Are you planning a road-trip getaway during the Easter break? We all know holiday traffic can be a nightmare at times, and while you can’t always prevent traffic jams, planning your route, picking the best time to travel and getting your car and kids ready in advance can help make the journey smoother.
The T.R.I.P.S. checklist from National Highways can really help keep last-minute chaos, expensive breakdowns and road trip tears a thing of the past. Taking time before your journey can save hours of hassle and significant costs if your vehicle breaks down.
The T.R.I.P. checks every driver needs to perform are easy to remember:
TOP UP your fuel or battery, oil and screen wash
REST with planned stops every two hours for at least 15 minutes
INSPECT tyre pressure and tread before setting out, to ensure you can drive safely
PREPARE for all weather conditions
Make sure you plan some time for a decent break. Try to stop every two hours for at least fifteen minutes. Finding a farm shop, cafe or picnic area on or close by your planned route will make the trip a lot less stressful and is a much healthier and cost-effective choice than the motorway services.
Do you find yourself or the kids getting ‘Hangry’?! If so make sure you’ve got plenty of snacks and water to keep everyone happy. Try to avoid sugar crashes with some healthy choices.
If classic road trip games like i-Spy, 20 questions or travel Scrabble don’t do the trick, audiobooks, music and even a movie download can give you plenty of options to keep the gang occupied.
With more breakdowns on motorways and major A-roads, it is more crucial than ever to do your Safe T.R.I.P. checks before you go. Over half (53%) of UK driving licence holders have had a breakdown on a major road, but surprisingly, 17% do not usually do basic vehicle safety checks before long journeys.*
Drivers who have broken down on a major road often say they were delayed by more than two hours, with 24% arriving late for their plans; 20% left stranded and 18% had to cancel their plans altogether.
Breakdowns can also bring unexpected costs. For example:
25% required towing, costing £257 on average
22% needed tyre repairs or replacements, costing £231 on average
10% needed a courtesy car or replacement vehicle, typically costing £434
Pre-journey vehicle checks can help avoid these disruptions. In fact, 29% of drivers who experienced a breakdown on a major road, think it could have been prevented if they had completed them before leaving.
Before you travel, plan your route, check the weather forecast, and keep an eye on traffic updates or delays. Spring weather conditions can still be unpredictable, with rain, snow and ice all possible. Taking a few minutes to prepare before you set off can help prevent breakdowns, reduce disruption and keep everyone moving safely this spring.
*based on a survey of 3,271 UK driving licence holders aged 18+ in February 2026.
