Road Trip Survival Kit

It’s time to hit the open road.

 

The classic road trip is the great American getaway. There are more than 50 million miles of highway in the United States -- and the odds are you live within driving distance to some incredible scenery. But before you buckle up, it is worth your time to make sure you have the essentials to ensure your trip goes off without a hitch. 

 

Check out some of the helpful tips we’ve curated to make your next road trip a slam dunk!  

Preparing For A Road Trip

Other than the trip itinerary, your vehicle is the most important factor to ensure is sound before starting your trip.

• Do a fluids check to be sure that things like wiper fluid, oil, and coolant are in good shape too keep your car running at full performance over the long distance. 

• Check your tire pressure and inflate them to the proper PSI to help with gas consumption and tire integrity. Don't forget to check that your spare tire is properly inflated and ready for use in the event you get a flat!

• Take a look at your tires to ensure they can handle many miles of highway driving. Worn out tires pose a danger to you and other drivers if used for the trip.

Road Trip Essentials

Before you hit the highway, check to make sure you have everything you need. In addition to making sure to avoid the dreaded ‘are we there yet’ blues, there are some essentials that you should pack just in case an emergency strikes. After all, it’s always better to be over prepared than to hear ‘I told you so.’ 

 

Emergency Car Care Kit

Your emergency kit should include all the essentials -- road flares and/or reflective triangles, car jack, lug wrenches, screwdrivers, tire sealant, portable air compressor, jumper cables, flashlight, reflective vest, etc. In addition, a fire extinguisher is a great asset to have in your vehicle. Internal combustion engines have a lot of flammable and explosive materials that are required to make the vehicle work -- and the same goes for electric-generated propulsion as well. 

 

Cell Phone and Charging Stations

These days, most people don’t leave home without their cell phones, but it is important to make sure you are fully charged in case of an emergency scenario in which the battery of your vehicle is dead. That means an independent source of energy -- i.e., an extended battery or other off-grid charging solution. 

 

First Aid Kit

The reality of the open road is that you must be prepared for an accident. Should the unexpected arise, it is always a good idea to be able to stabilize an unexpected situation as you wait for emergency personnel to arrive. 

 

Don’t Forget Your Medications 

Make sure you have enough of your prescriptions to get through your vacation. It’s also a good idea to keep a general, portable ‘medicine cabinet’ with you with supplies of pain relievers, allergy medicine, etc. 

 

Maps 

Although most smart phones come equipped with GPS navigation, there’s something about having a paper map you can mark up during your trip. They also come in handy if something were to happen with your navigation system, like a loss of signal or a dead battery.

 

Emergency Rations

FEMA preparedness guidelines suggest keeping a few days’ worth of water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. And some emergency non-perishable food rations are always a good asset -- even if you have to break into them in between rest stops on the highway.  

 

Going through these steps can help make your road trip memorable, and not because something went wrong!