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Winter may be upon us, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take a fun road trip! Actually, a winter road trip might be just the thing to cure the winter blues and blahs. Sure, winter weather poses some risk on the road, but winter road-tripping has nice benefits too!
Traveling in the winter means fewer crowds and, often, a different type of experience. You might move at a slower pace, savoring your escape from everyday life.
Also, you can have unique experiences unavailable at any other time of the year, depending on where you go.
As a bonus, you can score reduced winter rates in some areas to lower travel costs.
Winter road trips take a little more preparation time, but they are also great adventures!
Related: 5 of the Best Iowa Winter Getaways & Vacation Ideas
9 Winter Road Trip Tips
Winter weather is unpredictable and can be dangerous. So, it’s worth the extra time to prepare your car and pack winter weather essentials.
Below are our top tips for planning and prepping for your winter road trip experience!
In case of bad weather: Be flexible and drive shorter days
When planning your trip, leave a little wiggle room for your travel dates and plan shorter driving days than you would in normal conditions.
You might add a day to the beginning and end of your trip to make sure you can dodge any severe weather. Flexibility can mean you still take your trip even if the weather isn’t cooperative.
It’s also wise to drive shorter days than you would otherwise. For example, you might drive a 6-hour day rather than an 8-hour day. There’s less daylight in winter and more risk of bad road conditions, especially after dark (e.g., black ice).
Have a backup plan: Find alternate routes
Stick to major roads whenever possible. Routes with more traffic get cleared more quickly.
Still, it’s wise to have an alternate route. Maybe you have to drive a little out of your way to avoid a mountain pass or snowstorm. But if you don’t have to deal with potentially dangerous roads, it’s worth it.
Get your car winter-ready
It’s best to get a professional inspection before you take off on a winter road trip. At the very least, you’ll want to check over your car and pack extra supplies before you go.
Below are some basic things to do to get your car ready.
- Check fluid levels
- Oil (get an oil change before you go)
- Antifreeze
- Wiper fluid
- Check tire pressure and tread (put on snow tires if you can)
- Check the wiper blades
- Test the battery
- Test the heater & defroster
- Check the spare tire
- Check headlights and brake lights
- Clean the headlights
Pack your car with winter weather essentials
Being flexible to avoid treacherous weather is the best way to prevent an emergency on the road. But winter weather can come on fast, so you want to be prepared!
Below are some supplies to pack in your car before you hit the road.
- first aid kit
- extra windshield wiper fluid
- snow brush/ice scraper
- multi-tool
- hand and foot warmers (like Hot Hands)
- blankets
- emergency blankets
- flashlights
- candles & matches
- road flares
- folding snow shovel
- tractions mats, cat litter, or sand
- jumper cables
- tire inflater
- tow strap
- jump-start battery pack (optional)
- tire chains, especially if you travel through mountainous areas
- paper maps or atlas
Pack food and water
It’s a good idea to take food and water on any road trip (and it’s cheaper, too!). But for winter travel, it’s essential to pack extra food and water in case you get stuck.
We recommend at least one gallon of water, but take more if you have several people and travel for several days. We take refillable water bottles and a couple of gallons of water on every road trip.
As for food, it’s easier to take non-perishable food, but you can always pack a small cooler (we do!). Just make sure you have foods that are satisfying and nutritious! Below are some food ideas for road trips.
- granola or protein bars
- nuts
- dried fruit
- cereal
- canned tuna or chicken
- jerky
- nut butter
- crackers
- hard-boiled eggs
- drink singles (for electrolytes)
- fresh fruits and veggies, like apples, grapes, celery, and carrots
Pack extras
Besides clothing and toiletries for travel days and your destination, pack some extra items for safety and comfort.
Stick these things in your car or bag – just in case.
Road trip extras (for safety and comfort)
- extra medications (prescription and nonprescription)
- spare phone chargers
- portable charger/power bank
- batteries
- wet wipes
- hand sanitizer
- paper towels
- extra socks
- extra hat & gloves
- scarf
- snow boots
- extra canned food
- can opener
- sunglasses
- pet food (if your pet is along for the trip)
Related: How To Stay Warm in Cold Weather
Have an emergency plan (and important personal info)
Of course, you’ll want your wallet with your driver’s license, insurance card, credit card, and cash. You might also take membership cards to warehouse clubs and hotels to take advantage of lower prices while on vacation.
