For the daily car commuter, there’s a series of items that are our MUST-haves; our car commuting essentials. Commutes can be as tiring as they are difficult, enduring everything from the weather to the unpredictability of other drivers, confined all while to a car seat. We can’t click our fingers and magically get rid of the commute but we can do a lot to make that journey a hell of a lot more bearable.
1. Sunglasses
This list isn’t in order of importance but i’m putting sunglasses right up there at number one. It’s possible I just have pansy-ass eyes, but I cannot handle driving without them.
When your eyes aren’t blasted by the setting sun, they’re enduring the unbearable glare of a post-rain road or just the uncomfortable brightness of an overcast day. A good pair of sunglasses counters all of those conditions, providing reliable driving vision during constantly changing lighting.
Be sure to check out: It’s always a good idea to leave a pair of cheap and nasty gas station sunglasses in an overhead compartment in case you forget your regular pair. Cheap sunglasses will scrape you over the line but I am a big believer in buying proper sunglasses as the the difference in lens quality is substantial. I am also a bit of a Ray Ban fanboy due to their combination of high-end lens coating and stylish design (currently using Ray Ban Wayfarers)
2. Car Stereo / Audio Receiver
A car stereo to the car commuter is the earphones to the train commuter – a must have piece of equipment. Your vehicle will likely already have one installed, but far more often than not it will be some generic, bottom of the line model with next to no features. Given how many hours you’ll be spending in the car it’s a worthwhile investment to get a good system installed.
There are hundreds of car stereo options to choose from at Amazon, but if you’re not sure where to start, check out the Pioneer DEH-S4120BT – a fully featured, blue-tooth enabled unit which supports both iPhone & Android smartphones.
Be sure to check out: If you’re mechanical or know someone who is, installing car stereo’s is supposedly not too difficult, but if you’re like me and absolutely not – your local garage or auto electrician will be able to install the system for you at a reasonable price. This is particularly useful if you’re also buying additional/higher quality speakers and sub-woofers.
3. Car Phone Charger
Unlike our train commuter friends, we’re not in danger of that most horrible of fates…low smartphone battery anxiety! We’ve got a big old car battery we can tap into, providing you’ve got a charge cable.
For Apple users (includes a USB port) – check out this charger at Amazon.
For Samsung, Amazon has also got you covered (dual USB in this one!)
Be sure to check out: You can also get chargers which integrate into the console of your dashboard, or as part of a phone cradle – it really depends how much you want to pay (also applicable if your vehicle doesn’t have a cigarette lighter). I recommend you get a charger with at least one USB port, even if you don’t think you need it, you’ll be glad when that extra device in your bag suddenly needs charging.
4. Smartphone Cradle
Rather than having your phone flopping around on the seat and continually (not to mention dangerously) falling onto the floor, secure it in a mounted cradle. There are various styles of cradle available, with some designed to attach to the windshield and others onto the dashboard. This solid, fully-adjustable mount at Amazon also features wireless charging if your phone supports it!
Phone cradles are particularly awesome if you’re regularly needing to use your phones GPS functionality (and removes the need to buy a separate GPS unit).
Be sure to check out: Using your phone while driving can be extremely dangerous and therefore most States have specific laws about when and how you can handle your phone in the car. Before you purchase a mount look up your own State laws to avoid serious penalty.
5. Car Seat Covers
Car seat covers, the unsung heroes of the long car commute, doing more to make us comfortable than we usually realize.
A good car seat cover will:
- regulate body temperature (it gets hot & humid against that seat!)
- be anti-slip – stopping the driver/passenger from sliding around
- be durable, protecting against wear
- be water resistant and easily cleanable
- come with pockets (not essential but useful)
- offer some level of back support – or just plain feel nice to sit on!
The Big Ant Car Seat Cushion‘s fit the above requirements, but car seats are a very personal choice. Check out the huge variety of car seat covers at Amazon – factoring in the type of car, shape of your seats and desired style/color.
