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!

Esuarance Road Trip Essentials Prize Pack