Steps to take before a long road trip

We’ve all been there: it’s the day before your long-distance driving trip, and you’re panicking. You’re pretty sure you’ve packed every piece of clothing, medication, and toiletry you could need, but a small voice in the back of your mind is telling you otherwise. Driving long distances requires more than a packed bag — you also need the proper equipment and access to resources for food and rest. Our team at Brewster Ford has assembled this checklist to help you make sure you’ve finished and gathered everything you need for a successful and enjoyable car journey.

Start a Week Early

When preparing for a long-distance drive, the first step is to start preparing at least a week in advance. If you leave all of your planning and packing for the night before, there’s a greater chance you might leave behind items. Instead, start creating a preliminary list of what you need to do in the week before your trip, such as purchasing supplies, packing, or preparing your vehicle. This will give you a more organized method for planning and packing for your trip.

Create an Itinerary

Once you have a generalized plan of what you need to do before you leave, the next step is to create a detailed itinerary of your trip. Start by writing down what you plan on accomplishing each day of your drive (or vacation, if that’s your final destination). If you want to schedule excursions or visits to locations that require advanced planning, plan around them. This can make it easier to visualize what you’ll need for each day in clothing and supplies.

Plan Out What You’ll Need Each Day

An efficient way to organize your items and decide what you do and don’t need is to determine how many outfits you may need per day, depending on your plans. For example, if you plan on driving the entirety of one day, you may only need one outfit of sweatpants and a T-shirt. If you’re planning on hiking a trail the next day, then workout clothes and sneakers may be a more appropriate outfit choice.

Get Your Car Checked

The most important component of your long-distance drive is the vehicle you’re using to get to your destination. Even if you’ve recently taken your car in for maintenance or repairs, consider visiting us at Brewster Ford so we can take a look at your car’s oil levels, tire pressure, engine, and battery. This entire process is typically short and can provide you with important information about the state of your car. Even if it all turns out fine, at least you can proceed with your long-distance drive with peace of mind.

Create an Emergency Kit

No matter how long you plan on being on the road, it’s essential to have an emergency kit within reach in case of any unexpected occurrences, including both small and significant accidents. When putting together an emergency kit, consider including basic first aid staples such as band-aids, pain medication, alcohol wipes, hand sanitizer, gloves, and gauze. You can also include additional items in your emergency kit like extra clothes, water, a flashlight, an umbrella, and chargers.

Buy a Portable Charger

Portable chargers have become one of the most popular traveling essentials, especially for those going on long-distance drives using navigation apps. These navigation apps, while helpful, can also consume a significant amount of your phone’s battery. Car chargers are always a good idea to have, but when more than one person needs to charge their device or the car’s battery is out, having a portable charger can undoubtedly be helpful.

Pack a Blanket

Before going on a long-distance drive, you may not think about comfort. Sure, you may commit to wearing sweatpants and comfy shoes on long driving days, but what about when it’s time to nap? We recommend bringing a blanket to keep you cozy during those long hours. This can be especially helpful if the driver prefers a colder temperature than the passengers, as it allows everyone to stay warm and content with the car’s conditions. In an emergency, a blanket can also become a multiuse tool for shelter, clothing, and warmth.

Fill up Your Gas Tank

Consider fueling up the day before your trip, or set aside time before you officially begin your journey to pump gas. If you’re driving long distances, you’ll more than likely have to refill your tank multiple times along the way. It’s helpful to plan ahead, like when you’re making your itinerary, to determine the general area of where you plan on stopping. This can take away the pressure of having to find a spot quickly if you’re low on fuel.

Stock up on Water and Snacks

Water and snacks are vital to making sure everyone in the car on your long-distance drive are happy. Especially if you’re planning on driving through more rural areas, it’s essential that everyone in the vehicle has access to ample food and water whenever they need it to ensure they all remain healthy and capable of contributing to the drive or other planned activities. In the case of an emergency, you’ll be grateful if you have some sustenance to hold you over until help is available, so don’t hesitate and pack those granola bars.

Pack Headphones/Entertainment

While the conversation may be fresh and exciting at the start of your journey, those attitudes are likely to fade once you’re several hours in. To avoid boredom, try packing a pair of headphones so you can enjoy your own selection of music, podcasts, shows, and movies along the way without disturbing the driver or other passengers. Have trouble napping on a long drive? Try popping in your headphones and playing some white noise to tune out your surroundings and lull yourself to sleep.

Now that you know all the essential items and procedures for a successful long-distance drive, you’re ready to take on any and all scenarios that come your way. Have your own suggestions for long-distance trips? Contact us here at Brewster Ford, and we can add it to our list. Are you looking for a new or pre-owned vehicle for your next road trip? Please browse our selection of vehicles to find one that fits your needs and budget.

Tags: Road Trips
Posted in Driving Tips | No Comments »