Before you get on the road go through the checklist.  Yeah, I know, it can be seem like a pain because it takes a little time and you already have plenty of packing to get done.  But this is just a basic list and it’s worth the time.  Just think, rather than sitting by your overheating car in the blazing sun, hungry and phoneless, surrounded by miles of Kansas cornfields, you could spend 20 minutes making sure everything’s ready to run smoothly before you get on the road.

1.) Get to know your engine- check your fluids.

• You may know how to check your oil, but do you know what kind of oil to buy when its low, or where to put washer fluid to clear away the thick layer of bugs that will coat your windshield each day? For starters take a look at this video (okay, the guy isn’t exactly thrilling, but it’s under 2 min- you can handle it)

2.) Find out if you have roadside assistnace and whether or not it’s still valid.

• Invariably, if you’re on the road long enough you’re bound to lock yourself out of the car, get a flat, or whatever.  And when you’re 500 miles from home, on-call road side assistance is a life saver.  You can go through AAA, your insurance provider, or if you have a relatively new car, it may have come with this service.  Some services allow you a certain number of calls a year, or offer the service up until you’ve hit a certain mileage on your car, so find out the details of your service.

3.) In case you do get stuck somewhere, be prepared: Cell phone, phone charger, and flashlight.

• Even if you have road side assistance, it won’t do you much good if you can’t call them. So have your phone and have it charged.  If you get a charger for your car with a USB connection you’ll be able to charge you Blackberry, iPhone, iPod, or camera.
• Also, carry a flashlight- don’t expect AAA to have one.  I once spent an hour searching around in the dark on the side of a Vermont interstate highway for a role-away spare tire because neither I nor the triple A guy had a flashlight.

4.) Make sure your tires can get you to the other side.

• How’s the tread on those tires? If the tread isn’t deep watch out for wet conditions where you can hydroplane, but if the rubber is cracking its a heads up that the tires are getting ready to blow out.  And while you’re out their check the air, under inflated tires will cost you up to 5 cents more per gallon of gas!

5.) It’s gonna be a long ride. Get ready to settle in and get comfy.

• Music – Get a car adapter and charger for your iPod if you don’t already have one. Remember you’re going to be in the car for about a week. So think over your music selection. Make some playlists, and find some new albums- a road trip is a great time to get a feeling for an entire album at a time
• Tooth brush and essentials-  After a week in the car things get a little grungy. Do yourself a favor and put together a small and accessible bag with the essentials. Tooth brush/paste, tampons, and face/hand wipes.
• Snacks- There’s gonna be  long stretches of road with nothing but gas stations and cornfields. So consider packing a variety of affordable non-melting semi-healthy snacks so you don’t waste a ton of money on over priced candy bars along the way.

Tags: AAA, Alexandra Garcia, California, california road trip, Camping, engine fluids, humboldt, Humboldt County, mileage, packing list, phone charger