Taking a Road Trip? Don't Forget the Electric CoolerCar and Driver"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."There's something oh so very freeing about a solo road trip. My favorite part is the absence of anyone else's schedule or preferences. Of course, that freedom means you're the operations manager for all things.Take it from a seasoned road tripper: Being logistically prepared, especially when it comes to food, can be the difference between enjoying a peaceful snack by a river and driving toward the only Walmart within 200 miles with a growling stomach.David NewtonBougeRV CRH20 21QT 12V Portable Car Fridge$240 at amazon.comHere at the Gear Team, we're converts to electric cooling on the road. A traditional cooler can absolutely get the job done, but the distinct lack of buying ice, draining ice, and eating soggy sandwiches is now our norm, and we're not going back.AdvertisementAdvertisementA friend of mine recently put the better solution to the test on an ambitious solo adventure from Michigan to Calgary, Alberta. Instead of packing a conventional cooler, he brought the new BougeRV 12V Portable Refrigerator ($250 at BougeRV). By the end of the trip, he was convinced it might be one of the best travel companions a solo road tripper can have.[/product]Bouge RVThe Size is RightFor context, David drives a Honda CR-V and wanted a fridge that wouldn't eat up too much cabin space, as he was sleeping in the back. The BougeRV 12-quart fit perfectly behind the passenger's seat in the wheel well. Its height also neatly bridged the gap between the folded rear seats and the front passenger's seat, preventing things from being lost in the abyss of the footwell. Also, the 12-quart capacity is ideal for one person and their snacks and meals. David said it struck the right balance between not taking up too much space and meeting his needs for food and drink storage over the course of a few days.Car and DriverThe Power is RightThe BougeRV can run on 12-volt, 120-volt, or battery power. Before leaving, David pre-cooled the fridge at home, then powered it from the CR-V's 12-volt outlet. At camp, he unplugged the cooler and switched to the optional 240Wh Detachable Battery ($200 at BougeRV), then carried the fridge to the campsite without worrying about draining the car's battery overnight. It's a simple feature, but one that makes a big difference if you'd rather wake up to cold bacon than a dead battery.Car and DriverThe Price is RightIn our experience, BougeRV products give serious bang for your buck, especially when compared with competitors like Dometic and EcoFlow. It's worth noting, however, that there is a price for the base model ($239.99) and a price for the detachable-battery model ($389.99), so buyers should be aware of which model they are buying.Collin Morgan - Car and DriverAdvertisementAdvertisementWhy Trust Us?The Gear Team helps readers make informed purchasing choices about automotive gear, tools, and accessories through hands-on product evaluations and comprehensive testing. The Gear Team's product selection and gear picks are editorially independent; Car and Driver has a strict policy against accepting payment for placement in articles. We won't claim to have tested something we haven't, and we'll never recommend a product we wouldn't buy ourselves.Car and Driver's renowned testing standards mandate that we use all products we feature, and that our findings and recommendations are based on experience and knowledge—not hype.We've evaluated dozens of product categories, including tonneau covers, electric scooters, and GPS trackers. Visit our Tested & Trusted page to see the very best in automotive gear, and learn more about our testing process here.You Might Also LikeGift Guide: Best Ride-On Electric Cars for KidsFuture Cars Worth Waiting For: 2025–2029
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