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I spy with my mind an upcoming road trip. Wherever you are going, I hope you have a great time. The idea of an adventure always gets me excited. Once the excitement levels out I begin my “Planning mode.” Yep, I'm a planner and I LOVE it. I'm a parent, so planning is the only way ill have a chance to enjoy the journey with the rest of the family. If you're a parent, you're probably nodding at the screen right now. We went on a 12-hour road trip with 2 dogs a two-year-old and a whole lot of stuff. How did we survive? I honestly think it had everything to do with this list of 10 things you NEED on a Family road trip. 1.) A Comfortable & Reliable Vehicle We are starting with the most important item on your list. The car! There are so many reasons why you should make sure that your vehicle is in the best condition possible to have a successful road trip. Below are some things to consider.
2.) Having a Reliable Navigation System
This is a no-brainer but I do have to emphasize the importance of a "reliable" navigation system. Everyone's preference is different and that's okay. Just make sure you have at least 1 alternative, as there are parts of the country in which you can lose cellular/internet connection. There are plenty of different navigation apps on your phone. The alternative can also be a good old map of the country. Some recent car models even have a built-in GPS that can be quite reliable when you are in need. 3.) Chargers and Charging Docks for your Devices Wow! This is a MUST. I cannot begin to describe to you the necessity that these chargers fulfill. Place all of your chargers in a bag that is within reach of the passenger seat. I suggest that you buy one of those car charging docks that can be used by multiple devices at the same time. Trust me, these chargers will make all the difference. For our road trips, we always have our son's tablet charging and our cellphones. I also know of some families that have car coolers that use the car charging dock. How cool is that? See below and click for details on Amazon chargers and docks. Please know that I only list top rated items from Amazon.
4.) Snacks & Beverages
Depending on the length of your road trip I would advise that you pack some snacks and drinks. Consider food that is easily stored, accessible, and non-perishable. Pre-packing these essentials is key to avoiding any "Hangry" situations. Having snacks and beverages available will allow you to save time and money. Believe me, you and your family are one of the thousands on the road at any given time. Those rest stop food courts and restaurants are almost always packed. Packing snacks and beverages, also gives you peace of mind in knowing that everyone's dietary needs are met (picky eaters, allergies, diets, etc.) To help you out, I researched top Amazon rated snack and beverage containers that will make snack packing a breeze.
5.) Comfort Items Oh yes, we humans are creatures of comfort and customization. Going on a road trip should not impede you from your comforts. This means bringing along blankets, pillows, driver seat cushions, headphones for the passengers, window shades (My car doesn't have the darkest tinted windows, so this is a lifesaver during those Spring and Summer month trips.) Anything that can bring you comfort and is within reason is a must on any road trip. I made a convenient list for you of top-rated Amazon items that can bring you comfort on your road trip.
6.) A Great Music List
Okay, so you're going to be stuck in a car for a few hours. Don't hesitate to create playlists for your trip. With the way technology and cellphone applications go, there is no excuse for listening to static on a road trip. Huh? There are parts of the country that have no to little choice of music options. We were up in the mountains of beautiful North Carolina on one of our trips. I love Country music, my husband does not (shocker, I know.) Well, long story short there were about 10 radio stations available and 9 of them were Country music. Was he a happy driver? Probably not. My point is to make sure to be prepared. Music can truly make the experience so much more enjoyable. Perhaps have different members of your family/passengers create playlists and alternate between the selections. 7.) Wear Comfy Clothes You are going to be sitting down for a LONG time. Tight clothes in a situation like this are not advisable. Be comfortable but also aware that you will be in contact with the public at some point on the trip (gas stations, rest stops, etc.) I'm a huge fan of waistband pants and a cute t-shirt. As far as shoes go, I always wear some comfy sandals or my Disneyed out Crocs (they're cute, I promise.) 8.) Child Entertainment Keeping a child seated and on their best behavior for hours is probably going to be the scariest challenge of your journey. This, of course, depends on the length of the trip and the age of the child. For me, my kid is under 5 years old. My challenge? A huge one. How do I confront this challenge? Toys, books, tablet (preloaded with his favorite movies and shows.) Colorful toys that are easy to hold and store in the car, are winners in my book. My little guy loves looking through picture books. I always go for the ones that have little flaps and bright colors. The tablet is the holy grail of traveling with children. We try to hold off on the tablet as the last option and it always works like a charm. Every child is different, and you'll be able to decide what works best for your child. Overall, child entertainment options are not a thing I would ignore to plan. I made a convenient list for you of top-rated Amazon items that can help you keep the little ones entertained on your road trip.
9.) Bring Cash
I'm not saying to carry your entire bank account in your pocket but having a few bucks in cash is always a good idea when traveling. Especially, when on a road trip. From my experience in certain parts of the country, cash is king. I had a gas attendant say that to me once and it stuck. The main reason I'm an advocate for bringing cash is for peace of mind. I have stopped at some questionable stores and gas stations throughout my journeys and believe me, I would not have wanted to use my credit/debit card for the risk of fraud. In addition, you will find that in some town’s things will be cheaper if you use cash instead of credit/debit. Is that always the case? No, but if the opportunity should arise then why not take it? 10.) Travel with Time That's right, take your time on the road. Check to see how long it takes to get to your destination and then add 2-3 hours on top of that. It might seem like a stretch and unnecessary, but it is something I would not overlook. Between the traffic, traffic accidents, and rest stops, you will find yourself driving in a rush if you do not plan those extra hours.In addition, consider making an overnight stop if possible. My rule of thumb is if the trip is longer than 8 hours, stop overnight. Has this always been the rule of thumb? Nope and that road trip experience was awful. The Takeaway I am so happy that you are planning to travel soon. Road trips can be such an incredible experience and opportunity to create memories with the ones you love. I hope this list was helpful and as always have a great trip! 10 things you need on a Family Road trip 1.) A Comfortable & Reliable Vehicle 2.) Having a Reliable Navigation System 3.) Chargers and Charging Docks for your Devices 4.) Snacks & Beverages 5.) Comfort Items 6.) A Great Music List 7.) Wear Comfy Clothes 8.) Child Entertainment 9.) Bring Cash 10.) Travel with Time
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