NewsAdvertiser Disclosure8 Things to Do Before Hitting the Road8 Things to Do Before Hitting the Road Last Updated: 20 Feb 2025 Fact Checked Our team recently fact checked this article for accuracy. However, things do change, so please do your own research. Writer Katherine Read Written by Katherine Read Financial Writer Katherine Read Is a Financial Writer Known for Her Work on Financial Planning and Retirement Finance, Covering Equity Release, Lifetime Mortgages, Home Reversion Plans, Retirement Planning, SIPPs, Pension Drawdown, and Interest Only Mortgages. Editor Bert Hofhuis Edited by Bert Hofhuis Entrepreneur & Founder Bert Hofhuis Is a Founder & Entrepreneur Simplifying the Complexities of Later Life Planning. He Navigates the Intricacies of Equity Release, Lifetime Mortgages, Reverse Mortgages, and Wealth Management With Clarity and Expertise. Reviewer John Duckett Reviewed By: John Duckett Reviewed by John Duckett John helps individuals get the best deal on car insurance. He advises on how to match client needs with budget and successfully negotiates with insurance houses to exceed client expectations. Working in the online space is his passion, he loves to share his knowledge on insurance and keeps an updated blog. Contributors: John Duckett Author John Duckett John helps individuals get the best deal on car insurance. He advises on how to match client needs with budget and successfully negotiates with insurance houses to exceed client expectations. Working in the online space is his passion, he loves to share his knowledge on insurance and keeps an updated blog. Car Insurance Check Promise Expert Verified There Is No Such Thing as Being Too Prepared When It Comes to Taking Time for Yourself and Your Family. Here Are 8 of the Most Important Things That Should Be On Your 'To-Do' List Before Hitting the Road! Who Offers the Lowest Rates in 2025? Request a FREE call back discover: Who offers the LOWEST rates available on the market. Who offers the HIGHEST release amount. If you qualify for equity release. BOOK A CALL You're so excited to get out of town but you still have some important things to do before packing up your car and heading down the interstate. We discuss the following in this article: It's important to remember these 8 things before hitting the road, or else you may be sorry later! #01. Make Maintenance a Priority Get your vehicle checked out before it's too late. If the engine light is on, you'll want to know what could be wrong with your car and how much cost will come in fixing that issue now versus waiting for something worse to happen down the road. #02. Check & Inflate Your Tires as Needed Underinflated tires can cost you a lot of money in terms of gas mileage. If you don't have a tire pressure gauge in your car, now is a good time to go to your local department store and get one. #03. Have Your Oil Changed You'll need your engine in its best possible shape for a long road trip, and some fresh oil will help keep everything moving in there. #04. Prepare Your Route Ahead of Time It's a good idea to download the maps you'll need before you leave just in case the place you're driving through won't have cellular service. #05. Plot Your Course If you're planning a trip, consider spending some time researching your destination beforehand for things like weather forecasts. #06. Charge Your Backup Batteries & Bring Car Chargers For a long road trip, it's important to think about what will happen if your car battery dies. Consider investing in some car chargers or bringing spare batteries with you before the journey begins so that when an emergency does arise, you're prepared. #07. Fill up the Gas Fill up the gas before taking a road trip. Make sure you have enough to get where you're going and back. #08. Make Sure You Have a Fully Supplied Emergency or Breakdown Kit Road trips can be fun, but they are also pretty unpredictable. An emergency or breakdown kit is always a good idea to have on hand in case of any problems. Common Questions What Is the Best Time To Leave for a Road Trip? It’s ideal to leave early in the morning to get in as many driving hours as possible. What Are the Worst Times To Drive? On the road, the two hours between 5 and 7 p.m. are the worst. The roadways are crowded during evening rush hour. In Conclusion In order to make the most of your road trip, take a few minutes before you hit the open roads. A little planning and preparation will go a long way in ensuring that you have an enjoyable time on your adventure. You never know what might happen on these highways so stay safe by checking off this simple checklist of things that need to be done beforehand. People Loved Reading These Articles Tips to Maximise the Lifespan of Your Truck Stay Safe on Your Ride With These 5 Tips