In the middle of a SHTF scenario, you need to be prepared to drive to safety, whether the danger occurs on a personal or global level. If your situation requires a long road trip, it’s worth planning so you have everything you need.
Use this checklist of 14 things to consider before hitting the road.
1. Check Local Laws
You should first check the local laws of your destination if it’s in another state. If traveling cross-country, review each state’s regulations so you know what you can and cannot have in your car and on your body. You should especially examine gun laws because they vary from state to state. For example, Nevada permits open carry without a permit, but you’ll be unable to do the same once you cross the border into California.
You should also consider the traffic laws in each state you drive through. Some cities and towns have odd driving rules, but you’ll need to honor them or pay fines. You might even end up in jail! For example, Kansas bans screeching your tires. In a town called Derby, you can face a fine of up to $500. Rockville, Maryland, forbids people from cursing loudly. You don’t want to make the problem worse if you can avoid it.
2. Take Your Tools
Once you know what you can bring, it’s time to start packing. One of the first things you should pack is your tools and weapons. You never know what trouble may come on the road, so load your handguns, long guns and ample ammunition. The laws could vary from county to county, so protect yourself and your firearms by knowing the law.
You should also carry a toolbox for various equipment you’ll need for home repairs and even car maintenance. For example, a battery terminal cleaner could come in handy. Corrosion could cause your battery to die in the middle of the trip, so prioritize that tool. Another vital device is a pair of jumper cables. Better yet, bring a portable jump starter for your vehicle if you end up in the middle of nowhere.
3. Bring Your Passport
Sometimes, SHTF scenarios call for a really long trip. You could even be looking at a desperate need to get out of the country. Once you’ve made the choice, you’ll need to have your passport ready. This document is essential because it’s your ticket to elsewhere in the world. Know that even if you’re driving, you’ll still need a passport to cross the U.S. border with Mexico and Canada.
Apply for a passport with the Department of State if you don’t have one. The process takes a couple of months, so there might not be enough time to get one if you need it immediately. However, you could apply for an emergency passport if your situation is dangerous enough. Even if you’re not traveling internationally, it could be a second form of ID and proof of citizenship if you need it.
4. Pack Vital Paperwork
You should also remember other identification and paperwork. You may have to hit the road and not look back when you’re in a lengthy bug out situation, so remember to bring documents like your car’s registration and insurance paperwork, for sure, although there are other documents you might want to include. Your vehicle could become your temporary home for a while, so you’ll want to ensure you have the necessary information packed, too. Another option is to take photos of important documents and store them in a secure folder on your smartphone or perhaps in the cloud.
5. Inspect Your Car
Perform a basic inspection of your vehicle before leaving to ensure everything is running smoothly. You could be on the road for many days, emphasizing the need for a maintenance check. First, check your tire pressure and pump them up if needed. Most passenger vehicles need tire pressure at about 32-35 pounds per square inch (PSI) when they’re cold, but check the sticker on the inside of the driver’s door jamb to be sure.
Another essential task before heading out is checking your oil. You could be on the road for quite some time, so change your oil to keep your engine running optimally. Other maintenance duties include topping off your transmission and power steering fluids, inspecting your belts and hoses, and checking the brake pads. When in doubt, take your vehicle to a local mechanic you trust.
6. Carry a Jerry Can
The United States is a vast country with long stretches of open roads. In some states, you could drive for two or three hours and not see anybody else on the road, especially if you’re traveling at night. The solitude can be pleasant, but driving in rural areas could mean long distances between gas stations. When you do find one, it could be closed until the following day. A bug out situation is no time to be waiting to fill up! Your best solution is to bring a filled jerry can. One thing to remember about gasoline is its shelf life. It will last for about three to six months before it starts to degrade, although oxidation can take it down to one month. Keep the jerry can sealed so it lasts longer, consider a fuel stabilizer, like PRI-G or PRI-D, and remember to keep the can out of the passenger compartment (and even the trunk) in case gasoline fumes escape, which will make you sick.
7. Load Your Trailer
You should bring a trailer if your bug out scenario requires an extended getaway. This is an excellent option for storing additional food, firearms and other necessary supplies. Whereas a utility model may be right for you if you don’t plan on bringing much, a confined cargo trailer provides extra protection from the weather and unwanted creatures.
