I figure a lot of people are heading out on trips and might not know what to expect or even that they need to think about any of this stuff. Not really tips about the best sights more so how to tackle the safety, preparedness and driving aspect of it.

Some of it is obvious and some of it wont be your style, just figured I'd share my tips. Anything missing? Hope this helps someone.

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1. Before you go inspect your vehicle. Fluids, oil change, brakes, windshield wipers, tire alignment, tread depth & pressure (check your spare too), battery (AutoZone can check for you). Get a plastic storage container (see-thru is best) for all your vehicles mechanic/maintenance needs. Fluids, tools, jumper cables, tire change tools (if not in your spare tire well).
2. For extra peace of mind, replace headlights/tail lights.
3. Have an emergency kit ready in your vehicle. List at the bottom. If you are heading into a climate with winter weather (reminder that in some high elevation areas winter isn't over until June). You may be surprised how long it may be to get help in rural areas/forest/park land so keep that in mind.
4. Use state DOT/511 apps to survey road conditions and check cameras on major routes to find the best and/or safest route. This is more important as you enter the Western US.
5. Drive like a local. Maybe where you are from it's common to ride people way too close and to go 20 over the speed limit to keep up with traffic and to honk your horn at slow drivers. In most of America this is not the case and you would do yourself a favor by not calling the unnecessary attention to yourself.
6. Use cruise control when possible. It's fuel efficient and will help you maintain speed on long stretches of road and on roads with varying grades.
7. Use engine braking when driving in very mountainous regions where it advises you there will be many miles of steep grades ahead. This will keep your brakes from overheating.
8. Watch for wildlife. They will be most common in the hours around dusk and dawn. In very cold climates they will be closer to the road than normal as they seek the heat of the road. Roads adjacent to water will be especially prone to wildlife. Areas where clearings meet tree-lines will also see more wildlife. Areas within and adjacent to NPS/BLM land will also have more risk of a wildlife encounter on the road.
9. DO NOT SWERVE to miss wildlife. Apply your brakes and gently steer towards the rear end of the animal, as if they move they are more likely to continue straight ahead and not turn around. High-beam lights blind deer and will make them freeze on the road.
10. Road conditions and settings may be very different from back home. Take it slow. Look down the road and ahead of you instead of what is directly in front of your car.
11. Be aware of the temperature/weather. The road is alive. If there's snow on the side of the roads and it was warmer that day but now it's below 32degrees that melted snow is now freezing on the roadway. If there's wet spots on the road and the cars around you aren't splashing back water from their tires that is ice on the road and you need to pull over. If it's the first rain in a few days, oil from the roadway will go to the surface and cause slick roads.
12. Be aware of the extreme weather hazards for that time of year in the areas you are passing.
13. Be aware of your behavior in areas with heavy fire danger. No cigarettes/other combustible things, driving on grass, etc. It takes one spark.
14. High elevation roads (Found primarily in the Western US) can be significantly impacted by weather even when conditions were clear a few miles before. The higher the elevation the more impacted it will likely be. This does not apply to mountain passes in Washington state as anything crossing the cascades through there is usually impacted in the winter months.
15. Strong crosswinds are common in the Western US (Wyoming especially). Roads in Wyoming often run on vehicle restrictions because of the high wind posing a blow over risk for trailers. If you're hauling something, be very aware of that and prepared.
16. 2-lane US-highways/rural highways that have speed limits of up to 75mph are common in the Western US. Do not pass people in areas where it is not permitted, that is for a reason. Use your day time headlights in these areas. If you see a 3-lane highway the middle lane is usually a "suicide lane". Keep right unless to pass.
17. Keep right when driving. Left lanes are for passing. Do not pass on the right. Roads are not designed for passing on the right. Traffic is entering and exiting and slowing down. Lanes end and merge to the left. Etc.
18. State troopers/police often patrol the same types of places. Near cities, highway interchanges, rest stops. If you're doing the right thing and looking down the road not in front of you always look for grassy medians on divided highways for speed traps. They'll also wait on on-ramps out of sight and speed up right behind you. Two lane highways you'll see them driving (not necessarily posted up) and they'll turn out and get you if you speed past them.
19. Some states have point of entry inspections for watercraft (Montana, Wyoming) or agriculture (California). Usually they'll ask you a few questions, inspect the outside of your vehicle, look inside, and let you go but you may be searched.
20. If your vehicle smells like marijuana (No judgements) be aware that some states have "free-air" sniff stops and they'll post up at rest areas and other stops along the highway. This is not common but recently in the city of Casper, Wyoming over 300 people were stopped in one day off the Interstate.
21. Use front and back license plates. It may be legal in your state to not have a front plate but most states in the Western US require two plates.
22. Respect the police but also know your rights. I'm no lawyer-man but I know that a locked glove box and a polite attitude (but firm) is the best way to not have a search of your vehicle performed.
23. Respect truckers. Create twice the distance you would with a normal vehicle before re-entering their lane from a pass. Don't step on the brakes right in front of them because depending on their rig's weight they wont be able to stop even a fraction as quickly as you can. Do not descend a steep grade infront of a truck. Get in another lane. Similarly, do not ascend a steep grade behind a truck because it's "climbing" and not able to travel at speeds safe enough to make sure people don't come up on you and rear end you.
24. Get gas when you can when traveling in rural areas/NPS land. You never know when you'll find the next one. Many towns don't have services in the more rural areas of the country so don't count on the next town saving you from an empty tank. This is especially true in Nevada and Wyoming.
25. The cheapest hotel in a fairly populated town/city is usually the worst in terms of people who are going to deny you sleep/peace of mind. Pay a few more dollars and get the second or third cheapest and it'll be worth it in terms of your peace of mind.
26. Avoid parking in lots with shattered glass. That indicates a previous smash and grab.
27. Get a dash-cam. It's not expensive and it'll pay for itself the first time you need it many times over.
28. The best sights/food/experiences will always be on numbered US-highways/state/local roads and not on Interstates. West of the Mississippi river most US-highways/rural highways have similar speed limits and run somewhat similar routes so it's a more scenic/enjoyable drive if that's what you're in to.
29. In general, observe local behavior. Don't swim in areas they aren't. Don't hike in places they aren't. Don't drive in bad conditions faster than they are. That's a very easy way to stay safe and on the right path.
30. Use Waze. It's not just for cops as there's also hazard/wildlife warnings. I'd almost say it's required.
31. Get AAA. Like a dash cam, it'll pay for itself 10 times over the first time you need it.

Emergency Kit:

• A set of warm clothing (gloves, jacket, cap), blanket/sleeping bag
• Water and dehydrated food/snack bars
• Shovel, scraper, kitty litter/road sand (winter climates only)
• Tire chains (winter climates only and usually in the high Rockies)
• First aid kit
• Flash light
• Battery cell for electronics
• Flare (if camping on BLM/NPS system land)

Stay safe!