It’s all well and good learning how to make road trips a breeze for summer adventures, but things become a little trickier when you’re planning a winter road trip. Not only do you have all the normal issues to contend with, but you’re also battling against the weather, the cold, and everything else that comes with winter. 

But, that shouldn’t put you off a winter road trip, especially considering how stunning the scenery is and how exciting the journey can be. Before you go, it’s worth knowing how to plan and prepare for your trip, so here are ten essential tips. 

Plan Your Route 

While a road trip is supposed to be about the freedom of the open road, you still need to have some destination in mind. Whether you’re going coast to coast or doing a loop so you can get back in time for when school starts, knowing your route provides some structure that can help you stay on schedule. Considering it’s winter, it also keeps you safe as you won’t need to take any tricky backcountry roads that may not get any winter maintenance. 

Keep Up to Date With the Weather

Despite this, you never know how the weather could turn in an instant. So, it’s always worth keeping up with weather reports surrounding your next stop every day. The last thing you want is to get caught in a blizzard and not know where you’re going, while road closures and other issues could force you to stray off your preferred route. If you can make allowances for this, you’ll have a backup plan ready whenever you need it. 

Winter Tires 

You’ll save yourself a lot of hassle by installing winter tires before you leave. Do not assume you’re a good enough driver to handle snowy roads because you aren’t, and there’s no point putting your family in danger because of your arrogance. You can install winter tires yourself, but it might be easier to visit a mechanic and get them fitted for you. These tires offer more traction on slippery roads and can help you surmount steep hills, which is essential if you’re going up into the mountains.

Check Your Car Over 

Even if you don’t know anything about cars, you should still check it before you leave. This can include refilling the wiper fluid, checking tire pressure, replacing your brake pads if necessary, and replenishing the oil. The more you do before you leave, the less trouble you’ll have while on the road and you don’t want to get stranded in sub-zero temperatures waiting for a tow truck because you didn’t bother fixing some easy essentials. 

And Take It To A Mechanic 

If you don’t trust yourself to check the car thoroughly, you can always take it to a mechanic and it might be worth doing this regardless. While you can handle the small but useful fixes, they can test various parts of your vehicle to ensure everything works correctly and can complete however many miles you’re doing during your trip. They may advise you to replace parts, or they could give your car a clean bill of health, which would be quite a surprise. 

Winter Gear and Layers 

No matter where you go, it will be cold, so bring enough clothes and layers to keep everyone toasty during the journey. Your kids will want to be warm throughout the ride, but you’ll also need winter clothes for any activities you do along the way. Invest in some high-quality winter gear, such as thermal gloves for men, thermal leggings, and winter hats to trap warm air and keep you toasty. Layering is also a good idea because you can remove layers if you get too warm. 

Snacks and Refreshments 

You never know what delays could occur during your trip, so bringing healthy snacks and refreshments will make a huge difference to your journey. Pack a large case of bottled water as well as non-perishable snacks like canned goods or dried fruits and meat. These will be essential if you have to wait around after a breakdown or make it to the hotel or resort after they have finished serving food.

Repair Kits and First Aid 

Winter comes with many dangers and these dangers are amplified if you’re on the road far from a hospital or mechanic. Therefore, you must bring a repair kit and first aid to overcome any problems in the immediate aftermath. Some fundamental knowledge about repairing a vehicle is useful, while these emergency kit essentials should give you everything you need in case your car breaks down or you get stuck in the middle of nowhere. An emergency kit is also vital if you or a family member gets hurt while exploring so you don’t need to rush to get treatment straight away.

Keep Emergency Numbers Close 

Since you know where you’re going, you should research emergency numbers and keep a record of them close by before your trip. This technique is beneficial because you may not have data or internet to research local mechanics, or your phone could have run out of battery. Keep a dumb phone in your car that you only use to make emergency calls and research things to do before you call for help to see if you can overcome any problems you encounter along the way before relying on local emergency or rescue services. 

Give Yourself Plenty of Time 

Just because your Google Maps or satellite navigation tells you you will arrive at your next stop in four hours doesn’t mean that’s true. It does not take into account slower driving speeds (which are essential on snowy or icy roads), nor does it factor in possible delays. Therefore, you should give yourself plenty of time to get from A to B to ensure you don’t arrive too long after you were supposed to. 

Driving Through the Snow 

Ideally, your road trip won’t consist of a one-horse open sleigh. Instead, you and your family will be cozy and comfortable inside your vehicle. Remembering these tips will add to that comfort to ensure a successful road trip where you can see all the wondrous sights along the great American highways during one of the most magical times of the year.