Your Winter Road Trip Checklist

With the holidays coming up, a lot of Canadians will be on the road visiting family and seeing loved ones. With your trunk full of gifts, you’ll head through mountains and along stretch after stretch of icy highways. What can you do to make sure you arrive safely and your holidays aren’t ruined by a flat tire, a fender bender, or worse?

Here’s a great checklist to get you started:

1. Get winter tires

You’d be surprised how many people opt for all-season tires and think this will cover the worst of winter conditions. All season tires are more for mild winter conditions: wet roads and minimal snow cover. For high alpine roads and colder winter conditions, you need winter tires to ensure the highest safety possible.

2. Grab some winter wiper fluid

Ensure it is the type that doesn’t freeze. You don’t want to get stuck up in the mountains driving through heavy snow, and not be able to clean the dirt and debris off your windshield.

3. Keep your phone charged, and pack a portable charger

Just in case you need some roadside assistance, make sure you’re able to call someone!

4. Stock up your emergency kit

Blankets, snacks, and water are a great start, but you can also pack salt, sand and a shovel in case you’ve gotten yourself stuck in the snow. Be sure to pop a first aid kit in there, too!

5. Pack some hard copy maps of the area you’ll be driving through

That way, if you find yourself lost in a no service area, you can still find your way.

6. Get all your regular work done on your car

Having a wheel alignment, tire rotation, oil change, and a basic tune-up will all ensure your car is running in tip-top shape and able to handle the cold winter roads.

7. Ensure you have a working spare tire, a jack, and a tire iron

Just in case you lose a tire along the way.

8. Join your local automobile association

The fees are small for the peace of mind you'll get knowing that if you need a tow, they'll be there and it won't cost an arm and a leg.

And don't forget some warm clothes!

This checklist should keep you comfortable and safe during all your holiday road trips. The only thing you’ll have to worry about is having a great time.

Is there anything you add to your winter road trip checklist? Let us know in the comments!