5 Tips for a Family Summer Road Trip

What is Summer without a Road Trip?

Making memories

I know, I know: Few trips sound less relaxing than packing your kids into the car for a long drive. But the family road trip has one major benefit that many other trips can’t match: You can set your own schedule and change your plans whenever you want. You have no plane tickets to rebook. It’s the ultimate in planning flexibility, plus, if you have older teens, you can share driving duties with them (assuming, of course, you find it relaxing to have your teen at the wheel!)

Whether you are traveling for 2 hours or 2 days you need to be prepared.  Today, cars and SUV’s are equipped for handheld electronics and DVD players.  When I was a kid my 3 brothers and I just worked on punching each other in the back seat of the station wagon and making my Dad angry.   Then we would invariably push the sibling not involved in our antics forward so my Dad’s flailing arm could make contact with that said child.  Remember we didn’t wear seat belts and spanking was an approved method of child rearing.   Those were the days!

Now that I am a Mother I have some great tips to offer you.  I have made a few road trips with my husband and  3 children around the United States and no spanking is required!

1. Keep the kids entertained.  Handheld electronics are a major component for a few hours of peacefulness. Ipads, smart phones and DVD players are key factors.  I always buy a new movie or two so that it’s a surprise for them.  Also a new coloring book or toy works quite well too.  We also like to play the game 20 questions or finding license plates for every state in the US.

2. Pack Lightly.  Take only what you will need for your trip. Don’t over pack clothes and gear.   Most hotels or rental companies offer pack and plays or cribs to borrow.  Take advantage of this.

3. Snacks. Make sure you pack easy to eat car snacks.  Pack up a collapsible cooler with drinks, and  food that is easy to eat and not messy.  Keep the cooler somewhere easily accessible so you don’t have to stop the car. Preparing sandwiches ahead of time saves money and time.  Make sure to provide wet wipes and paper towels for easy clean up.

Another great family hike during our road trip.

4. Leave the dog at the Kennel.   You may feel guilty for not taking Fido but the truth is the less stress you have the more relaxed your vacation will be. The dog is one less worry and you know it’s too hot to leave him in the car when you make that pit stop for lunch or shopping.  If you travel to Yellowstone National Park pets are prohibited in the back country and on trails and boardwalks.  

5.  Take photos and videos. You are making memories and it is so fun to look back when the kids are older.  Enjoy all the moments of your road trip. Even the bad ones can be recounted later and laughed about.   When I was 7 years old my family was driving thru the Teton mountains when the muffler on our car became detached and bounced down the mountainside.  Between the fumes, the loud sound of a car without a muffler and the twisty mountain roads all 4 of my siblings and I succumbed to sickness. My parents had 4 barfing kids pulled over on the side of a mountain but we still bring it up 40 years later and it never fails to make us laugh. My parents survived and you will too.

Happy Trails!

 

Final destination – enjoying the journey