14 Items That Make Autumn Traveling Safer, More Enjoyable

Roadside accessories. Photo 19020598 | Car Breakdown © Piotr290 | Dreamstime.com

Don’t let inclement weather sneak up on you and your family. Take a few moments to evaluate what accessories you should pack or replace for autumn driving.

Make sure your vehicle is outfitted for fall weather and prepared for harsher weather. That means protecting the interior against autumn moisture and grime, stocking some safety equipment in case you get a flat tire and other unforeseen circumstances.

Here’s our list of important autumn accessories to keep your vehicle clean and better prepared for inclement weather:

Install a new set of windshield wiper blades and rear wiper blades. Summer driving dries out the rubber. Old, frayed wipers can smear and scratch window surfaces.
Carry window cleaning wipes to clean the area where the wiper blades don’t reach. They can also help clean the front and rear lights as well as the side windows and mirrors.
Install a new set of rubber mats. Are your old mats damaged from summer adventures? Make sure they don’t have cracks or worn edges that leak. Floor mats have expanded beyond the black, blue and brown colors and are now available in a variety of colors and designs for anyone’s taste.
Carry along a mini vacuum cleaner that plugs into your car outlet. This is especially handy in the fall when it is easy to track leaves and dirt into the car.

Car emergency kit
Install a cabin trash container with straps that suspend from the front seat. Look for ones with waterproof lining. Some have collapsible tops that are easy to open and prevent trash from falling out.
Carry along an ice scraper in case you’re caught in an early autumn snow storm, especially if you are traveling one of the Leaf Peeper highways of the northern and mountainous states.
Pack jumper cables, a necessity for all car owners especially when traveling. These can not only help prevent problems for your vehicle, but you might be able to lend a hand to other drivers who are standed.
Add an LED Flashlight and an LED lantern to your bag of safety equipment. LED lights provide powerful beams of light and shine brightly for hours–especially important if you have a flat or your car breaks down. Look for LED flashlights with multiple settings such as steady beam and flashing light to use during emergencies as a way to alert other drivers. Some LED lights may be used as candles by standing in their base. LED lanterns offer abundant light useful for reading in the cabin or setting on the road while installing a spare tire or tire chains.

Roadside safety vest and triangle.
Keep reflective signs and a reflective vest to alert drivers if you are parked on the road shoulder.
Carry a First Aid Kit with essential items should you have a cut, insect bite or other medical emergency while on the road. Add to your basic kit with items such as burn cream packets, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic towelettes, plastic bandages, gauze rolls and pads, wound closures, a cold pack, scissors, tweezers, eye wash and pads, aspirin and ibuprofen.
Install phone mounts to keep devices from sliding about the vehicle and falling between the seats. Consider your driving habits when choosing one. Phone mounts placed on the dashboard allow you to keep your eyes on the road. Others are mounted in the cup holder or air vent.
Invest in USB -A and USB-C cables. If you are renting a vehicle, consider the vehicle may not support smaller, fast-charging connectors. Carry along a USB-A type of cable so you can plug your phone into the USB outlets found on rental vehicles. USB-C are fast-charging cables that require plugs which support a smaller port.
Pack a USB power pack for passengers. If your vehicle doesn’t have several USB ports, keep your family powered up with convenient, portable charges. They can give their phones hours of extra power, and some have solar cells to charge while on the road.
Add blind Spot Mirrors to give you more visibility. If you’re spending lots of time driving on the highway or on winding mountain roads, blind spot mirrors give you a wide view of vehicles traveling to the side of your vehicle bumper.