Ready to hit the road? Wait! Before heading out on long road trips, there are a few things to keep in mind. A road trip isn’t just about the playlist (though that’s important, too)—it’s about making sure your car is up for the challenge and that you have everything you need for a smooth, stress-free ride.
Think of it like this: Your car is your travel companion, and just like you wouldn’t hike a mountain in flip-flops, you don’t want to take off on a long drive without checking a few key things first. From tire pressure to brake health, from emergency essentials to road trip must-haves, a little prep goes a long way in making sure your journey is nothing but open roads and good vibes.
So, how do you get your car — and yourself — ready for the adventure ahead? Let me show you.
How We Picked
This is designed to cover everything you need for a successful drive. I focused on the essentials: key maintenance checks to keep your car running strong, safety must-haves for peace of mind, and road trip extras that turn a long drive into an adventure.
Whether you’re heading out for a weekend getaway or an epic cross-country trek, these tips will help you hit the road with confidence.
Check Your Tires
If you will be driving for a while, it’s always best to ensure your tires are prepared for the journey. They shouldn’t be too worn, or you may lose grip on wet or icy roads. Remember to check the tire pressure — you may need to inflate them to the pressure listed in your car’s user manual.
Bringing a tire pump along for the ride is also a great idea, especially if you are traveling through areas with different climates and temperatures. According to Jeff Bartlett at Consumer Reports, tires lose pressure in cold weather, so it’s best to be prepared just in case.
Check Your Brakes
It’s smart to have your car’s brakes checked before a long journey. The last thing you want is to lose control of your car and get into an accident when you have somewhere you want to be.
According to Traveler’s Insurance, brake pads last about 50,000 miles, but they can wear out faster depending on how you drive and the weight of your car. Ideally, you should get your car’s brake system checked annually.
Test the Battery
Making sure your car’s battery is healthy is a smart move before taking a road trip. The last thing you want to happen is to come back to your car after a snack and stretch break to find out it won’t start. Services like AAA will provide free diagnostic testing and help you replace your battery if needed.
If you have an older car with faulty wiring, like I do, it can also be smart to bring a portable battery charger/jump starter. This way, the battery can be boosted without needing to rely on another car for help.
Have all the Fluids Topped Off
Your car relies on several essential fluids to keep everything running smoothly, and if they run low or become dirty due to neglect, you could be looking at serious damage and costly repairs. Here are the fluids to have checked and topped off before a long drive:
- Brake fluid
- Power steering fluid
- Engine oil
- Transmission fluid
- Coolant
- Windshield wiper fluid
- Differential fluid
Many of these are very simple to change or top up, so you can either do it yourself to save some cash or bring your car to the shop.
Replace Windshield Wipers
Windshield wipers may seem like a small thing, but it can be a real bummer if it starts raining or your windshield gets dirty and you realize the wipers are too old and worn out. When this happens, you end up smudging the windshield, making it even more difficult to see. It goes without saying that this can become really dangerous on long road trips.
Ford says to replace windshield wipers every 12 months, while Honda says every six months. I’m not sure what’s going on with Hondas for them to require new windshield wipers more often, or maybe Honda owners just drive more.
Check the Air Filters
If you want the car cabin to be free of dust, debris, bugs, and such, your car should have a clean cabin filter. When air filters reach the end of their lifespan, they become clogged and no longer clean the air as intended. Popular Mechanics recommends replacing your engine air filter about once a year or every 10,000 to 15,000 miles, and the cabin filter should be replaced every 12,000 to 15,000 miles.
Another useful thing to grab for your car trip is a portable air purifier. Some types are made specifically for car use and fit easily into your cup holder. This can keep your car free of musty, stale air.
Pack a Spare Tire
The road is full of surprises, and not all of them are the good kind. A sudden pothole, a stray nail, or even an unexpected blowout can leave you stranded miles from the nearest help. That’s why it’s always best to be prepared for anything.
Having a spare tire isn’t just a convenience; it’s essential. Instead of waiting for roadside assistance or relying on the kindness of strangers, you can swap it out and get back on the road quickly.
But a spare tire alone isn’t enough; make sure you also have the right tools, like a jack and lug wrench, so you’re fully equipped to handle the situation. This is just one of the many essentials every driver should keep in their car to stay safe and prepared for whatever the road throws their way. A little preparation can mean the difference between a minor hiccup and a major travel nightmare.
Test Your Car Lights
You thought we were done with the maintenance? Think again! This time, we want you to inspect every light in your car. Imagine driving in the dark someplace you’ve never been, and you realize your high beams aren’t bright enough to let you see the winding road ahead. That’s like the beginning of a horror movie.
The lights to test include:
- Headlights
- High beams
- Brake lights
- Turn signals in front and back
- Reverse lights
- Interior lights, just in case
Snacks and Water
A road trip without food? Blasphemy! Even when I’m just driving for four hours, nothing makes a road trip feel more fun than having some bags of chips and candy at the ready.
