Let us help you get your trip off to the right start with our Road Trip Checklist

So, before you venture out, check the weather for your destination, and refer to our road trip checklist below to help you prepare for unexpected circumstances.

Things to do in advance

Vehicle Safety

Maintenance

Check your owner’s handbook to ensure all your manufacturer’s recommended maintenance is up to date.

Check to ensure your tires have been rotated on schedule.

Fluid Levels

  • Oil
  • Coolant
  • Transmission Fluid
  • Brake Fluid
  • Power Steering Fluid
  • Window Washer Fluids

Belts and Hoses

Check for cracks, cuts, or fraying

Lights

Make sure the following lights are all working properly:

  • Headlights
  • Turn Signals
  • Brake Lights
  • Dash Lights
  • Interior Lights

Tires

Ensuring your tires are in the best possible condition is one of the most important safety steps on your road trip checklist. It’s important to know when you need to replace your tires.

  • Check Air Pressure
  • Check Tread Level

In Case of Emergency

First Aid Kit

  • Bandages, Ointments, Antiseptics
  • Ibuprofen and/or Acetaminophen
  • Antacids
  • Motion Sickness Medications
  • Prescription Medications (if needed)

Flashlight

Check to make sure your flashlight works, and pack extra batteries for it.

Spare Tire

Make sure you have your jack in the vehicle, and that your spare is inflated

Toolbox

We recommend keeping a toolbox in the trunk with the following items:

  • Jumper Cables
  • Flares
  • Wrenches/Screwdrivers
  • Portable Car Battery Charger

Extra Vehicle Fluids

You should consider keeping a bottle of commonly needed extra vehicle fluids, such as:

  • Oil
  • Coolant
  • Window Washer Fluid

Other fluids to consider depending on how far your road trip destination is:

  • Transmission Fluid
  • Brake Fluid
  • Power Steering Fluid

Food/Comfort

Make sure to pack plenty of non-perishable foods in the event of an emergency. Peanut butter, trail-mix, and granola bars are common go-to items.

In addition to food, we highly recommend you keep some comfort items like blankets or pillows in your trunk.

Navigation

In case you drive into an area with poor or no cell signal, make sure to put a map/atlas in your glovebox.

Just Before You Leave

Personal Items

Most people remember to grab their phone, keys, and wallet; so here are some other things we recommend for your road trip checklist:

  • Phone charger
  • Fully charged portable battery
  • Spare car keys
  • Update GPS/Travel app or software if needed

Documentation

We recommend making sure all your important documents are together and easily accessible.

  • Vehicle Registration
  • Proof of Insurance
  • Roadside Assistance Information
  • Extended Warranty/Vehicle Protection Plan Information

Entertainment

Everyone’s road trip entertainment preferences vary, so here are some common items to consider taking with you!

  • Games and portable gaming devices
  • Books/Kindle
  • DVDs
  • Music, Radio Apps, CDs
  • Snacks (Don’t forget to bring a trash bag/bin too!)

We hope this Ultimate Road-Trip Checklist was of great use to you. If you would like a printable version so you can easily check things off the list, use the download link below!

Download A Printable Road Trip Checklist

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