Summer and fall are prime road trip seasons, as you’ll have the chance to take in some of the country’s most beautiful natural scenery en route to your destination. Before hitting the road, it’s important to prepare yourself and your vehicle to ensure that the road trip goes smoothly. Here are a few tips that will help make your upcoming road trip safe and stress-free.
Get Your Vehicle Running at 100 Percent
Your car should be maintained and in prime running condition before setting out on a long road trip. More mechanically inclined drivers may be able to handle many of the main maintenance tasks on their own, but a mechanic can help ensure your car is ready to run smoothly over a long distance.
There are also a few types of basic maintenance that just about every motorist can take care of on their own, such as:
- Inflating tires to the recommended psi
- Cleaning the interior and exterior of the vehicle
- Adjusting seats and mirrors
- Replacing windshield wipers, if necessary
Bring An Emergency Kit
Even a perfectly maintained car can break down on the road, so drivers should always keep an emergency kit in their vehicle. The days leading up to a big road trip provide an opportunity to revisit your kit and ensure you have everything you need.
Your emergency car kit should contain the same contents and remain in your vehicle regardless of how far you’re driving, so those who already have a well-stocked kit won’t need to add anything before a long road trip.
The items that every emergency car kit should contain include:
- Flashlight and batteries
- Jumper cables
- Antifreeze
- Tire jack and inflator
- Umbrella
- First aid kit
- Blanket
- Seatbelt cutter
Along with the kit, you should keep several other important items in your trunk:
- Tow rope
- Road flares
- Fire extinguisher
- Antifreeze
- Windshield washer fluid
Pack Wisely
Be mindful of how you pack your vehicle, as it could potentially affect your trip. A well-packed vehicle will run more smoothly, while a poorly packed one could cause preventable mishaps.
Here are a few key tips to keep in mind when packing your car before a long road trip:
- Only pack what you need—An unnecessarily heavy luggage load can weigh down your car, which forces it to consume more energy. This can end up hurting your gas mileage, as the vehicle needs to consume more fuel. A lighter vehicle is more efficient.
- Heaviest luggage on the bottom—You should pack your car the day before the trip and place all of the heaviest luggage at the bottom of the truck. This will prevent it from flying into the passenger seats. Especially heavy luggage should be strapped down.
- Avoid strapping luggage up top—Small items can be stored in a compartment on top of your vehicle if necessary, but avoid strapping luggage to the roof of the car. This can block the driver’s vision and create a hazard.
Get Plenty of Sleep the Night Before
It is vital to make sure you are well-rested before a road trip, as you will need to have your full energy available to stay alert and aware during the long hours ahead of you.
Along with getting enough sleep the night before your trip, be honest about how you feel behind the wheel several hours into the trip. A driver doesn’t need to fall asleep before their drowsy driving becomes a hazard, as driving while fatigued greatly increases the risk of getting into an accident, even if you’re able to keep your eyes open.
Here are a few warning signs that you have become too tired to continue driving safely and should consider pulling over for the night:
- Frequent yawning or blinking
- Missing an exit
- Trouble remembering the last few miles you’ve driven
- Drifting out of your lane
- Hitting a curb or rumble strip
According to the CDC, drowsy driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving. Being awake for over 18 hours is equal to having a blood content (BAC) of 0.05%, while drivers who have been up for more than 24 hours drive at the same level as someone with a BAC of 0.10%.
Take Frequent Breaks
Regular breaks are important for several reasons. They allow you to stretch out and walk off any physical fatigue from driving for long stretches. It also gives you a chance to get a filling meal that can help you maintain the energy you need for the long trip. Of course, you’ll also need to stop to buy gas a few times if you’re taking a major road trip.
Consider taking breaks at least every two hours or 100 miles, and make sure you’re off the road for a minimum of 15 minutes during each break.