Road trips and travel

Plain guides for safe road trips, rental cars and trouble far from home

Long drives bring fatigue, unfamiliar roads and changing weather. This page brings together our guides on planning a road trip, staying alert on the highway, renting or sharing a car, crossing a border and what to do if something goes wrong far from home.

Use the On this page menu to jump to a topic. In an emergency in the United States, call 911.

Plan the trip

Check your car, pack an emergency kit, secure your cargo and pets, and set up your route before you leave. Plan rest stops so you don’t drive tired.

Start hereVehicle maintenance for safety: tires, brakes, lights and warning signsSimple checks for tires, brakes, lights and dashboard warnings that help prevent crashesRead the guideEmergency blankets, water and supplies: what to carry if you get stranded in your carChoose the right blankets, pack enough water and size your kit for every tripRead the guideUsing GPS navigation safely: plan the route, skip the sudden movesSet up GPS before you drive and recover from a missed turn without risky movesRead the guideDrowsy driving: warning signs, hidden risks and what really worksSpot the warning signs of drowsy driving and learn the few fixes that really workRead the guideCrash tested pet restraints and carriers: why loose pets are risky and how to set one upChoose a pet harness, carrier or crate, size it right and install it securelyRead the guideCargo nets, covers, partitions and load bars: what each one holds back and what it can’tMatch each piece of cargo gear to its job and restrain heavy items firstRead the guide15 passenger van safety: a guide for schools, churches and teamsHow to choose drivers, fill seats, check tires and plan trips so everyone gets home safelyRead the guidePublic EV charger safety: protect yourself, your car and your cardHow to stay safe at public chargers, spot payment scams and avoid damaged equipmentRead the guide

On the highway and back roads

Merge with care, give trucks room, watch for changing weather and take extra care on dark country roads.

Start hereMerging and highway driving: how to enter, cruise and exit safelyUse the acceleration lane, pick a safe gap, keep right and exit smoothly on any highwayRead the guideSharing the road with trucks and buses: No Zones, passing and stoppingWhere truck blind spots are, why trucks need more room and how to pass safelyRead the guideRural road safety: why country roads are deadlier and how to drive themHow to handle curves, dark roads, farm equipment, deer and long waits for helpRead the guideRoad weather sensors and 511: how ice, fog and rain reports reach driversWhat road sensors measure, how crews use the data and where to check before a tripRead the guideNight driving safety: how to see hazards and stop in time after darkHow to match your speed to your headlights, handle glare and spot people after darkRead the guideDeer and animal crashes: how to avoid them and what to do afterWhen animal crashes peak, why swerving is risky and the steps to take after impactRead the guideTractors and farm equipment on public roads: how to share the road safelyHow drivers and farmers can avoid rear end, passing and left turn crashesRead the guideGravel road driving: how to stay in control on loose surfacesHow to handle loose gravel, dust, washboard ruts, soft edges and blind hillsRead the guideExpress lanes and tolls: how to use them safely and avoid scamsHow express and toll lanes work, how to merge safely and spot fake toll textsRead the guideHighway hypnosis: why your mind drifts and how to stay alertWhy long, familiar drives put your mind on autopilot and simple ways to stay engagedRead the guide

Rental cars, car sharing and borders

Before you rent, share or drive a car across a border, check which insurance applies and what a credit card really covers.

Start hereRental car insurance: how your policy, the damage waiver and extra liability fit togetherWhat each counter product covers, what your own policy does and where gaps hideRead the guideCredit card rental car coverage: what it leaves out, from liability to medical billsHow to spot the gaps in a card rental benefit and cover them before you rentRead the guidePeer to peer car sharing insurance: whose policy responds after a collisionWhich policy pays during a shared trip, where gaps open and what to check firstRead the guideDriving to Canada or Mexico: why your U.S. car insurance may not cross the borderWhere your policy applies, what proof to carry and why Mexico needs its own coverageRead the guide

If something goes wrong far from home

A breakdown or crash in an unfamiliar place is stressful. These guides help you stay safe, call for help and handle towing and repairs away from home.

Start hereWhat to do after a car accident away from homeA checklist for the reports, records, car and plans to settle before you leave townRead the guideRoadside breakdown safety: what to do when your car breaks downHow to get out of traffic, stay visible, call for help and handle a flatRead the guideSatellite SOS for drivers: how to choose, set up and test an emergency deviceCompare phone SOS, messengers and beacons, then set one up and test it safelyRead the guideTowing and labor coverage or a motor club: how to compare roadside helpCompare tow limits, payment, claim effects and safety before you are strandedRead the guide

More to read

Want to read more? Check our winter driving guides and our rain, fog and severe weather guides before you head out.

Winter drivingRain, fog, floods and severe weather

These guides offer general education, not legal or insurance advice. Traffic laws and insurance rules differ by state and country, so check the rules for each place you drive.

Keep learning

Safe Driving Resource Center

Guides, self-checks and articles for drivers, parents of new drivers, and families recovering after a crash.

Browse all resources
A laptop open to the Safe Driving Resource Center page, with guides grouped by topic.
Back to top