How to Keep Devices Charged on a Road Trip

When you're logging hours on the road, keeping devices charged is a must. That’s especially true if you’re navigating with your phone, snapping photos at scenic overlooks, or trying to catch that perfect wildlife moment before it sprints (or flies… or slithers) away. But dead batteries and hard-to-reach cords can turn an epic drive into a full-on tech scramble. To help you stay charged and stress-free, here are our best road-tested tips for powering your devices from sunrise to sunset.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of our links, we may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you! It helps support our content and gear testing, and we can’t thank you enough for that.

1. Use an Extra-Long Phone Charger

A standard phone charging cable might reach from the front seat to the cupholder, but what about your backseat co-pilot or your road trip partner who just wants to scroll while you drive?

An extra-long phone charger (6-10 ft) is one of the cheapest and most useful upgrades you can make. It makes it easy to charge from any seat, stretch your phone to the dash for navigation, or even plug in from the back of an SUV while camping.

Pro tip: Look for braided cables. They’re more durable and less likely to get tangled or frayed in your glove box.

2. Invest in a Car Adapter or Power Inverter

Your car’s USB port might work, but if you’ve ever had your phone die after hours of “charging,” you know not all ports are created equal. Instead, grab a reliable 12V car adapter with multiple high-speed USB-C and USB-A ports. These plug into your car’s cigarette lighter and offer fast charging for multiple devices at once.

And if you want to charge laptops or camera batteries, you’ll need a power inverter that converts your car’s 12V outlet into a standard AC plug. This is the exact power inverter we use. It stores perfectly in a center console and is great for working from the road or charging bigger devices like camera batteries, drones, and laptops.

Basically, a power inverter turns your car's power into regular wall outlet power, so you can plug in anything that needs a regular plug!

3. Pack Portable Power Banks (And Keep Them Charged!)

When you’re out hiking, sightseeing, or off-grid camping, you’ll be glad to have a portable power bank. These travel-friendly batteries come in all shapes and sizes, from slim, single-charge units to beefy bricks that can juice up a laptop.

We recommend:

• Small + light for your daypack

• High-capacity (20,000mAh or more) for extended off-grid days or charging multiple devices

🚗 Pro tip: Always top these up the night before you hit the road. We keep ours on a designated “charging shelf” by the front door, so we don’t forget them. (Always pick the outlet closet to the door so you’ve got a better chance of spotting it on your way out.)

4. Don’t Forget Camera Battery Backups 📸

If you’re a photographer (or even a casual wildlife spotter), your camera battery will go fast, especially in cold weather or when you're constantly shooting.

Bring at least two batteries for your camera (and drone, if you’re using one) and a car charger or USB wall charger that works with your battery model.

Our camera setup on the road: The LUMIX G7 Digital Camera has been our go-to. It’s a good entry-level camera with amazing video capability. We bought this Lumix lens for wildlife photography, and we keep extra camera batteries and memory cards in a our camera bag so they’re always organized and ready to swap.

5. Consider a Solar Charger (for Off-Grid or Eco-Friendly Trips)

If you’re planning to spend a lot of time in national parks without power, a foldable solar charger or solar power bank can be a game-changer. It’s not always fast, but it is dependable if you’ve got sunshine and a little patience! This is great for backpackers, national parks, and charging small items like your phone or headlamp while out for the day.

6. Charge Smart at Stops

Every stop on your road trip is an opportunity not just to stretch your legs or grab snacks, but to boost your battery life. Whenever you pull over for gas, food, or a bathroom break, make it a habit to plug in your devices. Even a quick 10-15 minute charge can make a big difference, especially if you’re topping off a phone, power bank, or camera battery. And if you're stopping for a longer break—lunch or a scenic viewpoint—take advantage of any available outlets (yes, even in gas stations or fast food restaurants).

💡 RTL Tip: If you're staying at a hotel or Airbnb mid-trip, charge everything overnight, especially power banks and batteries. Treat it like your device reset day. And be sure to choose the outlet closet to the door, so you’ve got a better chance of spotting it on your way out.

7. Plan Ahead for WiFi

If you’re working remotely or uploading photos on-the-go, staying online during a road trip takes a little strategy. You can use your phone’s hotspot (this is our go-to, using iPhones*), bring a dedicated hot spot device, invest in Starlink for remote travel, or plan ahead to find free WiFi at spaces like public libraries, coffee shops, welcome centers, or fast food restaurants. Just keep in mind public Wi-Fi isn’t always secure, so avoid banking or logging into sensitive accounts without a VPN.

Portable WiFi Options:

• Skyroam Solis Lite: This portable hotspot works in over 130 countries, providing a reliable connection wherever you go, and you can pay as you go for data.

• GlocalMe G4 Pro: This device offers global connectivity and comes with a touchscreen interface, making it easy to set up and use while traveling.

• SIMO Solis Lite WiFi Mobile Hotspot: This hotspot is perfect for remote workers and digital nomads, providing secure and reliable mobile internet in over 135 countries without the need for a SIM card.

• Starlink Roam: This satellite internet service offers surprisingly fast speeds in off-grid areas with no cell signal, perfect for remote national parks or long-term camping. It’s a splurge, but for those living or working from the road full-time, it can be worth every penny.

*Here’s how to use your iPhone as a WiFi hotspot on the road. This is a quick way to get your laptop, tablet, or other devices online using your phone’s cellular data.

First, go to Settings, then tap “Personal Hotspot” (or go to Settings > Cellular > Personal Hotspot).

Then, toggle on “Allow Others to Join.” Set a WiFi password if you haven’t already.

On your other device, open WiFi settings and select your iPhone from the network list. Finally, enter the password and connect!

Once connected, your iPhone will act as a portable WiFi router. Just remember, it pulls from your data plan and can drain your battery quickly. Keep your phone plugged in while hotspotting and monitor your data usage, especially if your plan isn’t unlimited.

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