Holidays are something all the family can look forward to throughout the year – it’s the perfect time to kick back and relax and to experience new things as a family. Perhaps that’s why all of our friends were totally taken aback when we told them we were planning a family road trip this year.
There were loads of reasons we decided to take a road trip year, but the main reason was to give us the opportunity to bond as a family, to see new places and enjoy new experiences together. We didn’t do an extensive amount of preparation but here are three things I’d recommend doing to ensure your holiday goes without a hitch.
Keep the kids entertained
You can imagine how underwhelmed the kids were by the prospect of sitting in the back of the car for hours. We tackled the problem by getting them involved in planning the road trip with us, so we could decide as a family the places we wanted to visit.
We then spent some time finding great games and apps for them to play on their tablets while we were in the car – although we know that the battery won’t last forever so we printed out a fantastic activity book full of games and puzzles like hangman and Tic Tac Toe.
Take it slow and take lots of rest breaks
Unlike most other holidays where you have to make check in and connection times, on a road trip you can pretty much go at your own pace. If you’re planning on travelling long-distances during the day, be sure to stop and do a bit of sightseeing. The best way to stop everybody from getting tired and frustrated is to take regular breaks.
Even though there are plenty of rest stops along the highways, we decided to pop into nearby towns where possible so we could go exploring and have a good meal locally rather than eating generic sandwiches in the service stations.
Spend a little, live a lot
There are loads of ways to cut costs on your road trip as long as you plan in advance. Driving cross-country can be tiring so make sure you’ve booked a place to stay well in advance of your trip – especially in popular tourist areas.
We decided that rather stay in hotels we’d try and stay with friends and family if it was possible, which also meant we had the opportunity to spend time with people we don’t normally have the chance to spend time with.
The best way to avoid stressing about your finances is to set a holiday budget. On top of your fuel money and hotel bills, work out how much you’re going to spend on the entry and ticket prices for any attractions you might visit along the way.
Road trips are a great way to spend time with your family, as well as see loads of amazing places in one holiday. They take a bit of extra planning, but are totally worth it in the end!
