AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION. projects over 39 million Americans will travel by car this Memorial Day weekend, a new record. Last summer, more than 350,000 ended up stranded on the side of the road. The difference between a smooth trip and a stressful one almost always comes down to what you did or didn’t do in the days before you headed out.
A thorough pre-road trip car inspection at Mr. Tire takes under an hour, covers everything on this list, and for most drivers it costs a lot less than a tow from mile marker 80.
Why a Pre-Road Trip Car Inspection Matters
Your daily commute asks very little of your car. A 300-mile stretch of interstate asks a lot more.
Worn tires, a battery nearing the end of its service life, low coolant these aren’t problems that announce themselves on your morning drive to work. They surface at mile 150, in the middle lane, when you’re hours from the nearest town. A solid pre-road trip inspection catches them first.
According to AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION., the leading causes of holiday roadside calls are dead batteries, blown tires, and empty fuel tanks. All three are preventable with the right prep.
Your Complete Car Road Trip Checklist
Before you pack the car and hit the highway, work through this list.
1. Tires & Tire Pressure
More miles at higher speeds means your tires need to be right before you go. Don’t skip this one.
- Tire pressure: Check when cold that means before you start driving. The correct PSI for your vehicle is on a label inside your driver’s door jamb, not printed on the tire itself.
- Tread depth: Use the penny test. Stick a penny into the tread groove with Lincoln’s head pointing down. If the top of his head is visible, you’re below 2/32” get new tires before this trip.
- Spare tire: Confirm the pressure is good and that your jack and lug wrench are in the car.
- Sidewall: Look for cracking, bubbling, or cuts, particularly on tires over five years old.
Pro Tip: Tire pressure falls roughly 1 PSI per 10°F temperature drop. If your route takes you from warmer regions into cooler elevations, recheck your pressure at a fuel stop.
2. Oil & Engine Fluids
Highway driving puts more sustained load on an engine than city driving. Before you leave, spend a few minutes under the hood.
- Engine oil: Check the dipstick for level and color. Dark, gritty oil past its useful life should be changed before the trip if you’re within 1,500 miles of your next interval, don’t wait.
- Coolant/antifreeze: Low coolant is one of the most reliable ways to end up overheated on the highway. Check the reservoir and top off if needed.
- Brake fluid, power steering fluid, and washer fluid: All three, topped off before you pull out of the driveway.
Did You Know?: Your Valvoline™ oil change at Mr. Tire comes with a free ConfiDrive® Performance Review a 32-point inspection of your entire vehicle, covering fluids, brakes, battery, tires, suspension, and more. One stop. The whole checklist handled.
3. Brakes
Stopping distances increase at highway speeds. Your brakes need to be in solid shape before any long drive. Watch for these warning signs before you go.
- Squealing, grinding, or metallic scraping when you brake
- A pulse or vibration through the brake pedal underfoot
- Pulling left or right when you slow down
Brake pads below 3mm should be replaced before the trip, not after. A free brake assessment is included with every ConfiDrive® Performance Review at Mr. Tire.
4. Battery
Summer heat actually degrades battery performance faster than winter cold and a battery that’s been borderline for months has a way of choosing the worst possible moment to finally give out.
- Have it tested if it’s three or more years old.
- White or blue-gray corrosion on the terminals is a sign of trouble.
- Make sure both cable connections are firmly secured before you leave.
5. Lights & Wiper Blades
A road trip covers more conditions than your typical commute ever does. Check the simple stuff before you discover it matters at 75 mph in the rain.
- Confirm that all headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals are working before you leave.
- Wiper blades that streak or skip on a dry pass will be useless in heavy rain. They’re quick to replace and inexpensive. Mr. Tire uses TRICO PRO blades for every wiper replacement.
- Fill the windshield washer fluid reservoir before departure.
6. Belts & Hoses
These rarely fail gradually. They fail suddenly, which is exactly why you check them before the trip, not after.
- The serpentine belt drives your alternator, power steering, and A/C. Cracking, fraying, or a glazed surface means it needs attention before you leave.
- Coolant hoses should feel firm. Soft or swollen hoses are on their way out.
Neither one has a mileage reminder the way an oil change does. If it’s been over two years since anyone looked at them, ask a technician before you go. Both are covered as part of the 32-point ConfiDrive® review at Mr. Tire.
7. A/C System
If your A/C is struggling now, it’ll be worse when you need it most an afternoon push on the highway with three kids in the back seat. A refrigerant recharge usually solves the problem.
Mr. Tire’s A/C system refresh gets it working properly before your trip. No guesswork, no hoping it holds.
8. Pack an Emergency Kit
The best roadside emergency is the one you handle yourself in fifteen minutes. Pack these and most small problems stay small.
