Road trip safety tips and things to bring
Taking a road trip is always adventure, but not always the adventure you intended it to be. Being prepared is the key to a fun, safe trip.
- Before hitting the road: How to prepare for your trip before hitting the road.
- Personal safety: Some tips on staying safe while you are away.
- Things to bring: A list of things that you should definitely have on your trip.
Be prepared and have fun on your next scenic drive! Start Planning
Before hitting the road
Here are some things to do before hitting the road.
- Plan your trip, know your route and know your limits. Be realistic with the time that your trip will take and do not commit to drive more hours per day than you have ever driven before. Allow for extra time or plan for areas you can skip if needed.
- Make sure that your car’s service needs have all been met. It is usually more pleasant to learn the reason behind that Service Engine Soon light or that new sound when you are near your home.
- Be sure to check that your battery and brakes are in great condition and that your tires are both in good condition and properly inflated. Tires are constantly losing pressure, which can hinder their performance and safety.
- By the same token, avoid adding any accessories to your vehicle before a long trip. Test your new equipment on short trips to familiarize yourself with them and avoid repairing any issues while on the road.
- Never leave on a trip without a full tank of gas and make sure that you have plenty of oil. If your car takes special oil or enjoys oil more than gas, consider bringing some with you.
- Wash your windshield, both inside and out, and make sure that you have a pair of sunglasses or driving glasses handy. Keep a clear, focused eye on the road is the best way to avoid mistakes.
- Have a good night’s rest. Do not hit the road tired, and if you feel drowsy while driving, pull over for a little nap or change drivers.
- Check the weather and road conditions, especially at various cities and towns along your route so that you know what to expect or make alternative plans.
- Refamiliarize yourself with your tire-changing equipment. Make sure that everything is in order. Even if you are a member of AAA or a similar roadside assistance program, they may not have the things specific for your vehicle, so be sure to at least have a look and make sure you have everything.
- Don’t drink and drive. Not even a little bit. And if you do, please hand the keys over to someone else.
- Make sure that you have everything you need before heading out on the road. Shopping on the road takes time and can be more costly than shopping at home. Take a look at our things to bring section for some ideas.
- Talk about your trip plans to your family and friends and let them know when you are leaving.
Personal safety
- Always feel safe. If you don’t feel safe in a particular neighborhood, leave.
- Keep a good attitude and stay polite and reasonable. If someone cuts you off, just ignore them. If someone wants to pass you, let them. If you want to pass someone, don’t tailgate them. Commonsense goes a long way.
- Don’t drink and drive. We said it above, but it’s serious enough to repeat. If you do, please hand the keys over to someone else.
- Don’t speed and leave ample time to stop. Scenic routes are best enjoyed slowly. Speeding consumes more gas and makes your road trip more expensive, and may contribute to drowsiness and costly speeding tickets.
- Ask for directions. And do not limit yourself just to gas stations. Try stopping for a little snack at a restaurant and ask the server.
- If you use GPS-based directions, please also use common sense with them and be sure to keep your eye on the road at all times so that you are prepared for anything.
- If you are in a group, it is best not to split up, especially in emergencies.
- When passing another car, make sure that the law permits you to and that you can see up the road for some distance.
- If the roads have any moisture on them, take it slow, especially in the curves. Especially along the coast, the roads may have fog that make it hard to see, so slow down. And never be shy to use the pullouts on the side of the road.
- Some of the drives are on both private and public land. Be respectful of both, and remember to leave only footsteps.
- Prefer to drive during the day and preferably one where the roads are dry. Our visibility is much better during the day, making the trip much more enjoyable.
- Eat healthy while you are on the road. Fast good may be quick, but it does not always sustain you. Eat light, healthy meals and try to eat right.
- Stop for gas before you need it. Especially for new areas, you may not know where the next gas station is, so stop sooner than you need to and take a little break from the drive.
- If there is something in your vehicle that is distracting you, take the time to deal with it. These distractions take away from your attention to the road which can be dangerous.
Things to bring
It is best to travel prepared for anything. Here are some items you should definitely bring with you.
- directions to where you are going
- a clear map of the areas you will be driving through
- your cell phone
- some cash and a credit card
- sunglasses or driving glasses
- eye lubricant
- sunscreen, sun care products, skin lotion, and lip gloss
- water, food, and snacks for the drive, hike and your stay
- warm clothes and a change of clothes
- consider bringing another pair of shoes
- a flashlight
- a tire gauge
- a pad of paper and pencil and pen
- parking meter and phone booth change
- insect repellent
- music and other ways to avoid boredom
- a first-aid kit that includes
- adhesive bandages and gauze
- antibiotic ointment
- antiseptic hand wipes or soap
- ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief
- allergy relief
- tweezers
- scissors
- thermometer
- adhesive tape
- iodine and alcohol prep pads
- insect sting relief pads
Be prepared and have fun on your next scenic drive! Start Planning
