Family Road Trip Rules To Make The Drive As Smooth As Possible

November 14, 2023

Plenty of us are itching to get back on the road and travel again. So why not tap into your family's adventurous side and go on a road trip! While life on the road makes for epic memories, sitting in a cramped car with children can be challenging, especially when the arguing starts. So to help you maintain harmony during the journey, here are some tips to make the road trip as smooth as possible.

Set up some screen time

To stop kids from bickering over toys, snacks, or whatever else they may have to share, eliminate the potential for arguments by letting them watch their favorite TV shows or play mobile games. If possible, it might be a good idea to give the kids tablets or smartphones, but if your car has a built-in infotainment system, that should work too. While it's not totally necessary, having separate screens for each person does help keep the group from getting on each other's nerves.

Don't rely on screens all the time

But while screens certainly keep everyone quiet, it's not healthy to be glued to them continuously throughout the trip. That's when it's time to consider other forms of entertainment. One option is to listen to music or an audiobook together! Plus, there are plenty of podcasts geared towards family entertainment. Then again, a classic old-school road trip game like "I spy" is a great way to pass time while squeezing in some sneaky family bonding.

Don't forget to schedule break times

Road trips can go on for hours, if not days. If that's the case, then it would be impractical to continue driving the entire distance without stopping. After all, even adults can start to feel cramped up after a while. If you're unfamiliar with the route you're taking, make sure to do some research on the rest stops located along the way. Everyone needs to enjoy a break from the car after a long ride. Not only will you be able to grab a bite to eat as a family, but the younger children will get a chance to run around in the play area and use up some of their excess energy.

Set a realistic driving schedule

If you already know in advance that your road trip is going to be a long one, then it might be a good idea to break it up with an overnight stay at a hotel or lodge. However, be aware of travel times and traffic. You don't want to get caught in rush hour traffic at a random city after taking a rest stop, especially when you still have hours of traveling left.

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Think about your space

While you can't do much to change how much storage space your car has short of buying a new one, there are ways to ensure that you and your family have more space, both personal and for luggage. Solutions range from renting a larger car than you currently have to get a trailer to accommodate the extra travel gear.