Getting ready to hit the road for a multi-day adventure? Make sure that it’s a fun and safe drive no matter where you’re going with our top road trip safety tips. 

This may seem like a simple one, but buckling up can save your life. Unintentional motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death among 1–44-year-olds in America. By wearing a seat belt, you can cut the risk of being injured or killed by 50%. This is definitely our number one road trip tip for keeping everyone safe, so don’t put the car in gear until everyone is buckled in tight!

Is your car road-worthy? Ensure it is with a quick maintenance appointment at your local garage or by doing it yourself. You should check your tire pressure, tread levels, oil levels, wiper blades, and fluid levels. If it’s time for an oil change, get one. If you need to top off fluids, do it. If you need to patch or replace a tire, don’t skimp. It’s important that if anything looks funky, you get it fixed before it’s time to drive.

• Oil level dipstick
• Tire pressure gauge
• Wiper blades
• Wiper fluid

Driving while tired is super dangerous. Every year, drowsy driving is estimated to cause over 90,000 car crashes, resulting in 800 deaths and 50,000 injuries, according to the NHTSA. That’s because as your eyelids droop, so does your ability to react quickly, make sound decisions, and keep your car in the correct lane.

You may not think you’re too tired to drive responsibly, but studies show that being awake for 17 hours causes your brain to function like someone with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05%. After being awake for 24 hours, it doubles to a 0.10% BAC. That’s the equivalent of a 160-pound man drinking five beers in an hour and getting behind the wheel.

It’s not just lack of sleep that contributes to drowsy driving. Taking medication can make you sleepy and so can boredom.

If you are getting more tired by the mile, either trade off with someone who is refreshed, stop to stretch your legs, keep the window down, or talk with your passengers to keep yourself alert. The best medicine for drowsy driving is sleep, so if you can, take a rest and then get back on the road.

Knowing where you’re going is pretty important. If you get lost, you could find yourself in unsafe neighborhoods or stuck in a sand dune—you never know. By mapping your course before you go and keeping a GPS on-hand, you’ll be able to stay on track the whole journey.

Another smart plan is to print or take screenshots of your directions, in case your phone loses signal or its battery dies. That way, you won’t lose sight of where you’re going at a critical, turn, exit, or merge.

A person dies every 42 minutes from drunk driving across the country. That averages around three people per state.

You can protect yourself and your passengers by staying alert and reporting any drunk driving that you see. One safe driving tip is to never stay in the left lane unless passing. If someone drifts from the other side of the road, you’ll be the first in line for a collision. Staying on the right side of the road will give you time to avoid a drunk driver if need be.

Don’t run out of gas for your car or belly. Keep everyone fueled for the entire trip by stocking up on provisions, hand sanitiser, drinks, and gas. Choose a mix of salty and sweet, and junky and healthy to keep a balanced diet.

Don’t forget to pack a full gas can in your trunk, either! Getting stuck on the side of the road miles from a rest stop or gas station won’t just delay your road trip; it could be dangerous.

The NHTSA has a list of other items to have on hand to ensure a safe road trip: 

• Cell phone and charger (one that uses a hand crank is best if you're stranded without access to electricity)
• First aid kit
• Flashlight (and extra batteries)
• Flares and a white flag
• Jumper cables
• Tire pressure gauge
• Jack for changing a tire
• Work gloves
• Basic repair tools
• Duct tape
• Paper towels
• Nonperishable food, drinking water, and medicines
• Extra windshield washer fluid
• Maps
• Emergency blankets and towels

Every year in the U.S., there are reports of about 220 million flat tires. That’s about seven tire punctures every second.

Unless you have a roadside assistance membership and time to spare while you wait for help, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with how to change a flat tire yourself. Our tutorial can show you how. 

Don’t have a jack or a spare? You can fix that right away by purchasing a jack and finding a spare that will fit your car. If you have room, buying two spares isn’t a bad idea in case you blow more than one.

If your car breaks down, blows a tire, or someone is hurt in your vehicle, you’ll need some help. Luckily, there are a number of car emergency kits out there that will provide you with dozens of items you can use in a pinch.

We recommend getting a comprehensive roadside kit that includes jumper cables, a flashlight, a poncho, a basic first aid kit, a reflective vest, a triangle, and additional essential items. You can buy it on Amazon for under $40. It’s really a bargain for all the safety it can add to your road trip.

It might behoove you to have a car security system. If you need to leave your car on the side of the road, a 2-way car alarm will let you know if anyone is tampering with it. It can also ensure that it’s safe while parked at different hotels and locations overnight. You can compare top car alarms using our helpful guide.

Screaming kids yelling, “Are we there yet?” is a huge distraction to drivers. Give the road your undivided attention by keeping everyone entertained. Does your car have the ability to play movies? Do you have a smartphone or tablet with apps and games? Are you interested in going the traditional route of playing car games?

• Scavenger Hunt Card Game
• Mad Libs Road Trip Edition
• Car Compatible DVD Player
• Crayola Travel Tote
• Magnetic Travel Games

Crossing state and county lines may be easy-peasy in your car. However, what’s awaiting you on the other side might be dangerous.

To prepare for the weather in different regions, download an app on your smartphone to keep tabs on moving storms. Then, plan an alternate route or wait it out in a safe location if the road looks scary.

If you don’t have a smartphone or cell phone service, you can turn on the radio, too. You can look up your National Weather Service's radio station in your state. Or, just tune into a popular FM news frequency to stay up-to-date with breaking news and weather alerts.

Here's what to do in a weather emergency while you're on the road:

• What Is a Tornado Warning: How to Stay Safe
• What to Do During a Flash Flood Warning
• What is a Wildfire: A Guide to Wildfire Safety