How to Check for Road Conditions Before a Road Trip

 If you have your heart set on a summer road trip, there are a few things you will need to do before you hop in your Kia Soul LX on your getaway trip. For one thing, it’s a good idea to check the road conditions on your preferred route to be aware of any detours. You may also want to stop by your local Kia dealer to make sure your car is in good shape before you go.

Get Ready for Your Road Trips this Summer

Several resources are available to check the conditions of the road before your trip. Each state has a Department of Transportation that will have information about various roads and highways throughout the state. In Maryland, this resource is called CHART (Coordinated Highways Action Response Team), which has information about traffic incidents, live traffic cameras, an interactive map, traffic speed, and severe weather advisories.

In addition to your state resource, you can also download apps for Apple and Android phones. Many of these apps will pull information from state transportation resources, but the apps are often easier to navigate. Some apps may also have step-by-step driving directions to help you get around detours and traffic incidents more quickly.

How Else Can You Prepare for a Road Trip?

Whether planning a short day trip or a week-long road trip, you will need to be knowledgeable about more than the condition of the road. One smart thing to do is plan multiple routes to your destination so that you can have more flexibility. By planning multiple routes, you can stop at gas stations and restaurants on any route without too much hassle. Two other key preparations before a road trip include:

Visit Your Local Kia Dealer

It’s an excellent idea to visit your local dealership before a road trip to make sure your car is roadworthy. Simply tell the service center that you are planning a road trip, and the mechanics at your dealership will check all the major systems of your vehicle, including your tires, brakes, engine, lights, battery, and oil. Your dealership mechanic may also check your windshield wiper blades and the wiper fluid, particularly if the weather forecast predicts bad weather along the way.

Make an Emergency Kit

It’s also a good idea to have an emergency kit stowed away in your car. Your emergency kit should include road flares, jumper cables, and a multi-tool set to change tires. Many people also pack extra blankets, spare clothes, non-perishable food, bottled water, flashlights, spare batteries, and a USB power pack. 

Road trips can be exhilarating, but before you head out on the road, it’s best to be as prepared as possible. Be sure to stop by DARCARS Kia of Lanham for a routine maintenance check before your next long trip.

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