Top towing tips
23 October 2026
We share expert tips on how to safely tow a trailer.
5 important things to do before your summer road trip
27 October 2026
So, you’re planning a summer road trip. Whether you have a destination in mind or are going to hit the open road and wing it, a little pre-planning can transform your long drive from tiring to enjoyable, risky to relaxed.
Before you load the luggage, pack the snacks and start your playlist, take a moment to run through our summer road trip checklist
1. Plan your route
Have a think about the route you’re going to take and check the road conditions before you set off. There’s nothing worse than wasting precious holiday time stuck in traffic. Check conditions and any planned roadworks on Waka Kotahi’s Journey Planner, a reliable way to spot delays or closures before you get caught in them.
Planning your travel time is just as important. Allow extra time for breaks, bathroom stops and sightseeing. The making of a great road trip is the stuff you discover along the way, not just rushing from A to B.
Allow times for bathroom breaks, detours and sightseeing to make the most of your summer road trip.
2. Check the weather
Unfortunately, the summer months don’t always guarantee good weather. Many recent years have been marred by storms around Aotearoa, which can make driving conditions slower than usual, if not downright treacherous.
Check the weather forecast for the dates of your trip and adjust your plans or route accordingly.
MetService’s regional for forecasts will give you an idea of the conditions in store for your journey.
Summer in Aotearoa doesn't guarantee good weather, so check the forecast and plan your trip accordingly.
3. Calculate the cost of your trip
Download the AA app to use the Trip Tracker feature to get a view of how much your road trip is actually going to cost. Enter in the details of your journey and Trip Tracker will calculate the fuel cost or energy usage and Co₂ emissions.
Whether you drive a petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric vehicle, you can understand the price of your journey before you even hit the road.
4. Get your vehicle road‑ready
A safe road trip requires a healthy vehicle. It pays to check your tyre pressure, windscreen wipers, oil and coolant levels before you head off on holiday as a general safety protocol.
But a breakdown caused by an avoidable maintenance issue does not make for a fun holiday experience.
For a comprehensive check of your vehicle that will give you peace of mind on a long journey, book your vehicle in for a service at your local AA Auto Centre.
If you are going to be towing a trailer, boat or caravan, check things like connections, brake lights and safety chains. Many incidents involving trailers are caused by hitching mistakes or poor load balance. Find out what you need to know in our guide to safe towing: Towing - The AA's Guide to Safe Towing
Do you know how to tow safely?
5. Know what to do if something goes wrong
Even with all the planning in the world the unexpected can still happen: a flat battery, a puncture, an out-of-the-blue breakdown. AA Roadservice is here to help if you find yourself stranded.
However, if you’re further away from home, AA Plus is a great option that provides even more support for road trips. When you upgrade your AA Membership to AA Plus you can access extra benefits like extended towing, help for towing caravans or trailers, and if you’re more than 100km from home AA Plus can help cover your accommodation, alternative transport or a rental car to get you home safely.
Road trips are about freedom and discovery, but they’re even better when you know you’re prepared for whatever the journey may bring. Make sure your car is road-trip ready, take some time before you leave to check conditions, and then sit back, relax and enjoy the drive.
