure points and alleviate discomfort, making it an especially good choice for those with health conditions such as fibromyalgia or arthritis.

Self-Cooling Features

The gel layer in gel-based memory foam also helps to regulate temperature, making it a good choice for hot sleepers or those traveling in warmer climates. The gel layer infused within the outer-membrane of the foam helps to dissipate heat and keep the surface of the mattress cool overnight, providing a more comfortable and refreshing sleep. That makes gel-based memory foam an excellent choice for anyone looking to stay cool and recharge in peace during their adventure on the road!

Portability and Storage

One of the unique challenges of choosing an RV mattress is finding a product that is comfortable, but also easy to store and transport. After all, this mattress will spend most of its time either in your vehicle or packed away somewhere - it better be simple, convenient, and mobile! Additionally, gel memory foam tends to be lighter than other RV-mattress materials, making it easier to move around and handle in various use-cases.

Gel-based RV mattresses, like all our in-house offerings here at Dynasty Mattress, satisfy all the requirements of optimal portability and storage-friendly design. Our products can easily be rolled up or compressed, offering easy-to-use mobility and transport.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right RV mattress is an exciting process, but it’s key to take into account a few critical considerations. We recommend carefully evaluating the size, material, and portability-related needs of your travel and RV lifestyle.

Gel-based memory foam can make for a fantastic material in an RV mattress, combining a perfect mix of supportive comfort, cooling capabilities, and storage-friendly design. When shopping for an RV mattress, be sure to measure the interior dimensions of your RV's sleeping area, and choose a mattress material that caters to your sleep style and preferences.

If you’re intrigued by the sleek benefits of gel-based sleep products, then come check out Dynasty Mattress ! Our brand is dedicated to offering gel memory foam to everyone, delivering products of excellence that enhance your sleep.

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Gel Memory Foam Mattress in Light Room with Blankets | Dynasty Mattress

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Best Camper Mattress To Make Your Van Road Trip A Dream

If you’re wondering what makes a perfect camper mattress, then you’ve come to the right place. Today we’re looking at the different types of mattress and how to customise one to fit your van.

Some people worry that they won’t sleep well in a van as many factors can be more challenging to control than in a house. Sound, space and heat are a few big ones. But, having a good mattress is one thing you can easily do, that will help you on your way to a great nights sleep.

Featured Image Credit : @ roundtheworldgirl / Elise Sterck

Different Types of Mattress

There are several different types of mattress on the market, with the main two being memory foam and the more traditional spring mattress. Both have their benefits, and if you have a standard-sized bed in your van, then what you choose is just down to comfort and personal preference.

However, if you’re converting your own van, you may find your layout works best when the bed is a different size. For example, your mattress may need to be slightly shorter to fit widthways across your van. Alternatively, your design might make use of a transforming bed, where you need to cut the mattress to make sofa cushions in the day and a bed at night.

If this is the case for you, then a memory foam mattress is best, as you can cut it up yourself, without damaging the integrity of the mattress. The process may seem daunting, but it’s straightforward, once you know what you’re doing.

Benefits of a Memory Foam Mattress

Camper mattress - bed with colourful blanket in van and sea view

Before travelling in a van, I had never slept on memory foam and was worried that I would find it an uncomfortable camper van mattress. Two years down the line, I can confirm this isn’t the case. I sleep better on my memory foam mattress than any other I’ve ever had.

Aside from being able to cut the mattress to suit your van, memory foam has other benefits.

Moulds To Your Body

The key thing that memory does is that it moulds to the shape of your body. This makes it comfortable to sleep on as you feel supported when lying down. It is also good for you as it allows your body to rest into its natural alignment, which is beneficial for your spine.

Reduces Pain

As the mattress moulds to your body, this can help to relieve aches and pain. This could be a useful feature for you, especially if you spend a lot of time being active outside. A pain-free sleep means a restorative one, ready for a day of adventuring.

Temperature Control

Memory foam mattresses have the reputation of being too hot to sleep on. A traditional memory foam mattress does absorb your body’s heat which might make it uncomfortable in warm climates, but the newer gel mattress solves this problem.

A gel-infused memory foam mattress has gel pumped into it. The gel promotes better airflow around the mattress, meaning heat is drawn away from your body. If you plan on spending a lot of time in hot climates, then it may be worth spending the extra money on a gel-infused camper mattress.

Best Camper Mattress That’s Perfect For Your Camper Van

1. amazon basics.

Amazon basics mattress

If you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful camper van mattress, then the Amazon Basics one could be a good option for you. It’s affordable at just $190 for the full 10” model and considering you’re going to be cutting it up anyway; cheaper is probably better.

This mattress is made of four layers, two hard foam, one soft foam and one memory foam. While the memory foam is not gel foam to reduce heat, the soft foam is punched to encourage airflow. This isn’t going to work as well as gel foam, but the price tag reflects that.

2. Iyee Nature Mattress

Camper van mattress - mattress on bed

Even cheaper than Amazon Basics is Iyee Nature , which is just $149.99 for a full-sized mattress. This mattress is advertised as being a gel memory foam mattress, which could be good at keeping the temperature down. However, the memory foam layer is only 1” thick. The 1” of memory foam rests on top of 5” of high-density foam.

The high-density foam will not regulate the heat of the mattress, and I’m not sure if one inch of gel foam will make much difference. However, this is a good option if you’re looking for a thin mattress to fit in your camper as it is only 6” altogether.

3. Sweetnight

Diagram of foam mattress

Up next, we have an example of what you can get if you spend a little bit more on your camper mattress. This may be worth it for you if you plan on living in your van full time or making an extended road trip. The Sweetnight Breeze comes in at $549.99 and is much more luxurious than the other mattresses.

This mattress is a total of 12” thick with three different layers; hard, soft, and then gel memory foam. There is a full 3” of gel memory foam at the top. The layer below is also heat regulated with airflow comfort foam. This is a good quality mattress that is still affordable enough to warrant cutting up.

4. Inofa Gel Topper

Gel topper rolled up with carry case

Finally, we have an example of a mattress topper that you could purchase to go on top of your bed. This will provide extra comfort and will stop you feeling the cracks in your mattress if you have a seating area to bed arrangement in your camper.

This mattress topper is an excellent option as it comes with a storage bag, making it easy to pack away and store when not in use. As it’s made from gel memory foam, this topper is good at regulating temperature, which is great news in hot climates.

How To Cut A Memory Foam Mattress

Bed that turns into seating area

Tools Needed

  • Measuring tape
  • Permanent marker
  • Long ruler or straight edge
  • Utility knife or serrated bread knife
  • Remove the mattress cover
  • Measure and mark where you want to cut. Be sure to measure accurately, if you have a complicated layout then you may want to make a template first.
  • Using a ruler and knife, carefully make your cuts. If you decide to use a utility knife then fully extend the blade to for a long sharp edge. It may take several cuts to get fully through the thickness of the mattress.
  • Once cut into pieces, reupholster each section in a fabric of your choice.

Re-Upholstering

Re-Upholstering is the trickier part of creating your camper van mattress. If you have just shortened your mattress every so slightly to fit in your bed, then you may get away with just tucking the original cover under the mattress. However, if you have turned your mattress into several pieces, then you will have to make cushion covers for each.

It’s a good idea to choose a washable fabric if this is your sofa, dining area and bed it’s going to get dirty, so being able to wash the covers is a huge bonus. You might even want something waterproof, or a waterproof cover underneath as memory foam mattresses don’t respond well to water.

Choosing your mattress

Camper van mattress - van interior with fixed bed and husky on it

We’re going to take a look at four different camper van mattress options that would work well for your conversion. Before we dive in, let’s look at a few things to consider when choosing your mattress.

Make sure you accurately measure your bed area. You don’t want to buy a mattress that is too small. Be sure to account for all of the cushions that you need to create from your mattress if you’re doing a seating to bed area.

It’s easy to forget about checking the thickness of your camper mattress. You will want to double-check this, especially if you are working with a raised bed and limited clearance to the ceiling.

If your camper van mattress is also going to be your seating area, then you will probably want a firm mattress. If it is too soft, then it may start to sag where you sit on it throughout the day, making it uncomfortable to sleep on at night.

Memory Foam Layer

Memory foam mattresses are usually made of several layers; standard foam sections and then the memory foam on top. A mattress can be advertised as memory foam even if there is only a very thin layer of it at the top. For a good quality camper mattress, you will want more memory foam.

Camper Mattress Topper

If you are doing a seating area to bed, then you may want a mattress topper to lay on top of your camper van mattress, so you do not feel the gaps between each cushion. Memory foam can roll up pretty small, but you will still need to think about somewhere to store it when not in use.

Final Thoughts…

Getting the right mattress is so important to enjoying your adventure, so I hope we’ve given you some good options and things to look out for when sourcing a camper mattress. The most important thing to remember is to get your measurements right; the rest is plain sailing!

For more content from the Van Clan Team, be sure to follow us on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter .

More Content From The Van Clan Team

  • Just starting your camper van conversion? Check out our article on how to build a camper for a step by step guide.
  • Looking for gear for your camper? Check out these articles for the best camper van roof vent , best campervan fridges and best campervan toilets .

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4 Best Organic RV Mattresses For Non-Toxic Road Trips

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By Konstantina Antoniadou

Updated on September 15, 2023

If you’re considering going on a road trip, camping, or kick-starting your van life journey, you’re probably on the hunt for the best organic RV mattresses to provide you with comfort when you’re out and about. And frankly, we do feel some spikes of envy.

There’s nothing better than spending months roving the California coastline, hearing the crackling of the campfire in the dark, and picking trails that suit your hiking needs. However, nothing kills the mood quite like back and shoulder pain—ugh!

So it’s time to arm up with the best non-toxic RV mattresses to have you and your spine chillin’ on cloud nine, even after hours (or days or months or years!) on the road.

Hypoallergenic, safe, and ultra-comfy, our favorite eco-friendly RV mattresses below are made from (mostly) all-natural materials and without harmful chemicals. Because the last thing you need is for your mattress to offgas while on the road. Keep on scrolling to see the most popular sleeping options with near-perfect ratings from fellow RV lifers.

Grab your backpack and dust off your outdoor dinnerware —we’ve got road-tripping to do!

Table of Contents

Do rvs need special organic mattresses, what type of organic rv mattress is best, 1. organic cotton, 2. natural latex, innerspring vs. memory foam vs. harder “stuffed” mattresses, so, what size is an rv mattress, best non-toxic, eco-friendly & organic rv mattresses of 2023, 1. savvy rest custom rv mattress, 2. rawganique, 3. plushbeds, 4. essentia.

This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase.

If you’re a seasoned RV’er, then you can skip this part. But if you’re just considering getting one or are new to the game, you should know a few things about RV mattresses.

RVs typically have smaller sleeping quarters than a standard home and therefore may require a special type of mattress to fit the available space and provide comfort for sleeping. While not all RVs require special mattresses, there are a few factors to consider when choosing an eco-friendly mattress for an RV.

Firstly, RV mattresses may need to be thinner than standard mattresses to fit in the available space.

Secondly, RVs will experience more movement and vibration than a stationary home, so choosing a mattress that can withstand these conditions while still providing proper support for the body during sleep is important. Some organic mattresses are specifically designed for RVs and may feature materials or construction methods that reduce motion transfer and provide support in a compact space .

Lastly, RV mattresses may need to be more durable and resistant to moisture and mold , as they may be exposed to outdoor elements, more frequent changes in climate, or even lack of circulation (if you leave it parked for long periods of time).

organic camper mattress from avocado

In terms of the basic materials, what to look for in an organic RV mattress doesn’t differ that much from what you’ll want to look for in a regular organic mattress . Here’s what you’ll want to look for:

Organic cotton is one of the most common natural materials used for the outer parts of non-toxic RV mattresses. Organic cotton is grown without harmful pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, and it is not treated with harsh chemicals during manufacturing.

Natural latex is made from the sap of rubber trees and is a renewable resource. It is naturally resistant to dust mites, mold, and bacteria, making it a good choice for those with allergies, respiratory issues, and mold-related illness. Look for a non-toxic RV mattress made with 100% natural latex, as some manufacturers may mix in synthetic materials.

Wool is a natural flame retardant and can be used as a filling material in mattresses. It is also naturally resistant to dust mites and bacteria. Look for an eco-friendly RV mattress that uses wool as a filling material and is free from chemical flame retardants.

If you’d prefer to skip the wool, there are also a couple of options below that for vegans, such as Rawganique and Essentia .

When possible, look for third-party certifications for these materials (or for the mattress as a whole). These include things like GOTS, GOLS, MADE SAFE, GREENGUARD, and others. These labels have their pros and cons, but they do provide a certain level of accountability for brands.

You’ll also want to consider what type of mattress you want, based on your preferences and available space.

Many of the mattresses below have innerspring options, which are made with coils and similar to “conventional” mattresses. These mattresses provide a balance of thickness and support, while still being lightweight.

Traditional memory foam mattresses are made from petroleum-based products, which can release harmful chemicals over time. Plant-based memory foam mattresses are better because they are made with plant oils that are considered to be less toxic. Memory foam isn’t necessarily the best choice, but if you do want one, consider a less-toxic RV mattress made with CertiPUR-US certified and/or plant-based foam. The CertiPUR-US certification ensures it’s made without things like synthetic flame retardants, heavy metals, or phthalates.

The third option is a harder “stuffed” mattress, which does not have springs or foam. It’s usually filled with something like organic cotton, kapok, wool, or a combination of various natural materials. This option may not be the best for everyone, as it doesn’t usually provide the support that everyone needs. However, they’re relatively easy to move and they have minimal motion transfer.

RV mattresses come in various sizes, depending on the type of RV and the manufacturer. You can also order a custom-made organic RV mattress if you have specific needs , especially if you’re using a smaller vehicle like a van. Several of the brands below offer completely customizable options.

Here are some standard options to consider:

  • RV Twin: 28″ x 75″
  • RV Full/Double: 53″ x 75″
  • RV Short Queen: 60″ x 75″
  • RV Queen: 60″ x 80″
  • RV King: 72″ x 80″

Now let’s get to it. Here are the best options for healthy RV mattresses to take out on the road:

non toxic organic RV mattress from savvy rest

Non-toxic RV mattress type : Customized! Materials : Talalay latex, Dunlop latex, organic cotton Features : 25-year limited warranty, GREENGUARD Gold Certified, OEKO-TEX certified, FSC certified, B-certified corporation

Savvy Rest is at the forefront of the growing natural mattress and non-toxic furniture industry, aiming to help us live our safest and healthiest lives without the fear of toxic chemicals.

The company offers three layered latex mattress options that can be easily made into a custom organic RV mattress for your home-on-wheels. Plus, you can have two different firmness levels in one bed to meet both your and your partners’ sleep-related needs. Both of their latex suppliers have achieved Eco Institut certification for the purity of their natural latex. 

Lastly, the B Corporation’s three production facilities proudly hold the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). All you have to do is drop them an email to order and include your desired size to get exaclty what you need! (And make sure you tell them The Filtery sent you!)

And use the code THEFILTERY20 for 20% off.

rawganique organic rv mattress

Non-toxic RV mattress type : Cotton stuffed mattress with or without natural rubber core (vegan and non-vegan options) Materials : GOTS certified organic cotton, natural rubber, wool Features : USDA and GOTS certified, made in the USA

Rawganique is a sustainable home goods and fashion brand that harvests the eco-conscious powers of organic cotton, linen, and hemp to create sweatshop-free and hand-crafted products in the USA and Europe. Their products are made with even the most chemically-sensitive in mind.

Aside from their range of clothes and accessories, they also offer some of the best organic RV mattresses on the eco market—especially if you need something that is relatively thin and lightweight.

The “ Dreamer ” is a medium firm, organic cotton mattress with a natural latex core and organic wool as a natural fire retardant. We love that it’s completely free from harsh synthetic chemicals and comes in an array of different sizes for both small and big spaces. 

If you are vegan, you can also have a look at the “ Fairhaven ” mattress. It’s handmade in the USA with grown in the USA 100% organic cotton fill and organic cotton casing. Again, it’s available in every size imaginable. (Note that if you get one of the thicker vegan options, you will need a doctor’s note because it does not meet standard flame retardant standards. If you get the thinner option, you can buy it without a note.)

organic latex rv mattress from plushbeds

Non-toxic RV mattress type : Organic latex and gel-infused memory foam Materials : GOTS Certified Organic Cotton and Wool, GOLS Certified Organic Latex Foam Features : 100-Night Trial And 25-Year Warranty, GREENGUARD Gold Certified, CertiPUR certified Plushfoam, made in the USA

First, it’s worth noting that although PlushBeds offers several different RV mattress options, they are not 100% natural and do contain PU foam. Their “ Organic Latex RV Mattress ” is the best option because it’s made with mostly organic latex, but it still has a layer of (synthetic) CertiPUR-US certified PlushFoam.

