One of the main advantages of owning your own car is that you’ll have the freedom to travel long distances. If you want to go on a thousand-mile road trip, then you can, given the right vehicle, do it at a moment’s notice.

Of course, doing this with minimal risk, and maximum efficiency, involves making sure that the car is ready for the stress it’s about to undergo. Let’s take a look at a few preparatory steps you might take to make your trip as comfortable as possible.

Essential Vehicle Checks Before You Go

There are a few basic pieces of maintenance worth performing in the days before you set out. You’ll want to make sure that all of your essential fluids are topped up, for one thing. This means oil, anti-freeze, and screenwash. You might also consider the fluid that powers your brakes and power steering systems.

In many cases, you might find alternative versions of these fluids which are designed to cope with extremely cold temperatures. If you know that you’re going to be travelling through snow and ice, it might be worth swapping to a different kind of oil.

The same applies to tyres. You can find winter tyres that come with more generous treads, and that will remain pliant even at low temperatures. At the very least, you should reinflate your tyres. Look to the manufacturer’s recommendations. If the car is going to be heavily loaded, you might push up the pressure just a little bit.

Insurance is a minimum requirement for any trip. You can give yourself complete peace of mind by checking your car insurance before you set out. This way, you’ll know that you’ll be covered, wherever you’re travelling.

Finally, it’s worth checking the bulbs in your external lights. Even if all of them appear fine, you might consider carrying a few spares with you so that you can replace them as required along the way.

Packing Essentials for the Journey

There are a few other essential items worth packing. These include an emergency kit, in case the vehicle does break down. A warning triangle, a first aid kit, and a few blankets should all be included. Some non-perishable snacks, and bottles of water, might also be indispensable. 

Some supplies, like sun cream and hand-warmers, might only be appropriate at certain times of the year. Others, like phone chargers and battery packs, are always worth having.

Planning Your Route and Breaks

The more thoroughly you’ve planned your route, the less likely it will be that you’ll run into delays. To keep your mind refreshed and your focus sharp, plan regular stops for leg stretching and refuelling. This is particularly important when the drive will last long into the night. If you want to keep things flexible, you can use an app to track the nearest stop – but it’s still worth setting out with a fairly complete mental picture of where you intend to take a break.