Planning a Road Trip? Don’t Leave Without This Essential Road Trip Checklist for a Perfect Journey!
Table of Contents
- Getting The Car Ready
- 1.1 Servicing the Car
- 1.2 Preparing the Infotainment System
- 1.3 Checking the tyres
- 1.4 Update the car’s navigation app
- 1.5 Install a Dash Cam
- 1.6 Other Equipment
- Documentation & Compliances
- 2.1 Vehicle Documents
- 2.2 Driving License
- 2.3 Identity Documents
- 2.4 Vaccination Status
- 2.5 Highway Toll Tags
- Passenger Comfort
- 3.1 Packing Essentials
- 3.2 Car Humidifier
- 3.3 Car Inverter
- 3.4 Medicine Kit
- 3.5 Window Shades
- 3.6 Payment Options
- 3.7 Miscellaneous
Traveling by car has its own advantages, especially if you are traveling with family. The flexibility and privacy it offers is hard to match with any other mode of transport! With roads and infrastructure improving in most countries around the world, more families are now turning to roads for their travel. Dramatic improvements in automobile technology and the use of automation in cars have made it easier. Traveling in a car with family or friends becomes more enjoyable when you are completely in control of the situation. All you need is a good road trip checklist so that you can be well prepared for your trip.
Things to Keep in Mind While Planning a Trip
It is necessary to plan some things in advance to make the trip memorable. Often road trips are planned suddenly, leaving very little time for travel preparation. Even in trips planned in advance, some important things may be missed due to excitement. So, keeping all aspects in mind, we have divided this checklist into three sections: car preparation, documentation and compliance, and passenger comfort. Let’s take a look at each of these one by one.
1. Getting the Car Ready
Your car will be your temporary home during the trip, and it is important that your car is safe and comfortable. Here are some checkpoints:
1.1 Get your car serviced – Check the wheel alignment and balancing. Check the engine oil, oil filter, transmission oil, and coolant levels. Check the car wipers, all lights, and brakes. Get the air-conditioning thoroughly checked so that it works properly during the trip.
1.2 Infotainment System – The time spent in the car during a long trip requires entertainment. It is important for the infotainment system to work properly to keep kids and passengers occupied.
1.3 Check the tyres – The tyres bear the brunt of the entire journey on a long trip. So, if the condition of the tyres is not good, it is advisable to replace them.
1.4 Update the car’s navigation app – Install the latest version of the navigation app so that you are not dependent on only Google Maps on the way.
1.5 Dash Cam – A good dashcam not only records the beautiful views of the journey but also serves as proof for you in case of any untoward incident.
1.6 Other Equipment – Make sure to have a car jack, a spare tyre, and a tool kit. It is also helpful to have a portable air compressor that works on your car’s 12V socket. This will come in handy in case of an unexpected puncture.
Pro tip: Before going on a long journey, get the tyres filled with normal air instead of nitrogen so that they can be easily inflated when needed at places where nitrogen is not available.
2. Documentation & Compliances
Documents may be required at various border checkpoints during long distance travel. Make sure you have the following documents with you:
2.1 Vehicle Documents – Registration Certificate, Valid Pollution Certificate, Vehicle Insurance, Road Tax Receipt etc. are essential documents for the journey.
2.2 Driving License – Keep a valid driving license of all the persons driving the vehicle during the journey.
2.3 Identity Documents – Keep the identity card of all the passengers, and also passport and visa for international travel.
2.4 Vaccination Status – During the time of Corona epidemic, it was necessary to show vaccination certificate at many places. Make sure that you have the relevant documents with you before traveling.
2.5 Toll Tags – Tolls on most highways are now automated, so make sure your vehicle has a valid RFID tag.
3. Passenger Comfort
The real fun of a long road trip is only when the comfort of the passengers is ensured. Here are some important tips:
3.1 Packing – Traveling by car gives you the luxury of carrying extra items. Keep the luggage that will not be required during the journey at the bottom of the car’s trunk. This stuff will be required only at hotels. Keep other useful items such as food, games, cameras, drones, medicines and light clothing in the cabin so that they are easily accessible.
3.2 Car Humidifier – The air-conditioning system can make the car cabin dry. Using a car humidifier helps maintain proper humidity in the cabin.
3.4 Car Inverter – A car inverter is helpful for charging the devices of all the passengers. The car inverter plugs into the cars cigarette lighter socket and provides AC power at multiple outlets. This way, no one person has to wait for charging. You can charge your devices using the normal charging bricks that you use at home.
3.5 Medicine Kit – It is always helpful to have a medicine kit in a car trip, especially when traveling with family.
3.6 Window Screens – Keep window screens to avoid direct sunlight on the windows during long journeys.
3.7 Payment Options – Carry cash, e-wallets, and cards options during the trip so that there is no hassle in making payments.
3.8 Miscellaneous – It is also helpful to keep a flashlight, slippers, tissues, pillows, small food packets, and games.
Final Words
Start this road trip checklist a week before the trip so that no important preparations are missed. For shorter trips you can shorten the checklist to suit your needs.
Enjoy your trip and stay safe!
People don’t take trips, trips take people
John Steinbeck