The other RV mattress options use more PU foam. They currently offer four different options that come in 6 and 8 inches.

The “ Cool Bliss ” gel-infused memory foam mattress aims to offer a soft, cooling top layer for those warm days. No matter your preferences, the RV bed airflow design provides better distribution of body weight by reducing pressure points and providing forgiving support for your shoulders, hips, back, and knees.

The good thing is that even though these mattress employ PU foam, they are at least free of all VOCs, formaldehyde, synthetic flame retardants , and heavy metals. They are CertiPUR certified, GREENGUARD Gold Certified, and made ethically in the USA. 

organic custom mattress for campers from essentia

Non-toxic RV mattress type : Vegan organic latex foam Materials : GOTS Certified Organic Cotton, GOLS Certified Organic Latex Foam Features : 20-Year Warranty, GOLS and GOTS certified, made in Canada

In just 15 business days, Essentia will craft a vegan, eco-conscious RV mattress in the dimensions you provide. In fact, they have the ability to customize the size of any Essentia Lifestyle, Performance, or ProCor mattress and turn it into the organic RV mattress of your choice. The result? An ultra-comfy pressure-relieving RV mattress to keep you energized on long road trips.

Do you crave zero gravity comfort and a surface that actively cools up to 9 degrees? Then the Performance line is for you. Do you need a special blend of organic latex foam to eliminate the need for any pillow tops or additional toppers? Have a look at the Lifestyle collection . Lastly, the ProCor P1 is a completely custom mattress. Each layer will vary to meet the specific posture, muscular, and body needs of the sleeper. That’s why it’s a bit more expensive.

Their organic RV mattresses are handmade in a GOLS and GOTS certified organic factory in Canada. Note that they do use a (synthetic) Kevlar layer in order to meet US flame retardant standards; however, you can order your mattress without that part if you have a doctor’s note.

Although there aren’t a ton of options for organic RV mattresses on the market, we hope this article helped you find some great healthier candidates for your next trip. You could order a custom-made non-toxic RV mattress tailored to your individual needs or choose a more affordable, vegan, and eco-friendly RV mattress for your tight budget. To get more non-toxic tips, product picks, and exclusive content delivered to your inbox once a week, sign up for Filtered Fridays.

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About Konstantina

Konstantina Antoniadou is a sustainability writer with an ongoing curiosity to explore new innovative technologies and report on trends in “green” industries. With almost ten years of expertise in media and publishing and undying love for upbeat and energetic storytelling, Konstantina is at the forefront of the creatively charged fashion, beauty, and non-toxic home verticals. When she’s not crafting ethical shopping guides, she’s either trying to perfect her roller skate dance moves, thrifting, or binging series for the hundredth time.

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The Best Gear for Your Road Trips

A person reading a road atlas while sitting on the hood of their car, parked on the side of a road in the desert.

By Kit Dillon and Wirecutter Staff

A road trip is an adventure. It doesn’t matter how far you go. But all adventures require a little planning (and one or two backup plans, in case things go sideways).

We took our first testing road trip in an age far less complicated than these past few years, but the gear we tested and the advice we’ve gathered here should still help you navigate the roads safely and comfortably.

Our original trip, in 2016, included 60 hours of researching and testing gear to take on the open road. We packed all of our top contenders into a Honda Fit EX and headed out on a four-day jaunt to determine what’s nice to have, what’s great, and what’s absolutely essential for your next road trip.

In 2020 we added a few items to help you adhere to safe-travel guidelines, and those things will always come in handy during flu and cold season. We’ve also added several selections to take on challenging winter car trips.

A car parked in the middle of a road with a bunch of road trip supplies placed for display on the ground next to it.

After traveling for 1,500 miles, through four states and six national parks, we think we have a good grasp on what makes an excellent road trip. In addition to performing our own research and testing, we consulted with half a dozen engineers, mechanics, and other experts to bring you these picks. Our hope is that the recommendations in this guide will help you see more and explore farther down the road than you thought possible.

Below, you’ll find recommendations for cargo boxes , binoculars , coolers , emergency beacons , a first-aid kit , a folding blanket , an ice scraper , an instant camera , inverters for your electronics , a multi-tool , phone mounts , a portable jump starter , ratchets and tie-down straps , a road atlas , stain remover , a stowable daypack , sun shades , sunglasses , a tire-pressure gauge , a toolkit for cars , a travel game , a travel pillow , water jugs , windshield water repellent , wipes , and so much more. These items will help you have a successful road trip, regardless of region or weather.

However, even if you have the best gear in the world, it’s always best to address small problems before they become emergencies. That’s why we asked Christopher Smith , a veteran automotive journalist with a penchant for restoring fixer-uppers, to help us put together some advice on how to prepare your car for a trip . (And he lives in South Dakota, where things are spread out, so he’s always prepared.) We cover everything from checking your tires and dipsticks to knowing what you should do if your car starts smelling like rotten eggs for seemingly no reason.

This guide isn’t specifically geared toward families, though most of the picks would be useful to a family traveling by car. We do have guides to infant car seats , travel car seats , booster car seats , and water bottles for kids —all things that are of particular interest to families on the road.

A car driving down a highway in the desert.

The research

Stowing your gear, in the driver’s seat, health and cleaning supplies, staying comfortable, refreshments, entertainment, just in case, preparing for a road trip.

A person grabbing an item from the trunk of a car that is filled with roadtrip supplies.

Being able to find what you need when you need it—whether it’s water, emergency lights, a change of clothes, or a granola bar—can make the difference between a short, easy stop that rejuvenates and a long, frustrating one that makes you question why you left home in the first place.

It all starts with packing. Don’t overthink it. We like to keep items grouped: emergency gear in the back right of the trunk, water in the back left, spare batteries in the glove compartment along with the power inverter, and so on. After a few days, double-checking that everything is where it should be before heading off becomes a comforting ritual, and it helps mitigate the worry that you left … something … in the motel last night.

And don’t overpack. As with a bag, a well-packed car is one that has less than you think you want to bring but everything that you truly need. You don’t have to bring everything—just the things that are essential. Remember, you want to enjoy the drive. Not having to worry about countless items that someone might lose or misplace is a big step toward that enjoyment.

Cargo boxes

road trip mattress

Yakima SkyBox NX 18

The best cargo box.

This cargo box offers great aerodynamics, easy mounting and operation, and a lot of storage at a reasonable price.

Buying Options

A cargo box effectively allows you to double your trunk space by moving bulky items from your car’s interior or trunk to its roof. After gathering up as much intel as we could about rooftop cargo boxes from experts, retailers, manufacturers, customers, and outdoor-gear reviewers, we’ve concluded that of the 21 boxes we surveyed, the Yakima SkyBox NX 18 offers the best combination of features, build quality, and value pricing for most road trips.

The NX line replaces the Carbonite line of Yakima boxes, which included our previous cargo box pick, the SkyBox 16 Carbonite .

The cargo box’s low-drag aerodynamic design minimizes wind noise and reduces the impact on fuel economy. Its 18 cubic feet of space allows it to hold skis, duffle bags, backpacks, sleeping bags and other camping gear, or any random (though fairly lightweight) stuff, and it does so securely—both in solidly mounting to your roof rack and in resisting theft. If you don’t have a rack already, this REI car rack buying guide is a good place to start, but be sure to consult your car’s owner manual to see how much weight its roof can bear.

The SkyBox NX 18 is easy to use. Like most cargo boxes these days, it uses sliding brackets, rather than one or two fixed spots, for attachment to the crossbars, making perfect positioning a snap. To secure the brackets to the crossbars, you use a simple torque wrench (included) that will announce with an audible click—like a gas-tank cap—when you’ve tightened the four installation bolts down securely. The tool lives inside the cargo box, though out of the way of your gear, for safekeeping.

Once installed, the SkyBox NX 18 allows easy access from either side of the car, and its newly redesigned dimensions (a change from the previous model) make it less likely to interfere with a liftgate if you put it on a hatchback or station wagon.

If you need more space, Yakima’s older-generation 21-cubic-foot model (the company has not released an updated, NX 21 version so far) may still be available for purchase. Be aware, however, that this box weighs more and can encourage overloading past your car rack’s weight limit, which might be lower than you expect. It may also be too long in the back to clear some liftgates. As Ken Klaes, general manager of ReRack , a Portland, Oregon–based cargo-box retailer and rental company, explained to us: “A rack designed to carry 150 pounds doesn’t forget that the box is there; the weight of the box itself (often 50-ish pounds) needs to be subtracted from the weight rating to give you a real capacity for the box.”

Roof straps

road trip mattress

Keeper Endless Loop Ratchet Tie-Down

The best ratcheting straps.

Easier to use than non-ratcheting straps, these straps ensure that your stuff stays put.

I spent many years working in rigging and rope access on offshore oil platforms, where I played with loads, angles, line pulls, and sheave-block friction percentages—in other words, I know a thing or two about strapping things down. You can find two common types of roof straps: ratchet straps, which have a mechanical lever and gear, and cam straps (sometimes called “lashing” or “loop” straps), which connect to themselves through a cam buckle . If I could choose only one type, I’d get ratchet straps because they’re easier to secure. More specifically, I’d get the Keeper Endless Loop Ratchet Tie-Down .

We spent several hours examining 22 strap options before landing on the Keeper version. Keeper is a reliable brand, and the ratchets are easy to tighten and loosen, thanks to their all-metal construction. ( Cheaper ratchets are hard to release and prone to sticking or breaking due to their reliance on plastic parts.) At 13 feet long, these 1-inch straps are long enough for all but the most strenuous loads on the largest of vehicles, and their nylon webbing’s 400-pound working load limit and 1,200-pound break strength put them right in line with similarly priced straps. You could get something that’s heavier-duty or longer, but you’d be paying more for strength or length you don’t need.

On our trip, driving in a car without a roof rack, we used the Keeper straps to great success. The straps held a full water jug to the roof of our Honda for a few dozen miles through the backroads of Arizona with no issues. Other Wirecutter staffers have owned Keeper straps for years and vouch for their overall strength and durability.

road trip mattress

NRS 1″ HD Tie-Down Straps

The best cam straps.

Simpler and cheaper than ratchet straps, these straps have above-average strength ratings.

If you prefer the simplicity of a cam strap or don’t need the extra force that a ratchet strap provides, we like the NRS 1″ HD Tie-Down Straps , which come in a variety of lengths. They’re pricier than more popular options, but their webbing is rated to a 1,500-pound breaking strength (the cam itself has a 2,000-pound breaking strength) and a 500-pound working load, in contrast with the 600-pound breaking strength and 200-pound working load of this best-selling Keeper set . Equipment of this grade may seem like overkill, but Wirecutter’s Mark Smirniotis had several weaker cams fail on him when he was strapping loads to his Jeep. He noted in 2016 that of all the straps on Amazon with more than 25 customer reviews, the NRS straps were the only ones that had no reviews complaining of failed cams. NRS is primarily known as the premier kayaking- and rafting-accessory company, so the folks there probably know something about strapping awkwardly large loads onto cars.

road trip mattress

Thule Quick Loop Strap 530

For smaller cars.

This strap offers a quick way to add load-stabilizing anchor points to a small car.

For owners of compact cars who want to move long or oversize loads, such as a kayak, we also like the Thule Quick Loop Strap . You secure these straps under the hood of your car (or the trunk, if you don’t have a hatchback) to create a set of forward anchor points to help stabilize the forward section of whatever it is you’re carrying. Judging from our testing, these straps are very quick to set up, and they can add a welcome level of versatility to tough packing situations.

  • Always check the maximum load of your car’s anchor points, such as the roof rack. Ratchet straps can apply a lot of force beyond just the weight of your belongings, so knowing your maximum load will help you avoid over-tensioning the straps.
  • If the straps vibrate against the roof while you drive, adding a few twists in them can sometimes stop them from slicing the air.
  • Don’t put knots in your straps, especially if you’re applying tension. Knots can cut through nylon with surprisingly little force. A knot also significantly reduces the overall load that the strap can handle.
  • Never use bungee cords to hold anything down. They’re fine for stabilizing items but not for securing heavy loads.

Driving can be fun, meditative, exhausting, and torturous. After five hours of driving through the desert, it can sometimes be all of those things at the same time.

A thousand little gadgets promise to make a long drive somehow easier. Most of them are useless and seemingly designed to distract you more than anything else. Try to avoid these items. The best gear is durable, unobtrusive, and easy to use—so you can keep your eyes (and your thoughts) on the road.

You will get bored—500 miles on cruise control with an automatic transmission can be a pretty dull time. Not always, of course, but sometimes it will be boring, and maybe that’s the point. In this frenetic age, that feeling is practically a luxury, and it’s essential to the trip. Revel in it.

A bunch of small roadtrip items placed on top of the dashboard of a parked car, including a case for sunglasses and a GPS system.

It would be impossible for us to pick the best overall sunglasses, since your choice ultimately depends on your personal style. We have picks for cheap sunglasses in a separate guide. But driving sunglasses are different because they’re designed to help you perform a specific task: driving safely. In that regard, Maui Jim makes the best sunglasses around, though they are something of an investment.

road trip mattress

The best sunglasses

These are the clearest driving sunglasses we’ve found, with no perceptible distortion.

We compared a Maui Jim pair with more than 20 types of sunglasses, driving or otherwise, and found this pair to be the best of the bunch. The Maui Jim sunglasses had the clearest lenses, with no perceptible distortion, on the lightest frames we tested (0.6 ounce, or about half the weight of a wooden pencil). I’ve never encountered sunglasses that I can wear for hours on end without somehow hurting my nose, ears, or both. But during my trip there were a few afternoons when I had completely forgotten I was even wearing the Maui Jim sunglasses—despite five-plus hours of driving with them on.

The clarity of the lenses was another surprise. The Maui Jim lenses are so clear that it’s borderline unsettling the first time you try on these sunglasses. Thanks to the lenses’ exceptional clarity and polarization, everything—including the scenery around you and the road ahead—looks sharper through them.

A person reading an atlas while sitting on a car.

As far as specific model recommendations go, I suggest scanning the offerings on the Maui Jim website and reading the fit descriptions to find something that matches your aesthetic sensibilities. Unlike companies that go by lens size only, Maui Jim lists face shape as part of its fit guidelines. That means you’re more likely to find what’s most comfortable for you on your first try. Just keep in mind that bigger lenses tend to be better because they offer more coverage.

Maui Jim glasses come with a two-year warranty . After checking with the company, we confirmed that it fulfills warranties on its sunglasses no matter where you buy them. However, Maui Jim services only authentic lenses and frames that haven’t been modified in any way. You can tell whether the pair you have is genuine (and not a knockoff) by confirming that the Maui Jim logo is etched, not just painted onto the lens.

Smartphone mount

In an ideal world, people wouldn’t use a phone at all while driving, and if you have a copilot, you shouldn’t have to—you can delegate the phone-related tasks to them. But in reality, for many drivers, a phone is the source for navigation, information, messages, music, and (of course) phone calls. However, if you hold the phone in your hand as you drive—or look down at it in a cup holder or center-console bin—it can be a major distraction and safety risk. That’s why we recommend using a smartphone mount.

road trip mattress

iOttie iTap Magnetic 2

The best dash- or windshield-mounted smartphone mount.

Whether it’s on a dashboard or windshield, this model is easy to set up, grips securely, and has a strong magnetic mount that supports most phones in any position.

road trip mattress

iOttie iTap Magnetic 2 Air Vent Mount

The best vent-mounted smartphone mount.

This model is easy to set up and remove, and it has the same strong magnetic mount as the dash version. It securely held on to our cars’ vent slats.

May be out of stock

road trip mattress

iOttie iTap Magnetic 2 CD Slot Mount

The best cd-slot-mounted smartphone mount.

This mount attached quickly and firmly to our cars’ CD slots and has the same magnetic mount as the other iTap Magnetic 2 versions.

I enjoy the simplicity of my phone with no accessories, so I like that the iOttie iTap Magnetic 2 mounts offer an attractively easy way to mount and unmount my phone with one hand. In our tests , the magnets in all three versions— dash/windshield , vent , and CD slot —were strong, supporting most of our phones vertically and horizontally over even the roughest terrain. Only the large, 6.5-inch iPhone XS Max gave them some trouble when they held it horizontally; the mounts were solid with a 6-inch Google Pixel 2 XL.

