Family Road Trip Tips To Save The Day
A family road trip is a great way to explore what the country has to offer (not to mention saving $1,000+ of flight tickets for a family of four or more). When planned well, it’s a budget-friendly adventure that lets the whole family enjoy quality time together while soaking in the sights and sounds of the journey.
However, having to “survive” a family road trip is not a good mindset to start with. Because if so, it’s not travelling with your family anymore, but more like planning the fun for the adults while putting up with the children along the way.
CabinZero’s guide on a perfect road trip with your family can help you change your perspective on that and keep your upcoming travel hassle-free and effortless.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Lightweight road trip packing tips for the family
- Budgeting and location tips
- Advice on how to keep both the adults and children entertained during the drive
- And other useful planning tips.
Basically, you can start with two types of packing: the luggage (things that can go into bags that will be stored in the trunk) and the car (things that need to reach for during the drive).
It’s similar to when you’re flying and deciding which essentials go into cargo hold and which are carry-ons. Only, it’s less rigorous.
Packing Tips For Family Trips: Light and Essential
Packing should be lightweight for a road trip. Photo by gorynvd on Adobe Stock.
What kind of trip you’re taking your family on is the key. Are you packing for a cross country trip that is a week-long with plenty of stops? Or, is it a shorter trip to the nearby beach or a 2-3 day camp in the mountains?
Each type of trip has its own list of travel essentials. A family road trip is no exception. Apart from the regular road trip essentials you usually pack, you have to factor in what your children need and what your whole family needs. Here are some tips for more efficient packing.
1. Everybody Should Have Their Own Checklist
Don’t just assign the packing task for 1 person. Family members, even the kids, should make a list of which essentials they need. This way, you can keep the luggage personalised without the risk of forgetting important things.
However, it’s important to have some sort of rules for the checklists to keep everyone on the same page and avoid overpacking. You can try categorising your stuff and set the limit to 5-6 items per category.
2. Small, Soft Bags Are Better Than Big, Bulky Suitcases
One backpack per person and one small suitcase for the whole family is better than each person bringing their own hard suitcase. Space is limited in the trunk, and backpacks are just so much easier to stack and unstack.
Each kid can have a backpack and pack what they want, books or toys. Let them be responsible for it. It’s a great way to teach them to keep track of their belongings during the trip.
3. Keep It Lightweight And Flexible
A backpack good on the go and in the car can level up your road trip packing.
Flexible and lightweight packing is the key to a successful family road trip. So, get a backpack that can be used for multiple purposes such as packing and playing at the same time. You don’t have to worry about switching between bags, or having to bring extra ones, to explore your stops.
CabinZero’s daypacks are perfect choices for your on-the-road adventures. With a wide range of sizes, functionalities, and styles for hassle-free adventures with your family. It can fit comfortably in the back or on the seat of your car.
How to Pack Your Car for a Family Road Trip
There are plenty of things you need to reach for during the car ride. Don’t forget these essentials to keep both adults and children happy.
4. Bring Plenty Of Snacks And Drinks
It’s not secret that kids are energetic but go out of juice quick. Go all out on the snacks and drinks. Pick foods that are easy to pack, such as crisps, granola bars, frozen fruits, nuts, and biscuits. Remember to bring lots of water as well (sugary and caffeined drinks are a big no-no, though). Also, try to carry baby wipes to keep things clean.
5. Make Sure Everyone Has Their Entertainment
Pack books, games, music, and toys for the kids to enjoy during the journey. Younger children are more difficult to entertain during long rides, so make sure you plan enough activities for them to do and keep it personalised for each child.
6. Keep A Checklist Of Devices And Chargers
An easy way to remember is that one device goes with one charger. Don’t pack the devices first, then the chargers later, or the other way around. You may forget either (or both).
7. Don’t Forget The Road Trip Emergency Items
Have a map, first-aid kit, car repair kit, bottled water and emergency cash in the car. You can even bring extra clothes, diapers (if you’re travelling with a baby), and chargers just to be safe.
A good tip is to keep them all in a separate packing cube you can easily reach for during emergencies. Don’t forget to show your children how to use the items properly.
Tips To Know Before The Ride
It’s always better to be prepared before embarking on your adventure. Photo by maximus19 - stock.adobe.com
Packing aside, there is a lot to plan for a family trip. It’s not going to be as easy as planning for just yourself, but with the right tricks, your adventures on the open road can be ready in no time. To have smooth sailing adventures on the road, you need to plan ahead before you settle nicely and comfortably in the car.
8. The Best Time To Leave For A Road Trip
Early morning is the best time to start your family road trip, around 5 AM. You can avoid the morning peak traffic hours, usually from 8-10 AM. The kids can sleep off the first half of the ride. Then you can arrive at your destination before evening rush hours. Plan your stops to avoid starting the ride at peak hours, and don’t forget to check the weather forecast.
