Quick answer
Before a road trip, check your tires, fluids and lights, and pack license, registration and insurance documents, a first-aid kit, a phone mount and charger, water and snacks, offline maps, and an emergency kit with jumper cables or a jump starter, a flashlight and a warm layer.
Before you leave: vehicle check
- Tire pressure and tread, including the spare (or check you have a repair kit)
- Oil, coolant and washer fluid
- Lights, indicators and wipers
- Rental car: photograph any existing damage and check what the insurance covers
Documents
- Driver’s license (and an International Driving Permit if your destination requires one)
- Vehicle registration and insurance details
- Roadside assistance number
- Toll passes or payment method for toll roads
Safety and emergency kit
- First-aid kit
- Jumper cables or a portable jump starter
- Flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries
- Reflective warning triangle or vest (required in some countries)
- Warm blanket or layer, and rain gear
- Drinking water
Comfort and food
- Reusable water bottles and a small cooler bag
- Snacks that won’t melt or crumble everywhere
- Sunglasses and sun protection
- Travel pillow for passengers
- Trash bags and wipes
Tech and navigation
- Phone mount (use navigation hands-free)
- Car charger with enough ports for everyone
- Offline maps downloaded for areas with weak signal
- Playlists and podcasts downloaded in advance
Road trip tips
- Plan realistic driving days. Add breaks: many safety organizations recommend stopping roughly every two hours.
- Book key overnight stops in busy seasons rather than relying on finding a room late.
- Keep a day bag with essentials so you don’t unpack the car at every stop.
Plan your route with the trip map planner, estimate fuel and accommodation in the budget calculator, and generate a custom list in the packing list generator.
Travel rules, prices and product details change. Check official government, airline and manufacturer sources before you book or buy.
