Where Shall We Go? Fresh Scents for Summer Travel
As summer kicks into high gear, millions of Americans are hitting the road. In fact, over 39 million people traveled by car over Memorial Day weekend alone. That’s a lot of potential customers cruising into your store looking for quick, affordable upgrades for their journey—and one of the easiest wins? A car that smells incredible.
A Road Trip Essential Your Customers Will Love
Before our latest road trip to the Midwest, I did what most drivers do: cleaned the car, vacuumed the crumbs, and hit the carwash. Of course, as soon as I pulled out—rain. But while I waited it out under the vacuum shelter, I restocked my Drive Time® Power Fresh 12V Scent Diffuser refills. After a deep clean, there's nothing better than adding a fresh, mood-boosting scent to finish the job.
This trip, I went with Exotic Teak—a rich, earthy blend of Patchouli, Sandalwood, and Musk. It was the perfect match for the farm country roads ahead and set the tone for a relaxing, nature-inspired escape.
Why Retailers Should Stock This Top-Selling Impulse Buy
For retailers, the Drive Time Power Fresh 12V Scent Diffuser is the kind of product that sells itself, especially during peak travel seasons. Compact, high-margin, and eye-catching, it's ideal for display near registers or in automotive sections.
Retailer Benefits:
Small footprint, easy to merchandise
High-margin add-on sale
Tabletop PDQ display available:
• 6-count Diffuser display
• 12-count Refill displayEco-friendly and refillable
Ready-to-use right out of the package
These car diffusers appeal to drivers who care about keeping their space fresh—especially during long drives with kids, pets, or post-adventure gear.
Scent That Sells: What’s Trending This Summer
Power Fresh scent refills last up to 30 days, and the lineup offers something for every personality and road trip vibe:
Cinnamon Blast – Warm, spicy, and energizing
Evergreen Forest – Crisp and outdoorsy
Exotic Teak – Earthy, grounding
Speedway – Masculine, clean, high-octane
Amber Vanilla – Cozy and nostalgic
Citrus Sky – Bright, fresh, and uplifting
High Range Cedar – Woodsy, herbal, and fresh
On the way home from our trip, we detoured through Iowa farmland, where I swapped in Amber Vanilla. With its notes of toasted coconut, maple, and creamy vanilla, it perfectly paired with the cozy countryside views and barn quilts dotting the landscape. It made me imagine cinnamon rolls in the oven—pure road trip comfort.
Now is the Time to Stock Up
Summer travel season is here. Your customers are already prepping their vehicles, why not give them a sensory upgrade they’ll appreciate every mile? Whether you run a truck stop, hardware store, grocery, car wash, dealership, or convenience store, this is a low-risk, high-reward product your customers will come back for.
Get access to wholesale pricing and make the most of the season. When people travel, they spend—and smart retailers stock up.
Lori Herr for Drive Time® Brand