What should I keep in the car for a long road trip?

Essentials beyond the standard emergency kit:<ul><li>A physical map or downloaded offline route as a backup to navigation</li><li>Snacks and water for the occupants</li><li>A phone charger (power bank or in-car adapter)</li><li>A first aid kit</li><li>Roadside assistance information or subscription details</li><li>Jumper cables or a portable jump starter</li><li>A basic tool kit and tire repair supplies</li></ul>

Learn Road Trip Tips & Checklist

What should I do before I leave on a trip?

Make sure your vehicle is up-to-date on all inspections.
Check your tires’ air pressure and compare to the information on the tire information sticker in your vehicle’s door, gas tank, or in your owner’s manual. You can also find the right pressure for your tires through our Tire Selector vehicle search.

See more information on inspections and tire pressure

Check your tires’ tread wear and condition visually. If your tread seems worn down or the tires seem damaged, have the tires checked by a professional.

See How to check if you have enough tread left

Tire Registration

Make sure your tires are registered to receive direct notification in the event of a safety-related recall.

Read our Frequently Asked Questions.

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Tires are the top priority: check pressure on all four tires and the spare, inspect for any visible damage or embedded objects, and confirm the tread depth is adequate for the journey and any conditions you might encounter. Beyond tires: engine oil level, coolant level, windshield washer fluid, and that all exterior lights are working. If the vehicle hasn't had a service recently or the journey is particularly long, a pre-trip inspection at a shop gives a more complete picture.

Yes. Registering your tires with the manufacturer means you'll receive direct notification in the event of a safety-related recall. Michelin's website allows tire registration using the DOT code from the sidewall. This is worth doing when tires are new and worth checking before any extended journey — a recalled tire may have a known issue that the manufacturer can address before it becomes a problem on the road.

Build them into the route before you leave rather than deciding on the go. Planning stops every couple of hours maintains alertness better than driving until fatigue forces a stop. Look for rest areas, service stations, or towns along the route where you can park safely, stretch, use facilities, and have something to eat or drink. Avoid making time pressure the thing that cuts rest stops short — arriving tired at the destination is not the goal.

Essentials beyond the standard emergency kit:

A physical map or downloaded offline route as a backup to navigation
Snacks and water for the occupants
A phone charger (power bank or in-car adapter)
A first aid kit
Roadside assistance information or subscription details
Jumper cables or a portable jump starter
A basic tool kit and tire repair supplies

Tire pressure deserves a check at the start and if you stop for an extended period — pressure may shift slightly with temperature changes during a long journey. On sustained highway driving, the engine, brakes, and tires all run at higher continuous loads than city driving. If you smell anything unusual (burning, rubber, something hot), pull over and investigate before continuing. After a long highway journey, inspect the tires for any damage from debris picked up at speed.

Stay flexible and don't let schedule pressure push you to drive in conditions or at a pace that compromises safety. If a weather event forces a detour or a rest stop needs to be longer than planned, treat those as the journey responding correctly to conditions rather than as setbacks. Keep your navigation updated, know the fuel range of the vehicle and where the next service is on any alternative route, and confirm your roadside assistance plan is active before leaving home.