One of the best things that a family can do is to take a road trip together. Seeing the sights, going new places and being on the open road can be exciting. If you are planning to have a road trip this summer, we have put together some tips that you can use to help you have a fun road trip and to make sure it’s as stress free and enjoyable for your family as possible.
A Week Before the Trip
The trip may be a week away, but the last thing you want to do is to wait until the last minute to do certain things for your trip. Below are three things that you want to do in the week leading up to your trip.
Plan a Course
The first thing you want to do is to make sure you know where you are going when you are taking a road trip. Sit down and figure out the stops that you are going to take, where you are going to stay and when you are going to stop for lunch/dinner breaks. You also want to make sure that you make reservations for where you are staying, if you aren’t bringing a camper with you. This will avoid problems with having the hotel be full when you stop for the night.
Have Your Vehicle Checked
Another big thing that you want to do is to have your vehicle checked over before you leave. The last thing you want to do is to have your vehicle break down when you’re in the middle of nowhere. Make sure that the tires are in good shape, that your fluids are topped off and that your brakes are in good working order. It’s also a good idea to have a kit in your car that will help you with minor repairs on your car if necessary.
Have a List of Things to Do
Before you leave on your trip, create a list of things to do on your phone or on a piece of paper if you don’t have a smart phone, things like stopping the mail and paper, boarding your pets if you have them, and other things that you have to do. You also can put on there the things that you want to take with you and things that you have to buy, such as Dramamine, suntan lotion, etc. as you do the things on your list, cross them off and write down the date that you did the items. That way you don’t have to worry about second guessing if something was done or not.
Create Goodie Bags
This is especially a good idea if you have small children. Create goodie bags with small surprises in them and choose the right time to give them out. Or create goodie bags for each day of the trip to give them something to look forward to.
The Night Before the Trip
Now we are to the night before your big trip. Are you getting excited? Below are three things you want to do the night before your trip before you go to sleep.
Set Your Alarm
Remember the Home Alone movies? They were always running late. Of course, you don’t have to worry about catching a plane, like they did, but you still want to get on the road at the right time. It’s a good idea to set the alarm on your phone as well, if you still use an actual alarm clock. This way, if the power should go out you have a backup plan.
Download Helpful Apps
There are so many apps that you can download that can be helpful on a road trip. Apps such as ones that will let you know about traffic jams, where to find food and rest stops and other apps will help you save time while on the road. You also may even be able to find deals on apps depending on where you are going.
Pack Your Car
Depending on how long your road trip is going to be, there’s a good chance that you will have multiple bags for each person. Put the larger suitcases at the back of the trunk for when you reach your destination and keep smaller bags at the front of the trunk so that you don’t have to completely unpack your car every time you stop for the night. This will make things a lot easier for you while you are on your trip.
The Morning Of Your Trip
It’s the big day! Here’s a couple of things that you want to do before you hit the road.
Eat a Good Breakfast
This will do a couple of things. First, it will help you wake up with the coffee we’re sure you’re having. Secondly, it’s going to help you save money and avoid having to stop for breakfast later on. And finally, it’s going to help you with cleaning out your fridge. If you have someone in your family who is prone to motion sickness, avoid greasy or fatty foods and encourage them to take their Dramamine or put on their nausea bands or patch.
Finish Packing
Finish packing your necessities and put them in the car. You also want to make sure that you pack snacks and drinks, since this is going to help you save money instead of stopping and buying them at rest stops. You can also pack a cooler with sandwiches so that you don’t have to buy your lunch on the first day.
While on the Trip
Once you’re on the road, here are some things to help your trip go well.
Stop Every Couple of Hours
You want to stop every couple of hours to let yourself and your family stretch your legs, go to the bathroom, and to change drivers. Driving can be very tiring, and you want your family to have a chance to stretch and walk around.
Limit Screen Time
It’s very easy to enjoy the peace and quiet that you have when everyone is on their cell phones and tablets. But it’s a good idea to limit the amount of screen time that your kids have. Also, being on phones and tablets can exacerbate motion sickness, if you have children who suffer from that.
Give Out the Goodie Bags
Choose the time to give out the goodie bags. Maybe when you agree that you’re stopping screen time. This way your children aren’t going to be bored and have something to look forward to.
If you are planning a road trip this summer, we hope that our list has made it a lot easier for you. No matter where you are traveling, we have a lot of things that can make your trip much easier on you. From chargers for your phone to luggage and a lot more, we have it all.
If you have any questions or you are looking for something in particular, please contact us. We will be happy to answer your questions and help you in any way that we can. Please keep checking back on our site to see what new things we have for sale.
