The Ultimate Pre Road Trip Checklist
We all know New Zealand is a beautiful country, that's why us kiwis love to explore it! We’re so fortunate to be able to hop in the car and within a few hours arrive at epic locations with stunning scenery. No matter what time of year it is, whether it be hitting the ski slopes in the Wintertime or soaking up the sun at the beach in Summertime, there is always somewhere new to explore. To help you prepare for your next roadie, we’ve put together the ultimate pre road trip checklist to get you road ready for your next adventure.
1. Check your warrant of fitness and car registration
When you start planning a road trip, first check your car warrant of fitness and registration are up to date. This’ll give you plenty of time to get it booked in and sorted if you need to get it done before you go away.
2. Check your oil, water, windscreen washer fluid and tyre pressure
A lot of us don’t check our oil, water, windscreen washer fluid and tyre pressure very often so it’s a good idea to do this before you head away. Better yet, book your car in for a service at your local mechanic who can help you make sure your car is up to scratch and roadworthy before you depart.
3. Check your car insurance cover
You never know what’s going to happen on the road. Check your insurance cover is in place and all your details are up to date before heading off on your road trip.
4. Have a full tank of gas before you leave
There’s nothing worse than hitting the road and then realising you’ve only got a quarter tank of gas, especially if you live in a busy city. Fill up your petrol tank before you depart to avoid having to make a pitstop before you’ve even got out of the city!
5. Make sure all your lights are working properly
Check all your headlights and indicator lights are working to keep you safe on the road. You don’t want to get caught out after dark without a light working and you definitely don’t want to be ‘that person’ whose indicators aren’t working.
6. Pack the car correctly
When it comes to packing the car, it’s important not to pile everything up in the back to the point where it hinders your ability to see out the rearview mirror. Only stack things on top of each other to just below the backseat line and use the backseats to store things if you need to.
7. Electronic or paper maps
Google maps seems the obvious go to when heading out on a road trip but having a paper map on hand when you hit a spot with no reception is a good back up plan. Google maps does give you the option to download maps, just make sure you’ve packed your phone charger in case you run out of battery.
8. A fire playlist
While NZ radio stations are pretty good, we all know the fuzzy sound before it cuts out when you hit no reception. Spotify is a great option to put together your own curated road trip playlist, there’s nothing better than singing along to your own favourite tunes. They even have an offline mode, no reception required.
9. Snacks!
No road trip is complete without snacks. Pack enough snacks and water to keep you and your passengers full and hydrated throughout your journey.
