Road trips are a fun, unique, and fully immersive traveling experience. Unlike other methods of travel, you’re in complete control, making it so you can have your own schedule and rules. Yet, despite the fact that much of your time is spent in a vehicle, that doesn’t mean road trips aren’t hard to work. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. This is especially true if you’re taking your family with kids along for the ride. So, here are a few tips to help make family road trips that much more bearable, so you don’t end up cutting it short or vowing to never go on one again. 

Don’t  Drive Yourself Into The Ground

Although road trips are centered around driving, that doesn’t mean that you have to drive for extremely long distances each time you get behind the wheel. While there may be some days that you drive more than others, it’s important to set a realistic driving schedule and goals so both the driver and passengers aren’t burned out to the point that nobody is having fun. Know your limits, and avoid overly drowsy driving at all costs for the safety of everyone in the vehicle. According to the NHSTA, “in 2017, 91,000 police-reported crashes involved drowsy drivers. These crashes led to an estimated 50,000 people being injured and nearly 800 deaths.” Therefore, if you’re tired, it’s better to get the rest you need than risk your and your family’s safety. 

Plan Your Route

Although there is an air of spontaneity and impulsiveness during most road trips, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a planned route. Trust us, getting in your car and just driving is a sure-fire way to have a miserable time, and it won’t take long until you learn that a little bit of structure never hurt anybody. Of course, doing a few things that weren’t originally in your schedule or route is typical, but it’s best to not be aimlessly driving with no direction or plan. With an established route, you have a better sense of where you are, your driving times, where you can rest, etc. Plus, you’ll actually have an answer to your kid’s question of “how much longer?” To make things easier on yourself, Travel and Leisure even compiled a helpful list of road trip navigation apps to keep you on track.

Be Prepared

Leaving the comfort of your home and hitting the open road is exciting, but it also leaves you more prone to accidents both on and off the road. Driving for hours at a time and covering thousands of miles isn’t always safe and there is always a possibility that you may get into an accident. One crucial way to be prepared is to already have a car accident legal team like those at Dan Davis Law picked out before you leave, which can save you some major stress while on the road. Therefore, in the event that an accident occurs, you will already be able to rest easy knowing that you have the legal side of things taken care of. Also, because there might be times when you are truly in the middle of nowhere, make sure that you have plenty of water, a first-aid kit, and all of the automotive supplies you may need to fix a flat tire or other minor issues.

Consider Your Space

Before you take off on your grand adventure, while planning and packing, always take into consideration how much space each person in the car is going to have. Being comfortable on long drives is essential, and if one person obviously has more space than another, it will more than likely eventually lead to some dispute down the line. This also means being aware of your purchases while on the road, as the space is going to decrease in your car if you decide to buy a souvenir at every opportunity. Only pack the essentials and try to provide each person with as much space as possible, which may prevent any future arguments, so you can keep your eyes and attention on the road. 

Have Fun

Yes, road trips can be exhausting at times, but don’t forget why you’re doing it. Enjoy the time you’re spending with the people around you, take in the sights and scenery, and appreciate the experience. Good or bad, one thing is certain, which is that you’ll never forget any road trip.