Top 10 Road Trip Checklist

The top ten things to check before a road trip are your car’s essentials, your safety gear, and your route readiness.
Now let’s make it actually useful — practical, detailed, and road‑ready.

1. Tyres (Pressure, Tread, Spare)

Your tyres affect everything — safety, fuel economy, braking distance.

• Check pressure (including the spare)
• Check tread depth (minimum 1.5 mm in Australia, but 3 mm is safer)
• Look for cracks, bulges, or uneven wear

2. Engine Oil Level & Condition

Low or old oil is the fastest way to ruin an engine on a long drive.
Top up if needed and check the colour — dark is normal, gritty is not.

3. Coolant & Other Fluids

Confirm levels for:

• Coolant
• Brake fluid
• Transmission fluid
• Power steering fluid
• Windscreen washer fluid
  Overheating is one of the most common roadside breakdowns.

4. Battery Health

A weak battery might work fine at home but fail after long hours of driving.
Check:

• Age (3–5 years is typical lifespan)
• Corrosion on terminals
• Slow cranking when starting

5. Lights & Indicators

Test every light:

• Headlights (low/high beam)
• Brake lights
• Indicators
• Reverse lights
• Fog lights
  Being visible is non‑negotiable.

6. Brakes

Listen for squeaking or grinding.
If the pedal feels soft, spongy, or vibrates — get them checked before you go.

7. Wipers & Windscreen

You want clear visibility in rain, dust, or bugs.
Replace wipers if they streak or chatter.
Check for cracks in the windscreen.

8. Emergency Kit

At minimum:

• First‑aid kit
• Jumper cables
• Torch
• Tyre repair kit or inflator
• Basic tools
• Water
• Hi‑vis vest
• Blanket
  If you’re going remote (common in Australia), add:
• Satellite communicator
• Extra fuel
• Extra water (10–20 L depending on distance)

9. Navigation & Route Planning

Don’t rely on mobile signal.

• Download offline maps
• Check road closures (especially in rural NSW/QLD/WA)
• Plan fuel stops — some outback stretches go 200–300 km between stations
• Tell someone your route and ETA

10. Registration, Insurance & Licence

Make sure everything is current.
If you’re crossing state borders, check local road rules (e.g., speed limits, mobile phone laws).

Bonus: Things People Forget (But Shouldn’t)

• Phone charging cables + power bank
• Snacks and water
• Sunglasses
• Rubbish bags
• Car manual (you’ll need it if a warning light appears)
• Checking the weather for your entire route, not just your destination