It’s been a tough couple of years, but things are looking up! Many of us are ready for a much-needed vacation, and what better way to get a change of scenery than a classic road trip. But before you hit the road, we’ve got some tips to make sure you have a safe and enjoyable road trip. 

Conduct a Vehicle Wellness Check

First things first, if you’re going to travel long distances (or even short distances for that matter), you better make sure your car is up to snuff! 

Here are some things you’ll want to check before you leave:

• Tires: How’s your tire pressure? How does the tread look? Is your spare tire in good shape?

• Systems: Is anything lighting up on your dashboard? Do the heat and A/C work?

• Oil: How are your oil levels? When’s the last time you had your oil changed?

• Lights: Are your headlights, brake lights, and turn signals working correctly?

• Windshield wipers: Do you have cleaning fluid? Can your windshield wipers handle heavy rain?

• Windows: Can you see out of them? Are they clean and free of clutter?

• Gas: How’s your tank looking? Better fill up before you go!

While checking on your vehicle’s health will help prevent an emergency situation, it’s always good to be prepared for the worst too. Do you know how to jump a car? Can you change a tire? If not, we’ve got you covered with these car maintenance instructionsCar Maintenance.

Pack an Emergency Kit

You never know what’s going to happen out there, especially when driving long distances – you might end up in a remote area where it’s harder to get assistance. To prepare for these situations, we recommend that you keep an emergency kit in your trunk. Some items you might consider putting in your emergency kit include:

• Blanket(s) (one for every passenger)

• Water

• Snacks

• Medications you/your passengers need to take 

• Flashlight

• Toilet paper

• Extra phone charger

• Bandaids, aspirin, and other general first aid items

• Hand sanitizer

• Jumper cables

And this is just a starting point! If you really want to make sure you’re ready for the road, check out our extended list of 33 items you need in your emergency road kit33 Items You Should Include In Your Emergency Car Kit Blog.