When taking road trips, it is extremely important to remember to make sure your vehicle is properly equipped with the necessary roadside emergency supplies to keep you and your family safe on the road.
That being said, here are some Road Trip Vehicle Safety Tips you should do before heading out on your road trip adventure:
- Check the air pressure in all tires, including the spare. Also consider buying a fix a flat just in case.
- Make sure the wiper blades are functioning properly.
- Inspect the radiator, pressure cap, belts, and hoses to make sure they are in good shape with no signs of blisters, cracks, or cuts in the rubber.
- Make sure each fluid reservoir is full: Check the brake, automatic transmission, power steering, windshield washer and coolant. If you see any sign of fluid leakage, take your vehicle in to be serviced.
- Check battery life and inspect batteries and battery cables.
- Inspect brake pads and linings for wear; change the oil and filter according to manufacturer’s service interval specifications, and test the headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers and interior lights.
- Have a Roadside Emergency Kit in the car.
Any other Road Trip Vehicle Safety Tips you can think of?
BTW…Your Roadside Emergency Kit should include:
- Jumper cables
- Flashlight
- Emergency flat tire repair
- Gloves, blankets and towels
- Hazard triangle, road flares, brightly colored distress sign, or “Help” or “Call Police” flag
- Screwdrivers and wrenches
- First aid kit
- Cell phone charger
- Water for both the car radiator and your family
- High-calorie, non-perishable food
Do you have a Roadside Emergency Kit in your vehicle?
I make sure to pack lots of water, snacks and we sometimes use blankets or kids pillows when we travel
I always make sure my husband has the car/vehicle ready to go with fresh oil change (unless it’s been done recently), checked it mechanically and it’s packed with snacks, bottled water, garbage bags and even blankets in the winter time!
Besides checking the tires and car fluid levels, I like to take lots of drinks, snacks, and baby wipes (way cheaper than moist hand wipes) for quick clean ups. Make sure the phone is charged, and have blankets, maybe a towel, extra jackets, first aid kit, and a change of clothes.
Don’t drive fatigued. It’s better to stop and rest, even if it means getting to your destination later than you planned on. At least you’ll get there alive.
Pack a flashlight, blanket and first-aid kit. In cold climates, pack extra warm clothing. When stopping for breaks, never let children go to the restroom alone. Always carry a cell phone with you in case of emergencies. And If you are going on a long trip, pack an emergency ration kit of water and nonperishable food items such as fruit or granola bars.
When we are on road trip, I like to bring small games that don’t have a lot of parts. We always have a maintenance done on car before we head out. In case of a breakdown, have number for insurance and any car club you are part of for a cheaper towing if needed.
Pack snacks.
I always make sure to pack snacks and drinks. For my kids, I like to bring a bag of various travel toys and games to keep them busy. Also good music is a must.
First of all, we rented a van for our last family road trip because our van was having problems. It was worth the cost. We carried an ice chest filled with drinks and fresh fruit and a large ice thermos filled with ice. We took so many pictures that we needed to replace the batteries in our camera after the first day. So, another tip is to bring batteries.
my tip for road trips is always leave extra time because something always comes up
I always bring blankets as well. Also swaters. Just never know
We go out to the west desert of Utah on the Pony Express Trail to rock hound. Always make sure to take plenty of water, both for you and your car.
Depending on length of trip and ages of kids, I pack a backpack with games and portable dvds, small cooler with drinks and a small lunchbag with a sandwich for each and snacks
I always make sure the car has been serviced, (oil, fluids, etc), I make sure my GPS is up to date, I take books and things to keep the kids busy, and away we go!
I always keep a blanket in the car and bottled water. During the winter I keep cat litter in the car in case I need it for traction.
Always pack blankets and water.
I really loved reading your piece on Road Trip Vehicle Safety Tips! I know that you have to be extremely prepared for anything while you are traveling. We have a small safety kit which is always in the back of our jeep! If we go on long trips, we generally have a garage (we know the owners) go over the car for us to make sure that the wipers, engine, battery, brakes, etc. are in very good working condition! Thanks for the information and all the safety tips! Michele
Pack a variety of protein snacks and share in driving duty
Have a cell phone. Have activities to keep the kids entertained. Have a snack pack so they can enjoy some snacks without having to stop off constantly. Make sure tires are aired properly and not low.
For long road trips, books on tape are a great way to pass the time.
I make sure I take hard candy.
I always make sure to bring blankets, games, snacks and drinks.
Get your car checked out before you go on a road trip and keep your gas tank as full as possible, especially at night.
I’ll drive through the night and let my kids sleep. Much easier drive for me.
Blankets, water, flashlight, portable radio, flashers.
My most useful road trip is to be sure to check all of your fluids before you leave, including windshield wiper fluid.
I would have to say my tip for road trips…is to have your car checked ahead of time! We always get an email change and make sure wiper fluid is full!
We always keep a first aid in the trunk along with picnic blankets. THere is a pre packed hiking bag in the closet ready to go! Just need to remember to fill the water bottles.
For me, it’s to have a GPS and phone.
My tip is to always allow a little extra time, just in case things don’t go smoothly.
We make sure to keep blankets, water and flashlights.
For starters. this prize / Emergency Kit is a wonderful must-have for everyone’s car ~ for both long and short trips. We like to keep a shovel for various emergency situations.
I also like to keep changes of (dry) clothing and outerwear for any weather that may strike, as wel as healthy food and water.
And nothing replaces good maintenace: check and maintain tires, gas, oil, brakes, lights etc.
Print out a map of your trip just incase your GPS isn’t working. We were in NC in the middle of no where and we couldn’t get a GPS signal.
Pack plenty of healthy snacks to hold you over.
my most helpful tip for roadtrips is to be patient. roadtrips can be fun when you do not have a strict schedule that you have to follow.
Always have a backup plan for emergencies.
On long road trips, take kids favorite video movies and player to keep them happy
My most helpful trip is to plan out advance how long you will be driving each day and what time you plan to stop for the evening if it is a long road trip. Also take a lot of stop breaks just to get out and stretch your legs for a while.
I have a “bug-out bag” ready in the back of my car at all times.
Water, non-perishable food, can opener, jumper cables, blankets, flashlights, batteries, and dog food for my furbaby- who is ALWAYS w me
Have an emergecy kit and always let someone know your trip itinary
We keep our cars maintained throughout the year and make sure the tires are good before going on trip
I always take plenty of snacks and water. I also keep a roadside emergency kit in the car at all times.
If we have a set destination, we plan out all of the hotel stays in advance to ensure they have rooms available. We also load the car with things to eat and drink on the road as well as to entertain the kids.
Other than making sure the car is working properly I would make sure my kids have something to do that will entertain them.