Road trip essentials
Gear we've actually used on extended road trips — from weeks-long national park loops to EV charging adventures. No fluff, just honest picks.
Connectivity
Stay connected anywhere — cell dead zones, national parks, backcountry.
Starlink Roam
Satellite internet that actually works in the middle of nowhere. We use this everywhere cell coverage fails — national parks, forest service roads, remote campsites. The Roam plan lets you pause and resume month-to-month, so you only pay when you're traveling.
- Works in virtually any location with sky view
- Pause when not traveling — no annual contract required
- Fast enough for video calls and navigation updates
- Compact flat dish fits in most vehicles
GL-iNet Mudi 7 (GL-E5800)
A 5G NR cellular travel router with Wi-Fi 7 — insert your own SIM card and get a private Wi-Fi network anywhere there's 5G. Perfect companion to Starlink: use cellular in coverage areas and switch to satellite when you're off-grid.
- 5G NR Sub-6GHz with tri-band Wi-Fi 7
- Works with any unlocked SIM — no carrier lock-in
- OpenWrt-based — fully configurable firewall/VPN
- USB-C powered, runs off a small power bank
GL-iNet Slate 7 (GL-BE3600)
The travel router for campgrounds and hotels with unreliable Wi-Fi. Connect once, share a clean private network across all your devices. Wi-Fi 7 on dual-band with VPN built in.
- Dual-band Wi-Fi 7 — fast even on congested campground networks
- Built-in VPN client (WireGuard, OpenVPN)
- Compact — fits in a jacket pocket
- Repeater, tethering, and wired WAN modes
Cell booster
A signal booster (weBoost Drive or similar) pulls in weak cell signals on remote highways. Pairs well with Starlink — use cell where it's available, switch to satellite when it's not.
- Works with any carrier
- No subscription — one-time purchase
- Dramatically improves weak-signal areas
Power & EV
Keep devices charged and plan your EV charging route.
EcoFlow portable power station
EcoFlow's Delta and River series are what we run at camp — powers Starlink overnight, charges laptops, runs a mini fridge, and handles a CPAP without hookups. Fast solar recharge means you can top it off while you're out hiking.
- 1–3 kWh options — enough for multi-night off-grid stays
- Recharge via solar, car 12V, or wall outlet
- Quieter and safer than any gas generator
- Bi-directional charging — also powers your EV in a pinch
PlugShare
Free app for finding EV charging stations — including user-reported RV park plugs and destination chargers that don't show up on manufacturer apps. Invaluable for trip planning.
- Network-agnostic — shows all charger types
- User check-ins with real-time status
- Route planning with charge stop suggestions
Camping & Shelter
Sleep well anywhere from dispersed BLM land to established campgrounds.
Rooftop tent or sleep platform
A vehicle-based sleep setup (rooftop tent, truck bed platform, or SUV mattress) means you can camp anywhere you can legally park. No site availability anxiety.
- Camp without a reservation on dispersed land
- Quick setup — minutes, not an hour
- Elevated sleeping keeps you off damp ground
The Dyrt Pro
Campground discovery app with offline maps. The Pro tier includes dispersed camping areas, BLM land, and user-contributed sites you won't find on Recreation.gov.
- Free and dispersed site database
- Offline maps for areas without cell service
- User reviews with photos and road condition notes
Electric Vehicles
The vehicle matters — especially for long hauls through remote terrain.
Rivian R1T / R1S
The Rivian R1T (truck) and R1S (SUV) are built for exactly this kind of travel — long range, dual-motor AWD, and a gear tunnel that doubles as a camp kitchen. The onboard AC inverter runs a full camp setup without an external power station.
- 410+ mile range (Max Pack) — fewer charge stops on big days
- Dual-motor AWD standard — handles dirt roads and mountain passes
- Built-in 3.5 kW AC power — run appliances directly from the vehicle
- Gear tunnel (R1T) or massive cargo floor (R1S) for camp gear
- Over-the-air updates keep it getting better on the road
Safety & Emergency
The stuff you hope you never need but will be very glad you have.
Tire repair kit + compressor
A plug-and-patch kit and a 12V compressor handle most flats on dirt roads. Cheaper and faster than a tow, especially in remote areas where help is hours away.
- Fix most punctures in 15 minutes
- Compressor tops off tires after airing down for off-road
- Essential for washboard forest service roads
First aid kit
A proper backcountry kit (Adventure Medical Kits or similar) — not the dollar-store box of bandaids. Includes wound irrigation, SAM splints, and a first aid guide.
- Sized for multi-day remote trips
- Includes supplies for sprains, cuts, and burns
- Compact enough to keep in the vehicle at all times