Essential Preps For A Smooth Family Road Trip
Few experiences capture the feeling of freedom like a road trip. Rolling down the windows and singing along to your favorite songs, this is the perfect image of a road trip. Naturally, when you are traveling with your family, there are some essential considerations that will ensure you can enjoy discovering new places along the day together.
But, first of all, let’s be realistic. Road trips are popular everywhere. But in the US, they are almost intrinsic to the culture. No less than 1.95 billion Americans hit the road in 2024 and set a new record proving the open road is still America’s favorite playground.
Yet, if you are traveling with kids, family road trips are a lot more than getting from A to B. They can be unique opportunities to bond and make memories together, as long as they are planned properly.
Ultimately, the difference between a fun family adventure and a disaster comes down to preparation.
Get the vehicle road ready
Before any long road trip, your top priority should be to make sure the family car is up for the challenge. The last thing you need is a breakdown halfway through your journey. It’s not just a case of being inconvenient. It can completely derail your plan and leave everyone feeling frustrated. That’s why you want to schedule a proper vehicle check before taking the road.
Start with the basics. You need to make sure your tires are properly inflated and have enough thread to handle long hours on the highway. Bear in mind that the vehicle load will determine how much your tires need inflating. Similarly, you also need to check the brakes, headlights, wipers and fluid levels.
If you are going for a long trip, it’s best to schedule an oil change too. Fresh oil keeps your engine running smoothly and helps prevent costly repairs down the line.
Finally, you don’t want to jinx your trip, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t plan for the eventuality of a breakdown. So, it’s worth packing an emergency kit with jumper cables, a tire inflator, a flashlight, and a jack.
Mark Fuel/Charging Stops
No matter whether you are driving a petrol engine or an electric vehicle, you will need to plan refuel/recharge stops. Long stretches of road can feel even longer if you’re anxiously watching the gauge drop. That’s why it pays off to plan your refueling/recharging stops ahead.
Noting down where you can get petrol or diesel along the road will help you plan breaks effectively too. The same principle applies to recharging stations. However, as there may be fewer charging spots, you will need to make sure these are marked along your itinerary. Ultimately, these are not necessarily evenly spaced, so it can be stressful to figure out where your next stop will be.
Keep Everyone Happy & Entertained
Long car journeys can be especially difficult for children. But some adults also struggle with sitting in a car for a long period of time. So, you want to make sure that nobody ends up feeling restless and uncomfortable. As it happens, keeping everyone sitting in the backset happy is a delicate art to master!
You can, however, consider some essential preparations. If you are crossing state borders or even driving into a new country, you will need to consider packing familiar food and drinks so nobody gets cranky when they can’t find their favorite snacks.
It is also a good idea to bring comfort items for little ones, ranging from favorite toys to tablets with kids’ programs. These can be a game-changer! But you may find that some adults would also respond positively to having access to a tablet loaded with movies during the trip.
Ultimately, happy passengers will 100% make the trip more enjoyable for all, including the driver!
Prepare for Travel Sickness
Can there be anything worse than sitting in a car and feeling travel sick with no sign of improvement? When you are stuck in a moving vehicle for hours, car sickness can drain the fun out it.
However, as travel sickness is extremely common, there are many tricks and treatments available to alleviate discomfort. First of all, you want to ensure you keep the car well-ventilated. A stuffy car will exacerbate symptoms, while keeping windows down to let the fresh air in can make a big difference.
Also, while this may sound surprising and counterintuitive, it’s best to eat something before traveling. A road trip on an empty stomach is more likely to lead to a queasy stomach.
It’s worth noting that there are some treatments available for the trip. Some passengers find relief in motion sickness wristbands, which use acupressure to reduce symptoms. Others prefer medicated patches or tablets, which are available over the counter. If you are unsure, it’s best to prepare a few options ahead of time.
Make a Family Playlist
Should the driver be the only person in charge of the music? When you embark on a long road trip, you can find that encouraging family members to contribute to a road trip playlist can help make the journey more enjoyable and memorable. Platforms like Spotify let you share and add to a playlist, so this is the perfect opportunity to select everyone’s favorite songs.
Remember: variety is key. You want to ensure everyone can join in and sing along to their favorite tunes.
Road trips can be a fantastic experience to share with your family. With family events like Thanksgiving just around the corner, we can expect a lot of Americans on the road. But just because you are traveling far, it doesn’t mean you can make it a phenomenal road trip that everyone will love.
Preparation is crucial to success. Granted, the journey may be long. But there’s no need for it to be as stressful as some families make it. With a little planning, you can design a road trip experience that will help you feel more connected to your loved ones. It doesn’t matter what you get to see along the way. The best road trip memories are the ones we make with our family, singing, laughing, and eating together.