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01What a road trip does to your phone
The road trip phone accessories that matter are the ones that keep navigation running for eight hours and everybody else charged. Running GPS with the screen on all day drains a battery fast, and sun on the dash adds heat on top.
The car's built-in USB ports are often the weak link. Many, especially in older cars, are there for music and put out very little power. A phone running maps can lose charge while plugged into one. A proper car charger in the 12V socket fixes that.
| Seat | Problem | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | Phone sliding around or held in a hand | A mount at eye level, out of the airbag zone |
| Driver | Navigation draining the battery | A fast car charger, not the car's USB port |
| Front passenger | Fighting the driver for the one port | A charger with a port per person |
| Back seat | Cable doesn't reach | 1.5 m cables or a charger with built-in cables |
| Back seat | Kids holding phones or tablets for hours | A headrest mount |
02Driver's seat: a mount that holds on rough roads
Many US states require drivers to use phones hands-free, so a mount is a must for navigation. Put it where you can glance at it without dropping your eyes far from the road, and never in front of an airbag. Some states also restrict where anything can be mounted on the windshield, so check yours before using a suction mount there.
Gravity air vent holder
- $20.99
- Auto-locking arms
- Vent heat in winter can warm the phone
360° magnetic air vent mount
- $54.99
- Snap on, snap off
- Needs a MagSafe iPhone or magnetic case
Suction base for windshield or dash
- $19.99
- Sits closer to eye line
- Check your state's windshield rules
If your current mount sags on bumpy roads, our vent mount keeps falling fix often sorts it without buying a new one. Not sure which type suits your car? Try the car mount finder.
A phone in direct sun, on a fast charger, running navigation can overheat and pause charging. Use a vent mount with the AC on, or keep the phone out of direct sun. See phone overheating in a car mount.
03Charging for every seat
Count the phones, tablets and handheld games that'll be in the car, and buy a charger with at least that many ports. Fewer ports means passengers taking turns, and the navigation phone losing out.
- 45W four-device fast car charger ($19.99): the value pick for a family car.
- 120W retractable 4-port car charger ($21.99): more total power, useful if a tablet or laptop is charging too.
- Retractable 100W car charger with built-in cables ($74.99): no cables to forget, and nothing to tangle on the floor.
- Bluetooth FM transmitter with PD fast car charger ($48.99): for older cars without Bluetooth audio, so you can play maps directions and music through the speakers.
Multi-port chargers share their total power across ports, so four phones at once won't each get top speed. That's fine on a long drive. For the back seat, pair the charger with a 1.5 m cable or two. More on getting the most out of car charging in our car charging setup guide.
Multi-port chargers for the 12V socket, plus a longer cable for the back seat.
04Back seat: screens at eye level
Hours of holding a phone or tablet up makes for sore arms and a lot of drops into the footwell. A headrest mount puts the screen at eye level for back-seat passengers. The sun visor and headrest mount ($27.99) works in either spot. Download shows and games at home, because streaming in rural dead zones won't work and burns through mobile data.
Pack a power bank too. Rest stops, picnics and motel rooms with outlets in the wrong place all come up. A 20,000 mAh bank covers several phone charges; see how to choose a power bank.
05Offline maps: set them up before you lose signal
Long stretches of highway, national parks and mountain passes can have no signal at all. Navigation keeps working on GPS if the map is already on your phone.
-
Google Maps
Tap your profile picture, then Offline maps, then Select your own map. Drag the box over your route and tap Download.
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Apple Maps (iOS 17 or later)
Tap your picture or initials, then Offline Maps, then Download New Map. Resize the area and download.
-
Do it on Wi-Fi
Map areas can be large. Download at home the night before.
-
Check it worked
Turn on Airplane Mode and search for a stop on your route. If it shows, you're set.
Questions people ask
What do I need for my phone on a road trip?
A sturdy mount for navigation, a multi-port car charger, cables long enough for the back seat, a power bank and offline maps. A headrest mount is worth it if kids are watching downloads.
Why does my phone die while charging in the car?
The car's built-in USB port may put out too little power to keep up with navigation and a bright screen. Use a fast car charger in the 12V socket instead, and keep the phone out of direct sun.
Can I use Google Maps without signal?
Yes, if you download offline maps first. GPS works without mobile data, so the downloaded map shows your position and routes. Live traffic won't update until you're back in signal.
Where is the safest place to mount a phone in the car?
Low on the dash or on a central vent, where you can glance at it without looking far from the road, and never over an airbag. Some states restrict windshield mounts, so check local rules.
How many ports does a car charger need for a road trip?
At least one per phone or tablet in the car. A four-port charger suits most families and stops passengers taking turns.