Ultimate Checklist For Car Road Trips

You need to check your car's health, plan the route beforehand, keep the essential road trip tools, have an emergency kit, and many other things that require planning. Look at this ultimate checklist curated for car road trips. Did you think of the famous Leh-Ladakh road trip or fantasise about sipping masala tea in the serenity of Kasauli? To get an escape from the scorching heat of the Indian climate, you must be planning a road trip with your friends and family.

After selecting your travel destination, you should consider the route you will take and the condition of the roads to get there. Think about who you will be travelling with, whether you will be actively able to drive throughout, and what necessary items and tools you should pack for a hassle-free and enjoyable road trip. Here is the ultimate checklist for car road trips that you should refer to before planning a trip.

Step 1: Prior Planning

Decide where you want to go for a trip, as India offers a range of terrain consisting of exquisite landscapes and troublesome road conditions. 

Plan the route on Google Maps while considering the condition of your car. 

Decide the number of breaks you would need to take, keeping in mind your ability to drive actively for hours.

1. Do not ignore the potholes, clogging problems of the roads, and narrow driving lanes falling under the ambit of your planned route.
2. Pick a tourist season for a trip to witness the diversified culture of India.
3. Book your hotels, homestays, or resorts online to avoid last-minute trouble.
4. Inform your family about your road trip route and keep informing them about your whereabouts.

Step 2: Checklist for your Car

Get an appointment for your car's maintenance service and ask for some helpful, handy tips from the service station.

Check out the car coolant levels and review reservoirs, hoses, connection points, and joints. Make sure there are no internal leakages in the system. 

Buy extra fuses and learn to replace them.

Place extra tyres in the back of your car, and don't forget to purchase a car jack.

Replace the worn-out car wipers if the blades leave scratches and marks on the windshield.

1. To avoid engine seizing and overheating, monitor radiator coolant, windshield-washer fluids, car oil, engine oil, and power steering fluids.
2. Buy and install a budget-friendly car air purifier.
3. Have an icebox and fill it with water and other beverages to get relief from the heat waves.
4. Buy thick sun shades for your car windows (including the rear window) to protect the dashboard and rear seats from heating up.
5. Check that your navigation system is up-to-date and running.

Step 3: Essential Travel Tools, Items, and Equipment

Make a folder of your car's license, insurance, and registration and add other necessary car documents.

Prepare an ungraded roadside emergency kit and a first aid kit.

Do not compromise on carrying extra water bottles, beverage cans, and ample food for emergencies.

Carry an instant camera to have the polaroids adorn your home walls later when you come back.

Have sanitizer, wet wipes, sunscreen lotion, and other hygiene products on hand.