We're getting ready for a road trip.
I've been wondering if those 12 volt coolers work well,or is ice better?
The wife drinks a lot of sodas.

 

I have had a 12v cooler for about 15 years , works great. You need to pre cool them prior to loading them with stuff. I usually plug mine in a day early so it's good and cold, keeps everything ice cold.

 

The 12v coolers are nice for road trips. Easy way to keep food cool without having stuff floating around in the bottom of an ice chest.

But, they generally keep things about 20-25* cooler than ambient. Which is fine for most foods. But if your wife likes sodas really cold, then ice is better.