If you take a road trip this summer, you will not be alone. It’s the best way to combat cabin fever, and driving these days ranks higher in popularity than flying.
According to AAA, an estimated 34.9 million people were hitting America’s roads over Memorial Day holiday weekend. That’s a 4.6% increase over 2021.
In another AAA study about summer travel in general, 97% of vacationers plan to drive, up from 87% in the pre-pandemic years. On the flip side, AAA said only 52% of the population feels ready to travel this year.
Therefore, if you choose to vacation, you can expect fewer people in some significant destinations than before the pandemic hit in 2020.
Still, before you pack your bags, some vehicle preparation is in order. Check out our tips for a safe and enjoyable road trip.
Related: 12 best American road trips
Road trip checklist for your vehicle
Before setting out, you’ll want to prepare the vehicle for the distance ahead. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that drivers take these steps in the days leading up to a road trip:
1. Inspect and maintain your vehicle
Routine maintenance is a must, and keeping up with your car’s maintenance schedule can help prevent costly breakdowns. Perform a basic safety check of your vehicle’s tire pressure, wiper blades, fluid levels, lights, and air conditioning. You shouldn’t defer regularly scheduled services such as tune-ups, oil changes, battery checks, and tire rotations.
If you find anything is amiss, check our vehicle maintenance pricing and service schedules page to see if your car is due and what it may cost. It’s worth running it by a dealership or auto repair shop when you’re unsure whether any service is overdue.
2. Make child safety your top concern
All children under 13 years old should ride in the back seat. And be aware of the added risks that arise in warm weather. Heatstroke can occur when a child gets left unattended in a parked vehicle.
To understand more about child seat safety, take some time to review the importance of car seat safety.
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3. Stock your vehicle with a safety kit
NHTSA recommends that drivers carry:
- Cell phone, charger, and extra portable battery
- First aid kit
- Flashlight
- Flares and a white flag
- Jumper cables
- Tire pressure gauge
- Jack (and ground mat) for changing a tire
- Work gloves and a change of clothes
- Essential repair tools and some duct tape (for temporarily repairing a hose leak)
- Water and paper towels for cleaning up
- Nonperishable food, drinking water, and medicines
- Extra windshield washer fluid
- Navigation options (Phone or car navigation systems or printed maps)
- Emergency blankets, towels, and coats
4. Be prepared for road trip contingency plans
Plan your travel and route, and check road conditions, weather, and traffic to know what you can expect. But also be prepared for any contingency. Remember, a cell phone is the most critical emergency item since it allows you to call for help when and where you need it.
5. Check for recalls
Use Kelley Blue Book’s VIN recall check tool to ensure your vehicle is ready to go. If you find a recall, get it fixed as soon as possible.
Millions of Americans are driving cars that may have safety recalls. Dealerships will always perform recall repairs for free. But their service bays can get swamped ahead of a heavy travel season, so check as early as possible to see if your car needs any free repairs.
6. Know your car
You’re probably set on this checklist item if you’re driving your own car. If renting a vehicle, pick it up a few hours before the road trip to familiarize yourself with it. Get familiar with the different types of driver assists and safety features you can use.
Check out: 7 off-the-radar places worth stopping on a California road trip
On-the-road trip safety tips
Once you’re on the road, car safety is about paying attention to your surroundings and keeping yourself alert. To that end, don’t neglect these necessary safety precautions:
Drive at non-peak times
Late afternoon and early evening can be the worst times on the road. Avoid peak traffic times for a long weekend by leaving early Friday or Saturday morning to be well on your way when the travel rush kicks in. For the trip home, leave early Monday, or give yourself an extra day and travel on Tuesday. That way, everyone else is out of the way.
Limit nighttime driving
A National Sleep Foundation poll says 60% of adults drive cars when tired. It also found that 37%, or 103 million people, fell asleep at the wheel. Of those, 4% of adults caused a crash by falling asleep while driving.
If you feel fatigue coming on, stop and rest or switch drivers before putting yourself or other passengers at risk. But really, limit driving at night when it’s harder to see.
Let a passenger handle traffic apps and entertainment
We’re big fans of Waze and Google Maps. These navigation tools can route any driver around traffic, provide updates on travel time, and even alert you by warning of road hazards. But, for safety’s sake, remember to keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. Instead of multi-tasking, put a passenger in charge of the navigation and the music or podcast selection.
Take frequent breaks
Occasionally getting out of the car is good for everyone, especially the driver. The best way to avoid feeling tired behind the wheel is to give yourself a regular change of scenery. And there’s no better way to do that than pulling over every few hours and stretching your legs.
Share the driving
If your road trip involves multiple qualified drivers, let everyone take a turn handling the stress of driving and relaxing in the passenger’s seat. It’s good for everyone’s nerves and sets the right tone for the weekend.
Share the road
Remember that traffic could be heavier than you’d expect, especially near attractions or vacation destinations. Good weather attracts many roadway users, including motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. While they share the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities as every motorist, they are more vulnerable. Their most significant disadvantage is that they do not have the protection that a car or truck provides. Leave more distance between you and a motorcycle — about 3 or 4 seconds worth.
Motorcycles are much lighter than other vehicles and can stop at shorter distances. Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic. This courtesy allows other road users to anticipate your movement and find a safe lane position.
Buckle up
Do we need to say this? According to the American Medical Association Journal, accidents remain one of the top leading causes of death for Americans. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the total number of miles Americans drove plummeted, traffic deaths increased. Give yourself and your loved ones a fighting chance and obey this critical safety law.
Pack some masks
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, whether everyone in your car is vaccinated or not, you may need masks in some shops, restaurants, or attractions you visit. To make things easy, keep masks on hand for everyone traveling so all can take part in any road trip stops.
Read: ‘If you wait for the right time to travel you may never do it’ — seniors take stock of risks as COVID cases rise
Hot car awareness
Being on vacation can interrupt your routine and distract you from checking the back seat when you exit the vehicle. It’s hard to believe, but, on average, heatstroke deaths claim 38 children in the United States each year. Pets are also in grave danger when left in a car, even for a short period with the windows cracked.
NHTSA reminds everyone to keep our tiny loved ones safe with these tips:
- Lock your car when you aren’t using it to prevent small children from entering.
- Never leave your child alone in a car, even if you think you’ll only be away for a moment.
- Always “look before you lock” so no child or animal remains in the back seat.
Many vehicles can alert you with a rear seat reminder. When drivers turn off the car, it alerts you to check for rear occupants. If you have an older car, aftermarket products also provide the same type of alert.
Gas prices and holiday weekend planning
As millions drive 50 miles or more from home during the Memorial Day weekend, you’ll want to prepare your stops along the way.
Last year, during Memorial Day weekend, travelers could fill up their tanks at $2.98 per gallon on average at stations across the U.S. As of this writing, gas prices reached a whopping $4.60 per gallon on average. Prices may rise even higher by the time summer travelers hit the roads.
See: 4 tricks for saving money on a family vacation
With many families driving large SUVs, trucks, and RVs on vacation, the cost of long road trips can rise to the level of plane tickets.
Before you head out, check local station prices using your favorite gas app. Gas Buddy, for example, will help you locate stations with the cheapest gas prices along your route. If you drive an electric car, map out your route and locate charging stations ahead of time.
This story originally ran on KBB.com.