To use the magnetic mount, you have to attach a small metal plate to the back of your phone or to the case. Doing so is safe for your phone, and we found this detail to be small, subtle, and attractive enough that we didn’t mind it. Often you can hide it entirely by attaching the plate to the inside of a phone’s case. But the plate could interfere with your ability to wirelessly charge your phone; if you want to be able to continue to use that function, consider the following options from our guide to wireless charging phone mounts .

road trip mattress

iOttie Easy One Touch Wireless 2 Dash & Windshield Mount

Best mount for charging a smartphone on a dash or windshield.

This model delivered some of the quickest charging speeds and earned top results for stability. It lets you easily mount and unmount your phone, too.

road trip mattress

iOttie Easy One Touch Wireless 2 Air Vent & CD Slot Mount

Best mount for charging a smartphone on a car’s air vent or cd slot.

This is the sturdiest vent-mounted model we tested, with fast charging speeds, a firm grip, and a quick way to attach and remove your phone.

The iOttie Easy One Touch Wireless 2—available as a dash and windshield mount or a vent and CD player mount —offers a convenient way to charge your phone in the car while also giving you easy access to audio controls, directions, messages, and more. In our tests , both models ranked among the quickest at charging our phones. Their spring-loaded tension arms made attaching or removing a phone of any size simple, and they held the phone steady while we drove. Both models offer a wide range of adjustability for positioning your phone where you can readily see it, regardless of the vehicle. iOttie also offers a magnetic mount (for vent use) that’s compatible with wireless charging.

Rain-repellent coatings

Rain and snow add stress to a road trip, and they decrease your visibility and your reaction time in an emergency. Along with wipers, rain-repellent windshield coatings can help keep your windshield clear. If you want the most effective rain repellent, pick up the classic Rain-X spray bottle and commit to applying it once a month. If you simply want to give your windshield a boost, Aquapel is almost as effective and can last six times longer between applications—but it is very expensive.

road trip mattress

Rain-X Original Glass Water Repellent

Cheap but short-lived repellent.

This affordable hydrophobic spray offers effective protection, but it wears off after a couple of weeks.

Most auto-supply shops offer a huge variety of Rain-X products, including wiper blades, gels, and washer-fluid additives, but you should stick to the original Rain-X formula in the 16-ounce spray bottle because it has the most reliably positive reviews from buyers. Once applied, Rain-X forms a hydrophobic coating , which causes water to bead up and quickly slide off your windshield. Most people who have used Rain-X agree that maintaining its effectiveness requires reapplication about once a month. If your wiper blades start “chattering,” that probably means the coating is beginning to wear unevenly, and it’s time to reapply.

road trip mattress

Aquapel Glass Treatment

Long-lasting but pricey repellent.

Aquapel bonds to your windshield for up to half a year, but it costs more than twice as much as Rain-X.

If you can’t commit to applying Rain-X once a month, consider Aquapel . Instead of coating your windshield, it bonds to the glass chemically , and it should last for three to six months before you need to pull out another one-time-use sponge and reapply. YouTube user jwardell posted a 30-day comparison video that shows how Rain-X is more effective initially, but after a month Aquapel still works even after the Rain-X has all but worn off.

For either repellent, proper application is the key to getting the maximum benefit. You need to start with an extremely clean windshield. Then clean it again just to be sure. Both of these repellents dry best in warm weather, out of direct sun. Even when perfectly applied, however, these substances have potential drawbacks. Some people who have used them complain that the repellents cause noticeable haziness at night. Others report that they had trouble getting windshield chips professionally filled after learning that the chemicals interfered with repair methods—though Aquapel’s site disputes such claims. Still, if you’re stuck in inclement weather on a road trip or a commute, either the original Rain-X spray or Aquapel can help increase visibility and decrease your stress levels.

Ice scraper and snow brush

road trip mattress

Hopkins SubZero 80037

The best ice scraper and snow brush.

Efficient at clearing ice and sweeping snow, this scraper works on vehicles of all sizes.

The Hopkins SubZero 80037 tool combines a scraping blade and ice-crushing teeth to make quick work of thick or thin ice, and its plow-like bristle broom is the best we’ve tested —equally adept at shoveling snow off body panels and brushing it out from tight spots around mirrors and wipers. The Hopkins SubZero has a self-locking extension that’s easy to use when you want to fold the scraper away to make room in the trunk of your car. It’s of average size—39 inches folded up and 60 inches fully extended. But no other contender offers such a complete scraping-and-sweeping package with so few weaknesses.

Paper road atlas

road trip mattress

Rand McNally Road Atlas

The best road atlas.

This atlas is large enough to use while you’re in motion, with a logical, straightforward layout.

With the advent of GPS units and smartphone navigation apps (both of which we recommend over the onboard navigation systems that might come with a car), the age of the paper road atlas would seem to be over. But don’t let anyone convince you of that. A road atlas is the heart of every road trip. It’s the inspiration.

Planning a road trip starts with imagining the places you could be next weekend, if you threw a few granola bars and some clothes into the backseat and left everything else behind. Of course, you could bring up Google Maps, look up the top 10 travel destinations near you, plan your exact route, and save a PDF to your digital device so you’d know exactly where to go and how to get there at each stage of your trip.

A person's hands shown tracing a route on a paper road atlas.

Or you could pull out a physical map and highlight a route. You might not know exactly what to expect when you get there, but you’ll definitely know that you can get there. And regardless of electronic-device failures, you will always have a map in hand.

For use in the car, we like the classic Rand McNally Road Atlas —just make sure to get an updated edition. Its oversize shape makes it simple to read and easy to spread out on the hood or in your lap, and the user-friendly design can’t be beat. This atlas’s arrangement of state and keyhole maps is the best for navigation.

As a test, we used the Rand McNally atlas to complete the first leg of our trip, from Ventura to Joshua Tree, California, with no phones and no GPS, on roads we had never driven before. The Rand McNally atlas was simple, functional, and easy to follow. Most important, it was fun to use.

We did read one complaint from somebody who began using that year’s map early: Some of the roads it listed as passable were still mid-construction at the time. If you’re buying a map in the middle of the year or later, you could play it safe and stick with the current year’s edition.

road trip mattress

Garmin DriveSmart 55

The best car gps.

Best-in-class directions, driver alerts, points of interest, and free map updates—combined with the best screen we’ve seen on any GPS unit—set this model apart from the pack.

For most shorter trips, a smartphone can provide all the navigation assistance you need. But should your journey take you off the beaten path (and out of your coverage area), we suggest the Garmin DriveSmart 55 . Like the best GPS units, the DriveSmart 55 can also connect to a smartphone via Bluetooth, which lets you send destinations to the device, get incoming messages on screen, and receive extra trip and traffic info. The DriveSmart 55’s extensive points-of-interest database helps guide you to an area’s best sites and businesses through integrated Tripadvisor ratings, Foursquare listings, a database of sites from the History network, and US national park directories (something that other brands’ models don’t offer). Similar to a smartphone, the DriveSmart 55 allows multi-touch gestures, such as pinching or spreading for easier zooming on a map; this feature is a clear step up from the resistive displays of less-expensive units, which allow only single-finger gestures and require you to tap on the plus and minus buttons to zoom in or out.

A GPS device attached to a car's windshield, showing a navigation screen with traffic information.

The DriveSmart 55 also provides helpful traffic info in many metro areas. It responds to voice commands as effectively as the best GPS units, and like other top models it includes free lifetime map updates—in contrast with the pricey updates you need to buy for many cars’ built-in navigation systems.

road trip mattress

Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes

The best body wipes.

Not quite a shower but pretty darn close, these wipes are amazing after a sweaty day in the desert.

Road-trip and backpacking veterans know just how much better a shower can make an adventure after three days and a lot of smelly clothes. When taking a shower is not an option, or even if you just want to tidy up a bit after a long drive, body wipes can provide some much-needed relief.

We considered 22 brands and tested nine different body wipes, including some that were popular on Amazon and others that were recommended on the blogs of seasoned outdoorspeople.

A person opening a pack of Wilderness Wipes.

Cheap, portable, and durable, the Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes were the clear winners.

The wipes come in a resealable package, which helps keep them fresher for longer. You can find them in two sizes, XL (8 by 12 inches, in a pack of eight) and Compact (6 by 8 inches, in a pack of 12). On our trip, we preferred the XL wipes for their extra coverage and longer cleaning power. The fully compostable Wilderness Wipes were among the most lightly scented ones we tested, and their lack of alcohol left our skin feeling clean and moist.

Surface wipes

road trip mattress

Clorox Disinfecting Wipes

The best disinfecting wipes.

Effective, EPA-approved, and (usually) easy to find, these pre-soaked wipes need only four minutes of contact time to neutralize the coronavirus—and they’ll kill other nasty bugs you might come across in your travels, too.

Most disinfecting wipes are the same. Although we recommend Clorox Disinfecting Wipes , we advise getting any pack of wipes you can find that contains a disinfectant on the EPA’s List N (most have a bleach or quaternary ammonium base). Clorox’s bleach-free wipes are usually sold in single canisters or in four-packs at a range of retailers. These wipes can eliminate the coronavirus and other pathogens on hard surfaces—countertops, door handles, and bathroom fixtures—in your home, vehicle, or motel room, but not on fabric or other soft materials.

Surface spray

road trip mattress

Lysol Disinfectant Spray

The best disinfectant spray.

This aerosol works in 10 minutes and is fabric-safe, but it’s guaranteed to eliminate the coronavirus and other pathogens only on hard surfaces.

Instead of bleach, which can damage car interiors, Lysol Disinfectant Spray uses quaternary ammonium. It’s safe on hard surfaces and most fabrics, and it’s gentler on skin than bleach. It also produces fewer harsh fumes—which is good if you’re disinfecting the same space frequently. The spray eliminates the coronavirus, for instance, on hard surfaces in 10 minutes, but on soft surfaces it only sanitizes (kills most but not all pathogens).

One thing we’ve learned in the past few years is that face masks can be useful whenever you’re sick (with COVID-19, a cold, the flu, whatever) and don’t want to share your misery with fellow passengers, people at rest stops, or anyone else. Fortunately, compared with the situation in early 2020, medical-style N95 and KN95 masks (which many experts recommend as the best protection) are widely available these days. They’re easy to tuck into a bag, which we do now whenever we travel. You can find out where to buy these masks in our guide .

Stain remover

road trip mattress

Shout Wipe & Go Instant Stain Remover Wipes

The best stain remover.

By keeping a pack of these in your glove box, you’ll remain tidy through multiple meals at drive-throughs.

In our testing, we’ve found that if you spend five hours a day in the car on a drive-through-fueled cannonball run, there’s no way you’ll get to your final destination without having some kind of condiments disaster. I met my own inevitable conclusion outside an In-N-Out Burger on the last leg of our trip.

When the unavoidable happens, you’ll need something more than a napkin and ice water to clean up the mess. We recommend Shout Wipe & Go Instant Stain Remover Wipes . We tested them against other instant spot removers and assorted DIY methods to see how they handled wine, coffee, lipstick, and mustard stains.

In our tests, the Shout wipes easily outperformed the popular Tide To Go pen , and the Shout option was the only stain remover that erased almost all traces of lipstick on the collar of a shirt. These wipes also did pretty well on the ketchup I spilled.

A person wiping a ketchup stain off of their white shirt.

The single-use towelettes don’t occupy much space; you can throw a dozen into your glove compartment and barely notice they’re there. Plus, by using a single wipe per stain, you don’t risk depositing an old stain on another piece of clothing, as you might with reusable stain-remover sticks.

Hand lotion

road trip mattress

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion

The best moisturizing lotion.

Once it’s rubbed in, this moisturizing lotion is lighter and drier-feeling than competitors. It’s better for people with normal to oily skin.

You might find yourself washing your hands a lot on the road, which can result in cracked and dry skin. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion is thick enough to stay neat in your hand and thin enough to spread quickly and smoothly onto your skin. Unlike its competitors , this moisturizing lotion dries nicely without leaving a greasy film in its wake. And its neutral scent won’t follow you out of the bathroom or into your car.

Can a long road trip be comfortable? I didn’t think so: Long hours of sitting in one position, nights spent camping or sleeping in cheap motel beds, and breaks for indigestible fast food are a terrible combination. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

With a little planning and a few small luxuries, you can keep the enthusiasm of your trip alive. Skip the fast food and instead pack your own snacks and water. Keep off the main highways and pull over when the scenery strikes you (not when you’ve gone a certain number of miles). And stop for as long as you need. The cliché is unavoidable: It’s the journey that’s important, not the destination (though that should be good too!).

A person leaning against the back of a Honda hatchback.

Folding blanket

road trip mattress

Nemo Victory Picnic Blanket

Comfortable and easy to carry.

Our favorite picnic blanket travels easily, feels comfortable to sit on, and holds up to wear and tear.

There’s only so much time you can spend in a car without needing to pull over to pause, stretch your legs, and take in the scenery. We stopped dozens of times on our trip, and we were glad every time we were able to take a side road, pull out a blanket, and find a place to sit down and share some food.

A rolled-up Nemo Victory Picnic Blanket.

In 2023, Nemo enlarged the Victory Blanket, which previously fit just two people, to fit four people. At roughly 95 by 95 inches, according to our measurements, the Nemo Victory Picnic Blanket is now bigger than most blankets we looked at; it’s well suited for larger groups of people or for two people who want room for more board games and snacks. For those who need even more space, the Victory Blanket is also available in a truly mammoth extra-large version (120 by 120 inches). Both sizes come with two adjustable, clasping straps that keep the blanket rolled up tight, and those clasps can perform double duty as bottle openers.

Travel pillow

road trip mattress

Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow Cinch

The best travel pillow.

The redesigned-for-2022 Therm-A-Rest pillow remains a firm and supportive choice that packs down to 50% of its expanded size. It now has a sewn-in cable that you can cinch down to make the pillow firmer.

price may vary by color or size

A good travel pillow is hard to find. It shouldn’t take up much space, and it should be able to expand when it needs to. And, ideally, it should allow you to shape it for use as a shoulder or neck pillow when necessary, such as when you’re on a plane or in the passenger seat of a car.

We found that the foam-filled Therm-A-Rest Compressible Pillow Cinch fit all of those criteria exceedingly well. During the day, it can fold in on itself (a loop-and-toggle closure holds it tight), which makes it easy to stow in a backpack or to toss into the backseat. When it’s in this tightly packed configuration, you can also use it as a shoulder and lumbar pillow. The Therm-A-Rest pillow is a bit larger than your typical travel pillow when it’s packed down—about the size of a tissue box—but saving space is less of a priority when you’re driving instead of flying.

A person shown with a red Therm-a-Rest pillow in their lap.

At night, the pillow unrolls and expands into a decent bed pillow, though side-sleepers with larger frames may say it has too little padding. But this is a travel pillow, of course, so it will never feel like your home pillow, which is all part of the fun somehow. I sleep on my side and back, and I found it exceptionally comfortable compared with camping pillows I’d used in the past, although I did have to supplement it with a flannel shirt when I wanted to sleep on my side. In spring 2022, Therm-A-Rest released a slightly redesigned version of the pillow. The “regular” version is roughly the same size and weight as the old “medium” version, but the integrated pocket is now larger (9 inches deep instead of 6), which we found makes the pillow easier to roll up. The pillow also has a cord sewn in a loop into its back; you can tighten the cord and cinch it securely to make the pillow firmer. One other change: A thin layer of polyfill backs the brushed polyester fabric on its face and softens the lumpiness of the foam filling.

The Therm-A-Rest pillow is well reviewed on Amazon and on REI’s site. It’s available in a variety of colors and sizes, but we prefer the regular/medium for its mix of portability and support.

Silk sleeper wrap

road trip mattress

Sea to Summit Premium Silk Travel Liner

The best sleeping bag liner.

This liner is a lightweight, moisture-wicking, easy-packing fix for scratchy motel sheets.

Not all motels are created equal. Some are fantastic, with their bright neon signs truthfully advertising a cheap, clean, and convenient place to stay. But out there you can stumble across other motels—desperate, last-chance places you wouldn’t wish on anyone, and cursed by all of the bleary-eyed travelers who’ve been forced to stay in them for a night.

The Highlander Motel in Arizona, shown at night.

Sea to Summit’s Premium Silk Travel Liner is the best accessory to bring along for these situations. Inclement weather, unexpected traffic, or poor planning (my personal downfall) may at some point prevent you from reaching your expected destination for the night and force you to stay somewhere you wish you didn’t have to. We can’t help you accept your fate, but we can make that night just a little easier to tolerate.

road trip mattress

Nidra Deep Rest Eye Mask

The best sleep mask.

