I use the CB strictly for road travel, including trips in an RV. With it I glean information mostly from truck drivers regarding travel hazards in my immediate path ahead, including wrecks, equipment failures, washouts, etc. which would endanger or impede my travel.
Through the years the CB radio has been useful in saving me time by letting me know which lane of traffic to be in a traffic jam, or which alternate routes I should take in order to avoid long delays up ahead, or reporting a flat tire or other equipment failure that needs addressing, etc.
I want radios which are simple and compact, I don't want or need complicated or illegally powerful radios. The radios I found to fit my criteria are several simple compact models out there which can be bought for around 50 bucks or so: the Cobra 19, Uniden 520 and Midland 1001Z.
The antennas I use are the tallest I can get for best performance yet which are not so tall as to hit obstacles on my trip. My antennas range from three to five feet in height, depending on which vehicle I'm in and whether it needs to fit in a parking garage, beneath a heavy tree canopy, etc. The antennas that are serving my purpose are the K30 / Lil Wil, Wilson 500 and Wilson 1000. All these are magnetic-based antennas, but you need a metal roof in order for them to work. Other types of antennas need different mounting solutions.
A traveler doesn't need expensive equipment to fulfill his needs. The radio enthusiast might.