Few things match the thrill of hitting the open road.

And with summer wrapping up, there’s no better time for one last escape with friends, whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a full-on cross-country trek.

For travelers, the right road trip essentials don’t just make the journey easier; they make it unforgettable.

That’s where your merch comes in.

With Fourthwall, you can create road trip gear that’s not only practical but cool enough for your fans to post on their TikTok and Instagram Stories.

These items won't only sell, they'll ride shotgun with your fans on their next adventure!

Why You Should Sell Road Trip Items in Your Store

Selling road trip merch isn’t just about chasing a seasonal fad; it’s about connecting with a huge, motivated audience.

Recent studies have shown that in the past year, 64% of U.S. travelers have taken a road trip of some kind, marking it the highest in open road travel in over a decade.

Millennials and Gen Xers with kids are leading the charge, drawn to the flexibility and nostalgic appeal of the open road, with Route 66, Blue Mountain Ridge, and the Pacific Coast Highway ranking as some of the most popular routes to take.

That’s a massive market of adventure-seekers who are actively investing in apparel, accessories, and comfort items for their journeys.

And with print-on-demand platforms like Fourthwall, making and selling road trip essentials is easier than ever.

You can design gear that fits right into a traveler’s trip packing list, whether it's hoodies for long drives, duffle bags for all-weather clothes, or tumblers and water bottles for staying hydrated.

Best of all, Fourthwall handles the printing, packing, and shipping, so your merch can hit the road with your customers without you ever having to store a single box.

Top 15 Road Trip Essentials to Sell on Fourthwall

1. Travel Backpack

A good backpack is a road trip lifesaver.

It keeps all the important stuff (snacks, chargers, water bottles, and maps) within arm’s reach, whether you’re in the car or out exploring.

The All-Over Print Backpack from Fourthwall is fully customizable, so you can showcase your boldest designs across the entire surface.

With its roomy compartments and durable build, it’s a piece of merch your fans will pack for every trip, turning it into a moving ad for your brand everywhere they go.

2. Fanny Pack

Perfect for quick pit stops and hands-free exploring, the fanny pack has made a full comeback with travelers.

It’s compact enough to carry the essentials like phones, wallets, and sunglasses, but secure enough to keep them safe on hikes or city walks.

Fourthwall's All-Over Print Fanny Pack lets you print your design edge-to-edge, creating a stylish and functional piece that fans will wear across their waist or shoulder.

It’s a low-bulk, high-style accessory that’s built for life on the road.

3. Crossbody Bag

Sometimes you need something between a backpack and a fanny pack, and that’s where the crossbody bag shines.

Our All-Over Print Utility Crossbody Bag is the perfect size for day trips, holding items like cameras, chargers, and passports.

With full-surface customization, you can turn a functional travel bag into a statement piece that reflects your brand’s style. It’s practical, lightweight, and made to go everywhere your customers do.

4. Laptop Sleeve

For digital nomads or anyone bringing work on the road, protecting a laptop is a must.

Made from 100% neoprene, our sublimated Laptop Sleeve is lightweight yet durable, with a snug fit that resists water, oil, and heat, ideal for life on the road.

Available in 13″ and 15″ sizes, it features a top-loading zippered enclosure with dual sliders, making it easy to grab your device whether you’re working at a coffee shop, setting up in a hotel lobby, or catching up on emails at a rest stop.

5. Enamel Mug

Nothing beats sipping hot coffee or cocoa from a sturdy enamel mug while watching the sunrise on the road or by a quiet lake.

The Enamel Mug from Fourthwall is a camping and travel classic—lightweight, durable, and perfect for both drinks and quick campsite meals.

With sublimation printing, you can add scenic artwork, quirky slogans, or your logo, making it a collectible piece fans will take from the car to the campsite to their kitchen at home.

6. Water Bottle

The CamelBak Thrive Flip Straw Water Bottle combines durability with ease of use, featuring a spill-proof flip straw, comfortable carry handle, and lightweight build that’s perfect for travel.

