How to Prepare Your Car for a Long Road Trip

A long road trip can be the highlight of your summer. Whether you’re headed to visit family, explore national parks, or just get out of Albuquerque for a change of scenery, the journey can be just as memorable as the destination. But before you start loading up the snacks and making playlists, your car needs to be ready. Skipping this step can cause annoying delays or unexpected breakdowns, turning what should be a fun time into something stressful.

Preparing your vehicle ahead of time helps keep you and your passengers safe and saves you time and frustration later. Road trips put extra miles on your car, and small problems that wouldn’t usually cause issues can show up when you’re far from help. That’s why it’s smarter to deal with them before you even leave your driveway.

Scheduled Maintenance: The Pre-Trip Checklist

Before any long drive, start with basic scheduled maintenance. This helps catch small issues before they turn into big repairs. Your owner’s manual can give recommendations, but if you’ve got a road trip lined up, don’t wait for the next reminder light.

Here are key areas to check:

1. Oil and filter

Fresh engine oil keeps everything running smoothly when you’re driving for hours at a time. Dirty or low oil can lead to overheating or wear. Change the oil if it’s been a while or if it looks gritty or dark.

2. Tires

Check for proper tread depth, even wear, and correct pressure. Underinflated or overinflated tires are a safety risk and can decrease fuel efficiency. Don’t forget to inspect the spare while you’re at it.

3. Brakes

Listen for squeaks or grinding sounds, and notice if the pedal feels soft or the car pulls to one side when braking. Worn pads or rotors need to be looked at before heading into mountain roads or traffic.

4. Battery

Most car batteries last around three to five years. If yours is older or has trouble starting on cold mornings, have it checked. Corroded cables or loose connections can become a problem on the road.

5. Fluids

Top off all fluids including coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid, and even gas if you’re about to hit a long stretch.

A customer once thought checking tire pressure was enough, but missed a slow leak that nearly stranded them near Santa Rosa. An inspection ahead of time could’ve made a big difference. Getting this done several days before departure gives you time to sort out anything that needs fixing.

Emergency Kit Essentials

Even if you’ve done all your maintenance, the unexpected still happens. A small emergency kit can come in handy when you least expect it, especially when driving through rural areas or unfamiliar routes.

Here’s a good list of what to keep on hand:

• Jumper cables
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First-aid kit
• Sealant or inflator for a flat tire
• Blanket
• Multi-tool or basic tool kit
• Bottled water and protein bars
• Phone charger or power bank

Double-check that your spare tire is inflated and that your jack and tools are where they’re supposed to be. Some highways in New Mexico have limited service, and a dead battery or flat without a plan can turn into hours of waiting. Place your kit somewhere easy to get to, not under a pile of luggage, so it’s ready in case you actually need it.

Inspect and Pack Your Gear

Packing right matters almost as much as prepping the car. Poor weight distribution or unsecured luggage can throw off your handling or become a hazard in sudden stops.

Here’s how to make things easier and safer:

• Place heavy items on the floor near the middle of the car
• Avoid stacking gear too high or in a way that it could fall or shift
• Don’t block your rear view
• Use storage bins or bags to stop items from sliding
• Keep entertainment and snacks within arms’ reach

A travel bag for each person with drinks, entertainment, and personal items keeps things organized. Whether it’s downloaded audiobooks, favorite playlists, or a tablet stocked with movies, planning entertainment keeps the mood relaxed and the trip flying by.

If you’re traveling with kids, games or coloring books can help a lot. One family we know said a set of magnetic board games saved their trip across Arizona when service dropped and they couldn’t stream videos. Smart packing really helps the overall experience.

Plan Your Route and Stops

GPS apps are great, but they aren’t perfect. Out in the middle of New Mexico or heading into national forests, service can get spotty fast. Taking time to plan your route keeps you from relying too much on real-time data that might not come through.

Mark out key stops along the way for food, fuel, and scenery. Keep timing in mind so you don’t get stuck driving too far between stops. Nobody enjoys getting hangry or running low on gas with no station in sight.

More planning tips:

• Print or download backup maps in case your phone loses signal
• Look up weather for major parts of the route
• Have an alternate route or plan if a road is closed unexpectedly
• Build in time for roadside attractions or short detours

Take a break every couple of hours to rest and check on your vehicle. Use the chance to test tire pressure, refill water bottles, or stretch out stiff legs. A little planning upfront means fewer surprises later.

Keep It Comfortable and Fun

A clean interior, comfortable seats, and access to snacks can make or break your ride. You don’t want to spend hours in a car seat covered in crumbs or misplace everyone’s water bottles ten minutes in.

Consider bringing:

• Small pillows for neck support
• Lightweight blankets for early morning starts
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• Wipes and hand sanitizer
• Easy snacks like fruit slices, crackers, or protein bars
• Spill-proof reusable bottles

Don’t overlook small fixes. One driver mentioned how a simple adjustment to a sticky seatbelt made the trip much easier for their passengers. These little details go a long way when you’re adding hundreds of miles to your odometer.

Music, podcasts, road trip trivia, and singalongs all help pass the time. Download what you’ll need ahead of time in case service fades. Alternating between upbeat songs and podcasts keeps the energy fresh and prevents driving fatigue for whoever’s behind the wheel.

Ready for Your Adventure

Getting your car road trip-ready doesn’t have to feel like a chore. A few focused steps before your drive can turn an average ride into a smoother, safer, way more fun experience. From checking tire pressure to loading up on snacks, preparation is what separates a good trip from a great one.

Summer drives across New Mexico or beyond deserve more than just a quick glance under the hood. Making the time now to prep your vehicle lets you enjoy the journey and make memories instead of dealing with preventable car trouble. You handle the playlist—we’ll make sure your vehicle’s ready to roll.

Before you head out on your next big adventure, make sure your vehicle is road-trip ready by scheduling scheduled maintenance with Rio Grande Automotive. Our team in Albuquerque is here to help keep your car running smoothly, so you can enjoy the ride without any unwelcome surprises.