Lightweight and contoured, this mask fits comfortably and blocks light well for a wide variety of face shapes (though it’s best for those who sleep on their back). And the mask’s deep eyecups allow your eyes to flutter during sleep.

Not every bedroom on the road is as dark as some people would like. That’s why we recommend the Nidra Deep Rest Eye Mask . Its contoured eyecups rest over your eyes, giving them space to move, which makes this mask comfortable to sleep in—even when you’re sitting upright (as you might in the passenger side of a car). Although the mask is adjustable, with Velcro straps, restless sleepers may want to consider other options in our full guide to sleep masks . If the Nidra mask fits you well, its weightless feel can make you forget you’re wearing a mask at all as you continue to sleep in bright cars or poorly shuttered hotel rooms.

Puffy blanket

road trip mattress

Rumpl Down Puffy

The best outdoor blanket.

This blanket offers the greatest warmth and durability for the lowest relative weight, price, and size. It also stuffs away very well when not in use.

The Rumpl Down Puffy blanket, which has a soft yet durable nylon shell that’s stuffed with water-repellent and sustainably sourced down, wards off the cold better for the price than the competition. It helps you to stay warm longer, inside or outside. (A puffy blanket has come in handy for us especially on winter road trips in an EV, when we don’t have the heat of a combustion engine warming the interior of the vehicle.) So far in our testing , the Rumpl blanket has survived four rounds in the washing machine without a snag, and it dries within an hour. And it’s been notably stain resistant after encountering dirt, dew, and even coffee.

Van camping mattress

road trip mattress

Hest Sleep System

The best vehicle camping mattress.

Predominantly for van camping or long-term car camping, this blowup mattress takes up a hefty amount of space when stowed away but provides the most comfort of any camping mattress we’ve tested.

Although the size of the Hest Sleep System limits its use to either vans or pickup trucks, we’re including it on this list because of its impressive night-over-night comfort. If your road trips tend to include lots of outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, or climbing, a good night’s sleep is fundamental to having the energy you need to enjoy your days. The Hest mattress takes up about the space of a small cot mattress (78 by 25 inches). Half consists of a dense foam layer, and the other half is a high-pressure inflatable base that needs a pump system to inflate. The Hest mattress is not a small piece of kit when rolled up: It weighs 26 pounds and packs up into a 28-by-16-inch bedroll, including the air pump. If two of you are camping, you can connect two Sleep Systems together, though Hest also makes the Dually two-person foam mattress, which we haven’t had a chance to test yet.

road trip mattress

Tinkle Belle Female Urination Device

The best pee funnel.

Sturdy and accommodating yet packable, the Tinkle Belle funnel is easy to use and clean when you’re on the road or hiking a trail.

It’s not always easy to find a secluded spot on the side of the road or a clean-enough public restroom. The Tinkle Belle funnel has a stable, rigid base and a flexible spout, so it won’t collapse under you during use, as Wirecutter senior staff writer Nancy Redd learned while researching the topic. One of the longest and widest of all the single-piece reusable funnels Nancy tested , the Tinkle Belle funnel makes less mess and is easy to use, as the more coverage a funnel has, the lower the risk of leakage or spills. While you’re on the road, a simple rinse works fine for cleaning the funnel. Although the Tinkle Belle funnel is larger than most, it folds up for more-compact storage. You can also buy it with a matching case .

Windshield protector and sunshade

road trip mattress

A1 210T Fabric Sunshade

The best windshield shade.

This shade provides effective sun protection and fits a wide variety of windshields. It’s easy to store, too.

If you’re traveling through a sunny area, a sunshade for your windshield is a worthwhile investment. We like the A1 Windshield Sun Shade , which we found to offer the best combination of low cost, decent coverage, and ease of setup. Its pop-up design made it much simpler to install and stow than the accordion-style shades we tested.

Recommending just one sunshade for all cars is difficult because vehicles vary so much in size. But A1 offers several sizing options ranging from 59 by 19 inches to 69 by 36 inches (when the shade is fully expanded). You can compress each of these size options down to fit into a circular carrying case, which you can easily store on the door or underneath the seat. When you take the A1 sunshade out of the case, the compressed plastic arcs inside the sunshade spring open to create a rectangular shape, which you can adjust to fit your car’s windshield. Amazon reviewers mention that the build quality is solid and that the metallic finish does a good job against the sun, particularly in hot Southern states like Florida and Texas. Several reviewers also recommend , however, that you buy a size smaller than you think you need to avoid excessive overhang.

A person outside a car, unfolding an accordion-style windshield sunshade.

Although we prefer the A1 shade’s pop-up design, it’s not completely foolproof. Even with the choice in sizes, you still might have difficulty arranging the two plastic circles (which provide rigidity) within the A1 shade into a shape that hugs both edges of the front window and balances off the rearview mirror. Gaps, loose corners, or overhangs are almost unavoidable. In the end, what you gain in compactness and decent price, you lose in rigidity and reflective power. If you’re uncertain, measure before buying, or look into a custom shade like the WeatherTech shade described below, which is guaranteed to fit.

road trip mattress

WeatherTech SunShade

A custom-fitted, maximum-protection shade.

This custom-fitted shade will ensure that no sun gets in, even in the sunniest climates.

If maximum temperature reduction is your goal, invest in a custom-fitted WeatherTech SunShade . Thicker than the A1 shade, WeatherTech’s shade completely blacks out the windshield when you install it. This shade is also notably bulky—about the size of a yoga mat when rolled up—and difficult to store discreetly. But if you frequent sunny climates, it’s well worth the cost, which at this writing starts at $55.

Passenger window UV protector and shade

road trip mattress

Britax EZ-Cling Window Shades

The best passenger shade.

This shade sticks easily to car windows and provides great sun protection for passengers.

We researched 14 shade models and tested two finalists before determining that the Britax EZ-Cling Window Sun Shade is the best around. Available in a pack of two, it’s dead simple to install, and it’s effective. The Mylar on the back provides some protection against UV rays, and it acts like a large sheet of cling film that seems drawn to your windows once you pull the shades out of the box; the black mesh on the inner surface blocks a good amount of sunlight while still allowing you to see through the shade. We like the EZ-Cling shade better than film-only shades because the EZ-Cling design has a support ring of firmer material around its perimeter that makes it easier to install without prompting wrinkles and bubbles. I have way more fun than I rightly should when I’m putting these things onto car windows.

Unlike similar models with suction cups, the EZ-Cling shade doesn’t have any secondary or removable parts. Wirecutter’s Dan Frakes tried four other shades of various types and was dissatisfied with all of them, so he brought two EZ-Cling pairs for testing on a four-day road trip with his family. “They clung to the windows well,” Dan said. “They were a lot easier to install than both the suction-cup models and the flimsy film ones we’ve tried. We also removed them and reapplied them many times as our position relative to the sun changed, and it was easy to do so. Our only real complaint is that they’re small—they don’t cover an entire backseat window.” That kind of half-coverage can’t keep the sun off young children for too long, especially when the sun is low on the horizon.

Quick tip: Be sure to wipe your EZ-Cling shades with water when you first get them. A thin film protects the Mylar sheets during production, and it can leave a waxy residue on your car’s windows if you use the shades right out of the box without first wiping them down.

Portable extending shade

road trip mattress

Shade extension

This extending shade attaches to a variety of vehicles, whether you have a roof rack or not, and whether you attach it to metal or a composite material such as a pickup-truck bed cover.

Although the MoonShade works best on SUVs and trucks, it’s lightweight and adaptable enough to work with smaller vehicles. When deployed, the MoonShade covers 9 by 7 feet, and its height adjusts from 78 inches to 96 inches. The shade mounts in three ways: directly to a roof rack, with very strong magnets, or with surprisingly robust suction cups for composite materials. We found that all three methods are secure enough for most situations, though as you might imagine, the suction cups are somewhat less stable than a direct mount on a rack. The MoonShade weighs 8 pounds and stows away into a carrying case that measures 28 by 6 inches, which is small enough to fit in the trunk of most cars. The MoonShade is great if you like to pull over in the middle of the day and set up a lunch, or if you tend to do activities outdoors in predominantly shadeless areas, as in the Southwest.

You could cross America with no plan at all and survive solely on fast food as your nourishment, without ever having to leave your car. But we don’t recommend that. Packing your own snacks and bringing your own water is not only healthier but also safer—you never know when you might be stranded somewhere along the way.

We got stranded on our second day of driving, somewhere east of Joshua Tree, California, when we pulled off the side of the road onto a soft, sandy shoulder (we were new in this part of the country). The car’s dash thermometer read 105 degrees Fahrenheit. As we waited, I was thankful that we had full water bottles, more water in the trunk, and plenty of food.

A highway patrol officer drove up, gave us a little lesson about sand, and pushed us out with no trouble. So things turned out fine. The beauty of a road trip is in the unexpected moments. You can be prepared for most of them by having a little food and water on hand.

A person standing with their arms out and their back facing the camera, while looking out at a scenic landscape.

RTIC Soft Pack Cooler 20 Can

Best soft cooler.

This simple lunch-box-style cooler is insulated with thick closed-cell foam and made from a durable coated nylon.

Capable of carrying everything from healthy snacks to emergency ice packs, a cooler is one of those items that can make long trips a lot more enjoyable. After several 500-mile days on the road, having a chilled container filled with cold drinks and body wipes is a gift. We recommend bringing along our favorite soft cooler , the RTIC Soft Pack Cooler 20 Can .

A red and gray RTIC Soft Pack Cooler 20 Can.

The lid of the RTIC cooler is capped by more than 2 inches of closed-cell insulation , and its walls are a touch thicker than those of the far more expensive Yeti Hopper Flip. When we tested them head-to-head, all that extra insulation seemed to give the RTIC cooler an insulating edge. The exterior of the RTIC cooler is made of a durable, thickly coated nylon—waterproof and tough—and the zippers are waterproof, as well. Still, don’t leave the cooler out in the sun, as the light and heat can degrade the material and slowly wear it out.

When the RTIC cooler is open, it stands erect like a grocery bag, providing easy access for loading and unloading.

road trip mattress

Coleman 70-Quart Xtreme 5 Marine Hard Ice Chest Cooler

Our hard-cooler pick.

Better insulated and less expensive than the competition, this cooler keeps ice for a week. And its well-designed drain port makes it easier to clean.

If you need extra insulation for longer hauls and don’t mind sacrificing a little extra space, we recommend the Coleman 70-Quart Xtreme 5 Marine Hard Ice Chest Cooler . Our testing shows that a hard cooler will almost always outperform a soft cooler in insulating ability (five-plus days, versus a soft cooler’s two-day average) and durability. So the hard cooler is a great pick for RVs, trailers, or boats. But hard coolers are huge, so you might not have room for one if you’re carrying a bunch of other equipment.

A person looking out at a rocky landscape.

Water bottles

road trip mattress

CamelBak Eddy+ (25 ounces)

Great for the car.

A bottle with a straw is the easiest way to quaff water and keep your focus on the road since you don’t have to tilt your head back while drinking.

The 25-ounce CamelBak Eddy+ is the most reliable, most versatile water bottle for road trips that we found. This bottle has an integrated straw in the lid that features a plastic bite valve to keep it sealed (something that anyone who has owned a CamelBak hydration pack will be familiar with). Just bite down to open the straw, and release to seal it shut. That leak-free lid makes this bottle an ideal driving companion—it fits in a cup holder and is easy to sip from while you’re keeping your eyes on the road. The straw lid twists off to reveal a wide mouth that makes adding ice to your drink easy, which is handy if you like to keep your water cold. However, this is a plastic bottle, so adding ice could also make it sweaty; if you want to avoid that, the insulated version should prevent moisture from accumulating on the outside of the bottle.

A large, vintage, metal tank with a Route 66 sign painted on it.

Contigo Autoseal Transit Mug

The best mug for road trips.

Contigo’s Autoseal Transit is a wider mug that may fit better in cup holders than our top travel-mug pick. It doesn’t retain heat as well as our top pick, but some people may find its flat lid easier to drink from and to clean.

The Contigo Autoseal Transit Mug is a very different mug from the Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug—our top pick for travel mugs —but it offers several features we like for road trips. The lid has fewer parts, is easier to clean, and prevents spills with its Autoseal button, which you have to hold down to keep the sipping port open. Plus, the flat lid won’t bump your nose or get in your line of sight while you’re drinking, as can happen with the Zojirushi model’s flip-top lid. Although this Contigo mug doesn’t keep drinks nearly as hot as the Zojirushi mug over a long period of time, some people might prefer that (we’ve heard complaints of the Zojirushi model keeping drinks too hot in the past). In addition, the Transit is a little wider than the Zojirushi mug, which is good if you want your mug to fit more snugly in a car cup holder or if you use a device such as an AeroPress, a pour-over dripper, or a tea steeper directly with your mug.

Edward Abbey wrote an entire book about being alone in the desert , long before portable screens, streaming music, and the best and worst of what instant entertainment can bring. He saw incredible things. But then again, Abbey wrote that book before he had kids.

Being in close proximity on a road trip can bond families and friends. Of course, a packed car could also become a pressure cooker. Some games, toys, and electronics can provide welcome relief.

Even more important, on our trip, every 100 miles the scenery around us changed drastically, and being able to charge our cameras allowed us to capture some wonderful personal moments.

A rural road through a landscape of red rocks.

Bestek 300W Power Inverter

The best inverter for simple devices.

More-sensitive gadgets may not function correctly while using this DC-to-AC converter, but a smoother converter costs $100-plus.

Lots of newer cars have USB ports capable of charging plenty of smaller gadgets. But to plug in bigger items, such as a computer, or certain items that have larger batteries, you need an inverter to transform your car’s round-plug, 12-volt direct current (12 V DC) outlet into a three-prong outlet with the same 120-volt alternating current (120 V AC) you have in your home. After sending our three favorites, culled from a list of 18 top-rated inverters, to physicist Jim Shapiro for testing, we recommend the Bestek 300W Power Inverter for simple devices such as water boilers. Not all inverters are equal, however, and you need to know what you’ll want to plug in before deciding which one to buy.

The Bestek unit—like every inverter that sells for less than $100—creates AC power, but in what’s called a “modified” sine wave. Shapiro examined this phenomenon using an oscilloscope. “Although the Bestek and similar units produce voltage at the same 60-hertz frequency as house voltage, the waveform has sharp corners, unlike the smooth, curvy sine-wave signal from your local power company,” Shapiro explained. “Those sharp corners give rise to higher frequency harmonics that are not friendly to electronic devices.”

A graph showing the difference between a pure sine wave and a modified sine wave.

However, because many electronics, including laptop computers, use power supplies to convert AC back into DC before delivering the power to your device, a higher-quality power supply can make the arrangement work—as owner reviews attest. Shapiro was able to charge an iPad without any problems via the AC outlets on the inexpensive Bestek inverter. Charging a Dell Chromebook, on the other hand, caused some problems: “The screen flickered, and I noted that when I asked the computer to display the charging time left, it oscillated between giving that time and ‘calculating,’ indicating that the software was having problems.”

While we were on the road, we realized that the Bestek inverter’s dual USB ports and dual outlets offered a nice benefit, particularly for people traveling in an older car that didn’t have USB ports built in everywhere. You shouldn’t have issues charging USB devices because they charge on DC voltage anyway. And though you can’t see the inverter’s safety features, such as over-voltage and low-voltage shutdown, they’re included as well.

For powering a TV (for tailgating) or any other demanding piece of electronics during a road trip, we used to recommend the Go Power GP-SW150-12 Pure Sine Wave Inverter. It now appears to be out of stock almost everywhere (or discontinued). As an alternative, we recommend looking into a portable power station , which is basically a large battery in a protective box, with AC outlets and other ports built in. They tend to be expensive, so for road-trip purposes we recommend our budget pick, the Jackery Explorer 300 . If you need to power only a laptop during your trip, we have several recommendations for portable laptop chargers . Note that portable power stations and laptop chargers both charge on wall outlets and can’t draw power from a car outlet.

road trip mattress

Nekteck PD 45W Type-C Car Charger

The best car charger.

This model can charge phones, tablets, and computers from its USB-C port, plus it has a second port for charging USB-A devices. It adheres to USB-C fast-charging standards and includes a quality cable.

