Get Your Vehicle Road Trip Ready

It’s that time again. Time to get ready for road trip season! The awesome feeling of hitting the road and exploring new exciting places—like South Dakota’s Corn Palace (hey, don’t knock it)—is just around the corner. Make sure your vehicle is road trip ready with this essential road trip checklist.

It’s safe to say everyone wants their road trip to be problem free, however if your vehicle isn’t prepared for a long journey, car trouble could be just around the corner (see what I did there). A breakdown puts a significant damper on travels, especially if your vehicle also houses your bed, clothing, gear, and food.

As we prepare for our long road trip to Alaska, making sure our vehicle is in tip-top shape for the 8,000 mile trek is one our top priorities. While Stan the Tan Van has been very good to us, he is almost 25 years old. Getting an old vehicle ready for a road trip comes with its own special preparations.

Our upcoming adventure to the Last Frontier inspired me to create this road trip checklist to help everyone prepare their vehicle for the ultimate road trip.

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Road Trip Checklist

The last two years have taught us a few things about breakdowns. We’ve gotten stuck, changed flat tires, replaced breaks (twice), and have had countless leaky hoses. Basically, we’ve been around the block (or more like the desolate mountain road) a few times and learned a few things about vehicle maintenance. Whether you’re traveling across the country or just tackling a few states, this road trip checklist will help you avoid ending up on the side of the road (and show you how to deal with it if you do).

Vehicle Maintenance

• Breaks and Tires – Unexpectedly ponying up $ for new tires or a set of breaks when you’re on the road can put a considerable damper on a road trip—we know from experience! Our advice is to get them thoroughly checked, and if needed, replaced before you head out. We also suggest using a break company that has a good warranty. These can be a little more expensive, but if something goes wrong, at least you’ll be covered. Finally, make sure your spare tire is in good shape and inflated.
• Tune up – A basic tune up is an inspection and if needed replacement of components in your vehicle. This includes the vehicle’s fuel system, ignition system (spark plugs and wires), engine timing , filters, belts, hoses, and fluids. Most of these things can be done yourself if you don’t want to spend the money for a mechanic.
• Battery – Make sure your battery is in good working order and does not have any visible signs of corrosion. If you’re getting a tune up, ask your mechanic to test the battery.
• Oil Change – If you change your own oil, you can save a few bucks. NAPA has some good “How To” videos and offers free drain oil disposal. If not, there are many discount oil change businesses out there. We take our van in for oil changes when we’re on the road, but never get any other service (lights, wipers, air filters, etc.) because the price is usually marked up.
• Wiper blades –Again, some oil change places may check the condition of your wiper blades and offer new ones. It’s often cheaper to purchase at a store or online and put them on yourself.
• Check all lights – Check your headlights, taillights, break lights, and signals. This is usually tested by oil change places, but new lights are often cheaper to buy at a store or online and put in yourself. It’s good to get into the habit of checking all your lights every few days to ensure they’re in working order.
• Check Vehicle Fluids – While most oil change and tune ups will include topping off your fluids, if you have an older vehicle you may want to carry extra motor oil, antifreeze, break, and steering fluid with you. We check Stan’s fluids daily.

Vehicle Essentials

• First Aid Kit – Be prepared (once a Boy Scout, always a Boy Scout). Pain relievers, ointments, bandages, etc. This first aid kit can help you deal with everything from hangovers to head wounds.

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• Roadside Emergency Kit – No one plans to break down, but if it does happen, be ready! (I wasn’t kidding about being a Boy Scout). A roadside emergency kit should include jumper cables and roadside flares/reflectors. Some more extensive kits have flashlights, tow rope, air compressor, and a first aid kit included. All of these things are good to have when hitting the road.

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• Tools – For extended road trips, a set of tools comes in very handy, and if you have an older vehicle it’s necessary. There are plenty of fixes you can do yourself (and with the help of YouTube).

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• Duct Tape – I can’t tell you how many things I have “fixed” with duct tape. What I can tell you is I don’t leave home without it.

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Learn to Fix a Flat

Fixing your own flat is a skill all road trippers and van lifers should learn. If you like free camping in the wilderness, you’ll most likely be frequenting bumpy dirt roads. Cell service isn’t always available, and you don’t want to get stranded!

• Know where your spare, jack, and tire iron are. Familiarize yourself with this equipment, and if you purchased a used or older vehicle make sure they’re in the vehicle.
• Can of Fix-a-Flat – This is the fastest way to fix your tire without even having to remove it. You can spray Fix-a-Flat in through the air valve on the tire and it will plug most holes in the tread.

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• Tire Plug Kit – If you’re more of a DIY traveler, these tire kits are designed to be a permanent fix to a puncture in the tread. This is the same way a shop will fix your tire, and you can do it yourself quickly and cheaply.

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• Emergency Air Compressor – If your tires need a little top off or you’re fixing a flat on the side of the road, a small air compressor is a good investment. We’ve filled our own tires with one many times and have lent it to others. These are fairly inexpensive and run off a 12V plug.

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• Tire Gauge – Know when you are low, or how much air to put in. This is a staple for anyone on the road.

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Emergency Preparation

• AAA or Other Roadside Assistance – No matter how good you are under the hood or how prepared you are, at some time you may need roadside assistance. Tow trucks can be pricy, so AAA or roadside assistance will cover getting towed within 100-200 miles (depending on your level of coverage). AAA also includes auto locksmithing, tire changing, gas delivery, and even trip insurance.
• Review Insurance Coverage and Print Insurance Cards – Make sure your insurance is up-to-date and you have the coverage you need. While many insurance cards are available digitally, not all states or regions accept them, so it’s best to keep a printed copy in your vehicle.

Make sure your road trip doesn’t end early or cost a lot more because of unexpected repairs! Getting your vehicle ready for a long road trip is an investment, but it pays off in the long run by ensuring you’re prepared or avoiding vehicle issues all together. This road trip check list along with our road trip essentials will help you ease your mind on your next (or current) journey.

Is there anything else you do to get ready for a long road trip?

Related Posts:

• 13 Road Trip Essentials
• How to Plan a Trip to Alaska: Ultimate Alaska Road Trip Planning Checklist
• You’re Invited: Join Us on the Road to Alaska

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