10 Tips for An Epic Family Road Trip
Summer is coming and it is time to get ready for your summer road trips! Nothing says family fun like piling in the car and heading off to visit places near and far. Since I know lots of my friends love road tripping, I headed over to Twitter to ask for tips for a great road trip. Here's what I heard (and a few tips of my own).
- Get the whole family involved when choosing your road trip itinerary. Check out my 12 Family Fun Road Trips from Calgary post for great ideas of where to visit. Make sure you chose destinations that have something for everyone.
- Make a bucket list of things that each family members REALLY want to see, do, eat or experience. Use these to help determine where you are going to go.
- Once a destination has been decided on, make a binder with all the information for along the way. This should include maps, places to see, places to eat, things to do, hotel reservation information and emergency numbers. Phones are often out of range or on roaming so having the information offline is important. Tuck a mechanical pencil in the binder...pens explode if they get too hot. (Thanks for this great tip @ScatteredMom)
- Don't forget the snacks! Fill a small plastic tote with snacks to keep in the backseat with the kids. No chocolate, though, because it melts. A cooler full of drinks and sandwiches is also handy so you can eat on the go or stop somewhere pretty for a picnic. (Thanks for the snack tip @HappyGeek75)
- If you drive by a vista that makes you think "Wow, that's pretty!", stop and check it out. You can decide to get right back into your car after but if you don't stop it may be something you regret. (Thanks for the reminder @RowHouseNest)
- Skip chain restaurants and find local establishments instead. It's a great way to get a flavor for the area you are visiting or traveling through. If there aren't any great options, buy food from the grocery store and visit a local park or playground for a picnic. (Thanks for the great suggestion @_EricaBell_)
- Whenever you stop, make sure everyone goes to the bathroom. My friend Heather at @HometoHeather suggested this tip. I have to say that I am a firm believer in this one. My teenage stepson has been pretty mad that I include him in this too. "Yes I know you are 17. No I do not care. GO NOW."
- Make sure you have a car safety kit and a first aid kit. Must haves include bandages, pain reliever, allergy medications, flashlight, jumper cables, fix a flat, etc.
- Ensure your kids bring lots of activities for the ride. Audio books on ipods, road trip bingo, travel games are all great things to bring along.
- Make sure you have the car insurance you need. Check out Esurance which recently launched in Alberta. It is an online-only auto insurance company that provides insurance for the modern world. The whole auto insurance process, from quote to managing the policy – is available online, 24/7. Sweet.
To celebrate the availability of Esurance and to get you Road Trip Ready, they are giving you, my awesome readers, a chance to win a road-trip essentials kit worth approximately $175 (gift consists of a gas gift card worth $100 and a car safety kit). Enter below!
Keep your expectations low! Some of my most anticipated trips have ended up being a thumbs down from my son and then ones that I think will be less-than-ideal are favorites!
And if it's a longer trip... have a cheap new game or toy that can be given when things get antsy.
Great tips! I agree, kids often love the small things more than big things.
We'll sometimes turn on the mobile hotspot so the kids can have Internet access on their iPads. Yay for Netflix. 😉
Bring a portable dvd player!
Snacks and iPods are what save us on road trips!
Plan breaks ahead of time. Bring lots of snacks & games!
Plan ahead - know approximately where rest stops are so that you can stop and take a break.
Make sure the tires are full of air, get the oil checked and fill your tank full of gas. If your car is taken care of all you have to do is get the map out and have fun.
I pack lots of entertainment. Emergency and first aid kids, blankets and stuff like that.
One of my best tips is to make sure you carry toilet paper. No kidding someone will need to go when there is nothing in sight. OR you will go into a restroom when none os in there. Toilet paper is under rated is a mist have but when you need it, you need it.
Have a road safety kit in your vehicle.
My tip is to bring tons of snacks and your own toilet paper.
Portable DVD player and movies, lots of snacks, rest breaks in between and stop to stretch
For us, road trips are done better at night so that the boys sleep for the most part. I like to make sure we have it all planned, know where the rest stops are, how long in between, and make sure we have the kids nintendo 2DS systems (and the car adaptor) so that they don't get bored and start fighting.
Plan ahead and bring lots of drinks and snacks
I always take a blanket, food and water. Make sure to gas up wherever possible.
Always pack bottled water
Have a good idea where all of the rest stops are.Everyone seems to need to go at different times.
Lots of movies on the ipad makes for a great trip.
Remember to pack lots of snacks and NAPKINS! lol
having a road safety kit is essential