Always give yourself extra travel time when you expect winter conditions.
If driving a rental car, request 4-wheel drive and/or snow tires.
If driving your own vehicle, make sure your car has had a recent check-up: Check the battery, replace your coolant with antifreeze, replace old wiper blades and use wiper fluid with de-icer.
Cold weather changes the inflation of your tires – before you leave home, check that they are properly inflated; and don’t forget to check the spare!
Carry tire chains; practice putting them on before you leave home.
Test your heater and defroster. Cold air blowing from what should be your heating system can make for a very uncomfortable trip.
Your Winter Road Trip Emergency Kit
A flashlight with extra batteries or lightsticks
A basic first aid kit
Paper towels and rags
At least one gallon of water
Non-perishable food items that need no heating such as energy bars
A warm blanket or sleeping bag and pillow
Non-clumping kitty litter, road salt or sand
An ice scraper, snow brush and a sturdy shovel
Extra car fuses
Coats, gloves, hats and boots for each passenger
Rain ponchos
Hand warmers/foot warmers
Duct tape
Multipurpose tool (screwdriver, knife, corkscrew for the emergency wine bottle!)
Garbage sack
Bungee cords
Coveralls, work gloves and a painter’s cloth (for installing chains in the snowy muck!)
An emergency blanket
Emergency candles and a 5# coffee can, with Lid (this can be used for a number of things)
