Planning a road trip in the near future? While road trips are a blast, the right tech can make them even more enjoyable and hassle-free. The perfect gadgets can truly transform your experience—keeping your phone fully charged, your coffee piping hot, and your journey smooth.
As we hit the highway on The Road to CES, here are some of the best road trip technologies that will make your trip smoother and, hopefully, more fun.
Top Tech Essentials for Your Next Road Trip Adventure
Garmin Dash Cam 65W
Whether you want to record every moment on the road or simply keep a log of any accidents or legal issues, the Garmin Dash Cam 65 is one of the finest dash cams available.
This camera features a 180-degree field of view, a 2.1-megapixel sensor, forward collision warnings, and built-in GPS with automatic incident detection. It also supports voice commands, letting you start and stop recording without removing your hands from the wheel.
AT&T Netgear Nighthawk Hotspot LTE
Your phone's data plan is handy on the road, but what if you need a more robust connection that multiple devices can share? That's where a mobile hotspot like the AT&T Netgear Nighthawk Hotspot LTE comes in.
This hotspot creates a Wi-Fi network on the go, allowing you to connect your laptop, Nintendo Switch, and phone to the internet. It also displays the number of connected devices and data usage, making it easy to monitor your consumption.
EasyFocus Cup Holder Power Inverter
Long road trips can feel endless—especially if your phone or other gadgets run out of battery. Luckily, there's a device that fits snugly in your car's cup holder to prevent that.
The EasyFocus Car Power Inverter adds multiple charging ports that are more versatile than the standard cigarette lighter ports. It provides a standard US power outlet, two USB ports, and an additional 12V car power output, making it easy to keep all your devices charged.
CellAssist OBD2 Bluetooth Adapter
Most people don't own a smart car yet, but you can still give your vehicle extra brains—or at least give your phone access to the data your car already has. An OBD2 Bluetooth adapter like the CellAssist, paired with an app such as Dash, lets you monitor fuel efficiency and distance traveled.
More importantly, it can help diagnose issues when a dashboard light comes on. It checks error codes against a massive database, so you can determine if the problem is serious—or at least be prepared for a mechanic's quote.
HooToo Wireless Travel Router
Many of us have phone data plans, but what if you need a more comprehensive mobile network on the go? The HooToo wireless travel router is perfect for such situations. While it won't create broadband out of thin air, it can share your phone's data connection, turn hotel wired networks into wireless ones, and enable data sharing between devices.
To accomplish this, the device includes a built-in 10,400mAh battery, charging ports, and an Ethernet port—ensuring you stay connected whenever possible.
High-Tech Road Flares
While your OBD2 Bluetooth adapter can tell you why your car broke down, it can't fix it. Being stranded on the roadside is dangerous, and alerting other drivers to your presence is crucial for safety. That's where these LED road flares come in.
These puck-shaped lights can be turned on and placed on the road. Unlike traditional flares, they run on batteries that last up to 36 hours, and you can replace the batteries to reuse them. This is especially handy if you drive an older car and anticipate multiple breakdowns.
Samsung Gear 360
We're entering the age of virtual reality, and what better way to relive your epic road trip than by filming it in 360 degrees? The Samsung Gear 360 is one of the top 360-degree cameras, thanks to its portable size and high-quality sensors—each at 8.4 megapixels.
It also comes with an Android app for editing, viewing, and sharing your 360-degree videos on the go.
HUDWAY Glass Heads-Up Display
Some drivers prefer a car mount or voice directions, but not everyone likes glancing away from the road or listening to navigation. If that sounds like you, a HUDWAY heads-up display might be the answer.
This display is simpler than you might expect. It uses glass to reflect your phone's screen in front of you, so you can see a map displayed over your car's windshield. It's a clever solution that puts directions right where you need them.
GoPro has become practically synonymous with action cameras, and for good reason. The company builds extremely durable, high-quality cameras that capture great video in almost any scenario. The latest model, the GoPro Hero 6, lets you continuously shoot excellent footage whether you're in the car, skiing, or skydiving.
Its sensor can capture up to 4K video at 60 frames per second, and if you need slow motion, it handles 1080p at 240 fps. It also includes smart features like voice commands and what GoPro calls its “most advanced image stabilization ever.”
DJI Mavic Pro Platinum
DJI has made a name for itself in the drone world, and its latest offering, the Mavic Pro Platinum, lives up to that reputation. It offers 10% longer battery life than its predecessor and flies more quietly—always a plus. Thanks to these upgrades, the drone can fly for up to 30 minutes, making it an excellent choice for capturing footage on the road.
The camera records up to 4K resolution and is among the best DJI has ever put on a drone. It also features DJI's autonomous flight modes, which are quite intelligent and help avoid collisions.
Nintendo Switch
Exploring new places is exciting, but getting there isn't always fun. That's where the Nintendo Switch comes in—it's a fantastic way to pass the time.
The Switch is Nintendo's newest gaming device, blending console and handheld systems into one. This means you can enjoy console-quality games on the go. There are several great titles available, with standouts including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey.
TechRadar's Road to the Show 2018 is sponsored by ZTE and the ZTE Axon M, with car transportation provided by Genesis.