If your electronic gear doesn’t require AC—for instance, you’re charging smartphones or Bluetooth speakers more than laptops or portable TVs—you can save a few bucks and a lot of space by getting a car charger . Compared with the familiar USB-A port, the smaller USB-C port can charge most modern phones faster (if you’re using the right cable) and can even charge tablets and laptops. And the Nekteck PD 45W Type-C Car Charger provides the best of both worlds. When you’re using a USB-C–to–Lightning cable , the charger’s USB-C port can charge an iPhone about three times faster (at 18 watts) than the USB-A wall charger that comes in the box from Apple; your phone can charge from empty to roughly 50% in just half an hour. This Nekteck charger’s 45-watt output and included USB-C–to–C cable also support the maximum charge rate on Android phones (such as the Samsung Galaxy S10), the 2020 iPad Pro, and even many laptops. And you can use the 12-watt USB-A port at the same time to charge a second phone or other device with any USB cable you already have.

Two people sitting around a campfire.

Bluetooth kit

road trip mattress

Besign BK01 Bluetooth Car Kit

Best bluetooth adapter for cars with an aux-in jack.

The Besign BK01 kit offers great sound quality for music and good sound quality for phone calls. It also lets you pair two phones and access your voice assistant with the press of an easy-to-find button.

If your car lacks Bluetooth support—which you may want for wirelessly listening to music or connecting your phone calls over the car’s stereo system—and you aren’t willing to swap out the stereo for a new one that has such a feature, your best option is a Bluetooth kit. The best and easiest way to add Bluetooth to cars with a line-in jack is to get an aux kit. The Besign BK01 Bluetooth Car Kit provides good sound quality for music, clear-sounding voice audio for hands-free calls, and access to Siri or Google Assistant at the press of a button. It also allows you to connect two phones at once, so you and your passengers don’t have to duke it out for the aux cord.

A sign showing the distance to Joshua Tree.

iPad headrest mount

Depending on the length of your trip and the temperament of your passengers, you may need to find a way to keep folks occupied. Providing their favorite movies or TV shows on a tablet is an option. After testing six top tablet-mount contenders, we determined that Arkon’s Center Extension Car Headrest Tablet Mount is a great pick for viewing by multiple backseat passengers.

road trip mattress

Arkon Center Extension Car Headrest Tablet Mount

For multiple viewers.

This model positions a tablet solidly between the front seats for easy viewing by all backseat passengers.

The Arkon mount anchors with a pair of adjustable clamps that tighten around the metal rods that support a front seat’s headrest; the tablet holster is located on the end of an extendable pole that you can move to a position between the front seats, where all three passengers in the backseat can view it.

A sign welcoming motorists to Utah.

We had recommended the LilGadgets CarBuddy Universal Headrest Tablet Mount for people who preferred a mount that’s best for just one backseat passenger. It appears to have been discontinued, but it’s a good find if you can get your hands on one.

Instant camera

A white Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 instant camera.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 12

The best instant camera.

Fun and simple to use, this camera takes good-looking wallet-sized photos for 60¢ per print.

road trip mattress

Fujifilm Instax Mini Film (Twin Pack)

Instax mini film.

Buying Instax Mini film in twin packs helps you get the best price.

With a smartphone, showing a photo to hundreds of followers is as easy as pressing the share button. But if you want to create something tangible, an instant-film camera can add a fun and welcome dose of analog charm to your digital world. Our pick is the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 , which provides high-quality, retro-cool prints at a reasonable price.

Also, when your phone is serving as a radio, a map, a restaurant guide, and whatever else, you’ll appreciate having a dedicated tool that does one thing: take instant shots that look great.

Six instant camera photos from a road trip, shown next to each other.

After doing extensive research , we found the Instax Mini 12 to be the best instant-film camera. Its compact body feels durable, and thanks to its minimal controls, anyone can easily learn how to use it. The 3.4-by-2.1-inch prints cost only about 60¢ apiece , so documenting your trip won’t break the bank. Its photos aren’t perfectly sharp, but they are pleasingly colorful and creamy, with a classic look that we love.

A person holding a Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic instant camera up to their eye to snap a photo of something.

Travel game

road trip mattress

Chat Pack: Fun Questions to Spark Conversations

The best silence-breaker.

The questions are not always the most thought-provoking, but they sure can spark a conversation.

You can find countless travel games for all ages, from magnetic chess boards to Adult Mad Libs , and we’re not about to review them all here. (You know what kinds of games you like to play.) So instead we’ll tell you about the game we chose, Chat Pack: Fun Questions to Spark Conversations .

I am, as a rule, generally wary of anything designed to prompt conversation. But by day three of our trip, with 1,100 miles behind us and 400 miles ahead, my then girlfriend (now wife) reached for Chat Pack and told me it was time.

It’s hit or miss with Chat Pack. Some of the questions are oddly inspiring, if clunkily written: “What is one item you own that has virtually no monetary value but has such sentimental value that you would not sell it for $1,000?” So, what item do I have that has no value but remains precious? My grandmother’s wire glove stretchers. And that became an hour-long conversation.

A close-up of a person's hand sifting through cards in the Chat Pack card game.

Some of the questions were abrupt duds: “If rain could fall in any scent, what scent would you want it to be?” “Like rain,” we both answered. Who doesn’t love the smell of fresh rain? The feeling of camaraderie in the car was strong; we agreed that it was a dumb question. We were a young couple on an open road in full accordance with each other, and that’s not a moment you take lightly.

So get a Chat Pack. Your mileage may vary. But this pack helped us pass the time, and it takes up barely any space.

Make time in your trip for the detours. If there’s one bit of non-gear-related advice we can give, it’s that the complicated route always proves to be more interesting. There will be times in the car when a sort of tunnel vision can set in, and the destination becomes all-consuming. At my worst, as I pressed down on the accelerator, I found myself mentally calculating the time saved for every increase in miles per hour—as if the scenery I was flying past wasn’t what I’d come to see in the first place.

The first time we pulled over without a plan was on some Bureau of Land Management stretch east of Zion National Park in Utah. We were alone, on an outcropping overlooking a shallow canyon. Someone had built an impromptu fire pit. But somehow it wasn’t until we finished lunch that we realized there was no point in going any farther.

You can find many ways to plan a trip. But once in a while, take a risk and make a left when all the maps and devices are telling you to go right. You won’t know where you’ll end up—and that’s the whole point.

A scenic view of a river rushing through the middle of a wide, semi-forested canyon.

Athlon Optics Midas ED

The best binoculars for nearly everyone.

Amazingly affordable with great optics, these binoculars offer performance comparable to that of many models costing thousands more.

Binoculars might not be a necessity. But when you’re standing on the edge of a trail in Zion National Park and looking for nesting peregrine falcons or lying at the edge of your campsite in Joshua Tree watching a pack of coyotes move under a full moon, will a good pair of binoculars come in handy? Yes. Yes it will.

A person standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon, using binoculars to look at something far away in the canyon.

The waterproof and lightweight Athlon Optics Midas ED binoculars boast a rugged shock-absorbing exterior. And this pair’s optical clarity and extra-wide field of view allow you to see more of the scene, more clearly and accurately. In fact, the professional ornithologist who tested binoculars for us said that things looked every bit as good through the Athlon binoculars as they looked through his $2,500 Leica Ultravid pair.

And the optics of the Midas ED pair aren’t the only strong suit: These are exceptionally durable binoculars that easily withstood the humid, dusty, and hostile environment of the Mexican rain forest and the harsh sun of the Californian desert. Also, their focus dial adjusts reliably and smoothly across a wide range of depths, making it easy for you to focus on what you’re trying to see, no matter where it is.

Stowable tote or daypack

It’s always a good idea to have a bag on hand for spontaneous off-the-road excursions. But anything that will take up space on a trip needs to be functional enough to hold cameras, snacks, jackets, maps, and souvenirs. And it needs to be durable enough to survive beach trips, sightseeing excursions, picnics, and museum tours.

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Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Travel Day Pack

A pack that won’t crowd your trunk.

Toss this lightweight, phone-sized packable bag into your trunk or under your seat, and you’ll never get caught without a spare bag again. If you need something to carry every day, though, you’ll probably prefer one of our more-structured picks.

After researching dozens of packable daypacks across a spectrum of portability, features, and prices, and then packing, unpacking, loading, wearing, and drenching the top-rated finalists during multiple rounds of testing, we’ve found that the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Travel Day Pack is the smallest and lightest packable backpack of the bunch. Packed up, it is very discreet, nearly the size of a keychain accessory. The bag itself is a no-frills sack made from a paper-thin siliconized Cordura nylon, so it’s very light and water resistant. The Ultra-Sil bag also has reinforced stitching at stress points, which allows it to carry more weight than you might expect. That said, since this pack is made of such thin, light material, carrying large or awkwardly shaped loads is somewhat uncomfortable, especially in comparison with our more structured picks.

If lightness, waterproofing, comfort, and organization are more important to you, check out the alternative picks in our review of packable daypacks for travel .

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Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+

An easy-to-spread physical sunscreen.

This physical sunscreen lotion absorbs easily and is free of added fragrance. Though this water-resistant formula can feel greasy, like most physical sunscreens, and leave behind a white cast (especially on darker skin), we’ve found its dependable coverage to be worth the trade-off.

On most road trips you’ll be exposed to the sun, whether it’s your arm out the window or your legs and neck during a pit stop, so we recommend bringing our favorite sunscreens along for everyone to apply. (The one exception: your youngest passengers. Do not put sunscreen on an infant. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends keeping children who are younger than 6 months out of the sun entirely.) Although most sunscreens containing only physical UV blockers are notoriously harder to spread and more visible on skin than sunscreens with chemical UV filters, Blue Lizard’s Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+ formula spreads relatively quickly and easily, and it absorbs nicely. Formulated with both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, this sunscreen provides broad-spectrum protection, from both UVA and UVB rays. Blue Lizard says this formulation, which contains no added fragrance, is sweat resistant and water resistant for 80 minutes (the highest such claim allowed by the FDA). It comes in bottles that uniquely change color, from white to blue, in the presence of harmful UV light.

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Banana Boat Light As Air Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+

A lightweight, oxybenzone-free chemical sunscreen.

Although it contains added fragrance, this easy-to-apply chemical sunscreen lotion doesn’t have an overpowering sunscreen-y scent. It rubs in nearly transparently and appears colorless on most skin tones.

Banana Boat Light As Air Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ is our favorite chemical sunscreen that doesn’t contain oxybenzone. Fairly runny and lightweight, it blends seamlessly into a variety of skin tones. Although it contains added fragrance, it’s not strongly scented. It’s water resistant for up to the maximum-allowable claim (per FDA guidelines) of 80 minutes, and it costs far less per ounce than our physical-sunscreen pick.

The open trunk of a car, filled with roadtrip gear and supplies.

Having an emergency kit in your car is a great idea for day-to-day driving, but it’s pretty much a necessity for long-distance road trips. Although it’s tempting to buy a preassembled kit and be done with it, we haven’t found a great one yet. Even the most promising options suffer from having jumper cables that are too short, too thin, or both. Basically, if you want a good kit, you have to make it yourself, and we’re here to help.

We spent hours researching and testing each of these essentials to confirm that they’ll be useful in case of an emergency, whether it’s your own or someone else’s.

On a desolate stretch of two-lane highway in northern Arizona, we were driving behind a rental camper van just as it had a rear-tire blowout after hitting a rumble strip. The couple driving the van couldn’t find their jack, didn’t know where the spare tire was, and had come to a stop just past a low dip in the road. It wasn’t a good scene. But it couldn’t have happened at a better time (for them, at least), and it gave us a great opportunity to put our emergency gear to the test.

It’s also wise to get a membership to a roadside assistance program. We don’t have a single best recommendation for everyone, since your options and needs vary depending on what car you have, how you use it, and where you live, but here’s a good guide by Popular Mechanics on what to look for in choosing a plan. Basically, make sure your plan fits your needs. For example, if you live in a city, 3 miles of free towing may be enough. But if you’re going on a road trip across the desert, paying for more range is worthwhile.

First-aid kit

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First Aid Only 298 Piece All-Purpose First Aid Kit (FAO-442)

All the basics.

This kit is chock-full of bandages and cleaning supplies that are suitable for minor incidents.

On the road, a first-aid kit is useful for keeping someone comfortable until people with real medical expertise can help. It’s much more important to have a basic kit with you—and to be sure that the bandages haven’t degraded and the disinfectants haven’t expired—than to have a 432-item, war-zone-worthy kit sitting at home.

We like the First Aid Only 298 Piece All-Purpose First Aid Kit . It lacks some of the higher-quality tools that we recommend for a wilderness first-aid kit , but it comes with plenty of bandages, alcohol prep pads, pain relievers, and equipment to treat up to four people’s minor cuts and scrapes on a weekend trip. (For an extensive list and comparison chart, see our full guide .)

Snow shovel

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Voilé Telepro Mini Avalanche Shovel

The best car shovel.

This small shovel slices through icy snow and can be disassembled for car storage. It isn’t cheap, but it’s what we’d want to have in a roadside emergency.

After spending two years researching car shovels and testing five contenders, we found that the best one to keep in the trunk for an emergency is the Voilé Telepro Mini Avalanche Shovel .

The tool, popular with ski patrols and people clearing backcountry trails, has a solid metal scoop and a two-piece handle that clicks together to form a sturdy shovel. Our tester keeps the Voilé shovel in her truck every winter, and it has come in handy more times than she can count. Though the Voilé shovel is too short to be a primary shovel, it’s perfect for any kind of fast shoveling. When you aren’t using it, you can tuck its three pieces neatly under a car seat or in the back.

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Accu-Gage RRA60X

The best tire gauge we’ve found.

This is the favored tire gauge of all the professionals we interviewed.

Checking your car’s tire pressure (including that of the spare tire) is like flossing: It’s something that everyone should do but many people don’t do. Proper inflation is vital . Too much, and you’ll feel every bump and have more difficulty stopping your car; too little, and your tires will wear faster. Worse, they’ll also overheat, which can separate the treads and blow the tires, something we saw happen right in front of us in the middle of nowhere in Arizona. Don’t let that happen to you.

A person sitting next to the front tire of a car, using a gauge to check on the tire pressure.

When we asked three different San Francisco Bay Area tire shops which gauge they used, they all pointed to the Accu-Gage 60 PSI gauge with shock protector . After our testing, which included road-tripping with the tool ourselves, the Accu-Gage model has emerged as our favorite tire gauge for several years running. It’s accurate and durable, and unlike a digital gauge, it has no battery to wear out. The Accu-Gage model is available in several different configurations , but the performance is largely the same. We prefer a version with a hose attached and a straight chuck, because that design makes it easier to hold the gauge and check the tire pressure at the same time. The version we tested even comes with a removable rubber bumper in case you drop it.

Portable jump starter

A portable jump starter is essentially a lightweight battery attached to two jumper cables that you use to jump-start your car. It’s easier, safer, and less intimidating than old-fashioned jumper cables that you attach to another car—and it’s something that you can use if you’re alone, instead of waiting for roadside service/a kind stranger/a friend/a relative to show up and bail you out.

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Weego Jump Starter 44s

Staff-favorite jump starter.

This jump starter has the right safety features and contains enough juice in a small package to start most cars and SUVs.

Wirecutter has recommended Weego gear since we first published our guide to portable jump starters in 2017. Guide writer Mark Smirniotis researched 40 lithium-ion jump starters and tested 12. Two Weego portable jump starters (both of which are now discontinued) became picks: the Weego 22s (the top pick; about $60) and the Weego 44 (the upgrade pick; about $150). Though we no longer maintain that full guide, many of us at Wirecutter still keep a Weego jump starter in our cars . But now, in many cases, it’s an updated version, namely the affordable Weego 44s , which hovers around the same price as the 22s model, its less powerful predecessor.

Measuring 5.62 by 3.44 by 1.04 inches (LWD), the Weego 44s jump starter is about the same size as a cell phone in length and width. It also weighs less than a pound (around 12 ounces, according to my kitchen scale) and has safety features that help prevent you from hurting your car or yourself: If you incorrectly attach the jump starter to your battery (which can potentially damage the battery or your car’s electrical system), the unit’s reverse-polarity protection feature activates, issuing a red light and an alarm alerting you not to proceed.

The Weego 44s is rated to work with a wide range of vehicles, including gas engines up to 7 liters and diesel engines up to 3.5 liters. It can jump-start pretty much any gas- or diesel-powered passenger-vehicle engine—anything from a Mini Cooper (2 liters or less) to a Dodge Ram (as much as 6.7 liters)—and it fits that power into a package that’s small enough for most glove boxes.

