Jerry’s July 4th Road Trip Checklist & Music Playlist

Don't miss a special Car Pro Show presentation Saturday, July 4th: "Road To 250"! Listen on WBAP 9-11 AM Central, and on the Nationally Syndicated Show from 11-2 PM Central and stream on CarPro.com.

There is nothing more American than a July 4 road trip. Load up the family, pack too much food, argue over the air-conditioning, and hit the road with the full confidence that somebody will eventually ask, “Are we there yet?” before you are out of your own ZIP code.

Before you head out for the big 250^th birthday holiday weekend, take a few minutes to make sure your vehicle is ready. A little prevention can save you from spending Independence Day on the shoulder of an interstate while everybody else is eating barbecue and watching fireworks.

Start with your tires. Check the pressure when the tires are cold, including the spare if you have one. Don’t just look at the tires and assume they are fine. A tire can look OK and still be low. Also check the tread and look for cracks, bulges, or anything that does not look right.

Next, check your fluids. Make sure your oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid, and transmission fluid are where they should be. Summer heat is hard on vehicles, especially if you are sitting in traffic with the air-conditioning running full blast.

Check your battery, too. Heat is actually harder on batteries than cold weather, and a weak battery will usually pick the worst possible time to give up. If yours is several years old or has been slow to start, have it tested before you go.

Make sure your wipers are in good shape and your windshield washer reservoir is full. Summer road trips mean bugs, dust, sudden storms, and the occasional 18-wheeler that seems personally committed to covering your windshield.

Pack the basics: phone charger, flashlight, jumper cables or a jump pack, tire gauge, first-aid kit, paper towels, bottled water, insurance card, registration, and any roadside assistance information you may need. If you are traveling with kids, add snacks, patience, and possibly earplugs. I’m kidding. Mostly.

If you are taking pets, please be careful. Never leave them in a parked vehicle, even for a few minutes. Interior temperatures can climb very quickly, and cracking a window does not make it safe.

Finally, give yourself extra time. July 4 traffic can be heavy, tempers can be short, and not everybody on the road is paying attention. Slow down, buckle up, put the phone down, and remember that getting there safely beats getting there fast every single time.

What to listen to on your trip!

A good July 4 road trip needs a few things: a full tank of gas, a clean windshield, a working air-conditioner, snacks within reach, and the right music. Patriotic songs can turn an ordinary drive into something that feels a little more special, especially when you are headed to see family, watch fireworks, or just enjoy a long summer weekend.

Here are some songs that fit the holiday and the road:

• Ray Charles — America the Beautiful
  Nobody did it quite like Ray Charles. His version has soul, pride, struggle, gratitude, and hope all wrapped into one unforgettable performance. It is one of those songs that makes you stop talking and just listen.
• Lee Greenwood — God Bless the USA
  This one has become a July 4 standard for a reason. It is direct, heartfelt, and still connects with people after all these years. If this comes on and you don’t at least think about standing up, you might want to check for a pulse.
• John Philip Sousa — Stars and Stripes Forever
  If July 4 had an official soundtrack for parades, flags, and small-town celebrations, this would be it. It is big, bold, and about as American as a marching band on Main Street.
• Neil Diamond — America
  A great road-trip song with energy and a sense of arrival. It is about coming to America, chasing dreams, and believing something better is ahead.
• James Brown — Living in America
  This one brings the fun. It is loud, proud, and perfect for a highway drive, assuming you don’t start driving like James Brown is personally chasing you.
• John Mellencamp — R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.
  Upbeat, easy to sing along with, and made for rolling down the highway. It has that heartland feel that fits a summer road trip.
• Willie Nelson — On the Road Again
  Not exactly a patriotic song, but it belongs on any American road-trip playlist. Willie, an open road, and a long weekend are hard to beat.
• Simon & Garfunkel — America
  A quieter choice, but a beautiful one. It captures the feeling of looking for America, both as a place and as an idea.
• Bruce Springsteen — Born in the U.S.A.
  This one is often misunderstood, but it is still one of the most recognizable American songs ever recorded. It has power, grit, and a reminder that America’s story includes both pride and hardship.
• Brad Paisley — American Saturday Night
  A fun reminder that America is a mix of people, cultures, traditions, food, music, and ideas, all somehow ending up together on a Saturday night.

And if I had to close the list with one, I’d go back to Ray Charles. America the Beautiful is not just a song to me. It is a reminder that this country, even with all its challenges, is still beautiful, still strong, and still worth celebrating.

Have a wonderful Independence Day weekend, enjoy the road, and may your trip be full of freedom, family, good memories, and absolutely no warning lights.