Road trips are a summertime staple. Some people love them, some people hate them, but one thing we can all agree on is that safety is a top priority. Whether you’re spending a long weekend at a nearby campsite or making a long trek across the country, here are our top tips for staying safe on your summer road trip.
1. Plan ahead.
The most important thing to do leading up to a summer road trip is planning your route ahead of time. You can’t just enter the address in your map app and head out-take the time to research the best possible routes. Take the time of day into consideration, as you don’t want to drive through rush hour traffic or at night when your body is used to being asleep.
Before you head out, keep an eye on the weather. Summer thunderstorms can quickly throw a wrench in your fun drive. Avoid construction when you can. Take a good look at your route and plan out when you’ll take breaks. Plan to take a driving break every 6 to 8 hours.
2. Tune up your car.
You should gave your car serviced regularly as outlined in your owner’s manual, but always make sure it’s ready before taking a long trip. Here are some areas to focus on:
- Tires: make sure you have enough tread and your tire pressure is good.
- Battery: check your battery, charging system, and belts. Replace your battery if needed, and make sure you have a set of jumper cables on hand in case you need to jumpstart your car click here to watch our easy tutorial!).
- Fluid levels: check the levels of all your fluids, including coolant, oil, windshield washer fluid, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. Top them off before you go, and make sure there are no leaks.
- Lights: check your brake lights, headlights, license plate lights (if you have them), and turn signals. If any of these lights aren’t working, get them replaced immediately.
- Belts and hoses: check for wear, cracks, or cuts. Get them replaced if they’re showing signs of wear. You don’t want a broken belt on your trip!
- Fuel: fill up your tank before you head out, and be sure to fill up regularly on the road. You shouldn’t let your gas tank fall below ¼ of a tank.
In addition to these checks, be sure to review your owner’s manual to see what your manufacturer recommends.
Pack smartly!
Packing is often a hassle, and it’s easy to forget something you need. Make two packing lists-one for luggage, and one for your car. Here are some things you’ll want to put on your packing list:
- Cell phone charger
- Emergency kit (e.g., flashlight, first aid kit, flares, nonperishable food and drinking water)
- Jack (for changing tires), spare tire, lug wrench, wheel blocks, tire pressure gauge, and battery jumper cables
- Paper maps, just in case you lose service and can’t access your GPS system or phone
When you’re packing your vehicle, put the heaviest items on the bottom and make sure everything is secured. Do not block your line of sight with your luggage.
3. Brush up on your driving skills.
How long has it been since you took a driving class? Have you been keeping up with new traffic laws every year? If you’re planning a long trip, consider taking an online driver safety course! You may be surprised at how much you could learn. Click here to visit our website to see the online courses we offer in your state! You may even be able to get a discount on your auto insurance by taking one of our courses.
We hope you use these safety tips to have the best summer road trip ever! If you experience a hiccup along the way, we can help. Check out our FREE driver resources center for easy-to-follow instructions on car maintenance topics.
Road trips are a summertime staple. Some people love them, some people hate them, but one thing we can all agree on is that safety is a top priority. Whether you’re spending a long weekend at a nearby campsite or making a long trek across the country, here are our top tips for staying safe on your summer road trip.