Summer is just a few months away, which means that now is the perfect time to start planning your family vacation. A road trip is a great way to fit in multiple destinations affordably. Traveling with kids can be difficult, but planning ahead of time will help the trip run smoothly, so you can have some enjoyable family bonding time. Here are some tips to help you plan a family road trip this summer.
Don’t be overly ambitious
When planning a road trip, it can be tempting to try to cram several stops into just a few days. Try to give your family some extra time at each destination, and err on the side of caution when planning out your route. Kids get tired quickly, and they’ll need breaks throughout the day where they can relax and take a nap. You might also find that you need a little break after a busy day of driving. Taking time to recharge will help your whole family enjoy the trip more, particularly if it’s a long one.
Involve your kids in the planning
A great way to get your kids excited for the trip is to actually have them be part of the planning process. If you haven’t yet decided where to go, ask your kids for their opinion. Give them a few viable options and let them select the destinations that are most exciting to them. You can also ask them for their opinions on activities and put together an itinerary together. Be sure to compromise – if one child is interested in museums but the other would prefer to go hiking, try to find some time for both.
Make a budget ahead of time
Although road trips are a relatively inexpensive way to travel, it’s still very important to make a budget before you go. Determine how much you can realistically spend on gas, lodging, food, and souvenirs, and then choose your destinations based on what you can afford. Since the summer is still a few months away, now is a good time to start putting a little bit of money into a savings account for the trip. This will give you some flexibility – you never know what’s going to happen while traveling, so it’s helpful to have a little bit of extra cash to spend just in case.
Have snacks and entertainment on hand
Road trips are fun, but all that time in the car might leave you and your family feeling stir crazy. To prevent this, make sure there’s enough entertainment for the whole trip – download audiobooks and podcasts to listen to and make sure your kids have toys, coloring books, handheld games, or anything else that will keep them occupied. You should always pack more snacks than you think you need. You never want to be caught without a snack when someone gets hungry, as it can quickly lead to crankiness.
Planning a summer road trip is fun and will give your whole family something to look forward to. Now is the perfect time to start putting together your itinerary.