The Weego 44s comes partially charged out of the box and takes about 2.5 hours to charge from zero. A USB-A–to–Micro-USB charging cord is included, but it doesn’t come with a charging cube, so you need to plug the USB-A end into your own USB phone charger that works in regular household outlets or use an outlet with a USB-A port . According to the company, the unit can stay charged for more than a year in storage, though you should make sure to top it off every three to six months. With regular use, it’s rated to last for about three to five years or up to 1,000 recharge cycles. Plus, it can provide multiple jumps before it needs a recharge itself (five lights on the side of the unit indicate its remaining battery life).

The Weego 44s has checks and balances to ensure that you safely jump-start a car, but its lithium-ion polymer battery comes with certain caveats. Though the manufacturer indicates that the unit will operate in temps of -4 °F to 140 °F, leaving it in a car in extremely hot or cold conditions is not a great idea. “Most devices that contain a lithium-ion battery, whether it’s your smartphone or a portable jump starter, should not spend long periods of time in extreme temperatures since it can cause permanent damage to the battery,” says Wirecutter senior staff writer and battery expert Sarah Witman. “You should also keep in mind that car engines need more power to get started in freezing temperatures, so it’s especially important to keep your jump starter fully charged when driving in cold climates.”

Jumper cables

If you’re a die-hard jumper-cable partisan, make sure that the cables you get are long enough for most scenarios and thick enough to carry sufficient current to jump most vehicles.

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Lifeline AAA Heavy Duty 16-foot 6 Gauge Booster Cables

The best cable option.

This cable is long and durable enough for any situation, with a current rating that can handle SUVs.

After scrutinizing the specs of dozens of jumper-cable options and having an electrical engineer analyze three top-rated models, we recommend Lifeline’s AAA Heavy Duty 16-foot 6 Gauge Booster Cables . As this image illustrates, these cables are long and thick enough for most situations, and their 400-amp current rating means they can handle most vehicles, even trucks and SUVs. They also come with a surprisingly sturdy and convenient mesh storage bag.

A person using jump starting cables to jump start a car.

One thing that sets these Lifeline cables apart from other cables we found on Amazon is that the 6-gauge description is accurate. For example, Capri sells a 4-gauge, 20-foot cable that reviewers say is closer to 8-gauge. That’s no good, because thinner cables can fail to deliver sufficient current to start trucks, SUVs, and other larger vehicles.

A close-up of jump starter cables connected to the battery of a car.

If you’re unfamiliar with how to use jumper cables, familiarize yourself . But lest you forget, Lifeline includes a handy diagram in the bag. The important thing to keep in mind: Do not attach the black clamp to the black post of the dead battery. Instead, clamp it to an unpainted metal surface under the hood. Also, don’t touch the exposed parts of the clamps together while the cables are hooked up to a battery; they will spark.

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Decked x BoxoUSA Tool Bag with Tool Roll

For the at-home mechanic.

This tool roll is designed for off-road emergencies. The handy roll and its mix-and-match tool configurations offer almost everything necessary to keep a vehicle on the road.

If you don’t own any tools for car maintenance, this kit is a great start. With 65 individual tools, the Decked x BoxoUSA Tool Bag with Tool Roll has nearly every tool that a home mechanic (especially those who own a truck) might need to keep their vehicle on the road. As the kit was designed originally for off-roading, bringing the whole thing and all its contents would be overkill for most people (the entire kit weighs 31 pounds). But selecting the necessities—the ratchet and wrench set, for instance—depending on the kind of journey you’re planning is easy and efficient due to the built-in compartmentalization. Included within the kit are combination wrenches, sockets, impact sockets, hex and torx keys, breaker bars, and a family of hammers, pliers, and screwdrivers. The heavy-duty Cordura nylon bag is built to last, too. If you’re at all interested in doing some of your own car maintenance, or if you want to be prepared in case of emergency, this toolkit offers a solid foundation.

A scenery shot of a tall hill made of rocks and a big blue sky in the middle of a desert wilderness environment.

Petzl Actik Core

A rechargeable headlamp.

This headlamp emits bright light with the highest beam quality. And it stays charged for days, whether you charge it via USB or use AAA batteries. It’s the perfect headlamp for backpacking trips.

We’ve been testing headlamps since 2012, including our latest round of research and testing in 2022. For a road trip, we like the Petzl Actik Core because it’s rechargeable, so you won’t ever get caught with a dead battery, as long as you have a USB car charger on hand. Its 450-lumen light ranks among the brightest of all our picks. (As of early 2023, the Actik Core was updated and now has a 600-lumen beam ; we’re currently testing the new version.)

Twice during our trip we pulled into our camping site late, and our headlamp was the first thing we reached for. Knowing that it was always charged meant that we didn’t have to hunt for batteries or use our car lights and disturb neighboring campers.

Right out of the box, the Actik Core was easy to use. It has just one button and three brightness options: low (6 lumens), medium (100 lumens), and high (450 lumens). If you hold down the button for several seconds, the color turns to red; double-pressing lets you access the strobe setting. Compared with some other rechargeable headlamps, which require complicated button-press configurations to reach the desired setting, we found this one to be simpler, though we lamented its lack of a flood beam. We also liked the double-button setup of the Black Diamond Spot 400 and the Vitchelo V800 a bit better than the Actik Core’s single button.

Flare alternative

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StonePoint LED Emergency Beacon

The best emergency beacon.

Crushproof and waterproof, this set of three beacons comes with magnets for car mounting. And these are much safer than traditional flares.

To keep yourself safe while your car is parked on the side of the road, we suggest StonePoint LED Emergency Beacon flare alternatives.

We like the StonePoint set because, for the price of one high-intensity model like the PowerFlare device, you get three separate lights that are all crushproof to 20,000 pounds, waterproof, magnetic, and easy to set up and turn on. The magnets are important because they let you mount the beacons on your car, which adds height; having a flare anywhere above the surface of the road greatly increases your visibility. By putting one on the road (preferably elevated on something and located about 100 feet before your car), another on the trunk, and another on the hood, you create a very visible early warning for drivers.

Two people attempting to change the tire of a van parked on the side of the road while a police officer watches nearby.

Traditional magnesium flares will almost always be brighter and more visible. But their hazards—both to your health and to the environment around you—are substantial. (Read the health and environmental hazards section in this report [PDF] for a breakdown of the risks and the potentially harmful chemicals involved.) Combine that with the fact that you can mitigate any differences in visibility simply by elevating an electric flare, and you end up with a compelling argument against using traditional flares.

Of the three beacon models we tested, we couldn’t figure out how to open or turn on the Wagan model. And the Smittybilt U.F.O. safety light, though tough, wasn’t especially effective during the day and came only one to a package. Only the StonePoint beacons were easy to fill with batteries and place on the road exactly when we needed them. They also happened to be the brightest flare alternatives we had with us.

I should take a moment here and repeat what the responding officer told us when he arrived on the scene. Regardless of what safety beacons you have laid out behind you, “Stay off the road, and when in doubt stay in your car.”

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Leatherman Skeletool CX

The best multi-tool.

This light, slim multi-tool is easy to carry and built to last.

No emergency kit is complete without a multi-tool. Most minor situations—such as a loose Phillips-head screw or a need to create a rag for checking your oil—are easily fixed as long as you have the right tool. Multi-tools are small enough to carry in a jeans pocket or to attach to a belt, so you can take a set of useful tools almost anywhere. Our choice is the Leatherman Skeletool CX , which comes with pliers, a bit driver, a pocket clip, and a carabiner/bottle opener, in addition to a high-quality, 2.6-inch 154CM carbon-fiber stainless steel blade. The Skeletool CX stood out from the other 22 multi-tools we tested because it focuses on the functionality, ergonomics, and solid construction of a few essential tools, instead of cramming dozens of different tools into a single bulky body that makes it difficult to use. That means it’s easy to carry but still has just about everything you could possibly need (short of a hammer and a socket set) to make an emergency repair in the field and on the road.

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Duck Brand Max Strength Duct Tape

The best duct tape.

This tape is super strong and sticky, flexible enough to wrap around corners, and easy to tear in a clean, straight line.

If you can’t duct it, fuhgeddaboudit . We tested the heck out of 11 rolls of duct tape and chose Duck Max Strength tape above the competition for its perfect blend of attributes, namely high material strength, a strong adhesive, and superior overall flexibility for easy wrapping around odd shapes and curved surfaces. Is it an absolute necessity on the road? No. But the moment you need to fix a ripped tent wall or to keep unruly motel shades shut, you’ll be glad you packed some duct tape. It can even handle first-aid duties when the right materials for the job are unavailable. Duct tape is, as any MacGyver fan will tell you, a very useful tool.

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Reliance 4-Gallon Aqua-Tainer

The best water jug.

This water jug holds enough water for two people for two days, and it has a spill-proof screw-on vent cap.

The general rule for water in an emergency is that one person needs one gallon of water for one day. But four to five gallons is a good amount to throw into your trunk—enough to get you through being stranded, even with a passenger. You should increase that estimate if you plan to go out in the middle of nowhere, or if your travels take you to a desert region or some other dry place. We found on our trip through the Southwest that we were refilling our water bottles a lot more than we were stopping for gas.

A person getting water from a large container.

After researching 16 different types of water jugs, we recommend the Reliance 4-Gallon Aqua-Tainer for most situations. The Reliance jug has two standout features: a screw-on vent cap and a spigot cap that reverses in on itself when not in use. These features work together to prevent major spills. The screw-on vent cap doesn’t come undone, unlike the pull-top vents on some competitors, which tend to pop open and spill water as soon as you hit anything other than the smoothest roadways. Spigot caps can be a weakness for some jugs, too. In contrast, when not in use, the Reliance jug’s spigot unscrews and drops into the jug itself, sealing up the whole canister nice and tight. On our road trip, we used the 4-Gallon Aqua-Tainer, which can provide water for two people for two days; for more people, consider the 7-Gallon Aqua-Tainer .

The Reliance Aqua-Tainer jug is made from BPA-free molded plastic. It’s easy to pack around in the trunk of a car—certainly easier than large, bladder-type jugs (like the MSR Dromedary Bag ), which, though excellent for camp showers and good for a backpack, are too difficult to pack around in a trunk because of their non-rigid shape. The Aqua-Tainer’s hard sides also make it easier to use for dispensing water from, say, the roof of your car. But be sure to throw a shirt or towel under the Aqua-Tainer before setting it atop your car like this: We learned the hard way that the molded plastic edge can scratch your car’s paint job if you’re not careful.

Before investing in a jug, you should know that water kept in plastic bottles won’t harm you, even if left in a hot car . A 24-pack of Poland Spring is not environmentally kind, but it is safe for a brief trip. Avoid gallon jugs, since they’re typically made out of HDPE plastic, which punctures easily. (Such jugs also have caps that pop off easily.) We wouldn’t buy collapsible jugs, either, since they are prone to leaks and are unruly when pouring.

It takes only a few minutes to get your vehicle checked out for a proper road trip. When in doubt, or when preparing for an especially long trip, see a mechanic first. There are plenty of potential mechanical troubles that a professional can identify—and that you’d rather learn about in their shop than on the side of a highway. Use these tips to determine where to go for help, based on the age of your car and what you need done.

  • Dealership service departments: newer vehicles covered by factory warranty, or when specialized service is required
  • Independent mechanics: general maintenance items such as brakes, steering, suspension, exhaust, and fluid changes
  • Quick oil/lube centers: oil changes only

Getting word-of-mouth advice from family and friends remains a very good way to find reputable mechanics. Sites such as RepairPal and Yelp are also helpful. And don’t forget to check local Facebook community groups.

The vehicle inspection: Six key areas

  • Under the hood: Check the engine oil, transmission fluid, engine coolant, windshield wipers, washer fluid, and brake fluid.

Four images identifying important car components under the hood.

  • Tires: Check for proper inflation and good tread that doesn’t show uneven wear. For inflation, consult your owner’s manual to find your tires’ recommended PSI; don’t go by what’s printed on the side of your tire, which is the maximum PSI. For tread wear, stick a penny into the center (not the edge) of each tire’s treads, with Lincoln’s head facing down—if you can still see the top of Lincoln’s head, the tire is worn out. Also, if you have a spare tire, check it and make sure that a jack and a lug-nut wrench still accompany it. If you don’t have a spare, consider getting one from a dealer or a salvage yard. Or invest in an emergency roadside repair and inflation kit—like the Slime 50107 Smart Spair Emergency Tire Repair Kit —which includes sealant for small punctures as well as a small air compressor for reinflating tires. At the very least, bring along a portable sealer kit like Fix-A-Flat , but be aware that these options work only on very small punctures in the tread and could ultimately require you to replace your whole tire. So it’s really better to have a spare, if possible.

A person checking a tire's tread with a penny.

  • Lights: Check all the bulbs, including the turn signals, headlights (high and low beam), brake lights, parking lamps, reverse lights, and license-plate lights.
  • Smell test: You can sniff out potential problems in your car by paying attention to its odors.
  • Sulfur/rotten-egg smell: You have trouble with your exhaust or emission system that could be dangerous. Get your car to a mechanic immediately.
  • Sweet smell: This scent indicates an engine coolant leak; the smell could be strong when you’re using the heater, and accompanied by fogged-up glass. The coolant is toxic, and when it runs out, your engine will overheat.
  • Burning carpet/paper smell: Your brakes are hot. Smelling this after you’ve used your brakes hard (such as after coming down a mountain) is not unusual. But if you smell this while you’re driving around normally, it means your brakes might be stuck, which is a serious problem.
  • Musty/mildew smell: This odor is generally attributable to water getting stuck in the ductwork for your heating and air conditioning. It usually indicates that a drain plug is blocked, which you sometimes can fix just by running your fan on high for a few minutes.
  • Burning rubber smell: Unless you’re doing burnouts, this smell can be caused by slipping engine belts or a tire rubbing. In these cases, the smell is usually accompanied by a noise, namely squealing (with belts) or grinding (with a tire rubbing).
  • Noise test: Cars make lots of noises, and the following are some that should get your undivided attention.
  • Clunking or rattling over bumps: This sound can indicate a variety of problems with the steering or suspension, but it often points to worn plastic or rubber bushings that allow contact between metal components. In extreme cases, these components can fail, causing major damage or even loss of control if the vehicle is moving.
  • Clicking or groaning sounds when turning: Clicking is a sign of imminent axle shaft failure on front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicles, so get to a mechanic immediately if you hear this sound. Groaning noises are less serious and occur because of a lack of lubrication in steering components or bushings.
  • Loud humming that increases steadily with speed: This sound almost always points to a bad wheel bearing, especially if the noise gets louder or quieter when the car is turning.
  • Grinding, squeaking, or squealing when stopping: Squeaking and squealing happen when the brake pads are worn and need replacing. Grinding means the pads are already gone, and you’re pushing metal against metal when you stop.
  • Feel test: The following are a few situations that should warrant a visit to the shop.
  • Soft or spongy brake pedal: Brakes should be firm; a soft pedal means something is wrong. Either you have a mechanical problem or the brake fluid is leaking.
  • Shimmies or vibrations: These sensations usually indicate that a rim is bent or that a tire is out of balance, but they can also be signs of loose steering or suspension parts.

Pre-trip planning

Before heading out, check these commonly taken-for-granted aspects of road-tripping.

  • Update your GPS system. Factory-installed GPS devices generally receive updates once a year and require CDs, SD cards, or USB thumb drives purchased from the manufacturer for installation through a dealership. Mobile third-party GPS units get updates throughout the year, and you can install the updates via most home PCs through a simple download from the GPS manufacturer’s website.
  • Make sure that you have maps or a paper atlas. Sometimes technology fails. Having a current map for backup is always a good idea.
  • Make sure you’re covered by a roadside assistance program. Auto-club programs are the most common source of roadside assistance plans, with companies such as AAA and Good Sam offering coverage to members regardless of what vehicle they drive or its age. Most new cars, however, come with complimentary roadside assistance that lasts a certain number of miles or a certain number of years, whichever happens first. So check your owner’s manual (and read the fine print, since these plans can be very limited). Many auto insurance companies also provide vehicle-specific roadside assistance, usually for a monthly fee. Some credit card companies offer a mix of complimentary and basic fee services, and even cell phone companies are now offering basic services to customers. Verizon’s roadside assistance plan costs $5 per month and covers any vehicle, as long as the phone is present. Most of these plans have limitations and plenty of fine print to study, so carefully review your coverage before hitting the road.

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

Meet your guides

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Kit Dillon is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. He was previously an app developer, oil derrick inspector, public-radio archivist, and sandwich shop owner. He has written for Popular Science, The Awl, and the New York Observer, among others. When called on, he can still make a mean sandwich.

