1. Tire Pressure Gauge
That little metal stick with the sliding pressure bar was once a glovebox essential, Kyle Smith from Hagerty explains. Gas stations didn’t always have working air pumps, and TPMS (tire pressure monitoring systems) weren’t standard in cars until the mid-2000s. So if your tires looked a little low, you’d pull this out and check for yourself. It wasn’t high-tech, but it worked.
Now, with most new cars giving digital readouts, people forget these even existed. But checking manually gave peace of mind—and made you feel a little more mechanically savvy. Plus, they were cheap, took up no space, and didn’t require batteries. Every glovebox had at least one rattling around with the pens.
2. Disposable Cameras
Back in the day, snapping pics on a road trip meant tossing a Kodak or Fujifilm disposable camera into the glovebox, according to Jessica M. Goldstein from The Washington Post. These little plastic bricks were cheap, durable, and didn’t care about dust or heat. Perfect for capturing roadside attractions or surprise scenic overlooks, they were the go-to for spontaneous travel memories. You wouldn’t see the photos until weeks later, which made every roll a tiny time capsule.
Today, our phones do the job better and faster—but something about the unpredictability of those grainy, flash-blasted prints was charming. You never knew if you got the shot until it was developed. It gave road trip photography a kind of magic that’s missing now. Plus, disposable cameras never ran out of battery.
3. Emergency Change Purse
Before toll transponders and tap-to-pay gas stations, drivers kept a little pouch or film canister full of quarters, dimes, and nickels in the glovebox. You needed it for toll booths, parking meters, and the occasional payphone emergency. A glovebox without coins felt like a car without wiper fluid—you’d regret it the second you needed it. Moms especially were known to keep an organized stash, often raided by kids for vending machine snacks.
Now that most tolls are electronic and meters take cards, that little purse has vanished from most cars, according to Asia Grace from The New York Post. But there was comfort in knowing you always had backup funds tucked away. No app can quite replace the satisfaction of having exact change. It was like keeping a little insurance policy in coin form.
4. Paper Road Maps
Before GPS took over, gloveboxes across America were practically stuffed with folded paper maps. You’d stop at a gas station, grab a free state map, and hope your folding skills were up to the challenge later. These maps weren’t just for directions—they were road trip essentials, helping you find scenic byways, roadside diners, and tiny towns not listed on early navigation devices. If you got lost, they were your only hope unless you pulled over and asked a stranger.
Now, most drivers haven’t touched a paper map in years, relying instead on apps that reroute instantly, according to Natalie Stechyson from CBC. But there’s something nostalgic about flipping one open, tracing your route with a fingertip, and arguing with your co-pilot over the best shortcut. They were a rite of passage for young drivers learning to navigate. And honestly, your glovebox still has room if you want to bring this one back.
5. Flashlight (the clunky kind)
Before LED tech slimmed things down, every glovebox had a bulky, battery-powered flashlight. These were the D-cell dinosaurs—heavy, indestructible, and bright enough to scare off a raccoon. You’d pull it out when changing a tire in the dark or digging for something under the seat. The glow was warm and slightly yellow, but it got the job done.
These days, people lean on phone flashlights or tiny tactical LEDs. But those old-school flashlights doubled as a safety tool and even a weapon in sketchy situations. They could roll around under your seat for a decade and still work when needed. If your car didn’t have one, it felt like something was missing.
6. Roadside Assistance Cards
Before you could tap an app for AAA help, drivers kept a physical membership card in the glovebox at all times. It usually came tucked in a plastic sleeve with a toll-free number printed in bold. If your car died on the side of the road, that card was your golden ticket to a tow or tire change. The glovebox was the one place you’d always know to find it.
Today, most of us just tap a button or ask Siri to call for help. But those cards were a reassuring presence, especially on long road trips. Some even came with discount codes for hotels and restaurants along the way. Losing one felt like losing your backup plan.
7. Foldable Sun Shades
You know the ones—accordion-style or pop-out silver shades that folded into a weird circle and never quite fit back in the pouch. They were a staple for protecting your dashboard from cracking in the summer heat. Pulling one out felt like prepping for battle with the sun, especially in southern or desert states. They looked a little silly but were weirdly satisfying to deploy.
