Best Ways to Prepare for a Road Trip in the United States

Whether you’re new to road tripping (especially alone) or an avid road tripper, it can save a lot of time, headaches and possibly lives if you take the necessary time to prepare your vehicle and yourself for your next trip out on the open road. With safety being key, here’s a list of recommended steps to take before your next big (or small) road trip.

If you aren’t comfortable with any of the items on this checklist, your best bet may be to take it to a local dealer or technician to review your car’s safety and have any issues addressed and fixed before you take off.

Pacific Coast Highway

Inspect your vehicle

1. Check the tires - You want to ensure your tire pressure is accurate (including your spare) and the tread is in good shape. Again, you can always take your car to an ASE certified location to have your tires checked, filled and rotated.

2. Check all of your fluid levels - windshield wiper fluid, oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, battery fluid.

3. Inspect your brakes

4. Check your windshield wiper blades.

5. Check all of your headlights, turn signals, and brake lights. Replace dead or weak bulbs.

6. Fill your gas tank and try to have it halfway full as much as you can. There can often be long stretches of highway with no gas stations in sight.

Travel Preparedness

1. Tell someone you trust where you’re going and provide with as much of your itinerary as possible. iPhone users can share their location at any time with specific contacts.

2. Review your medical insurance plan - be aware of your out of network coverage if you’re leaving your state.

3. If you aren’t comfortable with being spontaneous, review your route ahead of time and know where you want to be before dark.

4. Consider bringing a physical paper map/atlas in the event you hit a dead zone and you can’t use your GPS. Places like AAA can assist you.

5. Bring a spare key. And try not to leave it in the car. Keep it on you or put it in your safe. If you leave it in the car or in luggage in your trunk, you may have to break a window anyway.

6. Check the weather for each destination before you go. This may seem obvious, but you don’t want to end up in a place that requires snow-chains and you aren’t ready or if you end up in tornado country and need to know precautions you aren’t accustomed to.

7. Make your favorite playlist - consider a service that allows you to download tracks in case you don’t have service.

8. Put together an emergency roadside kit. Several companies make ready-made kits, it’s good to know what goes in one:

   1. Water - keep at least a spare gallon of water in your car at all times. If you’re left on the side of the road (especially in the heat) you’ll be grateful you brought it.

   2. Protein bars - non-perishable food

   3. Toilet paper/ziplock bags - leave behind no waste

   4. Cell phone charger

   5. Jumper cables

   6. Crow-bar

   7. Jack

   8. First-aid kit - just like the roadside emergency kit, you can buy a ready-made first-aid kit.

   9. Emergency whistle

   10. Tow strap/ropes

   11. Blankets and extra warm layers of clothing

   12. Basic tool kit

   13. Swiss army knife/utility knife

   14. Flashlight and batteries (pack extra)

   15. Ice scraper

   16. Work gloves

   17. Poncho/raincoat

   18. Hand-warmers

   19. Folding (snow) shovel

   20. Window cleaner

   21. Paper towels/rag

   22. Hand sanitizer/disinfectant wipes

   23. Compass

   24. Reflective triangles

   25. Pen and paper

   26. A duffel bag to put all your resources in

9. If you are planning to bring your dog along for the ride, discuss necessary vaccinations with your vet, pack enough food and water, travel bowls, poop bags, treats, leashes, harness, toys, and comforts for her - like a bed, kennel, sweater or raincoat.

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