How to Get Ready for a Road Trip

Keith Barry
·5 min read

Expert tips for making the most of your travels—and keeping it safe

By Keith Barry

After two years of hunkering down, Americans are headed out on the open road. An overwhelming majority (90 percent) have travel plans for this summer, says research firm Destination Analysts. Many are also going to drive, despite high gas prices. If you’re looking forward to a road trip, we’ve got tips to help you save money, stay safe, and manage unexpected hurdles.

Before You Go on a Road Trip

Make sure your vehicle is ready for a road trip. Start with the tires, including the spare, if your car has one: Check the pressure and inspect the tread, looking for visible signs of damage and wear. Top off the windshield wiper fluid and replace your wiper blades if they’re at least 6 months old. For other checks, consider going to a shop you trust, especially if your car hasn’t been serviced in more than a year, says John Ibbotson, CR’s chief mechanic. Have technicians inspect accessory belts and hoses—they can have life spans as short as five years or 50,000 miles—and ask them to check oil, coolant, and power steering and brake fluid for proper levels and potential contamination.

Road-Trip To-Do’s

  • Car emergency kit: Take jumper cables, a flashlight, duct tape, basic tools, and a tire gauge. A portable jump-starter can juice up your phone and car.

  • Packing: If your car has cargo tie-down anchors, use them to secure heavy items. Don’t let luggage block the driver’s view.

  • Roof and bike racks: After installing, double-check your work by driving for a few minutes (with the rack empty). Pull over and make sure the rack is still well-secured. (Learn how to choose and use the right bike rack.)

  • Internet: If your car has a built-in WiFi hot spot, consider enabling it for a month so that all passengers can use their devices.

  • Pets: For your safety and theirs, pets should be in a crate or a secured seat harness with padded straps. If needed, you can find accredited animal hospitals en route at aaha.org.

  • First-aid and other supplies: Pack bandages, something that can be used as a tourniquet, and pain relievers—plus N95 masks, rapid COVID-19 antigen tests, and hand sanitizer. (See our Coronavirus Resource Hub. Learn how to sanitize the car interior and how to safely pump gas.)

  • Tolls: Some states no longer accept cash. Plan your route and sign up for the toll transponder (or transponders) you’ll need, such as E-ZPass. The tolls might be discounted, and it’s easier than paying toll bills later by mail.

  • Car seats: Almost half of all child car seats are improperly installed. Go to cert.safekids.org to find out more about safe installation. (See our car seat ratings and buying guide.)

On the Road

Don’t waste time and money on things that aren’t fun—such as overspending on gas or dealing with a flat tire, a breakdown, or worse. These tips can save you money and headaches.

Sign Up for a Roadside Assistance Plan
These connect you with service providers so you don’t find yourself stuck if you need a jump start, tow, or tire change. Buying roadside assistance may also save you money: Paying out of pocket for long-haul towing can run in the hundreds of dollars, and roadside assistance plans can cost around $35 to $120 per year. Sign up before your trip because your membership might not go into effect immediately.

AAA offers the most well-known roadside assistance service, but AARP and many car insurance companies also have it. Some mobile phone providers, such as Verizon, offer the service for a monthly fee. Don’t pay twice for the same benefit: Some newer cars come with it free for a number of years after purchase or lease. A few credit cards throw it in as a perk, too.

Practice Fuel Efficiency
Reducing aerodynamic drag is one way to do this: Remove the roof rack if you’re not using it; even an empty roof rack can reduce fuel economy by 11 percent for a sedan and 5 percent for a small SUV. Bike racks add drag, too, so take them off when they’re not in use. Sticking to the speed limit can also save fuel: Our tests show that cruising at 75 mph instead of 65 mph can cost up to 6 mpg. And pack light, so your car isn’t heavier—and therefore less fuel-efficient—than it needs to be.

Have a COVID-19 Plan
The pandemic still poses an unpredictable threat. So before you leave, make sure everyone in your traveling party tests negative and is up to date on vaccinations, including boosters, says Lin H. Chen, MD, immediate past president of the International Society of Travel Medicine and director of the Mount Auburn Hospital Travel Medicine Center in Cambridge, Mass. Be sure to pack rapid antigen tests, N95 masks, and hand sanitizer, she says. “These are tools that can help travelers mitigate their exposure in risky situations, assess themselves if they have suspected COVID-19 symptoms or exposure, and limit spread to others.”

If you or someone in your party gets sick while on the road, Chen says the best thing to do is “drive home, if at all possible,” where it’s easier to isolate and more comfortable than a hotel. Too far from home? Remain masked in a hotel and have food delivered.

You can also get tested and possibly access free treatment at locations across the U.S. Go to aspr.hhs.gov/testtotreat to find out more. Through this program, those who test positive can qualify for a prescription from a healthcare provider and get it filled on-site.

Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the July 2022 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.



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