You aren't using your car's USB-C port to its fullest potential

Tanner Marlar is a career-long journalist covering the automotive techincal industry. From the best and worst infotainment systems to ground-breaking innovations in the automotive space, Tanner has all the information you need. In his spare time, Tanner runs his own photography business, capturing motorsport memories at tracks across the country. 

There was a time when we all plugged our phones into some pretty dumb USB ports. We might have done it to activate an early version of Apple CarPlay, or just to give our phone battery the trickle charge it needed to stay alive all day, because, let's be honest, those car chargers used to be as slow as Christmas. Today, though, USB-C ports are scattered throughout a car's interior. My 2025 Volkswagen Atlas has at least 4 between the front two seats alone, not to mention the massive number in the rear.

These new ports can handle far more than the old ones, from smartphone integration and powering larger accessories to, in some cases, playing locally stored media. Obviously, not every car's USB-C port can handle all of that, but for each that can't, there's one that can, and you might be driving a vehicle with those capabilities yourself. If so, you're probably not using your ports or your car's infotainment system to their full potential.

They're more than glorified phone chargers

Keep everything alive without fighting over the 12V outlet

Remember that Atlas I talked about a second ago? In my other job as a content creator for local businesses and racetracks, I use it as my mobile base of operations. That means all my camera gear fits in the trunk, and what does it all run on? Batteries. The Atlas has a pair of USB-C outlets in the third row, which I often lay flat to make room for cargo. I use it to charge everything from power stations to little battery chargers for my cameras, and it never lets me down.

But what about for things like road trips, you might ask? Even better. USB-C power is more than enough to keep things like Nintendo Switches and other portable devices charged to the max. Dash cams? Completely covered, too. Many vehicles now even have dedicated USB-C ports in their rearview mirror setups for that purpose. Need to charge your headphones? It works for them, too. Gone are the days of the trickle charger. Your USB-C ports can do so much more than just charge your phone.

Your USB-C port might unlock a better infotainment experience

From ditching wireless connection hiccups to bringing your own playlist

The obvious use is connecting to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but the fun with USB-C car connections doesn't stop there. Some infotainment systems have the ability to play audio from compatible USB flash drives. If physical media is making a comeback, that's the next logical step, right? If you live in an area with consistently poor cell service or get tired of random disconnects, this might be the solution for you.

There is a caveat, though. Your vehicle might not support or be able to read those audio files, but one Google search will tell you. Plus, a wired hands-free connection means you won't drain your battery and won't have to deal with random disconnects.

Your passengers can stop fighting for the front outlets

Tablets, games and fewer “Are we there yet?” interruptions

Your car's USB-C outlets can also be used to power things like tablets and gaming devices. With tablets, back-seat heroes can watch downloaded movies, shows, and other offline entertainment. Plus, if your car has its own Wi-Fi connectivity, you can even stream on the go. If your ride isn't set up that way, though, don't sweat it. Plenty of options can give you the internet speeds you need, and because your rear ports are likely fast-charging, they should keep your tablets charged throughout the trip.

But we both know you don't bring just that on vacation, right? USB-C ports can charge reading lights, gaming devices, and just about any other low-power gadget you can think of, keeping the kiddos occupied while you do the heavy lifting from the driver's seat. Most cars today also offer a few of these ports in the second and third row, so you don't have to do the old-fashioned "run the 12V extension through the seat chasm to the back row" as we all did as kids.

Before plugging everything in, check these settings

USB-C is pretty universal, but your car might not be

Here's the big disclaimer: you can't just go plugging things in willy-nilly and hoping it all works out. That's not how the world works. Automakers specify which ports support things like fast charging, data transfer and more. It's up to you, dear reader, to figure out which USB-C ports support which functions you have in mind. For instance, a port that outputs enough wattage to charge your AirPods might not be enough to charge your laptop. You can usually find this in the owner's manual or on your vehicle's forum, which I promise exists.

Make sure to check that same compatibility for things like USB-C adapters and hubs, too. Before you spend money on another car accessory, take a closer look at those USB-C ports, because you might already have everything you need for a smarter, more convenient drive.