Road trip safety tips and things to bring
A great scenic drive happens with careful planning. Whether you’re winding through mountain passes, hugging a coastal highway, or rolling across the prairies, a little preparation goes a long way toward keeping the adventure on track and the stress out of the car.
Be prepared and have fun on your next scenic drive! Start Planning
Before hitting the road
- Plan your route, but stay flexible. Know your route, your daily distance limits, and your stopping points. Build in extra time for detours and spontaneous stops — the best moments on a scenic drive are often unplanned. Have a backup plan for areas you can skip if you’re running behind.
- Get your car serviced before you go. There is nothing quite like learning about that mysterious clunking sound 400 miles from home. If your Service Engine Soon light is on or anything feels off, get it checked out before you leave. A pre-trip inspection is cheap peace of mind.
- Check your battery and brakes. Battery failure is one of the most common causes of roadside breakdowns. Have both tested if they haven’t been inspected recently, especially before a long trip.
- Inspect your tires. Check the tread depth and inflate all four tires — including the spare — to the recommended pressure. Tires lose pressure naturally over time, and driving on underinflated tires increases fuel consumption, wear, and the risk of a blowout.
- Top up your fluids. Oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid should all be at the correct levels. If your car burns oil, bring a spare quart or two.
- Test your lights and signals. Headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights take only a minute to check and can prevent accidents — especially if you’ll be driving at dusk or through tunnels. Confirm that your vehicle’s headlights are in the Auto setting.
- Know how to change a tire. Locate your spare, jack, and lug wrench before you need them. Make sure the spare is properly inflated. Even if you have roadside assistance, coverage can be slow to arrive in remote areas.
- Clean your windshield, inside and out. Interior film builds up gradually and becomes a serious glare hazard when driving into low sun. Clean both sides and keep sunglasses within easy reach.
- Don’t break in new gear on a long trip. New roof racks, bike mounts, or audio systems are best tested on short local drives first. An unknown rattle or a poorly secured load is not the problem you want to be solving on a mountain highway.
- Download offline maps. Cell service can disappear fast in rural areas. Download your route in Google Maps, Apple Maps, or a dedicated app like Copilot before you leave, so you have navigation even without a signal.
- Check the weather along your entire route. Not just your destination — check every stretch of the drive. Mountain passes can snow in summer. Coastal roads can sock in with fog. Plan for what you’ll encounter, not just where you’re going.
- Get a good night’s sleep. Drowsy driving is as dangerous as impaired driving. Start well-rested and plan your daily driving hours realistically. If you feel sleepy at the wheel, pull over.
- Share your itinerary. Give a trusted friend or family member your route, planned stops, accommodation details, and expected arrival times. Check in with them as you go.
- Don’t drink and drive. Not even a little. If you drink, hand the keys to someone else or wait it out.
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On the road
- Slow down and take it in. Scenic routes are meant to be savored, not rushed. Speeding through beautiful landscapes is a waste of the trip, burns more fuel, and increases your risk of an accident on unfamiliar roads.
- Maintain a safe following distance. Keep at least 3 seconds in good weather — or 1 car length for every 10 mph of speed of space between you and the car ahead. On wet, foggy, or winding roads, double it.
- Use pullouts. If you want to look at the view, stop at a pullout rather than slowing down on the road. Other drivers will thank you, and you’ll actually get to enjoy the scenery.
- Keep your phone out of your hands. Mount your phone on a dash or windshield holder for navigation, and use it hands-free for calls. Picking up your phone while moving — even briefly — dramatically increases accident risk.
- Trust your GPS, but use your eyes. Navigation apps occasionally give bad directions, especially in areas with poor map data. If a turn doesn’t look right, trust your instincts and verify before committing.
- Watch for wildlife. On rural and scenic roads, animals can appear suddenly — especially at dawn, dusk, and night. Scan the roadsides and be ready to brake, especially in areas with warning signs.
- Drive to conditions. Speed limits are set for ideal conditions. In rain, fog, snow, or heavy wind, slow down further. If visibility is seriously limited, pull over and wait it out.
- Pass only when it’s safe and legal. Wait for a clear stretch of road with good visibility, a passing zone marked on the road, and enough distance to complete the maneuver comfortably.
- Keep your cool. If someone cuts you off, let it go. If someone wants to pass, let them. Road trips put everyone in close quarters — a good attitude in the car is as important as anything else.
