Road trips are an excellent way to get out of the house this summer, but failure to prepare could leave some cars stuck in the driveway or repair shop. Putting in some pre-trip effort can help you avoid inconvenient breakdowns and make your vacation far more relaxing.

Clean Out Your Car

After a lot of daily use, cars can become a bit cluttered. Clean and declutter your car so you can bring more essentials with you on your summer road trip. It also might be a good time to clean the exterior, since it could be your last chance for a while.

Cleaning the inside and outside of your car also gives you the opportunity to spot potential problems that require repair before you leave on your trip.

Do Some Research on Gas Prices

One of 2022’s defining characteristics has been extraordinarily high gas prices. Fuel prices are not uniform across the country. Residents of Baltimore and Washington, D.C. are paying higher prices than drivers in many other places. It may be in your best interest to do some research on prices, especially if your family is still considering alternative destinations. Look for places with lower prices or gas stations along the way that tend to offer the most affordable fuel.

Professional Inspection

Many auto experts recommend having your vehicle thoroughly inspected every two years. If it has been over two years since a mechanic has run a full diagnostic on your vehicle, it might be wise to schedule an inspection.

Pre-trip inspections can prevent breakdowns on your trip and allow you to avoid delays and headaches on your vacation. Serious breakdowns can be dangerous or leave you stranded in a place without the parts on hand to make your repairs. You might also be forced to pay higher repair or towing costs if you suffer a breakdown far away from any metro area or mechanics.

Even if your vehicle does not require any servicing, an inspection may bring some peace of mind. Being stranded on the side of the road is probably not the summer adventure you have in mind.

Change Your Oil and Other Fluids

One of the best times to have your vehicle inspected is during an oil change, which you should probably have done prior to heading out on a long drive. Many complete vehicle inspections include oil changes and fluid replacement. Even if you think your vehicle can get another thousand or so miles out of your oil, it may be worth it to have your oil changed early.

Making sure your car is in peak condition prior to leaving is the best way to reduce the chance of unforeseen delays and problems.

Check Tire Pressure

Tires lose air as you drive, and underinflated tires tend to wear out early and may make your vehicle harder to control or more prone to accidents. Keeping your tires at the optimal pressure maximizes their longevity and can even improve fuel efficiency.

You should also make sure your spare is in good condition. If you have a full-size spare in your vehicle, make sure it is maintaining the proper pressure before you head out.

Pack Your Car

If you plan on getting an early morning start, you should strongly consider packing your vehicle the night before you head out.

What you’ll need to bring depends on where you go and the length of your trip. Although cell coverage has gotten better, even in rural areas, it’s still not perfect. It may be a good idea to acquire some paper maps of where you’re going.

You might also benefit from getting a solar charger or power bank to ensure if something unexpected does happen, you won’t lose access to your cell phone due to a dead battery.

A travel repair kit, a flat patch kit and a portable jump starter might also make it easier to get back on the road if your car experiences any breakdowns on your trip.

Find the Perfect Car for a Summer Road Trip

If you live in Washington, D.C. or Baltimore and are looking to sell your car, Direct Car Buying can give you a non-binding yet firm offer within three business hours. We also have a diverse stock of high-quality pre-owned vehicles that will reliably take you anywhere you want to go.

Browse our pre-owned inventory to find the perfect vehicle for your summer road trip. Learn more by calling us at 877-927-6093.