What Should I Check on My Car Before a Road Trip?

Road trips are one of the best ways to see the country — and one of the fastest ways to find out your car wasn’t as ready as you thought. If you’re ever asked what should I check on my car before a road trip then this article is for you. I know this subject from both sides. Before I was a travel writer and travel advisor, I was an automotive shop owner.

Between me and my master tech husband, we’ve seen what happens when people skip the pre-trip inspection and we’ve seen the repair bills that follow. The good news is that most of what can go wrong on a road trip is preventable. This list covers the 12 things you should check before you leave the driveway — and what to do if a warning light comes on while you’re out there.

Before You Go: 12 Things to Check on Your Car

Inspecting your vehicle before the road trip gives you peace of mind knowing that you checked everything you could before your trip. Addressing small issues before they turn into big things can save you a lot of money later.

1. Check the Tires

Tires are the one thing between your car and the road and they deserve more attention than most people give them before a trip.

Check the pressure in all four tires — including the spare — before you leave. Underinflated tires handle poorly, reduce traction and can overheat on long highway stretches. Overinflated tires wear unevenly and are more prone to blowouts. Either way, you don’t want to find out the hard way. That floaty, loose feeling when you’re going through a curve? That’s low tire pressure talking.

The correct pressure for your vehicle is in your owner’s manual and on the sticker inside the driver’s door — not on the tire itself. Check it cold, before you’ve driven anywhere.

While you’re at it, look at the tread. If you’re not sure whether it’s worn enough to matter, the penny test works: insert a penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head facing down. If you can see the top of his head, it’s time for new tires before you go anywhere. And if you’re due for a rotation, do it before the trip so a technician can inspect them at the same time.

2. Fluid Levels

Check all of them. Engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid and windshield washer fluid. Low fluids are one of the most common — and most preventable — causes of roadside breakdowns.

Engine oil is the big one. It lubricates everything that moves inside your engine and without enough of it, you’re looking at serious damage fast. Pull the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it and check the level. If it’s low, top it off before you leave. If it’s dark and gritty, it’s overdue for a change.

Coolant keeps your engine from overheating — critical on any long trip and especially important if you’re headed somewhere hot like Death Valley or any desert destination. Check the reservoir when the engine is cold.

Brake fluid and power steering fluid are less likely to be low but worth a quick check. Windshield washer fluid seems minor until you’re two hours into a bug-splattered highway stretch with no visibility and an empty reservoir

3. Battery

A failing battery rarely lets you know it’s failing until it doesn’t start your car so add this task to the what should I check on my car before a road trip list. Before your trip is exactly the right time to have it tested — most auto parts stores will do it for free.

Look at the terminals while you’re at it. Corrosion — that white or bluish buildup around the posts — can affect the connection and cause starting problems even when the battery itself is fine. If you see it, clean it before you go.

If your battery is more than three to four years old, has been slow to start the car or has needed a jump recently, replace it before the trip. A new battery is considerably cheaper than a tow in an unfamiliar town.

4. Spare Tires & Tools

This is the one people forget about until they’re changing the tire. Before you leave, physically check that your spare is there and that it’s properly inflated. A flat spare is useless.

Then find your jack and lug wrench and make sure you have every tool you need to actually change the tire. Some vehicles — Volkswagens in particular — require a specific tool to remove the lug nuts that isn’t always stored with the other equipment. Find out before you need it, not after.

If your spare is a donut, know its limits. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and avoid driving over the suggested distance and speed limits Most donuts are rated for no more than 50 mph and 50 to 70 miles. They’re meant to get you to a tire shop, not to finish the trip.

5. Brakes

Brakes are one of the most vital components of your vehicle, not only do the prevent collisions but they also give you control. If your brakes are squeaking, grinding or the pedal feels soft or low, address it before you leave. Brakes are definitely not something to defer maintenance on — especially if your route involves mountain roads, steep grades or long descents.

Listen for noise when you brake normally and pay attention to how the pedal feels. It should be firm and responsive. Any pulsing, pulling to one side or unusual sounds are worth having checked asap.

6. Lights

Like any other component of your vehicle, lights require regular maintenance to ensure they are bright when you need them most. Before your road trip, take a moment to inspect all your lights — walk around the car and check the headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights. It takes five minutes and could save you a ticket or worse.

Brake lights are the hardest to check alone — have someone stand behind the car while you press the pedal, or back up toward a wall and watch the reflection.

7. Wiper Blades

Wiper blades are one of those things you ignore until it’s pouring rain at night on an unfamiliar highway and they’re streaking across your windshield instead of clearing it. Check them before you go. If they’re leaving streaks, skipping or making noise, replace them.

They’re inexpensive and any auto parts stores like Pep Boys, Advance Auto Parts and O’Reilly’s can make recommendations for good blades and in some cases, will even swap them out for you. However, knowing how to do it yourself is not a bad idea at all.

8. Belts & Hoses

If you’re comfortable popping the hood, look for cracking, fraying or soft spots on the belts and hoses. A broken serpentine belt will leave you stranded and it will do it at the worst possible time.

If you’re not sure what you’re looking at, have a shop do a quick inspection. If you’re due for an oil change anyway, bundle the two — a good technician will look at everything under the hood while they’re in there.