Another aspect to consider about your trailer is the metal used in building it. Most of the models you see are either steel or aluminum. Steel provides superior strength because it’s 66% stronger than aluminum and is generally cheaper. However, it rusts easily. Aluminum doesn’t rust and it gives you better gas mileage due to being lightweight.
8. Create an Emergency Kit
Emergency scenarios call for an emergency kit, right? You could end up in the woods a thousand miles away from home, so pack a bug out bag filled with the basics. You never know when you’ll need items like:
- First-aid: Pack first-aid supplies like bandages and a gauze roll, antibiotic ointment, tweezers and antiseptic wipes, although there’s plenty more to consider in a full first aid kit for such scenarios.
- Batteries: Something you may forget about batteries until you need them, but they’re essential for your flashlights and comms. Grab whatever batteries are appropriate for your gear (often AA and AAA batteries) before heading out. One tip for storing batteries is applying tape on the contact because isolating the terminals will prevent them from short-circuiting should they contact something conductive.
- Medicine: These impromptu road trips can bring literal and metaphorical headaches. Prepare yourself by bringing over-the-counter (OTC) medications like pain relievers, antacids and antihistamines. If sleeping is an issue, then get a sleep aid. Remember your regular prescriptions, too, because refilling in another location is no guarantee.
[Editor’s note: I wrote a book on bug out bags, if you like a complete list of items to include.]
9. Gather Your Comms
It’s hard to live without electronics today. Even those who prefer minimal or no technology admit that some gadgets are necessary. You could live off the land when push comes to shove, but items like a portable generator could make your life much easier even when things go south.
Remember to bring your smartphone and a portable charger for sure, though bringing an amateur or ham radio is useful, too. These are handy for emergency communications, especially if your area becomes a disaster zone, but require special equipment and training.
10. Harness Solar Power
The sun provides power all day, so you may as well use it for your electronics. Solar power gadgets are becoming more common and affordable. They’ll save time and money in the long run because you don’t have to charge them manually or worry about a dead battery. One example of solar-powered technology for survivalists is a solar generator. This device is ideal because it requires no fuel. These generators will charge your phone and power most small electronics you plug in without much concern. Here’s a great video on the topic of solar generators if interested.
11. Set up a Weather Radio
Sometimes, SHTF situations breed more problems than one would like to deal with. Murphy’s law says anything that can go wrong will. One way you’ll see these scenarios compound is with bad weather. Pack a weather radio because it will be your best source of information when severe storms strike.
Many people pack a weather radio as part of their emergency kits because they never know when they’ll need it. They are practical because they provide real-time updates based on your closest National Weather Service (NWS) office. The radio stations are live 24/7, giving you access to weather news whenever you need it.
12. Clothing for Weather
A long road trip could take you through many states, and weather conditions can vary greatly. Imagine starting your day in the warm fall air of Texas, but by the end of your trip, you run into the first snow in Nebraska. Wearing shorts and a T-shirt won’t cut it. Pack clothes for hot and cold weather.
Besides clothes, you should bring other tools and gadgets if you anticipate a change in weather. For instance, driving to Minnesota in the dead of winter can be challenging. If you don’t have access to a heater, get a pair of rechargeable hand warmers to protect your extremities. Cold weather also calls for quality boots, insulating layers, and a weatherproof outer layer.
13. Use Paper Maps
Electronics are terrific until they stop working. It’s time to turn to the old-fashioned way of doing things and use a paper map. Remember the days when you had to print out the directions? There’s no shame in preparing yourself by having a physical map.
Paper maps are still easy to find nowadays. Most rest areas can give you a free or low-cost map featuring all the roads in the state, though I suggest you prepare ahead by purchasing your own. Marking your route with a highlighter, making it easily identifiable while driving, is a good idea. Even if you have a reliable GPS, bring a paper map anyway in case your digital map malfunctions or isn’t updated with road changes.
14. Make a Fire-Starting Kit
Sometimes, bug out scenarios require you to put your knowledge to the test, including building a fire. Fortunately, there are many options when starting a fire. Pack lighters, waterproof matches, a magnesium rod, and tinder in a waterproof container.
On the Road Again: Preparing for Disaster
SHTF situations can arise anytime. They could happen in your home or hell could break loose nearby. You must prepare for what’s about to come in any scenario. Sometimes, you may need to take a road trip to avoid the worst of it.
Create a checklist using these 14 considerations to prepare for the road ahead if you need a long-distance journey. That way, you can ensure you reach your destination safely and have everything you need to survive.
[Note: This was a guest post.]
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