Besides your wallet, take a few more emergency items with you:
- List of emergency contacts (doctors, vets, etc.)
- List of medications and health conditions
- Insurance towing information and phone numbers
- AAA membership card
Watch the forecast and road conditions
Before you leave home, get the road condition apps for the states you will drive through. To find road conditions for each state, go to IcyRoadSafety.com.
Also, keep a close eye on the weather forecast in the days before you leave. If winter weather could impact your travel days, adjust your dates or use an alternate route.
Winter weather can change suddenly. If you’re on the road and need to check road conditions, you can always call 511 to get up-to-date road conditions.
Driving tips
If you happen upon winter road conditions, there are a few things to keep in mind as you’re driving.
- Fill up your gas tank often.
- Clear snow and ice off your car often
- Stop when you can if roads are deteriorating
- Brush up on winter driving safety tips (braking, spinning, etc.)
Road Trip Essentials: Winter Road Trip Packing List
Here’s a handy winter road trip packing list you can use to prepare. For a printable version, scroll down and click on the printable image.
Winter Car Essentials
- first aid kit
- extra windshield wiper fluid
- snow brush/ice scraper
- Multi-tool
- hand and foot warmers (like Toasty Toes & Hot Hands)
- blankets
- emergency blankets (like these)
- flashlights
- candles & matches
- road flares
- snow shovel
- tractions mats, cat litter, or sand
- jumper cables
- tire inflater
- tow strap
- battery pack (optional)
- tire chains, especially if you travel through mountainous areas
- paper maps or atlas
Winter Road Trip Extras
- medications (prescription and nonprescription)
- spare phone chargers
- power bank
- batteries
- wet wipes
- hand sanitizer
- paper towels
- extra socks
- extra hat & gloves
- scarf
- snow boots
- extra canned food
- can opener
- sunglasses
- pet food (if your pet is along for the trip)
Food & Water
- personal water bottle
- gallon jugs of water
- nutritious, filling snacks (nuts, dried fruit, fresh fruits/veggies)
- extra canned food
- can opener
- pet food
Essential Personal Information & Contacts
- Wallet with driver’s license, insurance cards, cash, and credit card
- List of emergency contacts (doctors, vets, etc.)
- List of medications and health conditions
- Insurance towing information and phone numbers
- AAA membership card
Entertainment
- Books & journals
- Sketchbooks and art supplies
- Tech (tablet, cell phone, music)
- Travel games
Printable Packing List
Winter Road Trip Ideas
When planning a winter road trip, the first question is whether you want to vacation in winter weather – or not.
Do you want a winter experience? Or do you want to escape winter for a while?
Below are ideas for winter getaways and winter escapes!
Winter Road Trip Ideas for a Winter Experience
We’re based in Iowa, so, generally speaking, we don’t have to go far to have a winter experience. We have some great places in our state to take a winter getaway.
But there are so many other options!
Below are a few winter weather getaways to consider.
- Door County, Wisconsin
- Lutsen Mountains, Minnesota
- Winter Park, Colorado
- Moab, Utah (Arches National Park)
- Gatlinburg, Tennessee (Great Smoky Mountain National Park)
- Asheville, North Carolina (Blue Ridge Pkwy)
- Wilmington, Vermont (Route 100)
- Lake Tahoe
Road Trip Ideas to Escape Winter
If you need some sunshine and warm temps, consider the following places!
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Savanna, Georgia
- Orange Beach, Alabama
- Florida Keys
- Miami, Florida
- Charleston, South Carolina
- San Antonio, Texas
- South Padre, Texas
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Joshua Tree National Park, California
- Phoenix, Arizona
More winter articles:
• Fun Winter Scavenger Hunt [+ free printables]
• How To Stay Warm in Cold Weather
• Fun Indoor Winter Activities For Everyone
• Winter Books for Kids: Discover the Best Books for Any Age
• Winter in Iowa: Average Temps, Snow, and Things To Do!