Its customizable exterior lets you print vibrant designs or your logo, transforming a practical item into a stylish, eco-friendly piece of merch.

Whether on a scenic hike, exploring a new city, or clocking miles on the highway, this reusable water bottle keeps your brand in your customers’ hands all day long.

7. Tumblers

A tumbler is the travel buddy that never lets you down. It keeps your water ice cold during desert drives and coffee hot on early morning departures.

Fourthwall offers several customizable tumblers, including the Stainless Steel Tumbler and 20oz Stainless Steel Tumbler, both designed for temperature control and daily use.

They fit neatly into most cup holders, making them a road trip must-have. Add your branding, and they become the ultimate reusable drinkware for fans on the move.

8. Sandals

When the driving’s done and the beach or campground calls, sandals are the footwear of choice.

Fourthwall’s Flip-Flops and Men’s and Women’s Slides are all-over printable, giving you total creative freedom to make bold designs.

Lightweight and packable, they’re a traveler’s dream and an easy impulse buy for fans. Whether for sunny strolls or quick pit stops, these sandals keep your brand literally on their feet.

9. Pajama Shorts

After a long day of driving, nothing feels better than changing into something comfortable.

Our All-Over Print Women’s Pajama Shorts are perfect for lounging at motels or relaxing at home, while our Men’s Fleece Shorts offer the same comfort in a heavier fabric.

Fully customizable and great as part of a matching set, these shorts turn downtime into a branded experience for your fans.

10. Towels

From beaches to lakes to hotel pools, towels are always in demand on summer road trips.

The Sublimated Towel is soft, absorbent, and printable in full color, making it ideal for bold, eye-catching designs.

It’s a practical item that doubles as a statement piece, ensuring your brand gets seen in every vacation photo.

11. Jackets

The weather on the road can change in a heartbeat, so a good jacket is always worth packing.

The Threadfast Denim Jacket and Threadfast Unisex Sherpa Denim Jacket offer timeless style and warmth, while the Champion Packable Jacket is lightweight and water-resistant.

All are fully customizable with embroidery, making them wearable keepsakes that fans will reach for trip after trip.

12. Duffle Bags

Every road tripper has that one bag that holds it all, and a duffle is perfect for the job.

Our All-Over Print Duffle Bag has a spacious main compartment, durable straps, and a customizable exterior.

It’s ideal for weekend getaways or as a secondary bag for extra gear, giving you both practicality and prime branding space.

13. Swimwear

If the trip involves water (beaches, pools, or lakes), then swimwear is non-negotiable.

Fourthwall’s All-Over Print Recycled String Bikini, Swim Trunks, and Recycled High Waisted Bikini give you full creative control over colors, patterns, and designs.

Lightweight and packable, they’re perfect for fans who want something unique for their vacation photos.

14. Pillows

Long drives call for a little extra comfort, and a travel pillow can make all the difference.

Fourthwall’s customizable Basic Pillow options let you print patterns, slogans, or logos that make napping in the backseat a little more stylish.

They’re compact, cozy, and a great add-on product for any road trip-themed merch collection.

15. Pet Bowls 

If you're traveling with a furry companion, a sturdy and reliable pet bowl is a must.

Our Pet Bowls are made with double-wall stainless steel for durability and feature a non-slip rubber base to keep them in place during mealtime. 

Available in two sizes (18 oz and 32 oz), it’s food-grade safe and even dishwasher-friendly once the base is removed.

With full sublimation printing, you can customize it with pet names, paw prints, or playful graphics, making it a fun and functional accessory your customers will use on every trip.

How to Market Your Products

If you’re going to sell road trip gear, don’t just sell items; sell the experience of hitting the long road with everything you need in your trip packing list. 

Your audience isn’t just buying a backpack, tumbler, or duffle bag; they’re buying the feeling of being ready for anything, from a flat tire on a back highway to an impromptu swim at the lake.

