How To Prepare Your Car for a Road Trip 

There’s nothing like a road trip—the promise of adventure, good music bumping through the speakers, and countless sights to be seen out of the windows. However, don’t just expect to hastily pack up the car and travel across the country. Before embarking, you’ll need to make sure that your vehicle is ready to hit the open road. 

This guide walks you through everything you need to check before leaving the driveway. From inspecting and changing your car’s fluids to winter driving prep, follow along to learn the steps you’ll need to take to increase your chances of a safe, trouble-free trip.

Before you kick off your drive, you’ll need to verify that your car is in peak condition. Regardless of how well your vehicle has been commuting across town, road trips can bring several new challenges. Changes in elevation, speed, and weather can be hard on your car, making a comprehensive pre-trip check your best insurance policy.  

Check Fluid Level and Leaks, Verify Condition, and Replace (If Necessary) 

Think of your car’s fluids as its lifeblood. Without the lubricity of oil, the hydraulic pressure of transmission and power steering fluid, and the cooling power of anti-freeze, your car is dead on the asphalt. Before your trip, be sure to check the following fluids for leaks and condition: 

• Engine Oil: Check the oil for color and level. If the oil is dark, thick, or smells burnt, or your vehicle is approaching the oil change interval, go ahead and perform an oil change before embarking on your road trip. 

• Coolant: Coolant, also known as anti-freeze, is essential for preventing your vehicle’s engine from overheating. Ensure the coolant level is full and that it isn’t discolored. Most older American vehicles use standard green coolant with silicates, while modern and foreign vehicles use several variants of OAT (Organic Acid Technology) or HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology) coolant. If your coolant needs replacement or a top off, be sure to use the proper coolant. 

• Brake Fluid: Verify the functionality of your brakes and the condition of your brake fluid. If the fluid is clear and full, and the brakes function properly, no action is needed. However, if the fluid is dark, low, or the brakes feel spongy and unresponsive, consider flushing the brake system. 

• Transmission Fluid: Depending on the type of transmission you have, inspecting the fluid will be different. Automatics use ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid), which features a strong, but not burnt odor and bright red coloring. If the fluid has turned brown, feels gritty, or smells burnt, it’s time for a replacement. Alternatively, manual transmissions use gear oil, which has a golden color and, once again, a strong but not burnt odor. 

• Windshield Washer Fluid: To maintain optimal visibility, ensure your windshield washer fluid is at the correct level before heading out on your trip. If you’re planning a multi-day trek in a season characterized by flying bugs, consider packing an extra jug of washer fluid in the trunk. 

• Power Steering Fluid: Your vehicle’s power steering fluid is a crucial component, enabling the power steering system to function correctly and assist with moving the wheel back and forth. Before inspecting the fluid, verify the type of fluid your vehicle uses, as some cars use dedicated power steering fluid, while others use traditional ATF. Once verified, check the fluid for condition, color, and level. 

While you’re inspecting fluid levels, check under the vehicle for any signs of fluid leaks. If you spot any puddles or drips, be sure to identify the source of the leak before embarking on your road trip. 

Check Your Tires for Tread Life, Age, and Condition

Your vehicle’s tires are its primary connection to the road, and as such, need to be in solid condition before road tripping. Follow these steps to ensure your tires are ready for the road ahead:

• Inspect Tread Depth: First and foremost, ensure your tires have sufficient tread depth remaining. If you have a tire tread gauge, verify that the tires have at least 3/32” of tread depth. If not, replace them before driving. If you don’t have a tread depth gauge, you can use a penny with the top of Lincoln’s head inserted in the tire tread. If the tread covers the top of Abe’s head, you’re safe. If his head is exposed, you need new tires. 

• Check for Cracks and Bulges: As tires age, wear, and incur damage, they can exhibit signs of failure, such as cracks in the sidewall or bulges. Inspect your tires for these damages before hitting the road, as they can lead to tire failure on your trip. 

• Verify Tire Pressure: Before leaving on your trip, check that the tires are inflated to the recommended pressure, as indicated on the door jamb sticker. Use either your vehicle’s built-in tire pressure monitoring system or a manual tire pressure gauge. 

• Confirm Tire Age: Even though a tire’s tread may be fine, any tire over 6 years of age may be unsafe to drive on due to degradation of the rubber, especially if the vehicle is stored outside. 

• Pack Your Spare Tire: Before hitting the road, make sure your vehicle’s spare tire, jack, and tool kit are in the car and in proper working order. 

