Shore Trip Travel Gear
Get to the beach organized and stress-free. From car trunk solutions to beach wagons, gear up for a smooth Jersey Shore trip.
A great shore trip starts before you hit the Parkway. The right travel gear keeps your car organized, your food cold, and your beach day smooth from start to finish. Here's what makes the difference between a stressful trip and a relaxing one.
Beach Wagons & Carts
Haul everything in one trip with wide-wheel wagons designed for sand. Essential for families or anyone parking far from the beach.
Comfort for your beach day
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Beach Chair
Lightweight, foldable with cup holder. Look for rust-resistant aluminum.

Qodia
Low Beach Chair for Adults,5 Position Lay Flat, Portable Folding Aluminum Reclining Backpack Beach Chairs Heavy Duty with Cup Holder, Large Pocket for Outdoor/Lawn/Picnic/Fishing

Canpsky
Canpsky 2 Pack Lightweight Portable Camping Beach Chair for Adults, Outdoor Lay Flat Folding Beach Chairs with 5 Positions, Backpack Beach Chair with Towel Bar, Zipper Pouch, Cup Holder, Ocean Striped
Beach Umbrella
UPF 50+ with sand anchor. 7ft diameter covers 2-3 chairs.
Beach Cart / Wagon
Wide wheels for sand. Hauls chairs, cooler, umbrella in one trip.

Overmont
Overmont 45'' Collapsible Foldable Extended Wagon Cart - 300L Heavy Duty 440lbs Large Capacity Folding Utility Wagon with All-Terrain Wide Wheels for Camping Sports Grocery Beach

TIMBER RIDGE
TIMBER RIDGE Tailgate Collapsible Folding Wagon Cart, Heavy Duty Utility Push Pull Beach Wagon Foldable, Outdoor Grocery Cart with Side Pockets for Camping, Garden, Shopping, Holds 225 lbs, Blue
Beach Canopy / Shelter
Pop-up shade for families. UPF 50+ protection, fits 4-6 people.

OutdoorMaster
OutdoorMaster Pop Up Beach Tent for 4 Person - Easy Setup and Portable Beach Shade Sun Shelter Canopy with UPF 50+ UV Protection Removable Skylight Family Size - Blue

COZEER
Beach Tent Sun Shelter UPF 50+,10x10 FT Beach Canopy Tent Sun Shade,Pop Up Beach Canopy with 8 Sandbags, Outdoor Beach Shade for Camping Trips, Fishing, Backyard Fun Picnics (Sky Blue)
Umbrella Sand Anchor
Screw-in anchor keeps umbrella secure in windy conditions.

Orange Screw
Orange Screw Ultimate Ground Anchors: Heavy Duty Screw-in Tent Stakes for High Wind, Sand, Canopies, and Camping - Made in USA, Included T-Grip Tool - (Small, 4 Pack, Orange)

COBARYEN
COBARYEN Tent Stakes Ground Anchors Screw in, 10 Pack Sand Stakes for Beach 9.4 Inch Heavy Duty Spiral Tent Pegs for Camping, Party, Hiking, Outdoor Decoration (10, Blue)
Beach Blanket
Sand-free, waterproof bottom. Packs small with stakes.

WEKAPO
Wekapo Beach Blanket Sandproof, Beach Mat, Big & Compact Sand Free Mat Quick Drying, Lightweight & Durable with 6 Stakes & 4 Corner Pockets, Standard (1~3 person)

HIHOHO
HIHOHO Beach Blanket Waterproof Sandproof Beach Mat for 1-8 Adults Quick Drying Durable Outdoor Picnic Mat for Beach Festival Travel Camping Hiking (LBL-Ripple, 79"×83"(4 Person))
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Coolers & Food Storage
Keep drinks cold and food fresh from your driveway to the beach blanket. A good cooler saves money on boardwalk food and keeps everyone happy.
Beach day must-haves
Get it before you go
Beach Chair
Lightweight, foldable, with backpack straps.

Canpsky
Canpsky Portable Beach Chair for Adults, Outdoor Camping Chair Lay Flat Folding Backpack Beach Reclining Chair with 5 Positions, Headrest, Cup Holder, Heavy Ocean Striped

Canpsky
Canpsky Portable Recliners Chair for Adults, Outdoor Camping Chair Lay Flat Folding Backpack Reclining Chair with 5 Positions, Headrest, Zipper Pouch, Cup Holder, NEW Srtiped
Beach Umbrella
UPF 50+ with sand anchor. Some NJ beaches require anchors.

PASAMIC
PASAMIC 7ft Beach Umbrella for Sand with Sand Anchor & Tilt, UPF 50+ Protection Beach Umbrellas for Heavy Duty Wind Portable with Carry Bag and Hook, for Patio Garden Pool, Light Blue Stripes

PASAMIC
PASAMIC 7ft Beach Umbrella for Sand with Sand Anchor & Tilt, UPF 50+ Protection Beach Umbrellas for Heavy Duty Wind Portable with Carry Bag and Hook, for Patio Pool, Dark Blue Stripes(Random pattern)
Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Protect yourself and the ocean. No oxybenzone.