Here’s how to position your products so they’re seen as true road trip essentials:

Create Bundles That Tell a Story

Create a “Road Trip Starter Pack” to make packing a breeze.

Combine products like a tumbler for drinks, a backpack for snacks and clothes, and a duffle bag for the rest of the gear. 

Include a checklist in the product description (think sunglasses, first aid kits, wet wipes, spare tire tools) so customers immediately picture themselves hitting the road with everything they need.

Showcase Lifestyle Photography

Stock photos won’t cut it here; instead, show how your merch is in the wild.

For example, a tumbler in a car’s cup holder with condensation on the outside, a hoodie draped over a passenger’s shoulders, or a duffle bag sitting in the trunk next to a packed emergency kit.

Try capturing moments along the way, like someone using a portable phone charger at a rest stop or digging into a bag of granola bars during a scenic pull-off.

Time Your Drops with Travel Seasons

Road trips spike at certain times of year, so schedule seasonal collections before spring break, summer vacation, or the holiday travel rush.

Highlight products that match the conditions—jackets and travel mugs for cooler weather, or swimwear and towels for sunny destinations.

Encourage User-Generated Content (UGC)

Get your customers to share photos of their trips with your merch in action.

A shot of your backpack leaning against a vehicle with a road map on the hood is better than any stock photo.

Offer small rewards, such as discounts or free shipping, to people who post and tag your brand.

Mix Travel Tips with Product Features

Position yourself as a helpful resource, not just a seller.

Create social posts or emails like “10 Road Trip Essentials You Should Always Pack” and weave in your merch alongside must-haves like snacks, water, sunscreen, and a good playlist.

This can help build trust with your audience and subtly show why your products belong on every packing list.

Use Email Marketing to Stay Top of Mind

Send subscribers a downloadable road trip checklist with categories for clothes, gear, and emergency items—highlighting your products in each category.

For example, list your custom duffle bag under “Pack,” your enamel mug under “Drinks,” and your sunglasses under “Accessories.” This makes your merch part of their trip plan before they even leave the driveway.

Let Fourthwall Go "On the Road" with Your Customers

Road trips are back on everyone’s bucket list, which makes this the perfect time to launch a merch collection made for the open road.

Fourthwall’s catalog is packed with customizable travel-ready essentials designed to go wherever your customers do.

Our print-on-demand model means there’s no cost to create and add as many products as you want to your store. You could start your business today and begin selling immediately.

Our easy-to-use design tools make customizing products simple. You’ll get a live preview of your designs before they go live, so you know exactly what your customers will receive.

And you don’t have to stress about printing or shipping—we handle it for you.

Every order is fulfilled by trusted production partners and shipped directly to your customers, letting you focus on building your brand while we take care of the logistics.

Start your Fourthwall store today and make your brand a must-pack item on every trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most important road trip essentials to pack for a long drive?

A complete trip packing list for long drives should include both comfort and emergency items, think a first aid kit, snacks, a spare tire, and wipes, alongside functional gear like a travel backpack, duffle bag, and insulated tumbler.

These essentials keep passengers comfortable and prepared for anything along the way, from sudden weather changes to impromptu photo stops.

Adding your own branded versions of these items can turn every trip into a chance for customers to showcase your designs.

How can custom merch become part of someone’s road trip checklist?

Custom merch works best when it’s designed with the journey in mind.

Products like jackets for cooler nights, water bottles for staying hydrated, and swimwear for sunny destinations become go-to items that travelers reach for without thinking.

By creating gear that blends style with practical use, you make your brand a natural fit for any road trip essentials list.

Why should creators sell road trip gear through print-on-demand?

Selling road trip essentials with a print-on-demand model means you can offer unique designs with no upfront costs, no inventory, and zero fulfillment headaches.

Platforms like Fourthwall handle printing, packing, and shipping while you focus on creating products that resonate with your audience.

This lets your brand travel the long road (literally) in the hands of customers headed to their next destination.