Winter Road Trip Checklist: Get Your Car and Plans Ready
Holiday road trips can be a joy, but winter adds extra risks like cold, ice and early dark. A little planning goes a long way. These tips come from AAA’s winter travel advice.
Check Your Car First
Before a long drive, have the following checked, ideally by a mechanic you trust:
- Battery
- Brakes
- Tires
- Wiper blades
- Antifreeze and windshield washer fluid levels
Pack a Winter Emergency Kit
- Flashlight
- Blankets and extra warm clothing
- Non-perishable snacks and water
- First-aid kit and basic tools
- Snow shovel and ice scraper
- Sand or cat litter for traction on ice
- A phone charger that works in the car
If you take medicines, pack extra in your carry bag, not the trunk, in case you are delayed.
Plan Your Trip
- Check the weather forecast and road conditions before you leave, and again before each long stretch.
- Choose a route that avoids areas prone to heavy snow or ice.
- Tell someone your route and when you expect to arrive.
- Keep your phone fully charged, and consider a roadside assistance plan if you do not have one.
- Leave extra time, and be ready to wait out a storm rather than drive through it.
Drive Calmly
AAA advises slowing down and leaving extra space between you and the car ahead. Avoid sudden steering, braking or speeding up, and use your headlights to be seen. If you do not feel comfortable driving in bad weather or at night, it is perfectly fine to delay the trip or ride with someone else. Our guide Driving Safely After 50 covers how to think about your own comfort behind the wheel.
More on Seniors Tips
- Driving Safely After 50 and Knowing When to Reassess
- How to Get Ready for Winter Storms and Power Outages at Home
