How to Keep a Family Road Trip Fun and Stress-Free

Family road trip adventure with music playing in the background, snacks in the back seat, and open roads ahead. Anybody who has been on one before knows that it can get chaotic extremely fast, between keeping kids entertained and having to manage long hours in the car, as well as finding the ideal places to stop and rest. 

Photo by Kampus Production: https://www.pexels.com/photo/rv-parked-on-grass-7967365/

A little planning can go a long way. Here’s how you can make sure that your next trip feels more like a vacation rather than a lot of hard work:

Plan Smart, Not Complicated

You don’t need to have a minute-by-minute itinerary, but it’s a good idea to have a rough plan in place, especially when you have children with you. Pick your main destination and then figure out what’s in between. Long stretches of driving can be very tough, especially on younger children, so plan your stops every few hours. 

Map out where the gas stations, grocery stores, and overnight stays are. For RV fans, if you’re traveling by camper, have a look for a clean, family-friendly RV park where you can all get some rest and recharge. Many offer things like laundry areas, playgrounds, and safe spaces for kids to stretch their legs, which is perfect for you getting back on the road. Make sure you plan ahead if you’re heading out in the summer or on holidays.

Pack for Convenience

The right supplies can make or break your trip. Make sure you keep plenty of snacks, water, and wipes within reach and not buried or hidden in the trunk of your car. Bring a cooler for fruit, sandwiches, and drinks so that you can avoid too many fast food stops. 

A small trash bag and paper towels will also help to keep your car cleaner on your journey. Let each family member have their own small bag for all their essentials, including headphones, books, or toys. That way, you don’t have to dig through big bags of luggage every single time somebody wants something.

Keep Everyone Entertained

Boredom can quickly turn into frustration for children. Before you leave, make sure you load up a few playlists, audiobooks, or podcasts that everybody is going to enjoy.

For younger children, simple car games, even something as simple as Spot the License Plate, can help to keep them focused and engaged. Take breaks at parks or rest stops instead of just gas stations, as this means that everybody can get around and move for 15 minutes to reset the whole mood of the trip.

Enjoy the Ride

At the center, a family road trip is all about spending plenty of time together. You’re likely to laugh, argue, and probably spill a few drinks along the way, but that is all part of the experience of your travel together. The miles you cover don’t really matter as much as the memories that you make on the journey.

With a little bit of planning, patience, and making sure that you have a good place to rest each night, you will make sure that the journey can be just as rewarding as the destination that you are heading to.

Want to read more tips for traveling worldwide on a budget? Check out my blog at Shereen Travels Cheap or find me on Facebook or Twitter. You’ll also find product and website suggestions, packing tips, current deals and a whole lot more to help you travel better for less!