Road Trip Readiness Checklist
A one-page countdown from seven days before departure through the morning you leave, with vehicle inspection, emergency kit, documents, cross-border quick reference, roadside numbers, and a multi-trip log to track lessons across trips.
Budget the trip with the Road Trip Budget Estimator, and read How to Prepare Your Car for a Road Trip for the why behind each inspection item.
Road Trip Readiness Checklist
Start the T-7 days column a week to ten days before departure. Work each phase down to the day you leave, then log the trip when you get home.
T-7 Days: Book, Renew, and Inspect
| Done | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Book hotels and any reservations (attractions, campsites, ferries) | ||
| Confirm AAA / CAA membership is current | ||
| Check passports for every traveler (cross-border trips) | ||
| Confirm pet vaccinations are current; pull records | ||
| Book a service appointment for any flagged maintenance item | ||
| Check tire pressure (cold) and tread depth on all tires plus the spare | ||
| Check fluids: oil, coolant, brake, washer, transmission | ||
| Inspect brakes: pad thickness, pedal feel, warning lights | ||
| Test all lights: headlights, signals, brake, reverse, plate, hazards | ||
| Test the AC and battery; replace wiper blades if streaking |
T-3 Days: Supplies and Devices
| Done | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh emergency kit: water, snacks, batteries | ||
| Check first aid kit; replace expired items | ||
| Download offline maps and kid entertainment (movies, games, audiobooks) | ||
| Charge all devices and power banks | ||
| Pack the kid sick kit (wipes, bags, spare clothes) | ||
| Pack pet supplies: carrier, water, collapsible bowl, food | ||
| Check the weather for the route and destination | ||
| Confirm the 12V tire inflator and jump pack are charged and in the car |
T-1 Day: Fuel, Food, and Documents
| Done | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fill the fuel tank | ||
| Pack the cooler with first-day groceries and drinks | ||
| Print the phone-numbers list (insurance, AAA / CAA, hotel confirmations, emergency contacts) | ||
| Put all travel documents in a single folder | ||
| Get cash in small bills for tolls and tips | ||
| Confirm the spare-key location (carried, not locked in the car) |
Day-of Departure
| Done | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Final tire-pressure check (cold, before driving) | ||
| Adjust all mirrors | ||
| Verify child seats are secured | ||
| Settle pets in secured carriers | ||
| Confirm the emergency kit is accessible, not buried in the trunk | ||
| Note fuel level and odometer reading | ||
| Set first-leg navigation | ||
| Check weather and traffic; adjust the route if needed |
Emergency Kit Reference (10 Essentials)
See the Vehicle Emergency Kit Checklist for the full list. Confirm these ten core items before you leave.
| Item | In Car | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jumper cables + portable jump pack | ||
| 12V tire-inflator pump | ||
| Flashlight + spare batteries | ||
| First aid kit | ||
| Road flares or reflective triangles | ||
| Blanket | ||
| Water (1 gal/person/day, up to 3 days) | ||
| High-energy snacks | ||
| Phone chargers (12V, USB-C, USB-A) | ||
| Paper map backup |
Cross-Border Quick Reference (US to Canada)
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Passport | Required for every traveler (birth certificate not accepted since 2009) |
| NEXUS | Trusted-traveler lane, about 15 min vs 30 to 90 min standard |
| Customs exemption | CA$200 after 24 hr; CA$800 after 48 hr returning to Canada |
| Alcohol (48 hr+, per adult) | 1.5 L wine OR 24 cans (355 mL) beer OR 1.14 L spirits |
| Food | Declare all food and raw produce; meat and fresh fruit/veg often confiscated |
| Fuel | Sold in litres; 1 US gal = 3.785 L (about CA$1.25/L for $3.50/gal at 1.35) |
| Speed limits | Posted in km/h: 100 km/h = 62 MPH, 120 km/h = 75 MPH (some BC highways) |
| Roadside | CAA is reciprocal with AAA; membership works both sides (apps differ) |
Roadside-Assistance Numbers
| Service | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AAA (US) | 1-800-AAA-HELP (1-800-222-4357) | |
| CAA (Canada) | Varies by region (check card or app) | |
| Rental car roadside | ||
| Insurance roadside (if covered) | ||
| Road conditions (511) | 511 (US + Canada) |
Multi-Trip Log (fill one row per trip)
| Date | Route | Miles | Total cost | Prep done | Issues | Lessons learned |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start this road trip checklist?
Start the T-7 days column a week to ten days before departure. That lead time is the whole point: it lets you book lodging, renew a lapsed AAA or CAA membership, and fix anything the vehicle inspection turns up (a worn tire, an overdue oil change) without cancelling or driving on a known problem. The T-3, T-1, and day-of columns then carry you through the final week and out the driveway.
What is the multi-trip log for?
The log at the bottom is meant to be filled over time, one row per trip. After a year of road trips you can see patterns at a glance: which routes had construction, which hotels worked, what gear you wished you had packed, and roughly what each trip cost. Keep the sheet in your glove box or a travel binder and add a row each time you get home.
How is this different from a vehicle emergency kit checklist?
The emergency kit checklist covers the gear that lives in your trunk year-round. This readiness checklist is broader and time-based: it walks the full pre-trip countdown, including the vehicle inspection, documents, reservations, kid and pet prep, and cross-border details, and it references the emergency kit as one section rather than duplicating the whole list. Use both together: the kit checklist to stock the trunk, this one to prep each specific trip.
What do I need for a cross-border road trip?
A valid passport for every traveler (a birth certificate has not been accepted since 2009), and a NEXUS card if you want the faster trusted-traveler lane. Your CAA or AAA membership is reciprocal across the border. Know the customs exemptions returning to Canada (CA$200 after 24 hours, CA$800 after 48 hours), declare all food and raw produce, and remember fuel is sold in litres and speed limits are posted in km/h.