Winter road trip checklist

Road trips require careful planning and preparation. You do not want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere; hence it’s essential to imagine the worst and plan for it before you get on the road. A winter road trip takes things to another level and will require considering crucial factors like the weather condition, and road safety.

To help you plan appropriately, we have prepared this winter road trip checklist. Please see below to get started:

Your Car Must Be In Top Condition

This is at the top of the list since you can’t get on the road without a car. Also, dealing with car troubles in freezing weather can make for a frustrating trip. So, be sure to visit the mechanic for a tune-up. Also, check the wiper blades to ensure they are sturdy enough to clean your windshield and remove snowflakes. After having the car serviced, test it out immediately, and be sure to test the car again 2 days before your trip.

Packing The Right Clothes

It’s essential to park warm clothes when traveling. The best clothing material for staying warm when it’s really cold is wool. Remember to pack woolen gloves, a neck scarf, and headgear.

While driving, dress comfortably but classy. Just because you want to be comfortable doesn’t mean you should not layer up (you might end up freezing). Wear loose clothing that doesn’t end up sticking to your skin after a couple of hours. Remember to layer your clothing as well. Wear a Sweater and grab a jacket as well, who knows? It’s better to have the option of taking off a little clothing than looking for a means to keep warm.

Stay Moisturized

Do this by packing some lip balm and some lotion. I usually start to feel dried out when I’m in the cold for a long, and my skin starts to itch. I quickly learned to wash my face and arms regularly and moisturize. This helped me relax and also feel great.

Pack Extra Snacks

I suffer from a severe case of the munchies while driving. Just having my mouth moving helps keep the crankiness at bay and also keeps me awake. So pack those chips, gum, biscuits, and everything that will help you remain a happy driver.

Create An Itinerary

I’m a planner. I like lists and details spelled out. By making an itinerary, you know where you are headed and when. An itinerary keeps you on track and helps you stick to a budget. Plan your trip out from start to finish (it's ok. You can make alterations along the road trip). Calculate distances as well and identify possible rest stops and gas stations. How long will your gas last before you need a refill? This information will help you decide when to stop for gas refills. An itinerary keeps you organized so be sure to make a well-detailed one.

Download Road Trip Apps

There are quite a good number of road trip apps to help you along the way. Waze gives real-time updates about traffic, accidents, roadwork, and ways to skirt delays on the road due to tips given by other Waze app users. If you are driving long distances, it’s important to know where the gas stations are situated and GasBuddy is just the app for it. With Google Maps, you get Voice guided navigation that gives turn-by-turn directions, and traffic or incident detection will help you get to your destination quicker.

Get A Map/Atlas

A good old map is quite handy if your phones and other gadgets run out of battery life. A local road atlas is essential as well.

Get A Safety/Emergency Kit (and other supplies)

Be sure to include the following items inside your safety kit:

• Basic first aid supplies

• Torchlight

• Batteries

• windshield water fluid

Also, pack:

• Warm blankets

• Bottled water

• Shovel (if your vehicle gets stuck in the snow)

• Mobile phone car charger

• roadside signal flares

• reflective cone

• Blankets and pillows

Happy travels!