How to prepare for a road trip

10 March 2025
Written by Wheels magazine

The great Aussie road trip to go on holidays is as good as a national past-time, but there are some key things you need to do beforehand to ensure the journey is both safe and enjoyable. The route is as important as the destination, right?

 

Check the health of your car 

Depending on how far you’re going, and the nature of the terrain you’re traversing, it’s always wise to give your car the once over before you venture out. Ideally get it properly serviced a few weeks beforehand but if not, the key things to do are look at water, oil and coolant levels, the connection of plugs, cables, and hoses, as well as tyre pressure, tread and any other apparent damage to the rubber. There are few things worse than breaking down away from home, particularly in remote areas where the cost of repair and/or transport home of the vehicle can amount to the GDP of a small nation.

 

 

Plan your route

Australia’s very long, very remote stretch of roads are great for driving but a challenge to maintain. The result is that many popular routes can feel permanently under construction as road crews fill pot holes, mark lines and make safety changes. In this Internet-connected age, thankfully, it’s usually possible to know the location and duration of roadworks ahead of time, helping you plan your holiday route to avoid them.

And it almost goes without saying that hitting the road either before or after urban peak hours is eminently sensible. Google Maps, live traffic updates online and live-streamed cameras of major highways can all assist in helping you pick the right time to depart or return.

 

 

Ready your tech

All latest-generation cars have an ‘infotainment’ screen or screens dominating the dash these days. It’s wise to make sure you have it configured the way you need before taking to the road – smartphone mirroring, navigation, driver assist systems, car analytics. The open road at 100km/h or over is not place to be fiddling around with on-screen menus and settings.

‘Tech ready’ should also encompass ensuring the kids have apps, movies, playlists, etc ready to go on their devices for the big trip. Bickering and fiddling over downloads while en route is bound to be distracting for the driver – and distraction can be fatal.

Also take time to investigate other apps from various organisations such as the State Emergency Services and Surf Life Saving Australia, which can give you insight into things you should be aware of before travelling to certain areas.

With petrol prices always being volatile around holiday times, crowd-sourced apps like FuelMap can also be helpful, offering a comprehensive database of where best to refuel.

 

Ready yourself 

Get plenty of rest before the journey. Long drives in Australia are by nature fatiguing. Driving while sleep-deprived is a recipe for disaster, as is leaving while stressed or harried.

Take advantage of regular stops along the way – there are now hundreds of driver reviver stops along Australia’s major and most secondary highways, with toilets, seating and sometimes, a coffee van.

 

Travelling with kids

The family road trip requires even more planning and thought. Be sure to pack a bag with essentials to carry in the car (not the boot) – wipes, tissues, nappies, first aid items, changes of clothes – which can avoid the need to dangerously stop on the side of the highway to retrieve something from the luggage.

And of course, kids need more stops, particularly little ones. Babies shouldn’t be in capsules and car seats for more than a couple of hours at a time. Toddlers will need lots of entertainment options and slightly older kids preferably need stops where they can run around – a park or a playground, every few hours.