Verify the Functionality of Important Lights and Features

Next, it’s time to verify that all of your vehicle's lights and safety features are operating correctly. Whether you’re driving at night or in extreme weather conditions, verify that all of these systems are working correctly: 

• Headlights, Brake Lights, and Turn Signals: Before embarking, verify that all of your vehicle’s lights are functioning correctly. That includes headlights, fog lights, front and rear turn signals, and brake lights. If any lights are burnt out, replace the faulty bulbs. 

• Hazard Lights: While everyone hopes they’ll never have to use their hazard lights, accidents and emergencies on the road happen. When they do, having working hazard lights can make for a safe stop while you’re repairing your vehicle or waiting for help. 

• Windshield Wipers: Verify that your windshield wipers work, and that the wiper blades are in good condition. If they skip, streak, or fail to clean your windshield properly, consider replacing them before your road trip. 

• HVAC System: Can you imagine a time before air conditioning came standard in vehicles? Nowadays, air conditioning isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Before starting your journey, especially if the weather forecast is extremely hot or cold, make sure your vehicle’s HVAC system, including the AC, heater, and defrosters, is in proper working order. 

Additional Inspections

While we’ve already covered most of the areas you’ll want to inspect on your vehicle, these additional areas are worth consideration: 

• Serpentine Belt: Responsible for turning the pulleys that drive most of your vehicle’s accessories, the serpentine belt is a critical mechanical component of your car or SUV. Before hitting the road, check the serpentine belt for signs of wear, including glazing, fraying, or cracks. If these symptoms are present, it’s time to replace the belt. 

• Suspension and Shocks: A bouncy, floating suspension with clunks while traversing bumps is a direct indicator that your vehicle’s suspension is worn. If you’re not confident in the condition of your vehicle’s suspension, consider having a mechanic look over the car before beginning your journey. 

• Check Engine Light (CEL): Verify that your vehicle’s check engine light isn’t illuminated while driving. If so, it’s essential to read the codes stored in your vehicle’s computer to determine the cause of the light. 

• Air Filter: Typically, a quick and easy replacement, a fresh air filter can help your vehicle run more efficiently and achieve better fuel mileage on your road trip. 

If everything checks out, it’s time to assemble your emergency kit. 

Pack and Emergency/Roadside Kit

Even the most thoughtful prepper can overlook something. Things can go wrong at any time, and when they do, it’s essential to have a roadside emergency kit to get your car back on the road. Before hitting the road, consider packing a backpack or soft tool bag with the following items: 

• Jumper cables

• Fire extinguisher

• Road flares or reflective triangles

• Flashlight

• Duct tape and electrical tape

• Zip ties

• Tire patch kit

• 12V air compressor

• Basic tool kit

Other considerations, especially on multi-day trips, include gloves, a blanket, a pillow, clean drinking water, and a first aid kit. 

Pack Phone Chargers and USB Cables

Believe it or not, your phone can do more than update your social media apps. These pocket computers offer several useful features for a road trip, including navigation, weather updates, music, podcasts, and emergency calls. 

Before hitting the road, be sure to pack a couple of USB cables and a car charger to ensure your device stays powered up throughout the journey. 

Keep Your Car Clean

One of my biggest pet peeves on a road trip is driving a messy, cluttered car. Especially on a multi-day trip, be sure to periodically remove trash and snack wrappers, wipe down hard surfaces, and tidy up to make the drive more pleasurable for all. 

Pro tips: 

• Pack microfiber towels for quick cleanups.

• Invest in a 12V vacuum to suck up dirt and crumbs.

• Bring trash bags to pack up garbage for disposal.

• Use Husky Liners floor liners to safeguard your interior against mud, spills, and more.

Don’t Forget Sunglasses

Driving for hours on end can cause severe eye fatigue, regardless of whether the sun is shining brightly or hidden behind clouds. Be sure to pack a pair of sunglasses to shield your eyes, limit eye strain, and improve visibility on the road. This small item can make a world of difference, especially after countless hours behind the wheel. 

Pack Snacks and Beverages

While stopping at gas stations and kooky diners is part of the road trip experience, you won’t want to rely on gas station roller dogs and slushies as your primary source of nutrients. Consider packing your snacks and drinks to stay alert and save money. 

Healthier options, such as beef jerky, granola bars, trail mix, and other non-perishables, can keep you energized and alert, especially on long stretches of highway or late-night drives across the country. 

Most Importantly, Enjoy the Ride

At the end of the day, a road trip is about more than getting from point A to point B—it’s about the journey. Enjoy the stops along the way, the sights to be seen, and the conversations with your passengers. The drive won’t last forever, but the memories you make along the way will.