Planning a road trip for your family is a great way to head out
and see new places and experience new things together while making memories that
will last a lifetime. But a road trip requires a bit more planning than your
standard vacation because you have to factor in your vehicle, drive time, and
your route, among other things. Check out the tips below so you can plan a
memorable family road trip that will be a lot of fun for everyone.
Consider Upgrading Your Ride to an RV
Instead of cramming everyone into your small four-door sedan,
minivan, or SUV, especially if you have a large family, consider renting an RV or a travel trailer. Not only will everyone have
a lot more room to relax in, but you'll also have more room for your luggage,
you'll have actual beds to sleep in, and you'll even have an area to prepare
your food and use an actual bathroom that's private, rather than relying upon
public restrooms all along the way.
Plan Your Route in Advance
While it may sound fun to head out on the road with no real
route in place, this could result in trouble and cause you to lose precious
time. Therefore, take the time to plan your route before you head out on the road. Choose your
destination and then figure out what the best route would be, whether you're
aiming to take the scenic, natural route, the fastest route, or the one with
plenty of fun stops along the way. Having this plan to follow will keep everyone
on schedule and hopefully prevent the kids from asking the dreaded question,
"Are we there yet?"
Bring Along Plenty of Food
In addition to packing your clothes and other necessary
supplies, don't forget to pack enough food, as you never know when you'll be
able to find a place to eat while out on long stretches of highway en route to
your destination. It can be difficult to find places to eat, especially if your
family follows special diets, so packing plenty of food in airtight containers
and coolers will ensure you always have snacks ready when the kids get hungry,
as well as actual meals to sit down and enjoy together. And, again, if you rent
an RV or trailer, you'll even have a small kitchen you can use to prepare small
meals along the way.
Involve the Entire Family When Planning Activities
When planning activities for your road trip, definitely make it
a point to involve the kids. Ask them what they would like to do, ask their
opinions on ideas that you have, and make sure that they feel like a part of the
planning process. In this way, you'll plan the ideal road trip for everyone
involved, not just the parents.
Prepare Your Vehicle Before You Head Off
Before you head out onto the road, you also want to make sure
that your vehicle
is in the best condition possible to handle the long ride ahead. Complete
all of the usual preventative maintenance that you have scheduled throughout the
year, and check that no repairs are needed. For example, you should make sure
your vehicle has all of its fluids topped off, that the tires have good tread
and plenty of air, that the oil has been changed, and that you have a spare tire
and other supplies in the trunk in case you end up needing to make a repair
while on the road. When in doubt, have your vehicle checked out by your
mechanic.
Plan for Time to Rest Along the Way
In addition to switching drivers, make sure you also plan for
plenty of time to rest along the way. Whether you sleep in the car at a safe,
secure, designated rest area or you book a hotel room for the night, the last
thing that you want to do during a long road trip is push yourself too far.
Falling asleep behind the wheel is a real danger during a road trip, and it can
result in serious accidents.
By keeping these handy tips in mind, you can plan an
unforgettable family road trip to your favorite destination and have a blast
seeing the sights along the way. The great thing about a road trip is the fact
that you're in control, so you can stop as many times as you like on your way to
your vacation destination and you can plan activities that the entire family
will love.