- Eat smart on the road. Heavy fast food will make you sluggish and drowsy. Eat light, pack healthy snacks like fruit, nuts, and granola bars, and stay well-hydrated. Fatigue and hunger are a bad combination behind the wheel.
- Stop for gas before you need it. On scenic and rural routes, gas stations can be far apart. Never let your tank drop below a quarter full when exploring unfamiliar areas.
- Deal with distractions immediately. If something in the car needs your attention — a spilled drink, a crying child, a falling object — pull over safely to deal with it. A few minutes stopped is always better than driving distracted.
- Stay in areas where you feel safe. If a neighborhood or situation doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and leave. Keep your doors locked and valuables out of sight.
- Drive during daylight when you can. Scenic roads are at their best in daylight, and hazards — wildlife, potholes, unmarked turns — are much easier to spot. Ideally, plan your driving hours around the light.
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If something goes wrong
- Pull over safely. If your vehicle is acting up, signal early, pull as far off the road as possible, and turn on your hazard lights immediately. Get everyone out of the car and away from traffic if it’s safe to do so.
- Know your roadside assistance options. Roadside assistance programs can be lifesavers, but they may not always be able to reach you quickly in remote areas or have the right equipment for your vehicle. Knowing how to change a tire yourself remains a valuable skill.
- Have emergency contacts saved offline. Save your roadside assistance number, your accommodation, and emergency contacts in your phone and written down — so you can access them even without a signal or a working phone.
- Stay with your vehicle if you break down in a remote area. Your car is easier to spot than you are on foot. Only walk for help if you are certain of your location and the distance to assistance.
- Carry a warning device. A set of reflective triangles, road flares, or cones can alert oncoming drivers to your presence on the road shoulder, especially at night or in poor visibility.
- Know basic first aid. Familiarize yourself with your first-aid kit before the trip so you’re not reading instructions in an emergency. For serious injuries, call 911 immediately and keep the person calm and still.
- If you’re stuck in snow or mud, don’t spin your wheels. Use sand, traction boards, or your floor mats under the drive wheels to get grip. If you are truly stuck, stay warm in the vehicle and call for help.
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Things to bring
Navigation & communication
- Phone with offline maps downloaded (Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Copilot)
- Phone mount for hands-free navigation
- Car charger and a portable power bank
- Road atlas or printed maps as a backup
- Written list of key contacts and addresses (in case your phone dies)
- Some cash and a credit card
- Change for toll booths and parking meters
Vehicle essentials
- Spare tire, jack, and lug wrench (verify before leaving)
- Jumper cables or a portable jump starter
- Tire gauge
- Windshield washer fluid
- A quart of motor oil (especially if your car burns oil)
- Reflective warning triangles or road flares
- A basic tool kit (screwdrivers, pliers, zip ties, duct tape)
- A flashlight and extra batteries, or a rechargeable flashlight
- A tow strap
Personal & comfort
- Sunglasses or polarized driving glasses
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Insect repellent
- Eye drops (for long days on the road)
- Warm layers and a rain jacket (weather can change fast on scenic routes)
- A change of clothes and an extra pair of shoes
- A blanket
- Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
- A reusable bag for trash in the car
Food & hydration
- Plenty of water — at least one large reusable bottle per person
- Healthy snacks: nuts, granola bars, fruit, carrot sticks, popcorn
- A small cooler for perishables and cold drinks
- A few shelf-stable backup meals or snacks in case you can’t find food on the road
Entertainment & kids
- Downloaded music, podcasts, and audiobooks for areas without signal
- Headphones for passengers
- Games, books, coloring supplies, and a tablet with downloaded content for kids
- A pad of paper and pens
Emergency & first aid
- A first-aid kit that includes:
- Adhesive bandages in various sizes and sterile gauze pads
- Medical tape and elastic bandage wrap
- Antibiotic ointment
- Antiseptic wipes and alcohol prep pads
- Ibuprofen or acetaminophen
- Antihistamine for allergies and insect stings
- Tweezers and scissors
- Thermometer
- Disposable gloves
- Any prescription medications your group requires
Winter driving
- Snow tires or tire chains (required in some mountain passes)
- Snow brush and ice scraper
- A folding shovel
- Sand, kitty litter, or traction boards for getting unstuck
- Extra warm clothing and an emergency blanket
- Windshield washer fluid rated for freezing temperatures
Be prepared and have fun on your next scenic drive! Start Planning
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