Wirecutter Staff

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  • A great kids water bottle doesn’t leak, is easy to use and clean, and will last for years. After testing 21 bottles, we have three favorites. The Best Kids Water Bottles  
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  • No matter where you want to mount it, we’ve got plenty of options to keep your phone safely in view while you’re driving. The Best Car Phone Mount  

Further reading

road trip checklist

Road-Trip Essentials

by Eve O'Neill

We spend a lot of time driving each year, and this is our list of essential road-trip gear to include in your packing list.

Highway sign indicating meltdown ahead in half mile.

Traveling With Little Kids Can Be Tough. The Right Gear Can Help.

by Kerry Davis McGuinness

From compact car seats and cribs to portable blackout shades and white noise machines, the right tools for travel can lead to less fuss—and more fun.

road trip mattress

The Gadgets We Bring on Every Trip

by Haley Perry

You don't have to be a digital nomad to travel like one. Here are a few gadgets and accessories to make travel as painless as possible.

road trip mattress

How to Sleep Well (or at Least Better) While Traveling

by Christine Ryan

Our sleep and travel editors recommend gear for coping with travel-induced insomnia, vetted through hours of testing and years of personal experience.

road trip mattress

10 Must Have Car Accessories For Your Next Road Trip

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There's nothing quite like packing up the car and hitting the open road with the family or a few close friends. A few hours or a few days on the road can put hundreds or thousands of miles behind you, and it can be just what you need to clear your mind or get a vacation from the day to day grind.

Of course, finding yourself a few hundred miles from home and realizing you've forgotten something critical can be a nightmare. With that in mind, you'll want to make sure you're equipped with everything you might need before you back out of the driveway. Once you've double checked your suitcase for toiletries, medications, and that you've packed enough socks, you can start thinking about ways to upgrade your road trip experience.

Road trips have changed quite a bit in the last few decades and there's no reason you should suffer the long stretches the same way your parents did. If the open road is calling to you and you don't want to miss it, these are the essential accessories we recommend to take your next road trip to the next level.

Read more: 5 Of The Best Music Apps That Work With Android Auto

Electric Cooler

No road trip can even begin until you've stocked a cooler with enough drinks and snacks to get you where you're going. By the time you reach your destination you should be so full of sugar and starch that you're likely to puke. It's part of the road trip experience. Unfortunately, another part of the road trip experience is perpetually replacing the ice in your cooler, lest your snacks find themselves in a slowly growing puddle of frigid water.

Fortunately, the modern road tripper need not rely on ice like you're a pilgrim traveling the Oregon Trail. Instead, you can choose from a growing number of electric coolers to keep your snacks cool not with ice, but with science! Electric coolers typically look like the coolers you're used to, so they'll seamlessly blend in with their less technological peers . Inside, you'll find the usual insulation, but you'll also find a thermoelectric cooling and heating unit, tasked with maintaining the desired temperature inside your container.

Whichever you choose, look for a cooler compatible with your car's electrical outlets. Most are compatible with a cigarette lighter outlet, rendering them almost universal. Once plugged in, the cooler serves as a mini fridge to keep your foods cooler, longer.

Phone Mount

There are two main requirements for the success of any road trip. First, you need to know where you're going. Second, you need some way to keep entertained during the long, boring stretches of road. In decades past, that meant filling your car with your favorite albums or the crafting of customized road trip mix tapes. It also meant purchasing an updated road atlas for reference during the trip.

These days, all of that functionality can be found on the smartphone in your pocket. You've got a functionally infinite selection of music, audio books, podcasts, and more to keep you entertained on the road. And you've got access to digital maps that update in real time, thanks to the world's global positioning system (GPS) . The challenge is accessing that information safely while you're navigating heavy machinery.

A good phone mount will keep your device where you need it without distracting you from your primary objective on the road: safe driving. In addition to holding your phone steady, many modern phone mounts also plug into your car and offer wireless charging while they're docked, ensuring your phone keeps a full charge until you get to your destination.

Headrest Pillow

Obviously, if you're the one driving, you want to remain alert. But if you're one of the lucky passengers just along for the ride, there's no reason you shouldn't get comfortable. Let's face it. If you and your family are going to spend hours or days confined to the small spaces of the family car, you're going to want to be as comfortable as possible and there's no easier way to add some luxury to your ride than a pillow.

Headrest pillows offer essentially the same thing as an airline neck pillow, but with a little more support and a little more customization. The car headrest pillow from Zorunowa is a typical example of the sort of headrest pillow you'll find on the market. It connects to your car's existing headrest to attach a small, semi-rigid, memory foam pillow to either side of the headrest. It sort of looks like a pair of small armrests, but for your head. It gives you something solid to rest your head on, instead of smooshing your face into the passenger window.

Then, when you're done napping, the pillows pivot easily out of the way for an ordinary riding experience. They're never far away, however, whenever you or your little one need to catch a few winks, serenaded by the sound of wheels against the pavement.

Portable Coffee Maker

Coffee is arguably the most important ingredient in any successful road trip. Driving tends to begin early or extend into the late evening, and staying alert while piloting a vehicle is of paramount importance. The trouble is, when you get on those long stretches between cities, the options for a quality cup of joe can become limited.

Sure, instant coffee or bottled coffee can help bridge the gap but there's nothing like a fresh brewed cup, still steaming in your hand. The Minipresso from WACACO offers the ability to brew a fresh cup of coffee without the need for any electrical or battery power. The entire unit is self-contained, including a small compartment to add your beans and a reservoir for hot water. Admittedly, you may need to get that hot water from a gas station or other establishment, but we must make some concessions to physics.

Once the water and beans are in place, you'll manually pump the water through the beans by squeezing the Minipresso, and fresh espresso will come out the other end. You could complete the entire operation from the passenger seat of a car, provided you've got some hot water handy.

Seat Gap Filler

Everyone who's ever been on a road trip knows that after a few hours, you'll end up with food wrappers, discarded jackets, and other items scattered across every possible surface. Sooner than later, something is bound to slip into the gap between seats and be lost to eternity. Inevitably, the thing that falls into the gap is never something useless you're better off without. The only solution is to pull over and brave the uncharted lands beneath your seats to recover your lost item, if you can.

Alternatively, you could get a seat gap filler and fix the problem before it begins. There are dozens of different seat gap filler designs, intended to fill one of the common seat gap designs. You'll want to take a moment to look at your car's interior, maybe break out a tape measure, and ensure you find the right gap filler for your situation.

They all do essentially the same thing, however, by filling the space between your seats and preventing your phone, or anything else, from falling into the wastelands of half-eaten candy and crumpled receipts beneath your car seats.

Emergency Kit

Road trips aren't the riskiest vacation you could plan, but anytime you're leaving the familiarity of home there is some inherent risk. You may not be leaving civilization on your road trip, but you are leaving all of the stuff you're accustomed to having at hand. If you run into trouble when you're on the open road, you'll want to make sure you at least have the essentials.

A good emergency kit will cover most of the essential bases you'll need when away from home or civilization. This Roadside Emergency Kit from WETBAS is typical of the sort of thing you should have in your trunk before embarking on any long trip. It has most of the things you're likely to need in a roadside emergency, or even in a roadside inconvenience. The kit comes equipped with jumper cables, work gloves, basic tools, a flashlight, a tow strap, reflective road triangles, and more.

There's also a small first aid kit, in the event that the needed repairs are biological, rather than mechanical. It includes adhesive bandages, triangle bandages, cotton swabs, and an emergency blanket. It's not the same as all the conveniences of home but will take care of minor speedbumps in a pinch.

Rooftop Storage

Even with a small group and a short trip, the storage space inside your car is at a premium, and it's likely to fill up with snacks, blankets, and people pretty quickly. Trunk space vanishes pretty quickly, too, especially if you've got a couple of people bringing supplies for more than a couple of days. You might find that you don't have enough room in your vehicle to carry everyone and everything you need for your trip.

That's where rooftop storage comes in handy. You could pull a Clark Griswold and lash all of your belongings to the roof with straps and bungee cords, but that's a recipe for disaster. A rooftop storage container offers additional storage while keeping everything stable and contained. Best of all, rooftop storage containers are more affordable than you might think.

You can get a flexible waterproof storage bag for under $100 , with all of the necessary ties to install it included. More robust metal or hard plastic containers are also available, but slightly more expensive. Even if you don't strictly need the extra room, rooftop storage is a relatively affordable way to free up some legroom on your next trip.

Backseat Mattress

If you've planned appropriately, your road trip is punctuated with intermittent stops for bathroom breaks, food, and sleeping. Sometimes, however, you just can't find anywhere suitable to sleep at night. Maybe you've decided you want to stay outside the bounds of civilization for the night or you misjudged the distance and didn't make it to your hotel. Maybe you're just flagging mid-day and need to pull over for a quick power nap. Whatever the reason, an inflatable backseat mattress can seriously upgrade your en-route rest stops.

There are several different designs available depending on the layout of your backseat, but they all do essentially the same thing. One portion of the mattress inflates to fill the space between your front and back seats. Then the rest of the mattress inflates to lay over the entire space. It's roughly equivalent to a twin-sized mattress but that's a vast improvement over your existing backseat. Not only will you have more room to stretch out, but you'll also avoid seat belts digging into your side while you sleep.

If you've got a truck or a hatchback, there are alternative designs that take advantage of the rear storage space to provide even more sleeping room. If your crew is small enough and you're okay with close quarters, you could feasibly get through your whole trip without ever needing to leave the car.

Tray Tables

There isn't much to do on a road trip besides look out the window and push snacks down your gullet. Step one in the road trip snack battle is choosing the right snacks -- but that's only the beginning. You then have to successfully consume those snacks while in a moving vehicle, which is not always an easy feat.

Airplanes have solved this problem with tray tables built into the space around you, and there's no reason you shouldn't do the same in your car. We recommend a cup-hold tray table, like this one from CYEVA . Its expanding base wedges into your existing cup holder and provides a larger cup holder on top, compatible with bottles up to 40 ounces in volume. A post sticks up from the side of the cup holder and attaches to a small tray table you can swivel out over your seat. It's capable of holding up to 4.5 pounds of snacks, which should get you at least a few miles down the road.

Provided there is a cup holder in the back, riders could benefit from the same tray table listed above but also have access to a wide variety of backseat organizers with included tray tables. This one from JOZUTTOW includes three pockets on the bottom for storing water bottles and a tray table on the top, alongside additional pockets for storing phones or tablets.

Power Converter

Once you've got your road trip gadgets and accessories assembled, you're going to need a way to power them. If you've taken full advantage of this list of road trip swag, you're likely going to need multiple outlets and a variety of power options while on the road.

The only thing you're really guaranteed in a car is a cigarette lighter outlet (and that's only if it works) and, if your car is less than a decade old, a USB outlet or two. That's enough for commuting back and forth to work or going to the grocery store, but it isn't going to cut it if you've got your car packed to the rafters with all your buds and all your stuff.

A good power converter will plug into your car through one of the aforementioned outlets and provide you with a power center you can use to juice up your new toys. You can choose any number of power converters, but we like this one from BESTEK , if only because it has style. It looks like a coffee cup and fits into a standard cup holder. You'll plug it into your car's cigarette lighter outlet and, in exchange, you'll get two USB plugs and two conventional 12v power outlets. If that's not enough to get you where you're going, you've overpacked.

Read the original article on SlashGear .

This article may contain affiliate links that Microsoft and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links.

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Lazyzizi Sleep 4 Inch Foldable Mattress, Portable Floor Mattress Couch with Headrest, Washable Cover, Foldable Foam Couch Single for Guest Bed, Folding Sofa Bed, Camping, Road Trip, Dark Grey

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Lazyzizi Sleep 4 Inch Foldable Mattress, Portable Floor Mattress Couch with Headrest, Washable Cover, Foldable Foam Couch Single for Guest Bed, Folding Sofa Bed, Camping, Road Trip, Dark Grey

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Twin (75*38 inch)

Full (73*52 inch)

Queen (79*59 inch)

Single (75*25 inch)

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About this item.

  • 【Multipurpose Foldable Mattress】 This unique six-piece foldable mattress with an extra headrest can provide you with comfortable sleep and relaxation. It can be folded into a variety of shapes, such as a guest floor mattress, a camping mattress bed, a gaming mattress, or a floor sofa mattress during parties, etc. This folding mattress is a great choice in your daily life.
  • 【Portable & Easy-Stored】 The folding couch mattress has three sturdy handles, allowing you to carry this portable mattress anywhere. Also, it can be easily folded into a compact shape when you don't need to use it. The fresh-designed storage bag will help you with space-saving in limited space.
  • 【High-Quality Materials】 Filled with high-density foam which offers good support to disperse the pressure for you. The soft & skin-friendly washable cover can be easy to remove and install. The non-slip bottom of the folding sofa bed keeps you from moving around during use. The floor mattress can provide you with an excellent rest and sleep experience.
  • 【Easy Set-up】 The foldable sofa mattress has hook&loop fasteners in multiple positions, so you can make quick and firm connections for various shapes. Easy to pull and close, not scratching hands and sticking hair. This foldable couch bed is more convenient and safe in your process of use.
  • 【Warm Tips】 The foam itself will have a harmless odor, to ensure a good shopping experience, you can open this package in a well-ventilated area to release the smell, which will dissipate within a few hours. It takes 24-72 hours to make the foldable foam mattress fully expand.

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At this fast pace world, most people are lack of quality sleep and lost their wish for better life.Having a nice rest is the only solution for people to cure their physical issues and overcome negative emotions.

Lazyzizi is found by a group of young innovative people, it’s fun to try our products.We believe that our innovation will pleasantly surprise you in your rest and sleep.Slow down and you will find beautiful things ahead of you, do enjoy!

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Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the comfort, size, value, and versatility of the sofa. For example, they mention it's good for small spaces, adaptable, and worth the money. That said, they like the foldability, bag, and ease of set up. Opinions are mixed on the quality.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers like the comfort of the sofa. They mention that the cover material has the best feel, it's soft enough and easy to get comfortable in. The fabric is pleasant to the touch and does not smell. The support of this sofa bed is good, and it is easy to change it to three different types.

"...It provides a comfortable sleeping surface that is easy to transport and transform according to your needs...." Read more

"...You can still sleep on your stomach very comfortably . My wife and I might get one also because we like it so much, and it re-aligns your spine...." Read more

"... Quite comfortable for sleeping and fine for sitting on as a couch, although because it is so low, it might not work for someone with long legs...." Read more

"...And it's something that's easier to move from place to place. It's soft enough and easy to get comfortable in...." Read more

Customers like the size of the sofa. They say it's good for small spaces, and versatile enough to adapt for many spaces. Some mention that it'll fit in the back of their truck for weekend trips. They also say it can adapt to their needs with ease.

"...guests or enjoying outdoor activities, this mattress can adapt to your needs with ease ." Read more

"...and I might get one also because we like it so much, and it re-aligns your spine ...." Read more

"...It stores nicely and it does exactly what I hoped in using it inside my RV travel trailer...." Read more

"...as well. It's soft and comfortable but tye downside is that it's essentially a big , flexible cushion. It's not really firm enough to be a "mattress"...." Read more

Customers like the value of the sofa. They say it's a great buy, worth the money, and does the job for a reasonable price. Some say it’s much better than other brands and great for an extra sleep. Overall, most are satisfied and happy with their purchase.

" Does the job for a reasonable price . I bought this since I needed a low profile couch and a bed for when I have friends over for the night...." Read more

"...Definitely not the same fabric used on the dark gray. Otherwise it’s great and functional." Read more

" Everything about it is perfect , including the carrying tote it comes with, except for it’s small stature...." Read more

"...Definitely a great purchase for the price and quality . Was firm enough but not like sleeping on a hard surface." Read more

Customers like the versatility of the sofa. They mention that it can be used as a sofa, mattress, and topper. Some say it's a good dual-use sofabed, and perfect for campers. They also say it is a practical choice for those seeking comfort and is easy to use. Customers also say that it is good for temporary living or guest rooms, and is good camping or kids.

"...seamlessly adjusts to accommodate various situations, making it a versatile option ...." Read more

"...Quite comfortable for sleeping and fine for sitting on as a couch , although because it is so low, it might not work for someone with long legs...." Read more

"...4 stars for being comfy and very versatile ." Read more

"...Our son loves this so much. He likes that he can make it into a chair or just leave it as a mattress...." Read more

Customers like the foldability of the sofa. For example, they say it's portable, easy to put away, and simple to open and close. That said, some appreciate the comfort and convenience it provides.

