We all know that summer is, like, the ideal road trip time. At least, according to movies and TV, it is… but did you know that fall is also pretty dang awesome for taking road trips? Think about it – changing leaves, blankets in the back seat, stopping in small towns and smelling the smoke from wood stoves and looking at the fall foliage… pretty awesome. So, we’ve put together a list of the essential items that you’ll need in your vehicle for any road trip that you take this season!

This stuff is what you should have in your car at all times as an emergency kit – a good idea is to get a small bag to store these things in and keep it in your trunk or in with your spare tire.

• Flashlight, roadside signal flares or reflective cones/warning signs

• First aid kit.

• Booster cables, vice grips, 3/8ths drive socket set, set of combination wrenches, crescent wrench, multiple tip screwdriver.

• A gallon jug of water.

• Extra washer fluid, oil, transmission oil, brake fluid

• Rags, workshop towels, old blanket.

• Gloves

• Spare belts (alternator, fan and air conditioner belts)

• Candle, warm clothes, heavy blanket (for winter travel)

• Nonperishable food and drinking water

Next are the things you should have for your road trip! Whether you’re taking a simple day trip or a weeklong excursion to visit places you’ve never been (may we suggest taking a trip to visit some National Parks or National Historic Sites?) you should make sure to have at least some of these items with you, because they’ll probably come in handy and probably prove to be lifesavers!

• Blankets and pillows

• Music

• Folding chairs

• Portable table

• Reading material

• Duct tape and WD40

• Camera

• Cash for toll roads

• GPS

• Binoculars

• Wet wipes

• Puzzle books and quiet toys for kids.

• Disposable cameras for the kids.

• Pen, pencil, notepad

• Tissues, toilet tissue, paper towel

• Small bags for garbage

• Maps and directions

• Bird identification book.

Before you go on your trip, make sure that your vehicle is tuned up and ready to handle whatever the trip throws at you. Check your oil and fluids, and if you need a hand or want a professional opinion, come visit us at Flemington BMW! Not only can we help tune up the vehicle you have, but if you’re looking for a new ride that’ll take you anywhere you want to go – well, we can help with that too! Happy trails!