15 Essential Things To Pack For A Road Trip

An enjoyable road trip depends on a properly functioning car. A vehicle breakdown while commuting daily is one thing but a car that breaks down during a long trip leaving you stranded in the middle of nowhere can cause serious trouble. You won't want latter to happen. Follow the points mentioned below and basic maintenance checkup tips before leaving for a road trip.

It's not just the gasoline that you have to worry about but other automotive fluids as well. Driving your vehicle for several kilometers on the highways and through the Canadian weather for days can be challenging. Always ensure your car is ready to go by checking and topping up the essential automotive fluids like brake fluid, engine coolant, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid, and transmission fluid. It can be a little inconvenient if some of these fluids run out but you can refill them easily if you have a backup. However, if other fluids like power steering fluid, transmission fluid, and coolant run out, they can cause driveability issues and in the worst case a vehicle breakdown. Therefore, it's necessary to get them checked and include them in your maintenance checklist before setting out on a road trip.

It is recommended to change your car's engine oil if you haven't changed it in a while. If you are planning a road trip during summers when the temperatures are high, choosing the correct engine oil with higher weight/viscosity is important. Most cars run all year round on the same viscosity but if you have a comparatively older car that has racked up some mileage, it's advised to upgrade to a heavier oil to prevent internal engine wear. You can refer to the oil viscosity guide to help you make a better decision while deciding which engine oil is best for your vehicle.

Apart from keeping your brake fluids at optimum levels, it's also important to ensure your brake pads are in good condition. Brake pads are probably the most important component of the vehicle that ensures your safety while driving on the road. It is said that brake pads last anywhere between 40,000 and 70,000 km but their life depends on several factors like vehicle type, driving style, and types of brake pads used. Therefore, it is highly recommended to check your brake pads and rotors and address any issues before leaving your home. If you notice squeaking noises from your brakes, spongy brake pedal, or other signs of worn-out brake pads, get them checked and replaced immediately. It will save you the trouble of dealing with braking issues during the road trip.

How old is your car battery and how long has it been since you last inspected it? These days, most car batteries do not require maintenance but they wear out after 4 to 5 years of use and gradually lose the ability to start the vehicle. It's recommended to check your car's battery if you have been using it for more than 2 years. You don't want to be stranded on the side of your road because of a bad battery that gives up during extreme cold or heat. A good way to figure out a weak battery is to check the condition of your car’s charging system. This will help you determine if the battery is working fine and able to hold the charge or not. It's also essential to ensure that the connections are tight and the terminals are corrosion-free. It will help you to increase your battery's life and keep starting issues at bay.

Tires often go unnoticed but they are the most important part of the vehicle that connects your vehicle to the road. If you are planning a long road trip, thoroughly inspect your tires to ensure they are in tip-top condition. The first step is to look at the tire tread depth. Most tires have a tread depth indicator which indicates the tire needs to be replaced if it has worn out to that point. Check the surface of the tire for notable signs of bubbles and cracks as they can lead to a blowout. 

One of the most important thing is to always carry a spare tire that is in perfect condition. You don't want to be in a condition where you have a flat tire and you discover that the spare one is flat too. If the treads on your tires are worn out or you notice uneven tire wear, we recommend replacing them before heading out on a long trip. You can refer to our ultimate tire buying guide that will help you choose the best tires for your vehicle that can take you across different terrains.

Whether you plan to drive during the night or not, the lights of your vehicle should be functioning properly. Not only does it keep you safe on the roads in the dark but also during bad weather. Furthermore, driving your vehicle with malfunctioning tail lights is a violation of traffic rules and you can end up with a ticket. For example, it is an offense in Ontario to drive around with one of the headlights out. Get your headlights, tail lights and indicators checked before starting your road trip. If you are planning to drive in the dark or deep into the forests you can also upgrade your existing halogen lights to LEDs. There are numerous benefits of changing your halogen lights to LEDs as they offer increased brightness and are very energy efficient.

Apart from the above-listed parts, a car has various other components like air filters, cabin air filters, belts, hoses, etc that must be well- maintained and in good working condition. Keeping these parts in a good condition is a part of routine repair and maintenance. If your vehicle's servicing is due, it's better to get it serviced before taking it on a road trip. If you have already serviced it recently, take a few minutes to check the condition of your air filter and cabin air filter to ensure proper air supply to the engine and the passenger cabin. While covering several kilometers on the road in your vehicle, a dirty or damaged air filter won't be able to supply the required amount of air to the engine and hamper the performance of your vehicle. It is very easy to replace your car's air filter and a quick fix can keep your vehicle running efficiently. Perform a thorough inspection of your engine bay and the components like serpentine belts and radiator hoses. Any signs of belt squeaks or slipping need to be checked for potential problems. Lastly, check the hoses and pipes for damage or leaks. Get these parts checked and replaced by a mechanic to ensure you don't run into any troubles while enjoying your road trip.

