You\u2019re packed. The playlist is ready. The open road is calling. But one flat tire or dead battery could turn your dream road trip into a nightmare. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before you shift into drive, make sure your car \u2013 and your plan \u2013 are road-trip ready. In this guide, you\u2019ll find the essential checklist for keeping your adventure smooth, safe, and stress-free \u2013 from must-do maintenance and smart insurance tips to what to pack in case things go sideways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t wait for a breakdown to figure out what you should\u2019ve<\/em> done. Here\u2019s everything you need to know to protect your trip \u2013 and your peace of mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you are the type of person that plans everything down to the smallest detail or someone who likes to be more spur-of-the-moment, some things should not be left to chance. That includes getting your vehicle ready for the road and having a plan in case something happens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You depend on your vehicle to get you where you need to go, so it\u2019s important to follow a regular maintenance schedule to keep it running in top shape. You should have a schedule handy in your owner\u2019s manual. It is suggested to follow a regular schedule of changing the oil, filters and other components to keep your car running smoothly. Before a long road trip, it\u2019s a good idea to check your tires, fluids and battery to make sure everything is ready. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your car is paid for then you have the ability to buy the basic liability insurance required by your state. That\u2019s the cheapest option, and it will help you financially if you cause an accident by paying for the property repair and medical costs of other people \u2013 up to your policy limits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re far from home, even small issues can quickly snowball. That\u2019s why having a backup plan is crucial. Roadside assistance programs\u2014like the Freeway Auto Club<\/a>\u2014can be a lifesaver when you\u2019re stranded with a flat, out of gas, or locked out of your car in a parking lot with an overtired toddler. It\u2019s the kind of support you hope you won\u2019t need\u2014but will be incredibly grateful for if you do.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where you’re going will shape what you pack, but a few road trip essentials are universal: <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re heading into remote areas or unpredictable weather, throw in extra layers, bug spray, sunscreen, and maybe even a compact shovel or traction pads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even the best-laid plans can hit a few bumps\u2014literally. But with a little preparation, even an unexpected delay can become just another part of the story. Whether you’re watching the sunset from a scenic overlook or waiting for roadside help with a bag of snacks and a playlist on shuffle, you\u2019re still making memories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So fuel up, gear up, and get out there. The road is waiting\u2014and now, you\u2019re ready for it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Start a free quote online<\/a> or call us at 800-777-5620<\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" You\u2019re packed. The playlist is ready. The open road is calling. But one flat tire or dead battery could turn your dream road trip into a nightmare. Before you shift into drive, make sure your car \u2013 and your plan \u2013 are road-trip ready. In this guide, you\u2019ll find the essential checklist for keeping your […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1002628,"featured_media":11477,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,78],"tags":[],"importance":[],"type-content":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11476"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1002628"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11476"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11476\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11495,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11476\/revisions\/11495"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11477"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11476"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11476"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11476"},{"taxonomy":"importance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/importance?post=11476"},{"taxonomy":"type-content","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/type-content?post=11476"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}The Perfect Road Trip Checklist <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Vehicle Maintenance: The Unsung Hero of a Great Trip <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Right Coverage <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Do You Have a Safety Net? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What to Pack (Besides Your Favorite Road Trip Snacks)<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Don\u2019t Forget the Most Important Thing \u2013 Having Fun and Being Prepared <\/h2>\n\n\n\n