Traveling is stressful. It is also exciting. There is so much to think about before you start your drive. Here is how to prepare for a road trip the day before you leave.
Prepare for a road trip: Get the car ready
Clean the Car
Getting the car ready includes cleaning inside and out. The first step is to empty the car, get rid of all the trash, and remove anything you don’t need during the trip. Those soccer balls, extra beach towels, bag chairs, and reusable shopping bags take up needed space. Take them out unless they will be helpful for this trip.
Prepare the windows
We like to wash the car at our local car wash for ease, then vacuum it out. If you are on a budget, do it at home. We bring a bottle of Rain X and a roll of paper towels to prepare the windshield for the trip. While it may not call for rain in your area or at your destination, you never know if your route might run into a storm. On every road trip, we took this past summer, we ran into a storm and were thankful for the beaded water on the windshield as we drove through heavy rains.
I bring the kids with me, so they get involved with getting ready for our trip. Admittingly, it did take longer the first few times, and the kids would start to argue as to who wanted which job. Talking about their roles ahead of time cut down on the arguing. As with most things, it gets easier every time we do it, and they know the process.
Check Fluids and Tires
After washing and vacuuming the car, we fill up the gas tank and check other fluids are at suitable levels. Helpful winter tip: If you live in a warmer climate and are driving into an area that might freeze, be sure your windshield fluid is anti-freezing. Also, be sure your tire air pressure is at a reasonable amount. A firmer, fuller tire generally gets better gas mileage. Refer to your tire to determine the best tire pressure for your tires. Keep in mind that temperature changes the volume of air in a tire. Cold temperatures equal less volume. Warm temperatures equal more volume.
Prepare for a road trip: Prepare activities for the kids to do on the drive
1st, Have the kids be sure they have games or books downloaded on their tablets AND that the downloaded games have any updates they might need while on Wi-Fi. Chances are that while driving down the road, they will not have Wi-Fi to make the changes, and then they will not work correctly. Or they will hand you their devices to hook up to your hotspot. It is our opinion to give them ownership of ensuring their devices are ready.
2nd If you will listen to Podcasts or Audibles in the car, now is the time to download them to the device. We typically try to have more than one choice. For some fun kids, Podcasts check out our article, 5 Best Podcasts to enjoy in the car with kids.
3rd Charge all the electronics.
4th Turn off the devices after you fully charge them. Pack all chargers and outlet plugs that are going to be needed. If you have a USB charging outlet or plug in your vehicle, ensure the cords are assessable during the drive.
If the kids will be watching a movie in the car, now is the time to choose a few movies that will be good for the drive. Be sure to have one extra in case you hit traffic. If the kids are watching on a tablet, download it before charging.
Gather any other items you think your kids would like to do while on the road. Put them together. Pack them in a child-assessable location in the car. For ideas of other things for kids to do in the car, check out our article, Travel Hacks to Try While on the Road.
Prepare for a road trip: Grocery Shop
Be sure to head over to your favorite grocer and pick up your favorite snacks and other foods that could double for a quick, easy meal while headed down the road. We try to have a balance between healthy and snack foods. Having protein choices will fill tummies with something other than empty carbs. For ease, I like to make bento boxes using Ziplock containers. If I am short on room, I have also used Ziplock bags; I separate the foods and then put the different bags in one larger bag with the kid’s name.
One of our kid’s favorite “in a pinch” meals is peanut butter and jelly on a tortilla. For convivence, I buy the squeeze peanut butter and jelly. We use tortilla shells because they do not get squished like bread can. This meal has saved us when we either couldn’t find a restaurant, were stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, arrived at our hotel late, or when we got to someone’s house, and our youngest refused to eat strange food. Nobody enjoys being around someone who is hangry!
Prepare for a road trip: Pack a Cooler
If you are bringing a cooler (I advocate for a cooler to save money on a trip), you can pack the cooler the day prior, depending on a few factors. Temperature and how long your cooler keeps ice. If possible, filling the cooler the day before you start your drive is helpful. It saves time on the day of your trip, and you can be sure not to forget anything. Pack the cooler AFTER your trip to the grocery store. Pack unopened foods in Ziplock bags. After you open the package and the ice starts to melt, the water will leak into your foods and make them soggy.
Prepare for a road trip: Water Plants
I like to close our curtains while we are away, and any plants in our living room get moved to our bathroom while we are gone for an extended trip. If you are gone for an extended trip, consider how your plants will have water. If you have plants and do not have someone coming over to water them for you, you will need to give your plants a good water and ensure they are in an area that will receive the amount of light required while you are away. Using a water globe is a good option for some plants that need additional water while you are gone.
Prepare for a road trip: Hold the Mail
There is no clearer signal to other people that you are out of town than when mail starts to pile up. Be sure to put your mail on hold with the Post Office. It is easy these days and can be done online at USPS.com. Be sure to create a username and password. If you have packages that will be delivered with FedEx or UPS, be sure to find someone to collect them for you.
Prepare for a road trip: Pack
Packing is probably the most essential part of pre-departure preparation. I typically start within a week of our departure, depending on the length of our stay. Plan an outfit for each day. Pack the entire outfit, including socks and underwear, and place them in the bag in the order of use. The first day’s clothing is near the top, with only the PJs above them. Take into account if you plan on doing laundry while on your trip. Do not forget a bag to put your dirty laundry in. Be sure to pack at least one extra outfit for younger kids in case of an accident.
For the most part, the more you can prepare for a road trip the day before departure will make the travel day less stressful. You are less likely to forget items, and you are more likely to enjoy the trip. If you have enjoyed this article, please leave us a message or your favorite tip. Check out our article: How to Road Trip with Kids!