Whether you are heading towards the mountain or down south, this road trip packing list will ensure you have everything at your disposal so you can enjoy a safe and comfortable ride. The following road trip checklist will help you keep everything you need and make your adventure safe and manageable.

Without a doubt your driving license and vehicle registration is the most important thing you must carry before heading out on a road trip. Your driver's license is a proof that you are allowed to drive. Your registration proves the vehicle you are driving is legally owned by you, your friend, or your family member. If you are renting a vehicle, ensure they provide you with the car's registration because you don't want to be pulled over by a police officer and get into any trouble.

A car manual is very handy and you must have it with you, especially on a long road trip. The vehicle manual comprises all the necessary information about the vehicle's maintenance program and safety and is a great way to troubleshoot problems. It has all the information about almost everything on your vehicle, including tire pressures, dash controls, warning signs, etc.

Several factors like bad road conditions, excessive heat, and wear and tear can lead to a flat tire. Most cars usually come with a spare tire located either inside the trunk or underneath the car. If you have removed it from the car and have it in your garage, ensure you have it back in your car before leaving for a road trip. A spare tire is a  must-have and a real-lifesaver if you have a flat tire in the middle of nowhere. If you are renting a car for the road trip, make sure to ask the rental agency if they provide the vehicle with a spare tire.

A jack is as essential as a spare tire. You can't change your tire without a jack. Jack is an essential tool you must carry if you witness a flat or blown tire. Make sure to include a jack in your car road trip essentials.

Jumper cables or jump leads are very handy tools that help you start a car with a dead battery. Despite  keeping the battery in perfect condition through maintenance, it can malfunction or drain. For such a situation, you must include jumper cables in your road trip packing essentials as it can jump-start your vehicle by connecting your car’s battery to another vehicle.

Portable jump starters are very handy when you cannot find another vehicle for a jump start. They are more convenient compared to jump-start cables and compact enough to fit inside your glove box. They have become very popular in recent years and many of them also feature USB outlets so you can charge your mobile and tablets.

Some rural towns and areas might not have the same lighting as your city does and if you are planning to camp or venture out at night in these areas, carry a flashlight. Not only does it help you see in the dark and carry out repair in case of a vehicle breakdown but it is also a great way to ask for help by flashing SOS signals in case of an emergency. 

Today we rely on technology for navigation and maps. However, if we lose cell reception and have network issues, a backup map can be very helpful and should be included in the things you are packing for your long road trip. A paper map can help you navigate especially when you are on an isolated road with no one to ask for directions. A map of Canada, the USA, or the place you are traveling to is easily available in the markets. However you can also download the offline maps so that you can navigate even without a mobile connection.

No one wants to miss capturing memories when on a trip. Camera is an essential item you must have on your road trip packing list as it helps you to capture memories that you cherish lifelong.. Speaking of cameras, dashcams have become very popular these days. They not only help you record the entire road trip but also offer added security in case you witness an accident. The dashcam footage serves as an evidence so you can prove your case and prevent any legal troubles.

If you love music, having a playlist of your choice makes the road trip enjoyable for you. So don't forget to add a speaker to your road trip checklist because it can help brighten up your mood and light up the environment while camping. Also, ensure to download some playlists or podcasts on Spotify or other music platforms so you can enjoy the music even if there is no connectivity on the road. 

A small first aid kit is an essential thing to have as it can come in very handy for minor aches and pains. The kit  can include medications for pain, nausea, upset stomach, traveler's diarrhea, infection, some bandages for cuts and wounds etc. 

Warning: Remember, you must consult a doctor before adding the medications to your first aid kit. 

A multi-tool kit is great for fixing minor auto repairs and carrying out other operations. A multi-tool features everything from scissors to files and wine openers that are very helpful in performing small tasks with ease.

You cannot forget personal hygiene products if you are planning on being away from your home for several days. This includes your toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturizer, make-up kit, sunscreen, toilet papers, hairbrush, wet wipes, lip balms, bug spray, etc. Another important thing to carry on a road trip is a hand sanitizer. Keeping the Covid conditions in mind, hand sanitizers and usage of face masks will protect you from getting infected and keep you safe.

The list of things to pack for a road trip is incomplete without clothing. When it comes to travel, it is wise to choose multifunctional clothes that are comfortable and wrinkle-free so you can avoid the complexity of doing laundry while traveling. You must also include rain jackets and pants because you want to keep yourself dry in case it rains. Other things to include are an extra pair of shoes, flip flops, a blanket, hats, sunglasses, and a microfiber towel.

It is essential to carry some food and drinks while heading on a road trip. While traveling on the road, it may take hours to find a supermarket or a restaurant. It might even happen that you run into a closed store after hours of being on the road without food. You must stack up your food supplies and carry water bottles for such emergency situations during the trip. You can also carry small portable water purifiers  and use it to clean the water procured from rivers and lakes. The last thing to include are some storage canisters to store the leftovers or to carry some food if you are driving overnight or covering long distances. You can also use car organizers which are a great way of utilizing the cabin space for different purposes.