Turn your car into basecamp
Independent, research-based buying guides for car camping. We rank the gear that actually fits your trunk, so you can pack and go.
- A flat sleep length that fits most people under 6 ft; measure with the seats folded
- 72 in
- Check your car's listed cargo volume before buying bins and coolers
- 35 cu ft
- A power station size that runs a small 12 V fridge for roughly a day or more, depending on heat
- 500 Wh
Top picks right now
Quick power math
- Watt-hours volts x amp-hours
- Runtime about Wh x 0.85 ÷ device watts
- 50 W device on 500 Wh about 8.5 hours
Rough estimate. Inverter losses, cold weather and battery age cut real runtime.
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Start Here: Your First Car Camping Trip
8 short steps in the order a beginner needs them, with the guides and tools for each one.
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Sleep & Privacy
Mattresses, pads, tents, and window covers for real nights in the car.
Browse 15 guides →Power & Cold
Power stations, solar, jump starters, and 12V fridges and coolers.
Browse 9 guides →Camp Kitchen & Water
Stoves, cookware, water containers, and filters for cooking at camp.
Browse 15 guides →Comfort & Storage
Chairs, blankets, rugs, and the storage that makes packing painless.
Browse 10 guides →Lighting
Headlamps, lanterns, string lights, and tent lights for the campsite.
Browse 6 guides →Safety & Hygiene
Toilets, showers, first aid, fire safety, and recovery gear.
Browse 11 guides →Best buying guides
Best SUV Air Mattresses for Car Camping
Find the best SUV air mattresses for car camping. Compare cargo-area fit, comfort, and durability so you can sleep flat in the back of your vehicle.
Camp Kitchen Essentials for Car Campers
The camp kitchen essentials worth packing for car camping. Compare stoves, storage, and prep gear to build a reliable outdoor cooking setup.
Best Camping Cookware Sets
Compare the best camping cookware sets for car camping. Find durable, nesting pots and pans that heat evenly and pack down small for the trip.
Best Camping Utensils and Cook Sets
Find the best camping utensils for car camping. Compare durable forks, spoons, and cooking tools that pack small and survive every trip.
Best Sleeping Pads for Car Camping
Compare the best sleeping pads for car camping. Find thick, insulated pads that deliver comfort and warmth without the weight limits of backpacking.
Campsite Comfort Essentials
The campsite comfort essentials that make car camping feel like home. Compare chairs, shade, lighting, and small upgrades for a better basecamp.
Car camping tips
All tips →Planning Road-Trip Listening and Your In-Car Audio Setup
How to plan audiobooks and podcasts for the drive to camp, get sound into your car reliably, and keep listening once you arrive at the site.
Fall Car Camping: How to Plan and What to Pack
Fall car camping brings quiet campsites and colour, plus cold nights and early dark. How to plan routes, stay warm, manage condensation and pack smart.
How to Avoid a Dead Car Battery When Car Camping
Interior lights, fridges and charging from the starter battery drain it overnight. How to protect your car battery on camping trips and what to do if it dies.
Why Your Power Station Will Not Charge From the Car
Portable power stations often charge slowly or not at all from a 12V socket. Common causes, from ignition-off sockets to fuses, and faster charging options.