Planning for a family vacation is about more than just picking out where you want to go. So many things need to be done before your trip, and take many steps to ensure the ultimate experience for everyone involved. Read on to know everything about planning an amazing road trip with your family.
Pick Out a Destination Everyone Is Interested In
Picking out a destination everyone is interested in can be difficult. It may take some time for everyone to agree on a destination, but you must plan and have a list of places where you would like to go as your top choices. Then discuss with the entire family about each location, so they know what to expect when going there. This will help them feel excited about the trip before even leaving.
When deciding on a road trip, it’s important to consider which places are within your driving distance and how much time will be spent traveling there and back. You can find different destinations all over North America or even outside of the continent, so pick out what works best for everyone involved. Not only will this help you avoid family drama at home, but it’ll also make sure no one gets bored during the car ride either.
Research Were To Make Stopovers
Stopovers are important for keeping the family entertained on long trips.
The best place to stop off is somewhere everyone wants to visit or a new attraction that you all want to try out. If your destination requires visitors to leave their cars and take some form of transport for part of the journey, aim for stops along the way where they can go back in their vehicles and not be stuck waiting around. This will avoid them getting bored too soon into your trip. Ensure there are enough activities close together so if one gets boring, another comes up shortly after, which is sure to keep people engaged throughout.
It is always a good idea to research where you can stop along the way. Whether at a historical site, museum, or restaurant, this will give everyone in your car something great to do and see.
Be sure to check out Google Maps for interesting landmarks on the route and Yelp reviews about restaurants near those stops.
If you are looking to stop in a city, do some research online beforehand. Know what places are kid-friendly and fun for all ages. If the kids have iPhones or tablets be sure they download any apps that may come in handy on your trip as well (road games). You can even find great tips from others who hiked the same trails ahead of time, so there is no need to waste valuable vacation hours doing trial runs. Everyone will thank you later for prepping this way because it does save everyone’s sanity throughout the whole process. And if anyone else has been researching with their friends/family about stops along your destination route, be sure to ask them what they found out, too; many people love sharing their wisdom.
Ensure Your Car Is in Good Condition
You don’t want a breakdown.
make sure your car is in good condition with these tips:
- Get an oil change before you go on the trip, check belts and hoses for wear or damage, inspect tires to ensure they are properly inflated and have lots of treads left.
- If there’s anything that needs attention, do it before leaving. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, visit your mechanic so he/she can give your vehicle their seal of approval while performing necessary maintenance work at the same time. You’ll save money by having all repairs done together rather than visiting multiple garages along the road trip route, which will also be convenient since you won’t need to rent another car when yours is in the shop.
- If you’re driving a truck, make sure your load is distributed evenly over all four tires and that your brakes are in good working order. And remember to add air to your spare tire before you head out; don’t wait until it’s flat either. You never know when or where you’ll get stranded, so adding air while on the road can be lifesaving for this exact reason.
Also, check the oil, tire pressure, and antifreeze levels. It will also help if you bring c6 Corvette coilovers along.
If you are bringing kids along on your trip, be sure that there are no loose items they could get into trouble with around them or in their back seat pockets (water bottles, candy wrappers among others). When traveling for any length of time every three hours, stop and check up on passengers and give everyone a chance to stretch their legs, too, if possible.
The last thing any family needs during their weekend trip is car trouble which can quickly turn an exciting adventure into a nightmare from hell. Traveling by vehicle affords convenience but also brings with it responsibility, making having a reliable ride one of utmost importance when embarking upon such journeys together as a group, whether they’re for weekend getaways or epic road trips.
Pack All Essential Items
Some of the essential items include;
- Map
- Charged cell phone
- Jacket/blanket in case of a cold car ride in the morning
- Sunglasses and sunscreen for sunny days
- Portable charger that plugs into your cigarette lighter. This is crucial to have when you are lost or want to take pictures from inside your vehicle. The one I use has two USB ports, so it can charge multiple phones at once. It’s also great because it folds up easily, making it perfect for packing away in my purse when not needed. Luckily, this nifty device only costs around $20$30 at any electronics store like Best Buy or Walmart. A snack bag with plenty of treats will be sure to keep everyone happy during a long drive and minimize the junk food you’ll need to stop for.
- A first aid kit that includes bandages, antiseptic cream, and other common medications will be sure to save your day if someone gets sick or has an accident along the way.
Plan for Exciting Activities in the Car To Avoid Boredom
One of the most important things you can do to ensure a fun and safe family weekend road trip is to plan for activities that will keep your kids occupied. Here are some ideas:
Play car games like I Spy or 20 Questions
Have one person pick an object outside, such as a bird flying overhead, and everyone else has to try to guess what it was by asking yes/no questions (e.g., “Was it bigger than my shoe?”)
Let younger children draw pictures; then tell them they’re going on their TV show and share with all of you when they’re done. This activity won’t take much space but might occupy little ones for hours end if they don’t want to stop, just be sure to give them plenty of snacks and water.
Listen to audiobooks or music together
Play license plate bingo if you see a state that’s not on your card, mark it off. This is another activity that won’t require much space but will keep kids occupied for hours end.
It is important to include activities in the car that everyone will enjoy. The family may not want to take turns playing games or watching movies, so it would be best if they came up with their ideas. There are always things you can do together like sing along to music and talk about fun experiences.
Have Friends Join You
Friends can help keep the kids entertained, and they can also share in the planning.
Plan a dinner stop with your friends to enjoy delicious food at one of the many restaurants nearby.
This is the perfect time to invite friends along on your road trip. Your kids will have a blast playing with their friends, and it might turn into an annual tradition that everyone looks forward to.
Bring a Cooler and Lots of Water
This is a very important part of the road trip.
If you will be driving long distances, it is important to stay hydrated and refreshed before embarking on your journey. Water also helps avoid car sickness for those riding in the backseat or who can’t handle motion well, like children and pets. You should keep a cooler with ice-cold water bottles as often as possible throughout the whole drive, so no one has an excuse not to drink enough fluids during your family weekend adventure.
Carry Lots of Snacks
Snacks are an essential part of the road trip. They help keep kids happy, and they are an inexpensive way to fill the time while on long drives.
Ensure you carry both healthy and fun snacks that kids will love to eat.
Some great ideas include fruit, granola bars, flavored water, applesauce pouches, beef jerky, trail mix, cereal bars, pretzels, crackers with cheese or peanut butter. Don’t forget about the drinks. Parents should carry their beverages in addition to enough bottles of water for everyone on board.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, you can take many steps to plan the ultimate family weekend road trip. Taking time for all of these components will allow everyone to have a great experience and some quality family bonding time on the road.