- Jumper cables or a portable battery jump starter
- Flashlight with working batteries
- Tire inflator or a small portable air compressor
- Basic tools: pliers, flathead screwdriver, zip ties
- First aid kit
- Phone charger or portable power bank
- Water and snacks for the road
Not sure what’s most relevant for your specific vehicle and route? Your Mr. Tire technician can give you a straight answer.
At-a-Glance: Car Road Trip Inspection Checklist
| Check | What to Look For | Mr. Tire Service |
| Tires | PSI, tread depth (penny test), sidewall, spare | Tire Inspection & Rotation |
| Oil & Fluids | Level, color, service interval; all fluids topped off | Valvoline™ Oil Change + Top-Off |
| Brakes | Squealing, grinding, vibration, pad thickness ≥3mm | Free Brake Assessment |
| Battery | Age (3+ years), terminal corrosion, tight connections | Free Battery Test |
| Lights | Headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals | ConfiDrive® Performance Review |
| Wiper Blades | Clean wipe, no streaking or skipping | Wiper Blade Replacement (TRICO PRO) |
| Belts & Hoses | No cracks, fraying, or soft spots | ConfiDrive® Performance Review |
| A/C System | Cooling properly; no weak or warm airflow | A/C System Refresh |
| Full Vehicle | All 32 checkpoints per AMRA industry standards | FREE ConfiDrive® Performance Review |
What Is the ConfiDrive® Performance Review? Mr. Tire’s Pre-Trip Car Inspection Explained.
The checklist is done. Here’s how Mr. Tire gets through every item on it in one visit, no charge.
What Happens During the Inspection
The inspection starts the moment your vehicle arrives. Your service advisor uses a tablet to scan your VIN and pull up your car’s complete profile. A certified technician then runs a 32-point inspection against the Uniform Inspection and Communication Standards set by the Automotive Maintenance Repair Association (AMRA) the independent third-party standard for professional automotive service centers.
Every item is covered with you directly. Your technician references your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended service schedule, tells you what needs to be done now, what’s worth monitoring, and what’s in good condition. You receive the complete report by email or printed if you’d rather have it in hand before you leave.
No sales pitch. No pressure. A written estimate if anything comes up, a clear explanation of your options, and the final decision is yours.
What the 32-Point ConfiDrive® Review Covers: Fluid levels • Battery • Brake pads & rotors • Steering & suspension • Tire tread depth & pressure • Dashboard warning lights • Windshield condition • Wiper blades • Belts & hoses • Body & structural condition, and more. 32 points. Free. Every visit.
Why It Matters Before a Long Drive
Before any road trip, the ConfiDrive® Performance Review is the most direct way to know exactly where your vehicle stands. Everything on this checklist gets inspected by a certified technician, recorded digitally, and reviewed with you before anything is touched.
With 200+ Mr. Tire locations across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, and appointment-free Valvoline™ oil changes available at participating stores, getting your car checked before a road trip doesn’t have to take your whole afternoon.
Book Your Pre-Trip Inspection at Mr. Tire Today
Walk in or schedule online. No appointment required at participating locations.
Know exactly what you’re working with before you hit the road.
Car Road Trip Checklist: FAQs
Q: Can my car handle a road trip?
A: Usually yes if it’s been properly maintained. Miles and age are less relevant than condition. A 120,000-mile car that’s been serviced consistently is road-trip-ready. A 40,000-mile car that hasn’t been looked at in two years isn’t. Not sure which one you have? Bring it to Mr. Tire for a free ConfiDrive® Performance Review and get a straight answer.
Q: What should I check before a road trip?
A: Tires (pressure and tread depth), oil and fluids, brakes, battery, lights, and wipers cover the majority of what causes breakdowns on long drives. Work through this checklist, or come into Mr. Tire and let the ConfiDrive® Performance Review handle all 32 inspection points in a single visit.
Q: What is the ConfiDrive® Performance Review at Mr. Tire?
A: A free 32-point digital inspection that comes with every service visit. We scan your VIN, inspect the vehicle against AMRA industry standards, walk you through your manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule, and email you the complete report. Transparent, thorough, and no-pressure.
Q: How long does a pre-road trip check take at Mr. Tire?
A: Under an hour for most vehicles. The ConfiDrive® inspection runs alongside your Valvoline™ oil change, so both are handled in one stop. If anything comes up, you’ll get a written estimate before any work begins.
Q: Should I get an oil change before a road trip?
A: Yes, particularly if you’re within 1,500 miles of your next scheduled interval. Highway driving puts sustained load on your engine, and fresh oil handles that significantly better than oil that’s already done its time. The ConfiDrive® review that runs with every Mr. Tire oil change covers the rest of the checklist in the same stop.
Q: What does a pre-road trip inspection cost at Mr. Tire?
A: The ConfiDrive® Performance Review is free with any service visit. If the inspection identifies work that needs doing, you’ll receive a written estimate first nothing gets started without your approval.
