How To Prepare for a Road Trip

How To Prepare for a Road Trip

Before you load up the family and set out for a road trip, make sure that you and your vehicle are ready for the adventure.  First, confirm that your vehicle is up to date on all regular maintenance as listed in the owner's manual.  If not, get it serviced before you leave. 

Even if your car doesn't need service, give it a quick inspection to confirm its road readiness.  Check the tire pressure.  Properly inflated tires will improve fuel economy and help you avoid a blow-out during the trip.  Evaluate the condition of the tires.  How much tread depth do they have?  Will you need snow tires where you're headed?  You want to have these questions answered before heading out.

Now it's time to open the hood.  Check the oil level.  Add or change the oil as needed.  Check the coolant mixture with an anti-freeze tester.  This is crucial if you are traveling during cold winter or hot summer months.  If you don't know how old the vehicle's battery is, have it tested at a certified auto repair shop or simply replace it.

If you're planning to use your vehicle's four-wheel drive system on the trip, make sure that it's working properly before you leave.  The system should engage and disengage smoothly.  Any unusual drivetrain noises should be checked out by a mechanic.  You should also check to see that the transmission fluid and gear oil levels are correct.  Finally inspect the wiper blades.  If they aren't making full contact with the windshield, replace them.  Fill the wiper fluid reservoir if necessary.

For more details read our articles entitled "Maintenance Inspection", "How to Get Your Car Ready for Summer" and "Winterize Your Vehicle". 

With your vehicle in tip-top shape, it's time to pack a roadside emergency kit.  Regardless of the weather conditions and the age of your car, every kit should include a flashlight, flares, first-aid supplies, jumper cables, extra washer fluid, paper towels and a basic tool set.  It's not a bad idea to bring your tire pressure gauge along, either.  If you're going on a long trip, throw in a quart of oil and a gallon of coolant.  If you have one, a cell phone can rescue you from almost any situation. 

Pack enough food and water to sustain your travelers in the event you are stranded for several hours or more.  Extra clothing is another must-have, especially in cold or wet weather.  Those traveling in wintry conditions should consider adding a snow brush, ice scraper, snow shovel, tire chains and a bag of abrasive material like sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter. 

Also, make sure that all drivers know how to operate your vehicle's four-wheel drive system.  Plan a route for your trip before you leave town.  It won't feel like a vacation if you find yourself saying "I had no idea it was so far" while motoring along a dark highway with a howling baby in the back seat.  You should know in advance which highways you'll take, how far you'll be driving each day and where you'll be eating and sleeping each night.

If your car has a navigation system, mapping your route should be a simple task.  Plug in your starting point, type in your destination and the nav system will do the rest.  Many systems will even show the major gas stations and restaurants along the route; however, if have an older, CD based system, make sure you have all the necessary CDs to cover the region you'll be traveling through. 

Another option to consider is joining the American Automobile Association, also known as Triple-A.  Depending on where you live, annual membership fees range from $40 to $60.  This buys you access to Triple-A's TripTik program.  You tell your local office where you're going and they provide you a personalized route booklet that guides you to your destination.  Each map in a TripTik shows you where to find gas, food, lodging, points of interest, campgrounds and rest areas.  Special zoom-in maps are provided for major metropolitan areas along with tips for getting in and out of these cities.

If you'd rather plan  your own route, an old fashioned road atlas and a few folding maps will do just fine.  Just make sure to read them and highlight your route before you head out.  A quick internet search will help you identify potential venues for gas, food and lodging along your route.  You can also check road conditions on the internet to avoid closures or construction.

Never underestimate busy travel seasons or popular destinations like Disneyworld.  After a long day of driving you could find a No Vacancy sign instead of a quiet room and a hot meal.  If in doubt, make reservations.  And even if you booked your hotel room months ago, it doesn't hurt to confirm your reservations before you depart.

Once you're on the road, don't try to cover too much road between rest breaks.  At the first sign of drowsiness, do yourself and your passengers a favor.  Pull off the road and switch drivers.  If you're traveling alone, pull off the road and catch a quick nap.  Many sleep-related accidents occur between midnight and 6 AM, so avoid driving through the night if possible.

A road trip can be a rewarding and inexpensive way to explore the country and spend quality time with family members.  With a little planning, you can ensure that no unpleasant surprises ruin the fun.

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