Summer Road Trip Checklist, Everything to Check Before You Go

A summer road trip should be about the destination, not a breakdown on the hard shoulder. Whether you're driving to Cornwall, the Lake District, or catching a ferry to France, thirty minutes of checks before you leave can make the difference between a great trip and a very expensive one.

Before you set off

Tyres

Check all four tyres and the spare (if you have one). Look for tread depth, the legal minimum is 1.6mm, but for long motorway drives in summer heat, you want more. Check pressures when the tyres are cold, and adjust for the load if you're carrying passengers and luggage. Your handbook will have specific figures for a fully loaded car.

Fluids

Check engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and screenwash. Summer driving, especially in traffic and at higher speeds, puts more demand on your cooling system. A low coolant level on a hot day can lead to overheating very quickly. Top up screenwash, summer insects on the windscreen are surprisingly hard to clear without it.

Air conditioning

If your air conditioning isn't blowing cold, get it re-gassed before your trip. Most garages charge around £50-80 for a recharge. Driving for hours in a hot car without working AC isn't just uncomfortable, it causes fatigue, which is a genuine safety risk on long journeys.

Documents

Make sure your MOT is valid, your insurance covers the dates and destinations of your trip, and your driving licence is current. If you're driving abroad, check whether you need an International Driving Permit and whether your insurance provides European cover, many policies include it, but not all.

Revn stores all of this alongside your vehicle details, so you can check everything from your phone without digging through paperwork.

Packing the car

Heavy items should go in the boot, low and as far forward as possible. Don't stack luggage above the rear seat line, in a sudden stop, unsecured items become projectiles. If you're using a roof box or bike rack, check the weight limits and make sure everything is secured properly.

On the road

• Take breaks: Stop every two hours or 100 miles. Fatigue causes more accidents than most drivers realise.
• Fuel up early: Don't wait until the warning light comes on, especially in rural areas where stations can be far apart. Check fuel prices before you go, Revn shows live fuel prices near your route so you can find the best deal.
• Carry water and snacks: Traffic jams in summer heat can last hours. Stay hydrated.
• Sun protection: Use a windscreen sunshade when parked. Interior temperatures can exceed 50°C in direct sunlight.

If you're driving abroad

Different countries have different legal requirements. France requires a warning triangle and high-visibility vests for all passengers. Spain requires a spare set of glasses if you wear them for driving. Check the specific requirements for every country you're passing through, not just your destination.

The best road trips are the ones where the car just works. Thirty minutes of preparation is a small price for peace of mind across hundreds of miles.