Road trips are back in a big way, and it’s easy to see why. You set your own schedule, stop wherever you want, and get to see parts of a destination you’d completely miss from 35,000 feet. There’s something about being on the open road that flying just can’t replicate.
But good road trip planning makes all the difference. Knowing what to prepare for can save you from some very avoidable headaches. I’ve done road trips across southern Italy, northern Spain, and plenty of places in between.
I’ve also asked some seasoned road trippers to share their best practical road trip tips along the way. Here are 12 tips to keep your drive smooth, safe, and stress-free.
Plan Your Stops Before You Leave
This is probably the most important part of road trip planning. Know roughly where you’re stopping for gas, food, and rest, especially on long driving days. Running low on fuel in the middle of nowhere with no cell reception is not a fun situation, and it’s completely avoidable.
A good rule of thumb is to stop for gas when your tank hits the halfway mark, not when the warning light comes on. On remote stretches of road, gas stations can be few and far between.
Apps like GasBuddy can help you find stations along your route and compare prices while you’re at it.
Plan your overnight stops, too. Don’t leave accommodation to chance, especially if you’re driving through popular areas during peak travel season. Book ahead and know where you’re sleeping each night.
Do a Basic Car Check Before You Go
Before you start the engine, take 15 minutes to go through the road trip essentials checklist for your car. Tire pressure, oil level, coolant, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid are all easy to check and easy to overlook.
A tire blowout or overheating engine on a highway is far more stressful than a quick check at home would have been.
Also, take a minute to check for any open safety recalls on your vehicle. The NHTSA has a free lookup tool that lets you search by your license plate or VIN. It takes two minutes and could flag something important before you hit the road.
Make sure you know where your spare tire, car jack, and tools are stored. It’s different in every car, sometimes under a seat, sometimes in the trunk. You don’t want to be figuring that out on the side of a busy road.
If your car is due for a service, get it done before the trip. Long drives put more strain on a vehicle than regular daily use. And if you’re traveling in summer, check that your air conditioning is working properly.
A broken AC on a hot day is miserable, and it can be genuinely dangerous for kids and older passengers.
Talek blogs at Travels with Talek
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Add Roadside Assistance to Your Coverage
If you don’t already have roadside assistance through your insurance or a service like AAA, add it before you go. It’s usually very affordable and can save you a significant amount of money if something goes wrong.
A fellow traveler once had a tire blow out on a motorway while driving from the UK to Spain, pretty much in the middle of nowhere. Roadside assistance covered the tow truck, handled the call to the police, and even arranged a hotel stay while the car was being repaired.
Without that coverage, it would have been an expensive and stressful ordeal.
Whether you’re road tripping domestically or crossing international borders, this is one of those things you hope you never need but will be very glad you have.
Noel blogs at Travel Photo Discovery
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Set a Driving Cut-Off Time
Having a set stop time for driving each day makes a real difference. Fatigue behind the wheel is dangerous, and it’s easy to keep pushing when you’re trying to reach a destination. Set a cut-off time, usually around 10 or 11 pm, and stick to it.
On longer trips, try to switch drivers every two to three hours so everyone stays fresh. Most people can comfortably handle four to six hours of driving in a day. Beyond that, concentration drops and reaction times slow down noticeably.
Knowing your cut-off time in advance also helps you plan roughly where you’ll be stopping, so you can start looking at accommodation options before you’re exhausted and just looking for anywhere to sleep.
If you feel yourself getting sleepy before your cut-off time, pull over. A 20-minute nap in a safe rest area is far better than pushing through on empty.
Put the Phone Down
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of road accidents, and the phone is almost always the culprit. Before you start driving, set your GPS, connect your music, and put the phone out of reach.
If you need navigation, use a phone mount so your device stays in your line of sight and you don’t have to reach for it while moving. Most phones now have a driving mode that automatically silences notifications. It’s worth turning on before every drive.
If you need to take a call or send a message, pull over. It can wait.
Cath blogs at Travel Around Ireland
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Pack a Travel-Sized First Aid Kit
You probably won’t need it, but you’ll be very glad it’s there if you do. A compact first aid kit is one of those road trip essentials that doesn’t take up much space but covers many situations.
Include basics like bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, anti-nausea or motion sickness medication, and any prescription medications your group takes regularly.
If you’re traveling with kids, add a thermometer and any child-specific medications you’d normally have at home. For longer or more remote road trips, consider adding blister pads and an emergency thermal blanket as well.
Delilah blogs at Our Travel Mix
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Bring a Cooler and Stock It Well
A cooler is one of the smartest things you can pack for a long road trip. It keeps drinks cold and food fresh, and it means you’re not completely dependent on whatever’s near the next highway exit.
A soft-sided cooler works well for most trips. It’s flexible, easy to pack, and keeps things cold for a long time. Load it with water, fruit, sandwiches, cheese, and some easy snacks. Frozen water bottles work well as ice packs and provide cold water as they melt throughout the day.