"This Mattress is a practical choice for those seeking comfort and convenience ...." Read more

"...He wanted something more firm. This foldable mattress is perfect . It's just thick enough to have the perfect firmness...." Read more

"This is a very cool concept in the way that it folds up and can fold out...." Read more

"Really like how this mattress folds up and unfolds so you have multiple uses for it...." Read more

Customers like the bag that comes with the sofa. They say it's convenient and easy to carry.

"...You can easily carry it wherever you need it, whether it's for a sleepover at a friend's place or a camping adventure...." Read more

"...It also comes with a carry bag so you can take it to sleepovers or if you go camping or need to spend a night in the back of the minivan." Read more

"...And it's something that's easier to move from place to place . It's soft enough and easy to get comfortable in...." Read more

"Everything about it is perfect, including the carrying tote it comes with , except for it’s small stature...." Read more

Customers find the sofa very easy to set up. They say it's portable, hassle-free, simple, and easy to arrange. Some mention that there is zero assembly.

"...It's designed to be portable and hassle-free .The mattress is simple to transform into different shapes...." Read more

"...Super easy to fold and arrange how he wants it. There is zero assembly . We took it out of the box and took it out of the plastic...." Read more

"...It's very easy to set up , it puffed out pretty quickly and was a hit in our backyard bubble tent photo session...." Read more

"...It’s light weight, super easy to use , and has multiple uses. I even bought 2!!A must buy for small spaces of for lots of moving or guest" Read more

Customers are mixed about the quality of the sofa. Some mention it's made of a high-quality memory foam material that stays cool, while others say that the back is not too sturdy when it turns into a couch. They also say that it'll be useful as a bed to use occasionally, but not very sturdy or useful as an actual sofa.

"...With its plush foam and supportive design , it offers a cozy place to rest and relax...." Read more

"...It's soft enough and easy to get comfortable in. The back is not too sturdy when it turns into a couch (you can feel the adjustable pieces shifting)..." Read more

"...This foldable mattress is perfect. It's just thick enough to have the perfect firmness. You can still sleep on your stomach very comfortably...." Read more

"...The foam is nice and firm but not too firm and wasn't hot as some foam mattresses are...." Read more

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Moscow to Ryazan via Elektrostal

Moscow to ryazan road trip planner.

Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Moscow to Ryazan. If you're planning a road trip to Ryazan, you can research locations to stop along the way. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members.

11:00 am  start in Moscow drive for about 1 hour

12:07 pm   Elektrostal stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:07 pm drive for about 2.5 hours

3:47 pm  arrive in Ryazan

driving ≈ 4 hours

Where should I stop along the way?

Elektrostal

What are some things to do in Ryazan?

This section could be endless, so rather than trying to suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it open-ended.

Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions because there's an entire community of travelers talking to each other and sharing tips and advice. Trippy is where you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, trip dates & more!

Click the button below to explore more questions and answers related to Ryazan.

Do I really have to go back home?

Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation who wants the trip to end? It's okay, you can start planning your next trip!

Want to plan the trip back? Get the reverse directions for a Ryazan to Moscow drive , or go to the main page to plan a new road trip .

You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving by calculating the distance from Moscow to Ryazan . Or get a full Moscow to Ryazan flight plan .

Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend.

And if you know Moscow well, please help your fellow travelers and answer their questions about Moscow!

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Brilliant holiday to Torquay, tinsel & turkey 20 th November to Belgrave Sands hotel. The hotel was... read more

km travel chesterfield 2024 brochure prices

Thanks to all at KM TRAVEL especially our driver courier Matt who made the trip more enjoyable and... read more

km travel chesterfield 2024 brochure prices

Trains Moscow to Elektrostal: Times, Prices and Tickets

  • Train Times
  • Seasonality
  • Accommodations

Moscow to Elektrostal by train

The journey from Moscow to Elektrostal by train is 32.44 mi and takes 2 hr 7 min. There are 71 connections per day, with the first departure at 12:15 AM and the last at 11:46 PM. It is possible to travel from Moscow to Elektrostal by train for as little as or as much as . The best price for this journey is .

Get from Moscow to Elektrostal with Virail

Virail's search tool will provide you with the options you need when you want to go from Moscow to Elektrostal. All you need to do is enter the dates of your planned journey, and let us take care of everything else. Our engine does the hard work, searching through thousands of routes offered by our trusted travel partners to show you options for traveling by train, bus, plane, or carpool. You can filter the results to suit your needs. There are a number of filtering options, including price, one-way or round trip, departure or arrival time, duration of journey, or number of connections. Soon you'll find the best choice for your journey. When you're ready, Virail will transfer you to the provider's website to complete the booking. No matter where you're going, get there with Virail.

How can I find the cheapest train tickets to get from Moscow to Elektrostal?

Prices will vary when you travel from Moscow to Elektrostal. On average, though, you'll pay about for a train ticket. You can find train tickets for prices as low as , but it may require some flexibility with your travel plans. If you're looking for a low price, you may need to prepare to spend more time in transit. You can also often find cheaper train tickets at particular times of day, or on certain days of the week. Of course, ticket prices often change during the year, too; expect to pay more in peak season. For the lowest prices, it's usually best to make your reservation in advance. Be careful, though, as many providers do not offer refunds or exchanges on their cheapest train tickets. Unfortunately, no price was found for your trip from Moscow to Elektrostal. Selecting a new departure or arrival city, without dramatically changing your itinerary could help you find price results. Prices will vary when you travel from Moscow to Elektrostal. On average, though, you'll pay about for a train ticket. If you're looking for a low price, you may need to prepare to spend more time in transit. You can also often find cheaper train tickets at particular times of day, or on certain days of the week. Of course, ticket prices often change during the year, too; expect to pay more in peak season. For the lowest prices, it's usually best to make your reservation in advance. Be careful, though, as many providers do not offer refunds or exchanges on their cheapest train tickets.

How long does it take to get from Moscow to Elektrostal by train?

The journey between Moscow and Elektrostal by train is approximately 32.44 mi. It will take you more or less 2 hr 7 min to complete this journey. This average figure does not take into account any delays that might arise on your route in exceptional circumstances. If you are planning to make a connection or operating on a tight schedule, give yourself plenty of time. The distance between Moscow and Elektrostal is around 32.44 mi. Depending on the exact route and provider you travel with, your journey time can vary. On average, this journey will take approximately 2 hr 7 min. However, the fastest routes between Moscow and Elektrostal take 1 hr 3 min. If a fast journey is a priority for you when traveling, look out for express services that may get you there faster. Some flexibility may be necessary when booking. Often, these services only leave at particular times of day - or even on certain days of the week. You may also find a faster journey by taking an indirect route and connecting in another station along the way.

How many journeys from Moscow to Elektrostal are there every day?

On average, there are 71 daily departures from Moscow to Elektrostal. However, there may be more or less on different days. Providers' timetables can change on certain days of the week or public holidays, and many also vary at particular times of year. Some providers change their schedules during the summer season, for example. At very busy times, there may be up to departures each day. The providers that travel along this route include , and each operates according to their own specific schedules. As a traveler, you may prefer a direct journey, or you may not mind making changes and connections. If you have heavy suitcases, a direct journey could be best; otherwise, you might be able to save money and enjoy more flexibility by making a change along the way. Every day, there are an average of 18 departures from Moscow which travel directly to Elektrostal. There are 53 journeys with one change or more. Unfortunately, no connection was found for your trip from Moscow to Elektrostal. Selecting a new departure or arrival city, without dramatically changing your itinerary could help you find connections.

Book in advance and save

If you're looking for the best deal for your trip from Moscow to Elektrostal, booking train tickets in advance is a great way to save money, but keep in mind that advance tickets are usually not available until 3 months before your travel date.

Stay flexible with your travel time and explore off-peak journeys

Planning your trips around off-peak travel times not only means that you'll be able to avoid the crowds, but can also end up saving you money. Being flexible with your schedule and considering alternative routes or times will significantly impact the amount of money you spend on getting from Moscow to Elektrostal.

Always check special offers

Checking on the latest deals can help save a lot of money, making it worth taking the time to browse and compare prices. So make sure you get the best deal on your ticket and take advantage of special fares for children, youth and seniors as well as discounts for groups.

Unlock the potential of slower trains or connecting trains

If you're planning a trip with some flexible time, why not opt for the scenic route? Taking slower trains or connecting trains that make more stops may save you money on your ticket – definitely worth considering if it fits in your schedule.

Best time to book cheap train tickets from Moscow to Elektrostal

The cheapest Moscow - Elektrostal train tickets can be found for as low as $35.01 if you’re lucky, or $54.00 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as $77.49.

Find the best day to travel to Elektrostal by train

When travelling to Elektrostal by train, if you want to avoid crowds you can check how frequently our customers are travelling in the next 30-days using the graph below. On average, the peak hours to travel are between 6:30am and 9am in the morning, or between 4pm and 7pm in the evening. Please keep this in mind when travelling to your point of departure as you may need some extra time to arrive, particularly in big cities!

Moscow to Elektrostal CO2 Emissions by Train

Ecology

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Frequently Asked Questions

Go local from moscow, trending routes, weekend getaways from moscow, international routes from moscow and nearby areas, other destinations from moscow, other popular routes.

Na Ulitse Yalagina 13B Apartments

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Elektrostal, visit elektrostal, check elektrostal hotel availability, popular places to visit.

  • Electrostal History and Art Museum

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Electrostal History and Art Museum in Elektrostal. Take in the museums while you're in the area.

  • Cities near Elektrostal

Photo by Ksander

  • Places of interest
  • Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
  • Peter the Great Military Academy
  • Central Museum of the Air Forces at Monino
  • History of Russian Scarfs and Shawls Museum
  • Balashikha Arena
  • Balashikha Museum of History and Local Lore
  • Bykovo Manor
  • Pekhorka Park
  • Ramenskii History and Art Museum
  • Malenky Puppet Theater
  • Drama Theatre BOOM
  • Likino Dulevo Museum of Local Lore
  • Noginsk Museum and Exhibition Center
  • Pavlovsky Posad Museum of Art and History
  • Saturn Stadium
  • Fairy Tale Children's Model Puppet Theater
  • Fifth House Gallery
  • Church of Vladimir
  • Malakhovka Museum of History and Culture
  • Orekhovo Zuevsky City Exhibition Hall

Destinations in May

Destinations in 2024.

Please note prices are based on two persons sharing a twin/double room. Single room supplements may apply, please call check single availability/price.

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  • Destinations
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  • Special offers / Late availability
  • Travel Insurance
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km travel chesterfield 2024 brochure prices

NEW CHRISTMAS TOUR 2024 - Bournemouth - Norfolk Royale Hotel - BROCHURE ADDITION . 2024 EUROPEAN HOLIDAYS - Early release - ITALY - Lake Garda / Alassio Click here to download our 2024 Brochure All Our Holidays Include In The Price: Free Door to Door Taxi ( Subject to Area ) ~ Luxury Coach Travel ~ Reserved Coach Seats . Personally Selected ...

www.kmchesterfield.co.uk

KM Travel of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Request a brochure by: Calling: 01226 245564 email: [email protected] . download: click here to download the 2024 Tour Brochure.

KM Travel is in Chesterfield, KM Travel may offer holiday tours, sightseeing tours, and general city tours in Chesterfield. If you have used KM Travel before be sure to leave your own comment or rating on the city tour or holiday tour that you went on so other poeple wishing to use this company can read fair and honest reviews before the book ...

What people are saying. " HOLIDAY TO BLACKPOOL ". Oct 2023. Thanks to all at KM TRAVEL especially our driver courier Matt who made the trip more enjoyable and a credit to the co... " Lovely place enjoyed it clean need a bit of investment there ". Aug 2022. Stayed at ilfracombe Devon 14 to 20 Aug the coach was lovely our driver Tony was ...

Reviews, contact details and business hours of KM Travel Chesterfield at 27 Stephenson Place, Chesterfield, Derbyshire. Check out nearby places on a map. Write a review. Log in. ... 21:03 Tuesday, 23 April 2024: Business hours. Monday: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm: Tuesday: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm: Wednesday: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm: Thursday: 9:00 am - 4:30 ...

KM Travel of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Tel: (01226) 245564 [email protected] . Home. Booking Guide Request Brochure Customer Information Contact Us. ... Our 2024 British Coach Holiday Brochure is now available to download and available shortly from our Market Street office in paper form.

5. £339. Nil. Please note prices are based on two persons sharing a twin/double room. Single room supplements may apply, please call check single availability/price. Price Includes: * Luxury Coach Travel * Local Departure Points. * En-suite bedrooms * Excursions. * Half Board Accommodation.

Page List. (Click on the page required to be linked with that page in the brochure) Page 1 - Front cover. Page 2 - Introduction. Page 3 - Contact information. Customer information. Page 4 - How to make a booking. Holiday index January to June. Page 5 - Holiday index June to December.

Our 2024 UK Brochure is OUT NOW! Order yours today. 01246 474747 Opening Times Brochures . Menu (current) Home Holidays Day Trips ... A-Line Travel 15 Soresby Street Chesterfield S40 1JW 01246 474747 [email protected] . A-Line Travel, Company number 13060548

Lovely holiday. Review of KM British & European Coach Holiday. Reviewed 9 December 2023. Just back from a T&T break at Exmouth. The hotel and food were brilliant, and the driver James was the best. However we had a bad start after waiting nearly one and a half hours in cold and rain at Ilkeston for the coach. I know there was traffic problems ...

Geeveetravelchesterfield, Chesterfield. 1,657 likes · 24 talking about this · 29 were here. DOOR TO DOOR COACH HOLIDAYS DAY TRIPS AND PRIVATE HIRE

Thankyou received our brochure in the post , I see you have new for 2024 Kynren weekend , we went last year and its the most amazing show I've seen well worth going recommended to everybody. 22w. Robert Lindley. Can I have a brochure please 9 monsal crescent Barnsley S71 3PY. 15w.

KM Travel of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Tel: (01226) 245564 [email protected] . Home. Booking Guide Request Brochure Customer Information Contact Us. Skip to content. Request a brochure by: Calling: 01226 245564 . email: [email protected] download: ... Please note prices are based on two persons sharing a twin/double room ...

Central Air Force Museum The Central Air Force Museum, housed at Monino Airfield, 40 km east of Moscow, Russia, is one of the world's largest aviation museums, and the largest for Russian aircraft. 173 aircraft and 127 aircraft engines are on display, and the museum also features collections of weapons, instruments, uniforms (including captured U2 pilot Gary Powers' uniform), other Cold War ...

The journey from Moscow to Elektrostal by train is 32.44 mi and takes 2 hr 7 min. There are 71 connections per day, with the first departure at 12:15 AM and the last at 11:46 PM. It is possible to travel from Moscow to Elektrostal by train for as little as or as much as . The best price for this journey is . Journey Duration.

KM Travel of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Tel: (01226) 245564 [email protected] . ... we guarantee excellent customer service and affordable prices. ... Winter/Spring 2024. Blackpool 2024 Potters Resorts 2024. Our booking office is located at: 52, ...

2022 Brochure . Page List ... All Our Holidays Include In The Price: Free Door to Door Taxi ( Subject to Area ) ~ Luxury Coach Travel ~ Reserved Coach Seats . Personally Selected Hotels ~ En-suite Bedrooms ~ Free Varied Excursions . Telephone: 01246 -556617 ...

Prices at Na Ulitse Yalagina 13B Apartments are subject to change according to dates, hotel policy, and other factors. To view prices, please search for the dates you wish to stay at the hotel. What are the check-in and check-out times at Na Ulitse Yalagina 13B Apartments? The check-in time is after 14:00 and the check-out time is before 12:00.

Cities near Elektrostal. Places of interest. Pavlovskiy Posad Noginsk. Travel guide resource for your visit to Elektrostal. Discover the best of Elektrostal so you can plan your trip right.

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  21. Elektrostal

    In 1938, it was granted town status. [citation needed]Administrative and municipal status. Within the framework of administrative divisions, it is incorporated as Elektrostal City Under Oblast Jurisdiction—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, Elektrostal City Under Oblast Jurisdiction is incorporated as Elektrostal Urban Okrug.

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  23. Golden Gates Review

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  24. Moscow to Ryazan via Elektrostal drive

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  25. km travel chesterfield 2024 brochure prices

    Central Air Force Museum The Central Air Force Museum, housed at Monino Airfield, 40 km east of Moscow, Russia, is one of the world's largest aviation museums, and the largest for Russian aircraft. 173 aircraft and 127 aircraft engines are on display, and the museum also features collections of weapons, instruments, uniforms (including captured U2 pilot Gary Powers' uniform), other Cold War ...