Are we there YET? Tips on how to Survive a Family Road Trip!

For the last several years our family of 5 takes a road trip that surpasses 5,000 kilometers! Some people think we are crazy and ask why we do this year after year. We do this to make memories, to see amazing things and to spend quality time together!

Often within the first hour of driving we always hear “I’m hungry” or “I’m bored” or “how much longer”! Below are a few tips on how to survive a family road trip!

Pack Healthy - We always keep two coolers loaded with crunchy veggies, wraps and fruit as well as cheese, yogurt, nuts and meat for snacking.  A case of water is also packed to avoid sugary drinks. When the kids need a little snack in between meals it is good to be prepared. This helps eliminate unnecessary stops, upset tummies, mood swings and it helps with the travel budget.

Pack Smart - We make sure that each child is equipped with a good book, blanket, neck pillow and a backpack loaded with traveling games, electronics, chargers and EARPHONES! 

Book Ahead - Driving through the night is not something I would recommend. We have tried this and it makes for grumpy passengers and unsafe driving. We book our hotels ahead of time to make sure that we have a place to stay. We find hotels with a swimming pool and restaurant so that after a long day of driving we have a nice place to unwind for the evening.

Involve the Kids - We ask our kids to research things to do in the areas we visit. This allows them to look forward to and have input into the things that we do. It works especially well if you have teenagers and tweens who feel like they are “too old” to travel with you anymore. We also have the kids take pictures and journal each day so that they have a way to capture their favorite memories.

Make a Schedule - When you have kids with special needs you will need to maintain a daily routine and schedule. This will help keep anxieties low and melt downs to a minimum. Kids like to know when and what they will experience ahead of time. Keep meal and bed times the same as much as possible. This will help to make the road trip enjoyable for the entire family.

If you can survive the first hour of the trip then you will have a great vacation. Family road trips require a lot of planning and patience but the end result is worth it all. Have a safe and happy summer!