Whether you are driving to a sunny beach or to the comfort of your childhood home, it is important to prepare your vehicle so you can safely make it to your destination.

When planning to drive long distances, there are maintenance issues you should check on, road conditions you should plan for and the driver’s cognitive state to worry about.

Matteo Cardella, owner of Cyclone Truck and Auto Repair, said that not all problems can be caught ahead of time, but there are some important things to check on your car before going on a long road trip.

“A quick pop of the hood can tell you a lot of things,” Cardella said. “I would start with checking and topping off all vehicle fluids, making sure not to forget the all too important windshield washer fluid. Next, take a look for any new major leaks that leave puddles on the ground.”

He also said that while you are looking under the hood, you should check the condition of your belts and hoses, which can be expensive to repair when you are on the road. He also talked about tire pressure.

“A good walk around assessment of your car should include checking tires for any uneven tire wear or bulges,” Cardella said. “It likes to hide on the inside side wall, so make sure to be thorough. It’s also a good idea to put a pressure gauge on them and make sure they’re set to the manufacture’s spec.”

Olivia De Kok, junior in biological pre-medical illustration, plans on going home for spring break. With a 3 1/2-hour drive ahead of her, De Kok plans to check her car for any sort of maintenance problems.

De Kok said she always checks her tire pressure before she leaves because it has a tendency to run low. She also said that she always makes sure her tank is full before she leaves because she knows the 3 1/2-hour drive will use at least half of her tank, if not more.

Not only is it important to make sure your car is in tip-top shape, but it is also important to plan for different road conditions.

De Kok said she tries to avoid driving at night, but if she has to, she picks a playlist that will keep her awake and alert so she doesn’t fall asleep.

Annie Burns, sophomore in political science and communication studies, lives more than three hours away in Blaine, Minnesota. 

It’s important to read up on the weather and to [figure] out when the appropriate time to leave is,” Burns said. “If I have no choice but to drive in the snow, I make sure I am prepared to drive slowly”.

When you go on longer road trips it is important to give yourself some extra time to get there and to decide if and when you are going to need to stop to eat or sleep.

Glenn Zaleski, junior in management information systems, is planning a road trip to Los Angeles and Berkeley, California, for spring break. Zaleski and his friends plan to split up the 25-hour drive into eight- or nine-hour increments. In order to ensure safety for the long trip, the group plans to have two people awake at all times.

“Road trips are actually a great time if you do them with all your friends,” Zaleski said. “Some of my best memories are from road trips. But everyone needs to be prepared for the long hours in a car in order to be safe.”