Be sure to check out: Pay attention to the type and quality of material the seat covers are made from. The frequency of use they’ll get will mean cheaper/thinner styles will wear rapidly.
6. Car Seat Cushion
Sitting for long periods on a daily basis can wreak havoc with our bodies. A train commuter has little control over their seating but the car commuter in their personal car kingdom can make their throne as comfortable and supportive as possible.
A set of quality car seat cushions will the daily journey that much better. Look for cushions that:
- offer support to the right areas (usually lumbar or tailbone)
- are comfortable
- are durable and resistant to wear (look for memory foam or gel)
- are non slip (must attach properly to the seat)
- are washable (they’re getting a LOT of daily action)
Check out the ComfiLife Gel Enhanced Seat Cushion for a quality tailbone cushion, or the LoveHome Memory Foam Lumbar Support Back Cushion to cover the lower back.
Be sure to check out: There’s a huge range of covers available, including some which can also function as the seat cover such as these heated seat covers at Amazon.
7. Drink Bottle
A good, insulated drink bottle will keep you hydrated on these sometimes unpredictably long commutes. In addition, they’ll also keep your water nice and cold (or hot!), be easily accessed while driving, and importantly, be non-spill if they happen to take a tumble onto the floor.
While many cheap bottles are available, it is worthwhile getting a decent bottle as it will be getting a lot of use and you don’t want the inside lining wearing out and adding unknown chemical nasties to your water.
Be sure to check out: Make sure you are regularly cleaning the inside of the water bottle to ensure it doesn’t develop algae build-up. In short: don’t be me!
8. Travel Coffee Cup / Mug
If you’re anything like me, your morning commute is powered by coffee, and for that you need a good travel coffee cup. While many insulated water bottles can serve as coffee cups as well, I find they don’t tend to be as pleasant to drink from as they’re usually designed for water. I personally prefer to keep my water bottle and coffee cups/mugs separate.
A good portable coffee cup needs to:
- be easy to drink from when driving
- fit in car cup holders (important)
- be easily cleanable (some designs are troublesome clean – lids in particular)
- keep the coffee hot (there’s nothing worse than luke warm coffee)
9. Comfortable Driving Shoes
You’re driving to work therefore likely wearing work shoes. Be they hard-soled business shoes or heels, they’re designed to look good in the office, not feel good against your car foot pedals! Wearing the right shoes can make a surprising difference to your overall driving comfort and can be easily put in the back seat prior to exiting the car.
Good comfortable driving shoes for men.
Good Comfortable driving shoes for women.
10. Tinted Windows
While you can buy various kinds of window shade for the car windows, I highly recommend you get the car windows properly tinted by a professional. Tinted windows:
- regulate the internal car temperature – particularly good for hot weather
- vastly reduce overall glare
- provide privacy against other drivers (good for night driving)
If you haven’t had a car with tinted windows before and worry it may make your own view out of the car dark – fear not, you will be surprised at how little this is affected.
Be sure to check out: Different States have different laws in regards to window tinting – for this reason its best to check with a professional window tinter regardless.
11. Dash Cam
One of the biggest problems a car commuter faces on a daily basis is other commuters. Add bad traffic conditions and tiredness to the mix and it’s not a case of if a crash will happen, but when.
Dash cams offer protection if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a car crash. It will provide proof of what happened from your point of view, greatly assisting you with things such as insurance claims. They also allow you to maintain control of your vehicle security for things such as vandalism or theft.
Be sure to check out: Like with most other smart technology, dash cams are evolving at a rapid pace with features such as motion sensors, night vision and HD quality becoming the norm.
12. Steering Wheel Cover
It’s funny how much the feel of a steering wheel can impact your overall pleasure when driving. A cheap, standard wheel can get sticky with wear, feels flimsy and can heat up big time when baking in the car park all day. If you’re not wanting to spend the extra money on a custom steering wheel (like the awesome MOMO steering wheels), a good steering wheel cover is your next best option.