Nowadays, most people tint their windows or rely on shaded garages, so sun shades aren’t as common. But in older cars without auto climate control, they were lifesavers. They kept your steering wheel from becoming a branding iron. Plus, they gave your car a futuristic, space-shuttle look when in use.
8. Cassette Tape Adapters
Before Bluetooth, cassette adapters were the clever workaround for playing music from a CD player or early MP3 device. You’d plug it into your tape deck, snake the wire to your Discman or iPod, and suddenly your ancient stereo had modern flair. It felt like hacking the system with 1990s tech ingenuity. Everyone had one in the glovebox—just in case.
They disappeared as CD players took over, then disappeared themselves when Bluetooth became standard. But for a while, they were essential gear for music lovers on the road. You’d hear the whir of the cassette heads and know the soundtrack was about to kick in. Honestly, they were cooler than they had any right to be.
9. Napkins and Fast-Food Condiments
Long before cupholders got massive and console storage became the norm, gloveboxes were where you stashed extra napkins and sauce packets. Every road trip generated a surplus of ketchup, mustard, and maybe the occasional rogue soy sauce. If you spilled a drink or had fast food in the car, these were your cleanup crew. And if someone forgot to give you ketchup? You were covered.
Today’s cars often have dedicated storage areas, and people are more minimalist about clutter. But those crumpled napkins came in handy more often than you’d admit. They were part of the road trip charm—evidence of burgers eaten at 70 miles per hour. And you never knew when a rogue taco needed extra hot sauce.
10. Notepad and Pen
Whether it was for jotting down an address, leaving a note on a windshield, or playing hangman while waiting for a tow, every glovebox had a pad and pen. These were pre-smartphone must-haves, especially in emergencies. Need to sketch out directions or write down someone’s insurance info after a fender bender? You’d reach right into the glovebox.
These days, your phone is your note-taking device, but there’s still something comforting about having a physical backup. Pens don’t crash or lose power. And in certain situations, writing something by hand still feels more official. Plus, they were often promotional freebies, which made them feel like glovebox loot.
11. Fuses and Spare Bulbs
Once upon a time, drivers kept a small box of spare fuses and maybe a taillight bulb tucked in the glovebox. Cars were simpler, and popping in a new fuse was a doable roadside fix. Blown fuse? Swap it yourself in five minutes and be back on the road. Most vehicles even came with a fuse puller for the job.
Now, cars are more computerized, and DIY fixes are less common. But there was a certain pride in solving your own electrical hiccups. Gloveboxes were like mini garages back then. Handy drivers knew exactly where that little box of spares lived.
12. Vinyl Insurance Cards and Registration Slips
Before everything went digital, you had to keep a printed copy of your registration and insurance in the glovebox—preferably in one of those little clear plastic sleeves. If you got pulled over, it was the first thing you reached for, even before your license. Some people even laminated theirs for longevity. It was a low-tech solution, but absolutely required.
Now, many states accept digital insurance cards, and car apps often store your registration info. But it was comforting to know that little packet was always in the same spot. Losing it meant panic and paperwork. Having it was proof you were a responsible grown-up.
13. Mini First Aid Kits
These weren’t full-blown trauma kits—just a plastic box with some Band-Aids, antiseptic wipes, and maybe a few painkillers. But if you cut your hand unloading the trunk or needed an aspirin on the road, they were a glovebox godsend. You could grab one at any pharmacy or auto supply store. They were often branded with a car company logo or came as dealership freebies.
Nowadays, most people assume they’ll just Google the nearest CVS. But having first aid on hand was a low-stakes safety move that made sense. They barely took up any space, and they lasted for years. Some drivers even added allergy meds or backup inhalers to theirs.
14. Travel-Sized Atlas Books
Long before smartphone maps and GPS voices, serious road warriors carried a glovebox-sized road atlas—often from Rand McNally. These spiral-bound books covered every U.S. state with detailed road info, rest stops, and distances. They were perfect for cross-country drives or navigating unfamiliar territory without cell service. Flipping pages while navigating felt like co-piloting a mission.
While paper maps are rare now, these atlases were especially helpful in rural areas with spotty signals. Parents often used them to teach kids geography during long rides. You could mark your route, see upcoming exits, or even discover quirky towns you’d never notice otherwise. They were the internet before the internet.
