1. Cassette Tape Adapters
You knew summer had arrived when it was time to wrestle with the metallic accordion sunshade from your glovebox. These reflectors, usually silver and awkwardly foldable, were vital for protecting your dashboard from heat damage. Putting one up felt like shielding your car from a solar attack, especially in places like Arizona or Florida. While awkward to store, they made a huge difference in keeping your seats and steering wheel touchable.
Today, many drivers rely on tinted windows or shaded parking spots instead. But back then, sunshades were your car’s first defense against blazing heat. They might have looked goofy, but they worked—and made your car look like a parked spaceship. Even if you never folded them back the same way twice, they earned their spot in the glovebox.
2. Tire Pressure Gauge
Long before digital dashboards and tire warning lights, nearly every glovebox held a simple tire pressure gauge. These compact metal sticks, often with a pop-out scale, helped drivers manually check their tire pressure on the go. They were especially handy when gas station air pumps were broken or missing entirely. Having one meant you could stay safe and avoid flats—no electronics required.
Today, most drivers rely on their car’s built-in sensors, forgetting these tools ever existed. But back then, pulling out the gauge gave a sense of control and confidence. It was a small piece of gear that made you feel like a road trip pro. Lightweight and dirt cheap, they rattled around with your spare change and pens, ready for the next roadside check.
3. Emergency Change Purse
In the pre-E-ZPass era, having a stash of coins in your glovebox was practically non-negotiable. Whether tucked inside a zippered pouch or repurposed film canister, those quarters and dimes got you through toll booths, parking meters, and the occasional payphone call. Kids raided them for vending machine snacks, and moms always seemed to have exact change. Not having coins could turn a smooth trip into an annoying detour.
Nowadays, most tolls are electronic and meters accept credit cards or apps, making coin pouches a relic of the past. But back then, they felt like a low-tech insurance policy that always came through in a pinch. You didn’t need Wi-Fi—just the right number of nickels. There was real satisfaction in tossing exact change into the toll basket and hitting the road without stopping.
4. Paper Road Maps
Before GPS became standard, road trips started with a stack of folded maps from gas stations or AAA. Each glovebox was home to a growing collection of crinkled state maps and regional guides, often hard to refold but impossible to throw away. They helped you chart your route, find scenic detours, and navigate backroads without draining a battery. Getting lost meant pulling over and spreading one out across the dashboard.
Today, most drivers rely on Google Maps or Apple CarPlay, but the tactile joy of unfolding a map can’t be replicated on a screen. They turned navigation into a shared experience—arguing with your passenger over directions was part of the journey. Even the coffee-stained corners told stories of past trips. They might be outdated now, but they were once the true co-pilot.
5. Flashlight (the clunky kind)
Long before phones had built-in flashlights, drivers kept oversized, battery-guzzling torches in their gloveboxes. These heavy flashlights ran on D-cell batteries and looked more like weapons than tools. Still, when you needed to check under the hood or change a tire in the dark, they were indispensable. Their warm yellow glow may not have been elegant, but it was reliable.
Modern drivers prefer sleek, rechargeable LEDs or phone lights, but those old flashlights had a kind of rugged charm. You could drop them, sit on them, or forget them under the seat for years—and they’d still work. They weren’t just for emergencies; they made you feel prepared for anything. If your glovebox didn’t have one, your car felt strangely incomplete.
6. Roadside Assistance Cards
Before apps could summon help with a few taps, every glovebox had a roadside assistance card tucked inside. Whether from AAA or a car manufacturer, these plastic cards listed phone numbers and membership info for emergency services. If your car broke down in the middle of nowhere, that card was your lifeline. It meant help was just one call away—even if you had to use a payphone to make it.
These days, roadside help is baked into most insurance plans or handled through smartphone apps. But having a physical card in the glovebox gave peace of mind in a way digital backups often don’t. You always knew where it was, and it never needed an update. It was your quiet co-pilot in case the worst happened.
7. Foldable Sun Shades
You knew summer had arrived when it was time to wrestle with the metallic accordion sunshade from your glovebox. These reflectors, usually silver and awkwardly foldable, were vital for protecting your dashboard from heat damage. Putting one up felt like shielding your car from a solar attack, especially in places like Arizona or Florida. While awkward to store, they made a huge difference in keeping your seats and steering wheel touchable.
Today, many drivers rely on tinted windows or shaded parking spots instead. But back then, sunshades were your car’s first defense against blazing heat. They might have looked goofy, but they worked—and made your car look like a parked spaceship. Even if you never folded them back the same way twice, they earned their spot in the glovebox.
8. Disposable Cameras
Before camera phones ruled the road, disposable cameras were the go-to tool for capturing road trip memories. Sold at gas stations and drugstores, they were simple, sturdy, and perfect for snapping spontaneous shots of scenic overlooks or quirky roadside stops. You’d toss one in the glovebox and forget about it until the perfect photo op arrived. Developing the film weeks later turned every photo roll into a little surprise.
Sure, today’s smartphones take better pictures instantly, but disposable cameras brought their own charm. They made each shot matter because you had a limited number of exposures and no delete button. The grainy, slightly overexposed prints felt authentic, like true snapshots of the moment. Plus, they never died from low battery or bad signal.
This post 8 Road Trip Essentials Everyone Used to Keep in Their Glovebox was first published on American Charm.
