How to Prep a Rivian for Long-Distance Road Trips

I’ve taken a few long-haul trips in my Rivian R1T, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that preparation makes the difference between a smooth adventure and an unexpected headache. Whether you’re planning a weekend in the mountains or a multi-state national park tour, getting your Rivian road-trip ready is about more than just charging up and hitting the road.

a car on a dirt road surrounded by trees

Here’s exactly how I prep my Rivian for long-distance travel—from fluids and tires to the accessories that make the ride better.

1. Check Fluids and Coolant System

EVs like the Rivian still rely on fluid systems to keep everything operating safely—especially the battery and powertrain cooling systems.

a black car parked on a road surrounded by trees

Coolant Levels: Check your thermal management coolant. You’ll find it in the front under the hood. Make sure it’s between the min and max lines. If it’s low, don’t top off with just anything—use the manufacturer-recommended coolant mix (available at Rivian Service or via mobile service).
Windshield Washer Fluid: Obvious, but easy to overlook. Refill before the trip—especially if you’re heading through dusty or buggy terrain.

There’s no engine oil or transmission fluid to deal with, which is a major relief. Still, keeping that coolant in check is critical for maintaining battery health on long trips.

2. Tires: Pressure, Wear, and Readiness

Your tires are doing a lot of work on a cross-country haul—especially if you’re carrying gear or driving through varying elevations.

a car parked on a road with trees on either side of it

Check PSI: The recommended tire pressure is on the driver-side door panel. I usually inflate to the higher end of the range before a trip, especially if the bed is loaded.
Inspect Tread: Uneven wear or shallow tread can become a major issue when it rains or gets cold. If you see anything near the wear bars, replace before the trip.
Rotate if Needed: If you haven’t rotated your Rivian’s tires recently, get that done before a long haul. It’ll help with efficiency and reduce vibration on the freeway.

And don’t forget to recalibrate your tire pressure warning system if you’ve just rotated or swapped your tires.

3. Plan Your Charging Stops Ahead

This is where driving an EV becomes a planning game—especially if you’re heading somewhere rural. I use a combo of the Rivian app and A Better Route Planner (ABRP) to map out fast chargers along the route.

Here’s how I break it down:

Start with 90% charge unless you’re aiming for max regen
Plan for charging every 150–200 miles, even if you can technically stretch it to 300+
Look for chargers near food, rest areas, or hiking spots, so you’re not just sitting in a parking lot

If your trip includes campgrounds, RV parks with NEMA 14-50 plugs can be gold.

4. Must-Have Accessories for Long Trips

Over the past year, I’ve added a few things to my Rivian that have made road trips better:

All-Weather Floor Mats: You’ll thank yourself when you get back from a muddy hike.
Rivian Gear Tunnel Shuttle or Camp Kitchen (if you have it): Massive convenience on camping trips.
Portable Air Compressor: Great for adjusting tire pressure mid-trip, especially if you’re going between highway and off-road terrain.
Rooftop Storage or Crossbars: If you’re bringing bikes, kayaks, or extra luggage, rooftop gear helps keep your bed open.
Fridge Cooler: Rivian’s built-in 12V outlets make it easy to run an electric cooler instead of relying on ice. Total game changer.

5. Run a Quick Tech Check

Before I leave, I always do a quick check of:

Firmware Updates: Make sure everything is up to date before you’re out of service range.
Phone Key & Backup Key Card: Always carry a backup in case your phone dies or loses connection.
Navigation Offline Maps: Download your route areas ahead of time using Google Maps or the Rivian system just in case.

6. Final Pre-Trip Tips

a truck driving down a dirt road in the desert

Give yourself 1 extra hour of buffer time on day one. Charging might take longer than expected depending on how busy the network is.
Bring charging adapters if you plan to use Level 2 chargers at hotels or public parking garages.
Clean the windshield and sensors for your driver assist features (especially in the winter or off-road environments).

You Might Also Be Interested In:

Prepping your Rivian doesn’t have to be stressful. With just a bit of advance planning and a few smart add-ons, you’ll be set up for a long-distance drive that feels just as comfortable and capable as your usual city rides—just with a lot more scenery.