There’s nothing like a family adventure to make some new memories—whether you’re heading out for the weekend or for a week or two! A break in your regular routine, travelling to new, exciting locations, and discovering those hidden gems in our incredible province. Viva la Vida! (live life to the fullest!). Here are some road trip essentials to help you and your family be prepared, be safe, and have a stress-free vacation.
- Get your vehicle ready—a quick reminder of things to keep in mind.
- Check your vehicle’s tire pressure as underinflated tires increase fuel consumption. Improper inflation can be dangerous and increase tire wear.
- Check your fluid levels—oil, brake, and windshield washer fluid should be topped up. Examine belts for proper tension and flaws in your windshield wipers. Check when your vehicle needs an oil change and if needed, visit one of CAA’s Approved Auto Repair Service
- Have your battery checked. Visit the CAA Battery Depot for any of your battery needs plus battery accessories.
- Ensure your headlights, taillights, and fog lights are working and clean for maximum brightness.
- If you hear any alarming engine noises or unusual smells take your vehicle to your local mechanic well in advance of your trip.
- If you are driving an RV, or pulling a boat or camper trailer, check the wheels. Read your owner’s manual for details. Set the lug nuts to the proper torque, grease wheel bearings, and inspect trailer suspensions for wear. Have your battery checked on your RV, boat, or camper. The CAA Battery Depot carries auto, marine, motorcycle, ATV, as well as specialty batteries. Learn how to tune up your RV.
- Are you pulling a camper or utility trailer, or boat? Towing opens up a whole world of road-trip possibilities, but it pays to do your homework before setting off. Read A Beginner's Guide to Towing a Trailer.
- Pack right—make a list and check it twice!
- Focus on the necessities and resist the urge to overpack. Not only does this ensure less crowding and more legroom, but it also minimizes the frustration of digging through too much stuff.
- Not all rest stops are created equal. It’s a good idea to bring some body wipes and extra toilet paper, along with garbage bags to corral trash and dirty laundry.
- Organize the trunk and back seats to keep emergency and just-in-case items tucked away, while making your everyday supplies (toiletries, snacks, chargers) easy to access.
- It helps to group similar items together in packing cubes or a car trunk organizer, so you don’t have to unpack everything to find what you’re looking for.
- Consider using compression cubes for clothing and pack them in duffel bags rather than hard-shell suitcases that take up more space. If your vehicle is on the smaller side, go with reasonably priced waterproof rooftop cargo carriers for extra storage, if you have too much stuff.
- Keep everyone entertained—from toddler to teenager.
- Once you’re tired of podcasts and karaoke, you’ll be glad you brought space-savvy entertainment such as a deck of cards, online trivia or conversation-starter card games.
- You can download books and movies onto your iPads, laptops, or mobile phone—just remember the battery will need charging.
- For kids bring smaller books, colouring books, games, and toys. One of the all-time classic games to play in a car is I Spy. Take turns finding an item visible to all players and the others have to guess what the item is—give them hints when they get stumped to keep the game going.
- Make sure children are comfortable with a small pillow and blanket. It can get cool in your car if you have the air conditioning turned on. Remember, all passengers in the vehicle including the driver must wear seat belts.
- Challenge tweens or teens to take photos of the trip and create a photo library of their adventures.
- Have snacks handy—don’t be “hangry”!
- Minimize fast-food stops and ward off “hangry” moods with sweet, salty, and healthy snacks for every craving, plus water, juice, chocolate milk, coffee, tea, etc.
- Fill insulated water bottles and travel mugs with your favourite beverages to help avoid spillage.
- Stop for regular meals to keep everyone happy. Plan ahead to visit CAA Rewards partners along the way for essential meals, accommodations, and fuel stops and save!
- Help keep you and your family safe.
- Pack safety items—emergency and first-aid kits, battery jump starter and jumper cables, mobile phone chargers with extra USB ports and cords, a blanket (that can double as a picnic blanket), and perhaps a power inverter to charge bigger devices that require outlets.
- The roadside assistance kit should include a flashlight with extra batteries, tire pressure gauge, pliers, and an adjustable wrench. You can purchase a roadside safety kit at your local CAA Store.
- Ensure seatbelts, child car seats and air bags are functioning and correctly installed, plus consider a pet harness for your furry friend.
- Do it all before you drive—review maps, set your GPS, get your music playlist ready, and ensure children have everything they need.
- Do not drive distracted—mobile phones, eating, drinking, entertainment and navigation systems, grooming, long conversations, and smoking are all distractions. Keep your eyes and mind on the task of safe driving.
- Slow Down Move Over. It is the law to slow to 60 km/h for first responders, including tow truck operators, law enforcement, paramedics, firefighters, and construction crews working on Saskatchewan highways. Help them stay safe and arrive home at the end of their shift. It is a matter of life and death. Visit caask.ca/slowdownmoveover
- Tired? Pull over, take a break, switch drivers. Tips to Avoid Drowsy Driving.
- See and be seen. For safety and visibility, your vehicle’s headlights and taillights should be turned on before sunrise, after sunset and in low visibility. Do not be the driver of a phantom vehicle.
- Make sure you’re covered—insurance helps protect you and your family.
- Call your CAA Insurance expert to ensure you are covered for trip interruption and medical emergencies while travelling—they can advise you on any extra coverage needed beyond your provincial health plan. Visit caask.ca/insurance to learn more.
- Don’t forget your furry friend. CAA Members, SAVE 12% off your monthly insurance premium. Visit caask.ca/pet-insurance to learn more.
- CAA has your back—we are here when you need us!
- Join or renew your CAA membership before you head out, for roadside assistance coverage that follows you, not your vehicle, whether you’re the driver or a passenger. Visit caask.ca/membership to learn more about the different types of memberships offered. If you have a roadside package with your current vehicle, consider purchasing a CAA Value membership for $10 which will give you access to fuel, accommodations, and restaurant savings—and more! Visit the CAA Rewards® eStore to learn more.
- Check that your driver’s license and vehicle insurance are also valid. If needed, drop by a CAA Store to renew your driver's license and vehicle insurance.
Wherever your travels lead you, drive safe, and enjoy your family road-trip adventures! Use CAA Travel for all your travel needs.