Going on a family road trip can greatly strengthen your relationship with your loved ones. Apart from giving you a much-needed break from the daily routine, it allows for members of your family to spend quality time together.
Journeying with your entire family for the first time can be a bit draining. That, however, doesn’t mean that your family road trip has to be a flop. With a bit of preparation, as well as management of expectations, you can make your family road trip a memorable experience. Here are some of the tips you can use to make your family road trip a triumph.
Great tips for a family road trip
List your interests as a family
Different people usually have different interests. When planning your family road trip, ask each member of your family things they’d like to do and places they’d like to see while on the trip. Jotting down their interests will enable you to narrow the list of potential places to visit and activities to engage in while on your road trip.
Determine your budget
Family road trips are relatively costly, primarily because of associated costs like transportation, food, entertainment and accommodation. Before hitting the road, determine your budget. Having a set budget will enable you to make informed, accurate decisions. It will also help you set your trip priorities so that you can know what to splurge on, the destinations you can visit and the activities you can afford to engage in. Setting a budget for your family road trip will make your time away enjoyable.
Choose your destinations wisely
When choosing destinations for your family road trip, you must first consider how long you plan on going, as a week-long trip requires a whole different preparation than a weekend trip. You must also consider the interests of your family, the sort of accommodation you’d like, and the goals for your road trip. Additionally, you should think about what the weather will be like while on the trip and how much time you’d like to spend behind the wheel. Choosing your destinations before beginning your family road trip will allow you to discover the activities available at the sites you’d like to visit. This will assist you in planning your itinerary accordingly.
Hire a car
Once you settle on destinations, you should choose the route you’d like to follow while headed to these destinations. Depending on the route, you’ll know the type of car you need to hire. It’s worth noting that before settling on a given car hire, it’s in your best interest to consider its mileage restrictions, fuel efficiency, luggage space and its roadside assistance coverages. You should also consider how comfortable the car is.
When you search cars on KAYAK, you’re comparing options from a wide range of travel providers and car hire agencies so you can find exactly what you’re looking for. We also offer car-sharing options so you can compare prices across all car types and find the perfect wheels for your trip.
Pack the essentials
You can fill your car hire with whatever and however much you want. Before commencing your family road trip, compose a list of all the essential items you’ll need while on the road. The basic must-haves include clothing, a car phone charger, a portable charger, UV window shades, toiletries, a laundry bag and cash. For comfort, you should carry items such as an extra layer of clothing and travel pillows, while for entertainment, you should pack a camera, phone, and headphones.
Create a playlist
Long drives don’t have to be dull. To do away with this boredom, you should create a playlist of songs, audiobooks, and podcasts that you and your family members enjoy listening to. To create the perfect playlist, you should start by picking a theme. Research what landscapes you’ll be going through and visualise the mood you’re aiming for. Let your family members pick out their favourite songs. You can even pass around your phone and make each person pick the next song before the one playing ends. Also, alternate between fast and slow songs, to mimic the mood and tempo of the road trip.
Get all the healthy snacks you need
Eating irregularly and sitting on end for hours on the road can cause bloating and discomfort. It’s also worth noting that finding healthy snacks in convenience stores can be a bit of a challenge. As such, when packing your essentials, you should also pack all the healthy snacks you can. To prepare energy-filled snacks to keep you and your family members fueled during the road trip, you should invite them, especially your kids, to pick the snacks they love. You should also go for fruits and vegetables that aren’t highly perishable and proteins that will keep all of you full and alert.
Plan for bathroom breaks
When organising your family road trip, it’s important that you factor in bathroom breaks. Although you shouldn’t delay your bathroom break, you can reduce the number of bathroom stops you’ll have to take. If all your family members are grown, you can reduce the amount of liquids you drink and avoid drinking anything for at least an hour before you commence your journey. If, however, you’ve got kids, you can invest in a portable potty they can use.
Book accommodation
Even though sleep is something many travellers struggle with while on the road, it is just as essential as sightseeing. To get quality sleep while on the road, you should book yourself and your family quality accommodation. Along your route, you’re bound to come across several accommodations. However, prior to settling on a given one, it’s advisable that you check its reviews, amenities, location, comfortability and affordability.
When you search on KAYAK, you can see all our accommodation options in one place. From hotels to cabins to homes to RVs, you can search it all at once.
Don’t overschedule
Over-scheduling is one of the key issues many people face on family road trips. As much as you’d like to visit as many places as possible, it’s important that you compromise and select just a few worthwhile destinations. The whole idea of a family road trip is to have quality time. By overscheduling, you risk spending quality time with your family, as you’ll simply be ticking destinations off a list.
When planning, you should be flexible enough to leave some time open. You and your family members can use these empty time slots to have a nap, roadside picnic and take short detours. Sometimes the best memories are spontaneous ones.
Different group activities are always a good idea
Lastly, while on your family road trips, you should allow for group activities. However, just because you are family doesn’t mean that you have to take part in all family activities. If you and your kid would like to go to a park while your partner and other kid prefer going to the mall, you don’t have to restrict each other. Remember, the goal is to have quality time.
