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.
What we pack
Everything we use on the road
Connectivity
Starlink, 5G travel routers, and cell boosters - stay online from any campsite, dead zone, or backcountry forest road.
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Power
Solar generators, fast chargers, and 12V wiring that keeps every device topped up - including the EV.
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Camping & Sleep
Rooftop tents, packable cookware, and sleep systems that hold up week after week.
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Vehicle & Safety
Mounts, recovery gear, tire kits, and the safety basics we don't leave the driveway without.
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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
Simsima travel eSIM
For trips that cross into Canada or Mexico. A travel eSIM can cover data across the border. Set your phone to use it for cellular data and turn off data roaming on your home line to avoid home-carrier data roaming charges. Calls and texts on your home line may still incur charges.
- Set up from your phone before the trip - no physical SIM to swap
- Needs an eSIM-capable, carrier-unlocked phone
- Simsima lists 190+ destinations
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.
Kammok Crosswing x Rivian awning
A vehicle-mounted awning built specifically for the Rivian R1T and R1S - it clamps to the factory crossbars and swings out to shade a full camp kitchen in under a minute. Instant cover from sun or rain at any trailhead, campsite, or charging stop.
- Rivian-specific fit - mounts to the factory accessory crossbars
- One-person setup - swings out and locks in under a minute
- Weatherproof canopy shades a full camp kitchen or tailgate
- Packs flat against the roof when stowed
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 enough flat cargo floor to sleep on. The full camping breakdown lives on one page rather than being repeated here.
Read the full R1S camping breakdown →Inno Wedge Cargo Box (BRM660)
An aerodynamic roof cargo box that adds 11 cubic feet of storage without the bulk. The wedge profile reduces wind noise and drag - fits camping gear, ski/snowboard equipment, or anything that won't fit inside. Dual-side opening means you can load from either side of the vehicle.
- 11 cu ft - fits 6-8 skis or 4 snowboards
- Dual-side opening for easy access on either side
- Universal crossbar fit - works with most roof rack systems
- Diffuser design reduces wind noise at highway speed
- Key lock with limited lifetime warranty
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