Ah, road trips. What’s more exciting than piling into the car with your best friends or family and tearing off toward the horizon in search of fun and adventure? Not much in our book. But an impromptu road trip doesn’t need to be (and, ideally, shouldn’t be) an unplanned one. A good mini-odyssey still involves some planning and preparation, even if you’re only going to be gone for a day or two. So before you peel out of the driveway, run through our helpful checklist of things to do before you go.
FIRST STEPS
+ Designate a team leader
If your trip is going to unfold across several days and will require overnight stays, pick one person to be your go-to guy or girl for organizing and planning all the items and arrangements you’ll need. But don’t overload them! Make it clear that they have the authority to delegate tasks to others and spread the work around.
+ Decide who’s driving
If more than one car is being used, draw up a driver rotation schedule and sort out who’s riding with whom. This will keep everyone fresh and alert and ensure that no one gets stuck behind the wheel for too long. If some of your drivers are teenagers, read up on the local laws governing driving rules and curfews.
+ Keep track of all expenses
Sorting out the accounting on the go can be confusing and can sap the fun out of the trip. Decide ahead of time who’ll be buying the equipment and food, who’ll be paying for gas and who will be covering your hotel rooms. Add up your anticipated gas expenses ahead of time and make sure all drivers keep their receipts. Meet to determine everyone’s share of expenses when you’re all safely back home.
+ Plan your route
It may not seem very spur-of-the-moment, but all journeys need a destination. Make sure everyone in your party knows how long it should take to get there. If you’re going to be making stops along the way, try to sort these out in advance.
+ Arrange for personal space
The longer a trip lasts, the more people can get on each other’s nerves, especially in a cramped car. If you’re going to be out for a while, build some time into each day’s schedule for everyone to split up and do his or her own thing. You’ll have that much more to talk about when you get back on the road.
+ Check and prep your car
This is the most important step, and one that many travellers often overlook. Even if you’re not planning on being on the road for long, it’s still a wise move to make sure your car is in good shape before you head out.
Be sure to check your:
+ Fluids. Top off your antifreeze, engine oil, power steering, brake, transmission, wind-shield washer and, of course, gas.
+ Hoses and belts. Loose belts can affect your car’s electrical systems, air conditioning and power steering.
+ Tires. Check that all of your tires are properly inflated and inspect the tread for uneven wear, bulges and bald patches.
+ Battery. Make sure it’s sufficiently charged.
If at all possible, confirm that someone in your travel group knows how to change a tire.
WHAT TO BRING
Identification & Money
+ Photo ID (driver’s licence, passport, birth certificate)
+ CAA Membership card and contact information
+ Credit cards, travellers cheques, cash (including change for tolls)
+ Hotel reservation confirmations
Car Stuff
+ Proof of insurance
+ Spare tire and jack
Navigation
+ Road maps, guidebooks, phrasebooks
+ CAA TripTiks® and TourBooks®
+ Compass
Health & Welfare
+ Prescription medications, vitamins, motion-sickness pills, allergy medications
+ Glasses/contact lenses (plus a back-up pair), contact lens solution
+ Makeup, hairstyling products
+ Disposable razor (and replacement blades)
+ Sunscreen, insect repellent
+ Toilet paper
+ Moist towelettes, antibacterial lotion
Clothing & Clothing Supplies
+ Sunglasses
+ One set of dressy clothes (you never know when you might get to go someplace nice)
+ Season-specific clothing (gloves, scarves, parka, snowboots, etc.)
+ Raincoat and umbrella
+ Travel sewing kit
+ Bleach pen/stain remover
+ Plastic bags (for wet or dirty clothes)
Food & Beverages
+ Travel cooler
+ Bottled water
+ Nutritious snacks
+ Re-sealable plastic containers and baggies
+ Trash bags
Bedding & Linens (if staying with friends and family)
+ Pillow
+ Sheets and blankets
+ Towels (bath and/or beach) and washcloths
Electronics
+ Mixed CDs, iPod (plus charger and car-stereo adapter), headphones
+ Digital camera and charger
+ Battery-powered travel alarm clock
Amusements & Diversions
+ Travel journal and pens
+ Books and magazines
+ Travel games and playing cards
+ Address book, stamps and envelopes
Safety Gear
+ Cell phone and charger
+ Flashlight and batteries
+ Pocketknife
+ First-aid kit
Beyond all of that, make sure to pack a positive attitude and hit the road!
Need help planning your trip? Go to the Travel section of your local CAA website for
destination ideas, travel tips, car rentals and much more.
RELATED ARTICLES
+ Canada Confidential: Hidden Travel Treasures
+ Complete Car Care Checklist: How to get the most out of your car
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