A good steering wheel cover:
- is comfortable to grip
- feels nice beneath your hands (particularly leather covers)
- can be less prone to heating up than cheap, plastic wheels
- looks great!
Be sure to check out: While the old ‘you get what you pay for‘ adage applies to most things in life, none more so than the humble steering wheel cover! Beware the cheap and nasty covers – when they wear out and your hands are sticky with whatever adhesive they used beneath the surface, you’ll regret not getting something better, trust me!
13. Insulated Lunch Bag \ Box
Many people carry insulated lunch bags with them on the train, but the space they take up can be an issue – not so for the car commuter! Ultimately these handy bags serve one purpose: keeping your delicious home-made lunch nice and fresh.
All you need is a lunch bag which is:
- leak-proof
- easily cleaned
- large enough to carry your lunch.
Voila!
14. Tissues
Every driver drops food or drink all over themselves and their car at least once – or if that driver is me…on a regular basis. Then there’s the whole blowing the nose thing. Don’t be caught without tissues in the car!
15. Painkillers / Ibuprofen
Driving while tired is one thing, driving with a splitting headache another. Keep some Ibuprofen or similar in the car at all times – just in case.
16. Car Cleaning Wipes
If there’s one thing I’ve found when spending hours and hours in the car, week after week – it gets dirty. While having a dirty car is not the end of the world, driving in a nice clean car makes the entire experience so much nicer.
I am a massive fan of these Armor All heavy duty wipes – something my wife purchased and something I would never have given second thought to. These wipes are perfect for cleaning all the main elements of the car interior, particularly steering wheel, dashboard, all the consoles and various elements such as cup holders and pockets. I honestly can’t recommend them enough.
17. Roadside Assistance
Locked your keys in the car? Accidentally left your headlights on only to return to a flat battery? Flat tire? Ran out of gas? There are so many reasons why you should have Roadside Assistance for your vehicle.
There are many independent automobile clubs (such as the AAA) which provide roadside services, but it can also come with your regular vehicle insurance or new car warranty’s. It’s always worthwhile double-checking whether you’re covered and determining what’s specifically included.
Be sure to check out: The AAA (American Automobile Association) is an independent automobile club for roadside assistance. Their toll-free number is (800) AAA-HELP
18. Car Trash Can
Do you really want to be driving around with a back seat full of trash? Hell no! But sadly – we’re all guilty of it. The long commute sucks enough as is, but don’t do it confined to a filthy car! Get yourself a car trash can and enjoy that nice clean environment!
19. Car Coat Hangar
It’s often uncomfortable driving to work in a business jacket or coat – they limit arm movement and are just plain not needed inside a warm vehicle. Yet you don’t want to be tossing it onto the seat either where it’s going to get all crumpled and dirty. Save on dry cleaning costs and get yourself a car coat hangar – most of which connect will connect to the back of the headrest.
20. USB Essential Oil Diffuser
Keep the interior of your car smelling great and the air fresh and clean. This nifty little essential oil diffuser plugs into your USB port (see essential item no.3) and will help you deal with any unwanted smells that can so often permeate such a closed space.
They can also be fantastic as dehumidifiers.
Be sure to check out: There’s a ton of car scent fresheners available (you know – those little scented tree-shaped things you hang from the rearview mirror etc) but many of them can make you feel sick of a few hours inhaling their potent, fake scent. With an essential oil diffuser you can pick a scent that works for you and periodically change them.
21. Subscription to Audio Entertainment
These long drives are made so much more enjoyable (and seem much faster) if you’re distracted by some good quality audio entertainment. Things like podcasts are superb, but nothing engrosses like a good book, and for that you’ve got plenty of options such as Audible who in addition to a 30 day free trial, also give you your first two books free…boom!
And that my friends brings us to the end of our list of car commuting essentials. Why not check out our 14 Easy Products Which Will Keep Your Car Clean I hope at the very least I’ve made your long commute suck just that little bit less.
Happy commuting!
