6 Tips for an Enjoyable Family Road Trip
Are you planning an exciting road trip for your family but cringe at the thought of getting in the car? Do you have visions of screaming children with snacks flying all around you?
Driving to your destination can feel overwhelming and exhausting, especially with kids. Don’t let it stop you from getting out there and experiencing what travel has to offer. Try some of these tips for a more enjoyable family road trip!
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Here are 6 tips to make being on a road trip with your family a fun and enjoyable part of your journey!
- Change your family road trip mindset
- Make your expectations known before you hit the road
- Help your family visualize the road trip destination
- Pack for en route accessibility
- Track your road trip miles
- Drive through the night
1. Change your family road trip mindset
The key to a more enjoyable road trip is choosing to enjoy it. It really is that simple. While this may be a simple concept, I did not say it would be easy for those who hate being in the car. Changing your thoughts and behavior can take time, so don’t give up if you think you fall short with an attitude change on your first try.
Let’s be honest, unexpected things will always come up in travel. When we hit a bump in the road or I am starting to feel impatient, I stop and take a deep breath to remind myself the journey is just as much a part of your adventure.
Your attitude will set the tone for your whole family’s experience, so don’t leave your passengers with the memory of a grouchy travel mom. Not only are you helping to provide a positive experience for your kids, you are also setting the example on how to overcome life’s obstacles with grace and confidence. Traveling can provide so many character building opportunities for your children.
2. Make your expectations known before you hit the road
Make sure you and your road trip partners set realistic expectations when mapping out your trip. If you have specific needs, address them before you leave, not while you are en route.
Are you someone that cannot function without your morning coffee? Have a plan to make or purchase a cup before you hit the road.
Are you pregnant or have a medical need that will require you to stop frequently and take breaks? Are you traveling with an infant that requires feedings or toddlers that need to stretch their legs? Don’t be afraid to take some extra time at the rest stop to let them get their wiggles out.
Your spouse may not have the natural instincts to know what your littles will be capable of handling on the road. Bottom line, don’t assume your travel companions have an understanding of what you all need to make this trip enjoyable. Communicate it and plan for it ahead of time!
3. Help your family visualize the road trip destination
Having a mental picture of where you are going makes everyone a little more eager to jump in the car and get there. Before you go, look up pictures online or search for YouTube videos of your destination. There is no shortage of fantastic ideas on YouTube for what to do in any area. I also find it helps me to be more prepared and efficient in my packing to see a lay of the land.
Here are a few of our favorite traveling YouTube families to get road trip ideas from:
When your passengers start getting antsy, have everyone share what they are most excited to see or do on your trip. Picturing yourself relaxing around the campfire with the view of the lake and a cold drink in your hand could be the anticipation and excitement to get you through the last hours.
4. Pack for en route accessibility
An enjoyable trip takes planning and preparation, this includes how you pack your vehicle. If organization is not your strong suit, you may be fine with throwing everything in the car and hitting the road. I, on the other hand, can’t think straight in a messy environment.
If I can’t easily access the items passengers are requesting, I am sure to be agitated. Always start by packing your car from the perspective of your seat. Once you are done packing your items, sit in the seat and actually go through the motions of reaching for the item. You may be surprised at how inconvenient your first set up was.
Are you stopping overnight on the way to your destination? Pack a bag with your overnight and morning essentials that you can easily grab so you don’t have to unpack your entire car just to find the kids’ toothbrushes.
If you are making the overnight stop in your RV be sure to have everything ready for bed. Fold down the dinette or couch and make up the beds before you go. Being ready to just park your RV and crash for the night gives you flexibility to push your driving further until you really need the rest.
5. Track your road trip miles with the family
One of the most painful parts of traveling with kids is listening to their whining and asking how much longer you have until you get there. While this is much harder to avoid with an infant, you can help eliminate this with your toddlers, kids and teens.
Make each hour that passes by a victorious milestone! Give your kids a treat or reward when you reach a benchmark. Hit up the dollar store and get items, like a toy or activity to open as each hour passes. You might be surprised at how long one item can hold their attention.
If spoiling your kids with sugar and gifts is not your thing, try a fun interactive way to show how many hours you have left to go. Tape a paper chain to the roof of your car and take turns tearing off a ring with each passing hour. Ask your kids for ideas on how to keep track of your travel time. Having the kids plan and implement their own idea to track time will keep them engaged in the process.
6. Drive Through the Night
When our children were very young we preferred driving through the night. This worked especially well in the infant stage. Not only did it allow for a quicker drive with less traffic, it gave us more daylight hours at our destination. You may need more time the next day to rest and recover so don’t plan for a lot of activities on the first day of your adventure.
Dress your kids in a cozy pair of pajamas and give them a blanket or their favorite stuffed animal to cuddle up with. Our children have a set of these pillows and eye masks. The eye mask comes in handy to block out the oncoming traffic or bright lights passing through tolls.
Now hit the road!
Hopefully these tips for a more enjoyable road trip with your family inspires you to reach the destination you may have thought was too far away. Keep putting these tips into practice and your family will be seasoned pros ready to jump in the car whenever adventure calls!
