How Do I Prepare For A Road Trip?

Road Trips are so much fun; how many of us cemented some of our favorite memories inside of a vehicle with our family and friends? Cruising down the highway, belting our favorite songs, and sharing the moments with each other. We want you to have that fun, but we want you to be prepared if you find yourself stuck with a flat tire or other inconvenience.

“Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance,” did anyone else hear this growing up, haha? As annoying as it might have been coming from dad, it is true. We can do some simple things to reduce the stress that comes with vehicle problems and dangerous road conditions.

You might find yourself stuck, at night, in an area with low visibility. There could be a dangerous road with potholes, rocks, nails, and more. You might have forgotten to check tire pressure before you left and experienced a tire problem. The list goes on & on! So, here are a few things you can do to prepare and, hopefully, avoid any pesky road trip delays.

Should I Make A Checklist Before My Road Trip?

Remember that speech dad used to give about proper planning? Well, here it is again, haha! As much as we might not want to hear it, planning ahead and creating a simple checklist before your road trip can save you some serious trouble. We suggest you have a few basic things on the list, but the more, the better.

Road Trip Checklist:

• Bring Your License, Registration, & Insurance
• Bring Jumper Cables/Jump Starter
• Check The Tires’ Pressure
• Check The Tire Tread
• Check The Spare Tire
• Check The Vehicle Fluids
• Stock The Emergency Kit (more on that below)

Should I Have An Emergency Kit In My Vehicle?

We would absolutely recommend that you have an emergency kit in your vehicle; before heading out on a road trip. Beyond road trips, it is a great idea to have one for everyday driving. You can assemble an emergency kit super fast, with items available at your local Wal-Mart; or online through Amazon. Here are a few items we think any well-stocked emergency kit should have!

Emergency Kit:

• Flashlight
• Portable Charger/Power Pack (for your cell phone)
• Jump Starter (they are small and relatively inexpensive)
• First-Aid Kit
• Food (Trail Mix or Kind Bars work great and have long shelf lives)
• Water
• Toilet Paper

So, with the weather warming up and people gearing for the road, have fun and stay safe. Take some time to set yourself up for a great trip and go over the essentials before packing the car. Before a road trip, the best thing you can do is bring your vehicle to a trusted auto repair center to have them service it. They can perform a thorough inspection, change filters, exchange fluids, service brakes, look after your tires, and so much more.

Visit High Road Automotive in Seattle, WA, when you are preparing for your next road trip! Our ASE-Certified auto mechanics will assist you in thoroughly inspecting your vehicle, helping you have the best trip possible. Schedule an appointment today and see what makes us so special in the Seattle area!