Family road trips are perfect for a fun-filled weekend getaway. However, sometimes hitting the open road with kids in tow might seem daunting –from preparing road trip snacks and packing lists to planning stops and kid-friendly destinations. But don’t let these worries stop you from mapping out a memorable getaway. Consider this your ultimate guide to a perfect family road trip.

Safety First: Get a Tune-up for Your Car

The very first thing that you should consider before setting off on a trip is your vehicle safety. Get proper maintenance and tune-up for your car before leaving. Make sure your car seats are installed securely and don’t forget to check your tires and fluids. Map out your route and keep in mind that it might take you a little longer to reach your destination than what your GPS says. Always prepare for emergencies and consider roadside assistance like AAA.

Prepare Your Packing List

While on a family road trip, it is important to pack all the essentials. However, make sure that you don’t squish in a lot of bags in the car and leave enough room for kids to have their own space. You can also separate kids in the back seat by placing a cooler full of drinks and snacks between them.

Here is a list of some must-have family road trip packing essentials:

• Snacks (lots of it)
• Electronic devices for entertainment
• Books and games
• ID cards, debit cards, and necessary documents
• Change of clothing
• Drinks
• Water bottles
• First aid kit
• Small blankets
• Raincoats
• Torchlight
• A toolkit for your car
• An emergency kit with a knife, pepper spray, and a lighter

Decide How Far You Want to Travel

To perfectly map out the course of your road trip, you should know how far you want to travel and how much time it will take you to reach your destination considering potential delays. You will also need to determine how many hours a day you can sensibly drive. This will be a key factor while planning your stops.

Here are some useful tips for mapping out your trip and stops:

• Ask yourself if there are any waypoints where you need to on a specific day. Maybe a wedding, a reunion, or a family dinner? If yes, then set out with one spot in mind and plan the rest of your trip around it
• Try to sandwich longer travel days in between non-travel days to ensure that you won’t get burned out
• Don’t cramp in too many activities or stops in a single day. While driving with kids, delays are expected. So make sure that you don’t hurry from one spot to another without giving kids time to absorb and enjoy.
• Consider your budget by differentiating between what you want and what you need. You will need to keep an eye on expenses, especially when you are traveling with kids.

How to Plan Your Stops

One of the most important aspects of planning a road trip is efficiently planning your stops. Even the happiest of kids can’t tolerate being buckled in the car seat for hours. It won’t take long for discomfort to settle in, making your kid cranky and irritable.

This is why it is important to know:

1. How Often You Will Need to Make Road Trip Stops?

You will definitely need to make stops for food, fuel, and restrooms. However, you will also need to make stops besides this for your baby’s well-being. Sitting in an upright position for an extended period of time can strain developing muscles and bones. This is why, sitting in a car seat for too long can pose risks for your little one, even if your car seat is installed perfectly.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasizes on following the two-hour rule while driving with kids, especially toddlers or newborns. You can take this time to not only stretch your legs but also attend to your baby’s needs such as changing, feeding, or playing.

2. How to Choose Your Stops Wisely?

To manage the time effectively, you can align your rest stops with other necessities. You will probably need to make road trip stops for:

• Restroom: This one is obvious since you will be traveling with little kids. You will need to make stops at gas stations, hotels, and roadside inns for your kids to use the restroom. If you have a newborn with you, it is wise to keep a changing pad in the car in case you don’t have a clean changing table available.

• Fuel: For obvious reasons, fuel stops are essential while on a road trip. You simply don’t want your car to run out of gas in the middle of the night with upset, hungry, and sleepy kids in the back seat. If you are on a scenic route, it is important to check beforehand what gas station you can stop at along the way. And if there are none in a specific area, you should fill your tank wherever you get the chance.

• Food and Snacks: While you should pack snacks and drinks with you on a road trip, a short stop for some special treats will certainly lift everyone’s mood. You can also run out of snacks during the trip, so make sure that you stock up on snacks wherever you see a stop.

• Stops for Activities: This one is very important for a memorable road trip. Get your kids moving when they get the chance to step out. Play some fun games like scavenger hunt, explore nature, take pictures, and give them some time to enjoy. Sure, it might add to your transit time, but it’s worth it. You can shake things up a little bit while on a family trip, it is not always necessary to stick to a hard and fast schedule.

Your kid might want to explore the fields or watch the sunset while on the way, and there is no harm in making a few stops here are there even if doesn’t fit in your schedule. Make sure to enjoy and consider everyone’s needs for a road trip worth remembering! For more tips and information, visit thecreativewannabe.