Summer weekends on the Parkway mean traffic, heat and long days at the shore. A small kit in the trunk turns the usual roadside problems into minor delays.
Start with a roadside emergency kit
Jumper cables, a tow strap, a warning triangle and basic tools cover most breakdowns. Keep the kit in the trunk all year so you never have to remember to pack it.
Carry your own air
Tire pressure changes with temperature, and a soft tire on a hot day wears fast. A cordless inflator with an automatic shut-off lets you top up in a beach parking lot in a couple of minutes. Check the correct pressure on the sticker inside the driver's door.
Before you leave: check tire pressure, washer fluid and the spare. It takes five minutes in the driveway and saves an hour on the shoulder.
Cut the glare
Low sun over the water is hard on the eyes for the drive home. UV400 sunglasses cut glare and protect your eyes, and a spare pair in the glovebox means you are never caught without them.
Pack the little extras
- Bottled water and a few snacks
- A phone charging cable
- A towel and a change of clothes
- Bumper clips, in case a trim panel works loose
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