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Before you drive over the river and through the woods this winter, make sure to pick up some of these must-have accessories.

Road-tripping is one of modern life's great pleasures—on that, we all agree. Packing up and hitting the road—not because we have to, but because we want to—is a blessing that drivers all over the world dream about.

A road trip requires certain necessities, like a travel mug, water bottle, snacks, and the perfect sunglasses. But the wintertime road trip provides a special set of challenges for both driver and vehicle. So what do you need to hit the road when the temperatures drop?

Driving in winter is tricky enough, with unpredictable weather, changing road conditions, and of course, snow, ice, salt, and sand all over the asphalt. You and your vehicle both have to be prepared for slippery pavement, obscured vision, and other hazards inherent to driving in snow. And if you have an emergency in inclement weather, you (and your passengers) need to be prepared to hunker down inside a cold vehicle for a while—perhaps hours.

How can you and your passengers stay as safe and comfortable as possible on a long winter road trip? Check out these suggestions.

The perfect cold-weather accessory for your next road trip—or emergency kit. The 96-inch cord plugs right into your 12V cigarette outlet so this fleece throw can even reach your backseat passengers.

No matter how short or long your road trip is, nobody likes to have that once-piping-hot drink turn cold. The BPA-free, stainless steel, double-walled electric mug ensures your drinks stay hot. Fill it with cool tap water, and within a few minutes, you'll have hot water for tea, oatmeal, or whatever.

If you're driving in winter, you never know when snow and ice will cover your car. Clear it off with ease with this handy device. The ice scraper detaches for easy use by hand. Best of all, it comes in Small (27-inch) and Large (40-inch) and your choice of three colors. Note: Owners of SUVs, vans, and trucks should opt for the Large size for a longer reach.

You gotta know where you're going and have your playlist or podcast at the ready—all while keeping your eyes on the road. iOttie makes some of the best and most affordable car phone mounts on the market, and this Auto Sense is one of our favorites. It senses the presence of your phone and grips your device automatically. If your device is Qi-enabled, it'll keep it charged up, wirelessly.

This power inverter is ideal for long road trips. It provides 200w of continuous DC to AC power, with two AC outlets and four USB ports for charging phones, gaming devices, tablets, and even laptops.

Polarized shades are critical in winter driving. With the winter sun hanging low in the sky, sunlight reflected off of white snow can be blinding—especially if you're driving straight into it. Maui Jim sunglasses are some of the best you can buy. They're not cheap, but they're perfect for keeping in the car.

Do not head out on your road trip without a jump starter / air compressor combo. This handy device can save your bacon in numerous ways. It includes a 3500A jumper that can start a 12v battery in temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius, a 150 psi digital tire inflator, a 26,800mAh power bank, and an emergency flood light.

Never get stuck in a dead zone again with this handy device. Use the Drive Sleek in your car, truck, van, or SUV to stay connected no matter where you are. With 25.6 dBm uplink power, 2.5 dBm downlink power, and up to 23 dB gain for enhanced cell signals, it's compatible with all networks and all U.S. carriers such as Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Straight Talk, U.S. Cellular, and more.

Perfect for stashing in the—you guessed it—glove compartment, these unisex touchscreen-friendly gloves will come in super handy when driving in winter.

This waterproof, 15-cubic-foot rooftop cargo carrier perfectly hits the sweet spot between functionality and affordability. Reinforced seams, steel zippers, and eight straps secure it to almost any car. If you're looking to free up space in the cabin, this is the solution.

A must for any road-tripper, this comprehensive kit has everything from jumper cables and gloves to tools and a first aid kit. It even includes a hi-vis safety vest.

Bringing the kids along? You definitely need a pair of backseat organizers. These are great not just because they're affordable (and there are two!) but because each features a tablet holder with a clear plastic viewing screen, as well as plenty of pockets for books, markers, toys, sippy cups, and more.

Another one that's great for road trips with kids. Lots of games are included, including a scavenger hunt, license plate finder, drawing game, alphabet game, challenge quest, and more. Best of all, two sets of each game mean no more backseat fighting over the fun!

Ideal for long solo car trips, this air mattress is perfect for grabbing a nap in the rest area. At 53.94 x 34.25 x 17.72 inches, it'll fit snugly in the backseat of most cars, trucks, and SUVs. It inflates in just two minutes and includes two inflatable pillows and an air pump.

Winter road trips require closed windows, resulting in stale air and dust buildup. Keep your car's interior clean with this handy 50-pack of InnerClean wipes. InnerClean wipes away dirt, dust, and body oils from interior surfaces, restores a crisp sheen, and protects against harsh sunlight.

With thousands of titles available—and a $4.99 per month introductory offer—Audible is a fantastic road-trip resource to keep everyone in the car entertained for miles and miles.

Anything can happen on a road trip, so prepare and protect yourself with this top-selling dash cam. It's not the "best" by any stretch; professional drivers who need constant, complete coverage should look elsewhere. That said, it's ideal for casual users, road-trippers, and commuters who want to protect their assets in the event of an accident, ticket, or damage to their vehicle.

Plastic water bottles are not only terrible for the environment, but they also clog up the floorboard on a road trip. Get a refillable water bottle instead. You can't beat Hydro Flask.

Every road trip results in mounds of candy wrappers, tissues, empty soda cans, and other detritus littering the floorboards. Eliminate the buildup with a waterproof trash can. This one has an elastic lid to keep the garbage inside the can.

They're crunchy. They're salty. What more do you need to know? This 42-pack of snacks from The Lakehouse is perfect for road trips all year long. Best of all, 25 cents from every LakeHouse care package is donated to Ambassadors for Children to benefit foster kids in southwest Missouri.