Before GPS, Bluetooth, and backseat tablets, road trips in the 1980s were an exercise in patience, creativity, and family togetherness—sometimes whether we liked it or not. Cars were bigger, seat belts were looser, and if you wanted entertainment, you packed it yourself. But there was a certain magic to those long drives, especially when the backseat was stocked with just the right mix of toys, snacks, and analog distractions. These 12 items weren’t just helpful—they were sacred tools of survival for parents and kids alike. If your family ever hit the open road during the Reagan years, you’ll remember at least a few of these with a nostalgic smile.
1. The Road Atlas
Before smartphones or even those clunky dashboard GPS units, we had the mighty road atlas—a book so big it doubled as a lap desk. The Rand McNally version was a staple in the glove box, its spiral binding barely holding together after years of use. If you were lucky, your dad trusted you to help “navigate,” which mostly meant flipping pages and guessing. Hagerty reveals that the road map has a surprising, rich history.
Parents would trace routes with highlighters or pen, sometimes writing notes in the margins about rest stops or scenic detours. There was something thrilling about seeing the whole country spread out on paper. It made the journey feel like an adventure, not just a drive.
2. Cassette Tape Collection
No road trip was complete without a carefully curated box of cassette tapes, often stored in a zip-up case or clunky plastic holder. Whether it was Fleetwood Mac, the Top Gun soundtrack, or Dr. Demento comedy bits, the right tape could define the whole ride. Flipping a cassette over mid-song became second nature. Legacybox reveals just how long the cassette has been setting the beat of our nostalgia.
Parents would argue over stations, but a mix tape made at home was a peace offering that united everyone—at least for a side or two. You’d memorize every lyric without even trying. Those cassette tapes were the mood ring of the car—they told you exactly what kind of trip it was going to be.
3. Travel Games (Like Auto Bingo)
Travel games were the secret weapon against backseat boredom, and Auto Bingo was king of them all. Each kid had a flimsy cardboard card with plastic sliders and scanned the road for things like cows, stop signs, or fire trucks. It felt like a mission and kept you from asking “Are we there yet?” for at least five minutes. For those looking for some inspiration, Real Simple has a long list of ideas.
Other favorites included magnetic checkers, Mad Libs, or license plate spotting. These low-tech diversions brought siblings together—even if they also sparked a few arguments. In the end, a good travel game meant fewer tantrums and more memories.
4. Cooler Packed with Soda and Sandwiches
Fast food stops weren’t always guaranteed, so most families came armed with a trusty cooler. Inside were soggy sandwiches wrapped in foil, cans of Tab or Pepsi, and maybe some carrot sticks to make Mom feel better. It sat on the floor behind the front seats and doubled as a footrest.
Cracking open that cooler at a rest stop or while rolling through farmland felt like a mini picnic on wheels. And if you forgot the bottle opener for the glass soda bottles? That was grounds for turning around. The cooler meant no one had to survive on gas station jerky alone.
5. Polaroid Camera
Long before selfies and Instagram, we captured road trip memories with the click and ka-chunk of a Polaroid. Kids fought over who got to push the button, and the photo would slide out slowly, developing before your eyes like magic. Then came the ritual: shake it, blow on it, and wait.
Polaroids were instant gratification in an analog world. Whether it was a snapshot of a weird roadside statue or your sibling drooling mid-nap, every shot told a story. And best of all—no waiting to get the roll developed weeks later.
6. Fold-Out Paper Maps from Gas Stations
Even with an atlas in the glove box, paper maps from Shell or Esso were road trip gold. You’d grab one from the cashier while your parents filled the tank, and then spend half the ride trying to fold it back the right way. Sometimes you ended up with five copies of the same state.
These maps were often more up-to-date than the atlas and featured scenic routes, historical landmarks, and ads for local diners. They were colorful, oversized, and full of promise. Just holding one made you feel like you were part of the plan—even if your only job was not to rip it.
7. Walkman (With Extra Batteries)
If you were lucky enough to have a Walkman, the drive became your personal concert. Popping in your favorite tape and zoning out with headphones meant a few precious hours of peace and quiet. But you had to remember one key thing: batteries.
The dreaded low-battery warble meant your music was dying, and if you forgot spares, you were stuck listening to whatever Mom and Dad were playing. But when it worked? It was pure escape. Just you, your music, and a blurry view of America flying by.
8. Books with a Book Light or Comic Books
Reading in the car was a classic time-killer, especially with a stack of Garfield, Archie, or Choose Your Own Adventure books. Some kids packed novels, but comic books were lightweight, cheap, and could be traded with siblings. If it got dark, you might’ve had one of those clunky clip-on book lights—or you squinted under the dome light until Mom yelled to turn it off.
Reading gave you a break from the noise and motion. It made you forget how far you had to go. And if you happened to get car sick from it? That was just part of the risk.
9. Etch A Sketch or Travel Toys
Before handheld video games, toys had to be physical—and mess-free. The Etch A Sketch was a miracle of endless possibility and endless frustration, especially when your masterpiece vanished with one bump. Other hits included Rubik’s Cubes, Colorforms, or wind-up toys that only worked for ten seconds.
Parents were always on the lookout for toys that wouldn’t make noise or spill. Anything that bought them an extra 20 minutes of quiet was a winner. These travel toys didn’t just entertain—they taught patience, dexterity, and coping with disappointment.
10. A Pack of Lifesavers or Hard Candy
Candy was currency on the road—quiet, non-melting, and easy to share. A roll of Lifesavers in the glove box meant instant peace during long stretches between stops. Pep-O-Mint, Butter Rum, and Wild Cherry were among the favorites, though everyone had their go-to.
The crinkle of the foil wrapper was practically a Pavlovian trigger for calm. Kids knew that if they behaved, a sweet treat was coming their way. It wasn’t bribery—it was strategy.
11. A Blanket or Pillow from Home
Every kid had the blanket—maybe it was Snoopy, maybe it was just worn cotton—but it came on every trip. Combined with a squishy pillow, it made the backseat into a rolling nest. Whether you were napping, reading, or just blocking out your sibling, it offered comfort when the ride dragged on.
Parents knew that bringing a piece of home made the miles go faster. Blankets became picnic rugs, sun shields, and fort-building materials. And heaven help you if someone forgot theirs—it was a long ride indeed.
12. A Glove Box Full of Weird Stuff
The glove compartment was a time capsule of road trips past. Old napkins, expired maps, loose batteries, travel tissues, a sticky flashlight—it had everything and nothing at once. Somehow, every emergency situation had a fix hidden in there.
It was where your parents reached during every crisis: coffee spill, gum emergency, or “I think I’m gonna be sick.” That cluttered little drawer held the soul of the car. It reminded us that road trips weren’t just about where you were going—but everything that happened on the way.
These weren’t just supplies—they were survival gear for an era when entertainment wasn’t streamed, seats weren’t heated, and car rides were about the journey, not just the destination. We made it through hundreds of miles with nothing but a cooler, a cassette, and a sense of humor. And somehow, those were some of the best rides of our lives.