BLUE LIZARD
Blue Lizard SENSITIVE Mineral Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide, SPF 50+, Water Resistant, UVA/UVB Protection with Smart Cap Technology - Fragrance Free, 3 oz. Tube

BLUE LIZARD
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion, 100% Mineral Sunscreen, UVA/UVB Protection, Infused with organic Aloe Vera, Soothes and Hydrates, 5 fl oz
Beach Cart / Wagon
Haul all your gear across the sand.

Old Bahama Bay
2-in-1 Beach Cart with Big Wheels for Sand, Folding Utility Wagon with Chair Holder, Mesh Storage, 4 Cup Holders, Umbrella Rack, Supports 100 lbs, Compact & Portable for Beach, Camping, Shopping, Blue

EASYGO PRODUCTS
Beach Umbrella Wagon Cart Deluxe – Heavy Duty Folding Ocean Utility Cart – Large Sand Wheels – Holds 4 Beach Chairs – Storage Pouch -Holder –Removable Bag - Solid Blue
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Packing Tips for Shore Trips
Car Trunk Organization
Load coolers closest to the trunk opening. Place beach chairs and umbrellas along the sides. Use a trunk organizer for smaller items like sunscreen and toys. Load in reverse order of use.
Wet/Dry Separation
Pack a large waterproof bag or trash bags for wet swimsuits and towels on the way home. Keeps your car dry and prevents mildew. Consider a separate beach bag for sandy items.
Keeping Sand Contained
Use mesh bags for toys - sand falls out naturally. Baby powder removes sand from skin. Shake towels and chairs before loading. Keep a whisk broom in your trunk for quick cleanup.
Quick-Access Items
Keep a small day bag with essentials: sunscreen, wallet, phone, and car keys. Don't bury these under beach gear. A waterproof phone pouch lets you keep valuables on you.
Road Trip Essentials
Snacks & Drinks
- Water bottles (freeze some overnight)
- Non-melting snacks (pretzels, crackers)
- Fruit that travels well
- Sandwiches in a cooler bag
Kids Entertainment
- Tablets with downloaded shows
- Car bingo or road trip games
- Audiobooks or music playlists
- Travel activity kits
Tech & Navigation
- Phone mount for GPS
- Car charger (multi-port)
- USB cables for everyone
- Download offline maps
Safety & Comfort
- First aid kit
- Sunglasses and visor
- Neck pillow for passengers
- Hand sanitizer and wipes
Packing by Trip Length
Day Trip
One Car Load
- ✓Cooler with lunch and drinks
- ✓Beach chairs and umbrella
- ✓Towels and sunscreen
- ✓Change of clothes
- ✓Cash for badges ($7-15)
Weekend Getaway
2-3 Days
- ✓Everything from day trip
- ✓2-3 swimsuits per person
- ✓Casual dinner outfits
- ✓Toiletries and medications
- ✓Beach wagon for hauling
Week-Long Vacation
5-7 Days
- ✓Everything from weekend
- ✓Extra towels (5+ per person)
- ✓Rainy day entertainment
- ✓Groceries for cooking
- ✓Laundry supplies (if available)
Complete Packing Checklist
Get our detailed packing guide with printable checklists for every type of shore trip.
Related Gear
Shore Trip Tips & Deals
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Travel Gear FAQs
What should I pack for a Jersey Shore trip?▼
Pack beach essentials (sunscreen, towels, swimsuits), comfortable footwear for boardwalks, cash for beach badges and parking, a cooler with snacks, shade gear (umbrella or tent), and extra clothes. For longer stays, bring multiple swimsuits and beach towels since humidity slows drying.
How do I organize my car for a beach trip?▼
Use a trunk organizer to separate categories: coolers in back for easy access, beach chairs and umbrella along the side, wet items in waterproof bags, and sand toys contained in mesh bags. Load in reverse order of use - items needed first should be loaded last.
What travel accessories make shore trips easier?▼
A beach wagon or cart saves multiple trips from parking. Phone mounts and chargers for navigation. A quality cooler keeps food cold all day. Packing cubes organize clothing. Waterproof bags separate wet and dry items on the return trip.
Tips for packing beach gear efficiently?▼
Roll towels instead of folding to save space. Use mesh bags for sand toys so sand falls out. Pack a small day bag with essentials (sunscreen, wallet, phone) separate from bulk items. Keep a change of clothes in a sealed bag for the drive home.
What size cooler do I need for the shore?▼
For day trips, a 30-45 quart cooler fits drinks and lunch for a family. Weekend trips benefit from 50-70 quart coolers. Wheeled coolers are easier on boardwalks but beach wagons work better on sand. Consider a soft cooler for snacks plus a hard cooler for drinks.
More Gear Resources
Find local shops, buyer's guides, and gear for every shore activity.
Related Guides
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Read more →ComparisonBeach Chairs Compared
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Read more →Starter kitBeach Day Starter Kit
Cooler, chair, umbrella, and the small stuff that ruins a day if you forget it.
Read more →PlanningSummer at the Shore
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Read more →BeachesBeach Towns by County
57 NJ shore towns from Sandy Hook to Cape May.
Read more →FishingFishing in NJ
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Read more →Water qualityBeach Water Quality
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Read more →HubAll Gear Categories
Browse every category — surf, fish, paddle, beach, kids.
Read more →Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.
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