Summer time is upon us, and what's more fun than planning a vacation for your family? Longer days, a little less responsibility, and easier schedules allow you to take a trip and see parts of America you haven't yet experienced. Our family has been on quite a few road trips over the years and it's always a great time to build some memories.
Whether you want nature in national parks and campgrounds or you want fun and adventure in the big city, road trips are a great way to discover new parts of the country or old favorites. The great thing about the US is that there are so many different geographies and areas of interest that you might not have explored. And since it's a big place, you can spend time every year exploring a new part of it.
But before you hit the open road, remember to plan. I made that mistake once on an 18+ hour trip years ago! Planning is important when you have children and travel is no different. If you put in the effort to plan a great getaway, you and your family will soon be saying, “That was the best road trip ever!”
8 tips to plan an epic Road Trip with your family
Traveling with kids is fun, but it can also require a lot of planning and preparation. But don't get overwhelmed or overwhelmed with travel planning. With these tips, you'll be well on your way to planning the perfect road trip for your family.
1. Make a road trip plan for where you want to go
The first step to planning an epic road trip is deciding what kind of vacation you want.
Maybe you're hoping to spend some time in nature and go camping. You can plan a trip to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Montana or Arches National Park in Utah. Or if you're looking to do some sightseeing in one city, you might want to check out Chicago or New York City. Has a beach vacation where you can go to Florida, North Carolina or California. Or you can visit the mountains in Colorado or Washington.
While you're planning, also think about how many places you'll be staying. Will you have a home base where you can take a few day trips and then go home? Or do you want to make several stops and spend several nights in each place? Need to fly somewhere and rent a car for your road trip? This allows you to see a part of the US that you cannot reach by car alone.
Another important factor is how long you can (and want) to leave. Only have a week to go? Or have a whole month (or longer) for a cross-country road trip? The amount of time you have will determine where you can go. Don't forget to factor in driving time when planning how long you can get away!
2. Plan your route
Now that you know how long and where you want to go, plan your route. For this, use an online map such as Mapquest to place up to 26 different stops to create a route. Or use Google Maps if you're going to fewer locations (up to nine). Choose your starting point, set the places you want to go and finish with your final stop. The software will do the work for you!
This is a good time to use online trip planners. This one from AAA makes planning super easy! Browse through their library of road trip itineraries and find them in your areas of interest. From New England to Arizona and even Hawaii and Alaska, it gives you directions and fun stops to make. They will even help you find pet friendly hotels if you are taking your furry friends.
One thing to consider is finding scenic routes to your destination. If there are any national forests or scenic drives on your way, plan to pass through them along the way. You can also run one route to your location and then another route back. This way you can see even more parts of the country.
3. Find great places to stay
Where you stay will depend on the type of vacation you are taking. Do you need to rent a campsite or campsite? You can check national parks, state parks, or other campgrounds for rental sites. Or is a hotel more your thing? Some have packages where you can save money and get more equipment.
Want to rent a vacation home? These are a good option when traveling as a family. You'll have more room to stretch out and even put the kids to bed earlier if you need to. You'll also have a kitchen so you can save money on eating out. Some even have pools or playrooms with toys for the kids!
Use a wider search area to save money if it's an expensive area. For example, if you're planning a trip to Chicago, check out the suburbs to save money. You won't be in the city, but you can take the train into the city (it's a fun experience!) and then explore the suburbs for a few quieter days.
4. Find fun things to do on the itinerary
Remember that the fun is in the journey, not just the destination. Build in time along the way to stop and see interesting things. The biggest dresser in the world? Check! The world's largest ball of twine? Check! A quick Google search with the name of the place you're going (city or state) and “tourist attraction” will bring up some interesting things to check out along the way.
This is also a great time to think about gas stations and rest areas. With little ones (and even moms!), bathroom breaks are very important. Stretching the legs is also important for everyone. Although it won't always work perfectly, and sometimes there are spontaneous stops that have to happen, it's good to be somewhat prepared for stops.
5. Plan meals and snacks
Holiday food with a family can be challenging. It is difficult to get a large group to eat. Sometimes it's hard to find quality street food, and eating out isn't cheap! Planning your meals and snacks will help you save time, money and frustration.
Snacks are a huge part of road trips (my kids always seem to be hungry in the car!). I like to eat healthy foods that are within reach. It's especially important when you're driving through parts of the country where there aren't many places to stop.
Meals require a little creativity and planning. If you're staying in a rental, camping, or hotel room with a kitchen, you can plan meals to cook. If you have a crockpot, you can have dinner waiting when you get home after a day of exploring! In a hotel, you'll have to be a little more creative with the foods from your mini-fridge or cooler. But you can always pack your pot and put it in the hotel too!
When I'm on vacation, I like to meal plan and have groceries delivered to my rental (if available) or stop at the store along the way. Or you can prepare your meals before you leave and take them with you!
When we go out to eat, I like to look for restaurants that serve fresh, whole foods. If you have dietary restrictions, there are great apps like Find me GF to find gluten-free restaurants that users have reviewed. They have dining facilities everywhere (even in Europe!).
6. Plan your entertainment
Don't forget the fun of the car. Planning before you go will help keep everyone happier, although it won't stop the “Mom are we there yet” questions!
Music is always a great way to pass the time in the car. Make a playlist of popular road trip songs or share your favorite songs from your childhood. Of course, there are endless playlists for kids. Make a few and cycle through them when you need a change of pace.
Podcasts and audiobooks are also a great way to entertain children. There are so many great children's podcasts available such as The Story of Pirates AND Round circle. You can find children's audiobooks online or through your library.
An essential part of road trips with children are car games. Think of the alphabet game where you find the letters of the alphabet on signs and street signs. Or the license plate game where you hunt for license plates from every state. There are so many options for car games. This post has a great tone!
7. Pack your essentials
When you're packing your clothes and toiletries, don't forget your car essentials. These are things you'll want to keep close to you in case you need them.
I like to pack all the important things essential oils I might need it for car sickness or alertness. Garbage bags are always good to have (especially if you have any children prone to car sickness). Tissues are another good thing to keep on hand, as are hand wipes and homemade hand sanitizer.
Chargers are also a great thing to have handy. I like to take something with me many ports with us in case we have too much to load. It's nice to have one with him AC outlet to even charge things like laptops.
8. Go with the flow and enjoy!
This last tip is probably the most important! Even though you've put a lot of time into planning your road trip, remember to go with the flow. Whenever you're traveling, things are bound to go wrong, especially with kids. The best travel plans can be discovered very quickly. This is when problem solving and positive thinking come in handy, so you can quickly take advantage of any bad situation.
Remember that your children are watching how you react to adversity. This is a great time to teach them that things can go wrong, but it's not the end of the world.
Road trips are a great time to make family memories, good and bad(!). You'll have stories to share for years to come, and the bond is totally worth it.
Do you enjoy taking road trips? What's your favorite travel planning tip? Leave a comment and let us know!