While you may want to bring an energy drink or coffee, you should also have some water with you on any long drive. The Mayo Clinic recommends drinking eight glasses of water a day — just be ready to find some rest-stop bathrooms along the way.
Invest in a First Aid Kit
It’s always a smart idea to have a first aid kit handy in your car, especially for long trips. You never know what could happen. As we used to say in Girl Scouts — Be prepared.
The Red Cross recommends compress dressings, bandages, cloth tape, antibiotic ointment packets, aspirin, a cold compress, non-latex gloves, a gauze roll, and tweezers. This should cover most basic emergencies on the road.
Pack a Blanket
Having a blanket handy in your car is a game-changer for long road trips. If you ever need to pull over at a rest stop, you can instantly improve a nap in your car by taking out a blanket. Or maybe you want to sit on a blanket outside your car to read or eat while getting some air. Or perhaps you’re just cold!
It’s never a bad idea to have a blanket at the ready for all kinds of situations, emergency or not. Is a nap considered an emergency? Some would say yes.
Prepare Some Playlists
Let’s be real: no road trip is complete without music! To avoid distractedly skimming through your songs on Spotify — or whatever app you use — have some playlists made before the drive begins. I always have a wide range of playlists ready depending on my mood, the destination, the car I’m driving, and the environment around me.
If you don’t have time to make your own playlist, Spotify has a handy tool that curates playlists for you based on what kind of music you usually listen to at certain times of the day.
Phone Charger
Our phones are our lifeline, especially on road trips. It’s our GPS, our music, our communication, and our entertainment. Having a full battery is important on a long drive, so be sure you have a way to charge your phone, whether it be a portable charger or a USB cable.
Check what compatibility your car has — some may come with a USB port, while others need something like a charging adapter plugged into the cigarette lighter.
Plan Your Route
Ahead of your trip, it can be beneficial and rewarding to plan your exact route. This includes looking for convenient rest stops along the way, not to mention any possible detours you might want to make.
Part of the fun of a road trip is enjoying a scenic route or finding something fun to do on the way that breaks up time. You can also find interesting restaurants to provide a break from driving and refuel your body.
Bring Entertainment
Long drives can feel endless without something to pass the time, whether for you or your passengers. Bring along a portable gaming console like the Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck, a laptop, an iPad, or even a good book. Audiobooks and podcasts are also great options, letting you stay entertained without taking your eyes off the road.
If you’re traveling with others, consider road trip games, trivia, or a collaborative playlist to keep the energy up. Having entertainment on hand makes the journey more enjoyable and helps break up the monotony of the road, turning long stretches of highway into part of the adventure.
Clean Your Car
Before you hit the road, why not clean the inside and outside of your car? First, tackle the outside. This can be done at home or by bringing your car to a car wash — the important thing is to remove any dirt and debris that can cause scratches, rust, or other damage. If you’re taking it to an automatic car wash, choose one you can trust.
The inside of your car can be as simple as vacuuming and wiping down the surfaces. You may also want to remove any clutter to get ready for the trip ahead. An auto detailer is another option if you feel there’s a bit more to tackle than you have time for.
Organize Everything
When you’re going on a road trip, you’re probably bringing a lot with you — luggage, road trip essentials, snacks, the list goes on. However, if it starts to feel chaotic and cluttered, that could really make a long drive feel cramped and stressful. Make sure you pack everything deliberately to create a sense of organization.
You might even want to buy storage bins to help keep your trunk and back seat in order. There are plenty of car-focused options that will help you sort out the essentials.
Portable Trash
Long road trips mean candy wrappers, napkins, empty water bottles, and more. Before your car starts to feel filthy, invest in a trash can you can take with you on the road.
There are plenty of portable trash can options on Amazon, like the one in the image above. I like that this one conveniently fits into your cupholders, has a button you press to open, and comes with some mini trash bags. That said, there are trash cans that hang off your headrest or are placed on the passenger seat floor.
Download Waze
Road trip and driving enthusiasts often consider Waze the go-to GPS app for navigating the open road. Its user-friendly map makes it easy to follow your route, even in busy or unfamiliar areas where distractions can be a challenge.
The app provides real-time traffic updates, helping you steer clear of congestion, accidents, and road closures before they slow you down. It also offers accurate arrival estimates and suggests faster alternative routes, making sure you spend less time stuck in traffic and more time enjoying the drive. Plus, with features like speed limit alerts and driver-reported hazards, Waze helps keep you both efficient and safe on the road.
See You On the Road
So, there you have it! If you stick to this list, your car should be prepared for the long drive, and so should you. While it’s important to stay alert and be safe on road trips, it’s almost as important to have fun.
Check out the sights, plan your route, crank up the tunes, and chow down on some snacks. This is your chance to let loose and explore!