Use this checklist while planning a journey and again before departure. Copy the prompts into your own notes or print the page. Adapt the list to your vehicle, passengers, route, and conditions; complete any unfamiliar checks with help from the vehicle manual or an appropriate professional.
Review the route
- Confirm the destination address and the correct entrance or parking location.
- Review the first unfamiliar junction and the final approach.
- Check closures, roadwork, restrictions, and official detours for the travel period.
- Check the forecast along the route as well as at the destination.
- Identify suitable stopping places and a practical alternative if the plan changes.
Start with the relevant transportation agency. The National Weather Service’s state road-condition directory can help you locate official services. Our road-closure guide explains the details to read in a notice.
Check the vehicle and the information it needs
- Review any unresolved warning message or maintenance concern before departure.
- Locate the owner’s manual for the exact model and year.
- Check tire condition and pressure using the vehicle’s specifications.
- Confirm that lamps, wipers, and demisting controls work as intended.
- Plan fuel or charging stops appropriate to the route and vehicle.
- Check the vehicle’s recall information and follow any applicable instructions.
NHTSA’s tire guidance explains where to find the recommended pressure; the number on the tire sidewall is not the vehicle’s recommended inflation setting. Use the official recall lookup for recall information rather than treating routine maintenance as a substitute for that check.
Prepare the people and the cabin
- Choose a realistic departure and return schedule with a rested driver.
- Check the seating, seat belts, and child restraints needed for the passengers.
- Arrange belongings so they do not obstruct the view or interfere with controls.
- Set up navigation and essential controls while parked.
- Check that planned stops meet the passengers’ practical needs.
NHTSA’s road-trip preparation guidance provides additional vehicle and passenger considerations. Use the vehicle and restraint manufacturers’ instructions for installation and operation.
Keep useful information accessible
- Save the assistance provider’s number and relevant membership or agreement reference.
- Make sure a phone and suitable charger are available.
- Tell a trusted person the planned route and approximate arrival time when useful.
- Keep essential vehicle documents accessible through a secure, practical method.
- Review the supplies appropriate to the weather, journey, and passengers.
Make the final decision before moving
If a significant question remains unresolved, address it before departure. Record the agency page you checked and when, particularly if conditions are changing. For an unfamiliar vehicle, use the rental-car checklist. For organizing assistance details, see the roadside information record.