Having your own food also comes in handy when you’re driving through areas with limited options, or when you’d rather stop somewhere scenic for a quick picnic than eat in a parking lot.
Plan for EV Charging If You’re Driving Electric
If you’re road-tripping in an electric vehicle, planning charging stops is just as important as planning gas stops used to be. The charging network has expanded significantly in recent years, but you still need to plan, particularly on less-traveled routes.
Use apps like PlugShare or your car’s built-in navigation to map out charging stations before you leave. Know your vehicle’s real-world range, keeping in mind that speed, ambient temperature, and hilly terrain can all affect how far you can go on a single charge.
EV tires matter too. Since electric vehicles tend to be heavier than gas-powered cars, using EV-specific tires makes a real difference in performance and safety.
Charge up whenever you have a convenient opportunity rather than waiting until the battery is nearly empty. It’s the same logic as the half-tank rule, just applied to battery percentage.
Joanna blogs at The World in my Pocket
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Book Accommodation Early, Especially Near National Parks
If your road trip includes national parks or popular scenic areas, book your accommodation well in advance. These spots fill up fast, particularly from spring through fall. Some campgrounds and park lodges open reservations months ahead and sell out quickly.
Check the official park websites for current entry requirements before you go. Several national parks now use timed entry permit systems, and some have been affected by budget cuts and staffing shortages in recent years, leading to closures and restricted access with little warning. Don’t assume you can just drive in, especially during peak season.
If you have specific dietary needs, think through your meals in advance, too. Park restaurants and camp stores tend to have limited options, and small nearby towns may not have much more.
Jan blogs at Budget Travel Talk
Download Offline Maps as a Backup
Cell service is unpredictable on road trips, especially in rural and remote areas. Download offline maps for your route before you leave so you’re not stuck without navigation when the signal disappears.
Google Maps and Maps.me both let you download entire regions for offline use. It takes just a few minutes and can save a lot of frustration. Throwing a physical road atlas in the glove compartment as a last resort is never a bad idea, either.
Becki blogs at Meet me in Departures
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Keep Kids Comfortable and Fed
Traveling with young children adds another layer of road trip planning, but it’s very manageable with a little preparation. Pack plenty of snacks and drinks, so you’re not scrambling when hunger strikes at the worst moment. Hungry kids and long drives are not a good combination.
When packing snacks for little ones, stick to safe, easy options. Baby food pouches, crackers, sliced cheese, and dry cereal are all good choices. Avoid anything that could pose a choking hazard, such as whole grapes, chunks of raw vegetables, popcorn, or large pieces of any food.
Plan for regular stops where kids can get out, stretch, and burn off some energy. A 10-minute break at a rest stop or a quick walk around a viewpoint can do wonders for everyone’s mood on a long driving day.
Also, make sure young children are in the right car seat for their age and size, and that it’s properly installed before you leave home.
Jenny blogs at Limitless Hiker
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Look After Yourself on Long Days
Long driving days are tiring in a way that catches you off guard. You’re not doing much physically, but the concentration and sitting take a real toll. Stop every couple of hours to get out of the car, walk around, and stretch properly.
Stay hydrated throughout the day. Dehydration makes you tired and less focused, which is the last thing you want behind the wheel. Keep a water bottle within easy reach and drink regularly.
Try to eat lighter meals during driving days. Heavy food tends to make you sluggish, and that afternoon slump hits harder when you’re behind the wheel for hours. Save the bigger meals for when you’ve stopped for the night.
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Final Words: Plan Smart, Drive Easy, Enjoy Every Mile
A road trip is one of the most enjoyable ways to travel. You’re in control of the pace, the route, and where the day takes you. With solid road trip planning and these practical tips in mind, you’re set up for a trip that’s safe, comfortable, and memorable for all the right reasons.
Got a road trip tip that’s made a real difference for you? Drop it in the comments below!
Kat blogs at Wandering Bird
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Inma blogs at A World to Travel
Here are a couple of reference books with even more safe driving tips.
Whatever the season, a road trip is a great way to experience travel. I’m sure I’ve missed some good tips. What are your favorite safe driving tips for a stress-free road trip? Let us know!
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I personally use, and can recommend, all the companies listed here and elsewhere on my blog. By booking through these sites, the small commission we earn – at no cost to you – helps us maintain this site so we can continue to offer our readers valuable travel tips and advice.
6 Responses
I agree! My teacher in Defensive Driving School told me that driving insurance is very important. Everyone should always consider it whenever they have long rides. Safety first!
I totally agree. Thanks for reading and your insightful comment.
Thank you so much for this valuable information. Nowadays we really need more safety tips. After COVID spread having a sanitizing kit with us on the go is a must to protect ourselves and the people surrounding us.
Thanks for reading and commenting. Yes, COVID has certainly made us more conscious about traveling in any form.
I’ve been following your blog for a while now, and I’m always impressed by the quality of your unique content.
Thank you!