PREPARE FOR THE JOURNEY
A road trip starts before you put the key in.
A comfortable weekend drive, family holiday or multi-day adventure deserves a sensible plan—not a boot full of equipment you’ll never use.
Before departure
- Check tyres and manufacturer pressure guidance, lights, mirrors, wipers, screenwash, fuel or charging and vehicle condition.
- Confirm your destination, accommodation or campsite, route, rest stops and weather forecast.
- Check breakdown cover and save key contact details somewhere accessible offline.
- Secure luggage; do not obstruct windows or allow heavy loose objects in the cabin.
Everyday travel supplies
Take drinking water, suitable snacks, charging leads, power bank, offline map or downloaded navigation, waterproof jacket, spare layers, a torch, tissues and useful personal essentials. For children, include age-appropriate comforts, regular stops and supplies for unexpected delays.
Long journeys and rural routes
Allow extra travel time and regular breaks. Consider an offline paper-map backup where signal is unreliable, a warm blanket, extra water, more robust shoes, and communication arrangements. Check fuel or EV charger availability on unfamiliar roads instead of assuming services will be open.
Camping or bushcraft extension
If the road trip ends outdoors, use the camping checklist or bushcraft preparation guide for shelter, clothing, navigation, permitted cooking and site rules.
Roadside emergencies
Follow the correct Highway Code for the part of the UK where you’re driving. Never attempt an unsafe repair beside moving traffic and never deploy a warning triangle on a motorway. If you are in immediate danger or cannot reach a place of safety, seek emergency assistance.
Best-value buying advice
Borrow or use ordinary household chargers, warm clothes and bags first. Buy water and food at supermarkets. Only add specialist vehicle, battery or travel equipment where your route, vehicle or travel party needs it.
UK guidance: Review Met Office UK warnings and follow road authority updates for your journey. For breakdown safety, consult the Highway Code or equivalent rules applicable to your location.
Related guides: Trip Planning Hub · Car Emergency Kit · Driving for Work · Road Trips · Camping · Bushcraft
Our approach: Check what you already own and buy ordinary supplies locally where practical. Specialist equipment should solve a genuine problem and be backed by specifications, not marketing.