This year is marking an all-time high in travel among Americans in the past five years. With that many people on the road this summer, building a road trip checklist is essential to ensuring you get to your destination as seamlessly as possible.
Make a plan: When planning a vacation, an itinerary is key for both the vacation and the travel involved in reaching your destination.This summer before you set sail, check out stops along the way and mentally note where some reliable stops are along the way for lodging, gas, and food.
Check for construction: The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has published their multi-year plan for Fiscal Year 2025-2030 (July 1, 2024- June 30, 2030). In this plan, proposed construction sites are listed and divided by county, region, and city. Additionally, on IDOT’s website, they have an interactive map that shows road closures for the entire state. When making your travel plans, be sure to monitor constructions sites and learn alternative routes.
Use a weather app: Running into bad weather is inevitable, but try to stay on top of it by using a weather app. If you have a passenger with you, have them periodically check the forecast for any dangerous weather that you may need to pull off the road to avoid.
Purchase an emergency car kit: Before embarking on your trip, it is imperative to purchase a car emergency kit. In the kit should include at a minimum, jumper cables, road flares, a flashlight and batteries, a basic tool kit, a tire repair kit and inflator, and a first aid kit. You can assemble the kit yourself, or purchase prefab kits at any major retailer.
Locate the spare tire, jack, and lug-wrench for your car: Although it may seem daunting, learning to change a tire, or at a minimum knowing where the spare tire, jack, and lug-wrench are, is a must. Some vehicles will have a spot in the trunk, whereas others will be stored underneath the vehicle. If you think you may have or want to purchase roadside assistance, give your insurance company a call before you begin your trip.
Make sure your car is up to date on routine maintenance: A few weeks before your trip, schedule your car for any maintenance it may need. If your car is close to an oil change, needs new tires, a new battery, or brakes and rotors, take care of that before you leave. If your care does not need any maintenance, make sure to check over the tire pressure, oil levels, windshield wiper fluid, anti-freeze, and any other necessary fluids.
Carry cash: While we have moved to a relatively cash-less society, plan to carry some cash with you. A good rule of thumb is to carry enough to pay for gas, dinner, and lodging for at least one night.
Pack bottled water and snacks: To cut back on the number of stops, pack snacks and water in a cooler.
Pack important documents: In 49 states, it is legal to have a digital copy of your insurance card. That is not the case in New Mexico, or D.C. If you plan to drive through those places, be sure to have a physical copy of your insurance card. No matter what state you are in, also make sure to have your driver’s license, and if needed, your passport. Outside of driving, it is important to carry any medical insurance cards should you need to visit a doctor while on your trip. Make sure all documents are up to date before traveling.
Check out music or audiobook subscription: To help the drive go faster, check out a music app or audiobook subscription before your trip.
Make sure you have car chargers: Although most people have these in their cars already, double check to ensure you have multiple car chargers to charge various devices will on your trip.
Bring disinfectants: Depending on where your destination is, bring along disinfectants like sprays, wipes, and hand sanitizer.
Car organization: While sometimes organization bins take up more room, opt for over the seat hangers to help conserve trunk space and allow you to use your full back window.
For more tips to prepare for a summer road trip check out the links below:
Check for construction: The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has published their multi-year plan for Fiscal Year 2025-2030 (July 1, 2024- June 30, 2030). In this plan, proposed construction sites are listed and divided by county, region, and city. Additionally, on IDOT’s website, they have an interactive map that shows road closures for the entire state. When making your travel plans, be sure to monitor constructions sites and learn alternative routes.
Use a weather app: Running into bad weather is inevitable, but try to stay on top of it by using a weather app. If you have a passenger with you, have them periodically check the forecast for any dangerous weather that you may need to pull off the road to avoid.
Purchase an emergency car kit: Before embarking on your trip, it is imperative to purchase a car emergency kit. In the kit should include at a minimum, jumper cables, road flares, a flashlight and batteries, a basic tool kit, a tire repair kit and inflator, and a first aid kit. You can assemble the kit yourself, or purchase prefab kits at any major retailer.
Locate the spare tire, jack, and lug-wrench for your car: Although it may seem daunting, learning to change a tire, or at a minimum knowing where the spare tire, jack, and lug-wrench are, is a must. Some vehicles will have a spot in the trunk, whereas others will be stored underneath the vehicle. If you think you may have or want to purchase roadside assistance, give your insurance company a call before you begin your trip.
Make sure your car is up to date on routine maintenance: A few weeks before your trip, schedule your car for any maintenance it may need. If your car is close to an oil change, needs new tires, a new battery, or brakes and rotors, take care of that before you leave. If your care does not need any maintenance, make sure to check over the tire pressure, oil levels, windshield wiper fluid, anti-freeze, and any other necessary fluids.
Carry cash: While we have moved to a relatively cash-less society, plan to carry some cash with you. A good rule of thumb is to carry enough to pay for gas, dinner, and lodging for at least one night.
Pack bottled water and snacks: To cut back on the number of stops, pack snacks and water in a cooler.
Pack important documents: In 49 states, it is legal to have a digital copy of your insurance card. That is not the case in New Mexico, or D.C. If you plan to drive through those places, be sure to have a physical copy of your insurance card. No matter what state you are in, also make sure to have your driver’s license, and if needed, your passport. Outside of driving, it is important to carry any medical insurance cards should you need to visit a doctor while on your trip. Make sure all documents are up to date before traveling.
Pack comfort items: If you are taking turns driving while you are the passenger, take this time to rest by bringing along a pillow and blanket.
Check out music or audiobook subscription: To help the drive go faster, check out a music app or audiobook subscription before your trip.
Make sure you have car chargers: Although most people have these in their cars already, double check to ensure you have multiple car chargers to charge various devices will on your trip.
Bring disinfectants: Depending on where your destination is, bring along disinfectants like sprays, wipes, and hand sanitizer.
Car organization: While sometimes organization bins take up more room, opt for over the seat hangers to help conserve trunk space and allow you to use your full back window.
For more tips to prepare for a summer road trip check out the links below:
- AAA: Ultimate Road Trip Checklist
- KOA Blog: 14 Summer Road Trip Essentials
- Pack Hacker: Road Trip Packing List