9. The Best Day Of The Week To Travel By Car
Monday and Tuesday are light in traffic, and plenty of attractions and camping sites offer discounts for these weekdays. However, if you have to travel at the end of the week, Sunday is typically better for driving than Friday and Saturday, as there are fewer people commuting to work.
10. The Best Place For Family Road Trip
The best destinations for a family road trip are where everyone can have fun.
National parks and beach towns are classic choices because they are easy to find, have plenty of things to do, and are affordable. A day hike or camping in a national park can be a very memorable experience for your family.
Theme parks can also be amazing for those who like thrills and excitement. They can be a good stop to squeeze in for a longer trip. Along with that, historic towns are also full of charms, like museums, landmarks, and cultural tours.
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11. Keep A Travel Budget And Set A Limit
Budgeting is one of the most important planning steps for a family trip. Photo by jovannig - stock.adobe.com
A travel budget can help you stay on track with your spending. When you plan your accommodation, activities, and gas, set an estimated limit on how much you can afford. It all boils down to:
- Plan your route: Calculate your total miles and divide that by your vehicle’s miles per gallon (MPG). Use tools like GasBuddy or Google Maps to determine the average cost of gas along your route and any toll expenses. Add around 100 miles to cover any unexpected extra miles. You can use this and this tool to automatically calculate everything.
- Places to stay: Hotels and motels average $100-200/night.
- Places to eat: Expect to spend at least $100 per day. Cook your own meals and stock up every morning at grocery stores ($), fast-food restaurants ($$), local diners ($$$).
- Things to do: Entrance fees, parking fees, tourist attractions, souvenirs, snacks, etc., will cost about $200 total or more, depending on whether you want to keep things simple or splurge.
- Emergency fund: set aside at least $200, especially if you are planning a cross-country trip.
If possible, it’s better to book everything in advance. This way, you can see how much money you have left for the rest of the trip without having to worry about unnecessary splurges. If you want to save more money, here are some more tips:
- Camping can be cheaper than hotels or motels
- You can take advantage of the breakfast at the hotel or go to grocery stores to buy breads
- Check if there is any city pass or park pass
- Pack your own lunches/snacks
- Invest in a cooler to store foods and an electric lunch box to re-heat meals (not cook them)
- Book with your credit card for better deals/points
- Consider travel during off-season.
12. Compare Gas And Accommodation Prices
This isn’t just useful for a family road trip but any other trip as well. List out all of your options and weigh them carefully. Doing this can save you from getting torpedoed out of a good deal. You can try apps or websites like GasBuddy and Skyscanner.
Family Road Trip Tips For Happy Children
Fun stops are the saviour for long trips. Photo by Angelov - stock.adobe.com
This is what many road trip lovers get stuck on. For a family road trip, one of the most rewarding experiences is that the little ones get to enjoy it just as much as the adults. It’s not just about sitting idly in the car for these many hours. There are a lot of ways to keep everyone entertained during the long adventure.
13. Audiobooks To Beat The Boredom
Movies are good, but audiobooks are just a bit better for a family road trip because everyone can enjoy them. Classic family-friendly options like Harry Potter or Chronicles of Narnia are excellent choices (we recommend the versions read by Stephen Fry; his voice is a delight to listen to).
14. Have A Playlist And Some Travel Games Ready
Music and travel games are low-energy entertainment that are perfect for road trips. Prepare songs your family loves and play them whenever you feel everyone is bored or exhausted. It’s proven to be mentally stimulating and can help reduce stress. You can play some games like spot-a-car or 20 questions in the meantime.
15. Toys As A Reward, Not A Distraction
One of the worst nightmares is that just 2 hours in a 16 hour road trip and the kids have already gone through all the toys and games you pack. To avoid that and sprinkle some extra excitement on top, you can try introducing one toy/game every two hours or per stop. Give the kids a sense of reward for their good behaviours during the journey.
16. Plan Fun Stops Along The Route
Plan playgrounds, parks, and fun restaurants as stops. They’re good for unwinding and refreshing. Don’t just stop somewhere for 5 minutes, take a picture, and then hit the road again. It’ll feel like an endless car drive with not much purpose and rewards.
Plan a stop every 2 hours. Children need space to run around and stretch their legs just as much as we do. Fresh air and physical movements can make the remainder of the journey less irritable.
17. Let Them Know
Besides asking the kids where/what they want to do, talk to them and keep them up to date about the plan and what you are going to do the next few days. They may feel more comfortable knowing where we are going.
18. Be flexible
A part of the journey, especially if you share it with kids on your family road trip, is being open to changing plans, detours, and last-minute deals. Don’t fret if things don’t go exactly according to plan.
Planning A Family Road Trip Is No Big Deal
A family road trip is a wonderful way to create lasting memories with your loved ones. While it may take some time planning and preparing for everything, you can get it right with the right tips.
If you find this article useful and would love to read more amazing travel tips and stories, don’t forget to leave us a comment and reach out to us via social media.
Nguyen Tran Gia Khanh
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