Survival Tips For Your Next Summer Family Road Trip
There’s nothing that says summer more than a family road trip. But restlessness and impatience can quickly turn a fun vacation into a traveler’s nightmare.
The good news is that dreaded “Are we there yet?” scenario doesn’t have to be a part of your experience if you play your cards right. Before you hit the road with your family, consider the following tips you can use to keep everyone happy while you’re on the road, including yourself.
Drive the right vehicle
It might feel like a good idea at the time to same money and drive cross-country in your family’s Sedan. But a small, compact car will start to feel even smaller and more compact the longer you drive in it.
Your kids have a lot of energy and need space to move around. That said, depending on the length of your trip, it might be in your best interest to consider renting an RV.
Some families think that renting an RV for their trip could be a waste of money, but RV travel can actually save you up to 60% on travel costs. RVs also have their own bathrooms so you don’t have to worry about stopping for your kids to use the restroom.
Just be sure that you’re especially careful when you drive. There are about 6 million car accidents on U.S. roads every year, and RVs are larger and heavier than the average vehicle. Because of this, it’s recommended that RV drivers drive below 60 mph.
Pack healthy snacks
Junk food is enjoyable in small doses. The average American eats around 4.3 burgers a month.
But too much fast food can leave you and your family feeling sick. And food poisoning is the last thing you want to worry about when you’re on the road in a small space. According to the CDC, one in every six people get sick every year after consuming contaminated foods.
Keep healthy snacks and meals on hand that don’t need to be refrigerated while you’re traveling. Healthy snacks can keep you and your family from experiencing nausea, which can happen when you eat too much sugar. Just be sure the snacks you pack aren’t messy so you don’t have to worry about dust and crumbs getting everywhere.
Map out your breaks
It’s not a good idea to leave your rest stops up to chance. By mapping out your breaks ahead of time, you’ll be able to plan ahead for bathroom breaks, food breaks, and times to stretch and run around.
You rest stops don’t need to be your average gas station, either. Do some research on where you’re driving during your trip to find roadside attractions, historic sites, or places to have a picnic. These interesting stops make your road trip more of an adventure, and they give your family something to talk about when you get on the road again.
It’s also good to map out your breaks so you give your kids enough time to burn off some energy. Experts recommend giving your kids at least 20 minutes to run around at a playground, park, or grassy area before heading off on the road again.
Family road trips are a great summer experience, but it’s important to plan ahead of time for optimal comfort and fun. By following the tips above, you can keep everyone happy, including yourself, while you’re traveling on the road.
