Road trips are some of the best kind of adventures – slow mornings, a good playlist, scenic stops, and snacks that somehow taste better in the car. Unfortunately, all that convenience often comes with a pile of disposable cups, bottles, and wrappers if you’re not careful.
But a few simple reusables can make your trip much lower waste without making things complicated or bulky. Here are a few of my favorite reusable road trip companions. They’re practical, easy to pack, and genuinely helpful on the road.
Reusable Coffee Cup
Keep the caffeine, skip the waste
A reusable coffee cup is one of the easiest changes you can make on a road trip. Skip the disposable cups and lids and bring something that feels good in your hand and fits in your cup holder. And a well-insulated version will keep your drinks warm through long stretches between stops.
My recommendation: Ecoffee Cup – a plant-based reusable coffee cup made from bamboo fiber and non-toxic materials. It’s not quite as heat-retentive as steel, but it’s eco-friendly and super comfortable to hold.
Refillable Water Bottle
Stay hydrated!
Hydration is non-negotiable on a road trip. And a refillable bottle means no more buying plastic bottles every time you get thirsty. Insulated ones keep water cold for hours, which is especially nice in summer or on long drives.
My recommendation: Chilly’s Bottle – a double-walled, vacuum-insulated reusable water bottle that keeps drinks cold (or hot) for hours. It’s made from high-quality stainless steel and built to last, so it’s a great choice for road trips, but also hikes and everyday hydration with less waste.
Reusable Snack Containers
Eat well on the road
Reusable containers make it easy to bring your own snacks instead of relying on individually wrapped options. They’re great for cut fruit, nuts, sandwiches, leftovers, or whatever other snacks you might think to pack ahead of time.
My recommendation: LunchBots – a stainless steel, multi-compartment reusable container that’s perfect for portioned snacks and road trip meals. It’s durable, easy to clean, and keeps snacks organized without any single-use packaging, making it ideal for everything from cut fruit to homemade sandwiches.
Reusable Snack Bags/Wraps
Small but super handy
For bite-sized foods, reusable snack bags or wraps are lightweight and flexible. They take up almost no space and work amazingly for things like granola, crackers, or small leftovers.
My recommendation: Stasher Bag – a reusable, food-grade silicone bag that’s great for snacks, sandwiches, and loose nibbles. It’s easy to open and close, dishwasher-safe, and much more durable than disposable zip bags. Perfect for keeping things low-waste on the road without sacrificing convenience.
Travel Cutlery Set
Goodbye disposable utensils
Whether it’s picnic stops, takeout meals, or snack breaks, having your own fork, spoon, and knife means no plastic utensils. A compact set fits easily in your bag or glove compartment.
My recommendation: Jungle Culture – a lightweight, reusable bamboo cutlery set that’s perfect for road trips, picnics, and snack breaks. They’re made from natural bamboo and come with a super useful cotton pouch. These utensils are comfortable to use, easy to clean, and so much nicer than disposable plastic forks and knives. Bamboo is a fast‑growing, renewable material, so this set is nicely low‑impact while still being sturdy enough for everyday travel meals.
Cloth Napkins or Small Towels
More useful than you’d think
Cloth napkins are one of those tiny road trip upgrades that end up being used constantly, for wiping hands, catching crumbs, or handling small spills. They’re soft, washable, and last far longer than paper napkins ever did.
My recommendation: Marley’s Monsters – ultra‑soft, absorbent cloth napkins and towels that are perfect for replacing paper towels on the road. They’re made from GOTS‑certified organic cotton and come in fun, long‑lasting prints. They’re durable enough for snack breaks, picnic clean‑ups, and meal stops without ever feeling rough or flimsy. They’re easy to wash, quick to dry, and fit neatly into your travel bag.
Foldable Tote Bag
For spontaneous stops
A reusable tote is perfect for everything from roadside produce stands to picnic supplies. It’s also great for collecting recyclables or organizing your roadtrip items so they don’t roll all over the backseat.
My recommendation: Baggu Reusable Bag – a lightweight, super‑strong reusable tote that’s perfect for roadside stands, markets, snacks, picnic food, or extra layers on a road trip. It folds down tiny so you can keep it in your bag or glove compartment, and the sturdy recycled nylon weave handles bigger loads without stretching out. It’s the kind of simple, reliable bag you’ll find a use for every day, long after the trip is over.
Refillable Toiletry Bottles
Travel-sized, waste-free
If you’re bringing sunscreen, hand soap, or shampoo with you, refillable bottles make a big difference. They help you eliminate tiny travel-size plastics and keep your kit organized.
My recommendation: Humangear GoToob+ – a set of durable, leak‑proof reusable bottles perfect for packing shampoo, conditioner, lotion, or sunscreen on road trips. They’re made from flexible, food‑grade silicone with secure caps, and they’re even TSA-approved in case you need to fly with them in your carry-on. They’re easy to squeeze, simple to clean, and way sturdier than disposable travel bottles.
Simple Trash & Recycling System
Keep clean, not cluttered
Not exactly a product, but a good idea: keep a small bag for trash and another for recyclables in your car. When you pull over, you can sort and dispose responsibly instead of letting a million bits of trash accumulate in your cup holders.
Road trips don’t need to be perfectly zero waste to be more thoughtful. A few reusables can dramatically cut down on disposables, save you money, and make the whole experience feel simpler and less stressful. Pack what works for you, skip what doesn’t, and enjoy the journey – snacks, coffee, and all.