9. Air Conditioning and Heating

Your car’s AC and heating aren’t the most important components for car functionality but they are necessary for a comfortable and enjoyable journey. Test both before you leave. If the AC isn’t blowing cold or the heat isn’t working, you want to know that before you’re three states away in July.

Any noises or issues when you turn the fan on, or problems with cooling, should be addressed before you begin your travels. Most of the time an AC or heating failure won’t leave you stranded but it can make for an extremely miserable ride.

Thankfully in all my travels I’ve avoided any real serious mishaps on the road — but there were two, yes two times, my AC went out in Florida of all places. Granted there was no advance warning but if there had been anything I could have done to avoid that scenario in a hot humid July I would have done it.

10. Key Fob Battery

Easy to overlook and genuinely inconvenient when it dies far from home. If your fob has been requiring multiple clicks to work or your car is showing a “key not detected” warning even when it’s right there, the battery is going. Replace it before you leave.

The batteries are inexpensive, available at any Walmart, Target or auto parts store and take about two minutes to swap out. They come in packs so it’s easy to keep some in your glovebox for when there isn’t a store around.

11. Emergency Kit

Every car should have an emergency kit and road trips make it a non-negotiable. You don’t need anything fancy — just enough to keep you comfortable and safe while you wait for help.

Pack a basic first aid kit, a flashlight, roadside flares or reflective triangles, phone chargers, water, non-perishable snacks, a blanket and any medications you take regularly.

A compact jump box that also inflates tires is one of the most useful things you can keep in a car — especially in remote areas where help may be far away — this is the one I have. If you don’t want to spend the money then at least invest in jumper cables, a tire gauge, and some Fix-a-Flat.

12. Correct Paperwork

Registration and proof of insurance. Make sure both are current and in the car. Most states accept digital insurance cards but if you’re heading somewhere with spotty cell service, a paper copy is your backup. I had an uncomfortable ten minutes with a Texas Highway Patrol officer once because I couldn’t locate mine. That was enough to make me check every time now.

What to Do When a Warning Light Comes On

This is the part most pre-trip checklists skip — but it’s the question people actually have when something goes wrong on the road and unfortunately that’s usually when it happens.

Check Engine Light

The check engine light covers a wide range of issues, from something as minor as a loose gas cap to something that needs immediate attention. Here’s the honest answer: you cannot tell by looking at the light alone how serious it is.

What you can do is pay attention to how the car is driving. If everything feels normal — no strange noises, no loss of power, no overheating — you’re likely okay to drive to a shop and get it scanned. Most auto parts stores will read the code for free.

If the check engine light is flashing rather than steady, that’s a different situation. A flashing check engine light typically indicates a misfire that could damage your catalytic converter. Pull over when it’s safe to do so and don’t drive it hard until it’s been checked.

When in doubt, get it scanned before continuing the trip.

Oil Pressure Warning Light

This one is not a “keep driving and figure it out later” situation. If your oil pressure light comes on — the one that looks like an old oil can — pull over as soon as it’s safely possible and turn the engine off.

Low oil pressure means your engine is not being properly lubricated. Driving on it, even for a short distance, can cause serious and expensive damage. Check your oil level. If it’s low, add oil and see if the light goes off. If the light stays on after adding oil, or if you don’t have oil to add, call for help. Do not keep driving.

This is different from the oil change reminder light, which is just letting you know maintenance is due and doesn’t require immediate action.

Temperature Warning Light

If your temperature gauge is in the red or the temperature warning light comes on, pull over and let the engine cool down. Do not open the radiator cap when the engine is hot. Add coolant only when the engine has cooled completely.

If it overheats again after adding coolant, have it towed. A blown head gasket is significantly more expensive than a tow.

Road Trip Car Check FAQ

How far in advance should I have my car checked before a road trip? At least a week before you leave — ideally two. That gives you time to get any repairs done without rushing or delaying your departure.

Can I do these checks myself or do I need a mechanic? Most of them you can do yourself — fluids, lights, wipers, tire pressure and a visual inspection of belts and hoses are all accessible without tools or training. Brakes, battery testing and anything mechanical are better left to a shop.

What’s the most important thing to check? Tires and fluids. Between those two categories, you’ll catch the majority of what causes roadside breakdowns.

Should I get an oil change before a road trip? If you’re within a few thousand miles of being due, yes. Do it before you leave. It’s also a natural opportunity to have a shop look everything over at the same time.

What should I do if my car breaks down in a remote area? Stay with your vehicle. It’s easier to spot than a person on foot, provides shade and shelter and is where help will look for you. Put on your hazard lights, set out reflective triangles if you have them and call for help when you have service. This is why an emergency kit matters.

Before You Hit the Road

Now that you’ve read through the list there’s no more guessing about what to check on your car before a road trip. A little preparation goes a long way toward making sure the only stories you bring home are the good kind — and none of them involve a breakdown on the side of the highway in the middle of nowhere.

Planning a road trip and want help putting it together? I’d love to help. Fill out this form or email me directly. And before you go, read these too:

How to Plan a Road Trip: a Step by Step Guide
Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make on a Road Trip
Responsible Road Tripping in 2026

See you on the road!