Unfortunately summer is on the downward slope, so it’s time to soak up as much sunshine as you can! Why not take advantage of the remainder of summer by planning that last minute trip the kids have been begging to go on? A road trip is a great way to spend quality time together, but the hassle of it doesn’t always sound very appealing. Whether you are heading to see the monuments in Washington D.C., the sandy beaches of San Diego or to Cowtown to witness the daily longhorn cattle drive, we’ve compiled 16 of our favorite Road Trip Tips And Tricks to make your trip easy, enjoyable and fun for the whole family, no matter how many hours you spend in the car!
1. Pack a survival kit for your car. Include items like bug spray, sunscreen, towels, an umbrella, and a first aid kit.
2. Use Roadtrippers.com or the Roadtrippers app to find all of the roadside attractions along your route, including restaurants, hotels, landmarks and recreation.
3. When you get out of your car, buckle your seat belt. You won’t burn yourself trying to put it back on when you return.
4. Use a plastic cereal container for a no-spill trash can in the car. Simply place a plastic sack inside the container and put the lid on. Voila!
5. Use a shower caddie or a hanging shoe organizer to keep all of the kids activities organized in the backseat. Cut the shoe organizer in half and hang it on the back of the front seats.
6. When you park your car in a new city, drop a pin on your Maps on your iPhone. You’ll never have to wander around pressing the panic button again.
7. Bring a “fun bag” for the kids packed with coloring books, toys, a map of your journey and electronics to keep them busy. A lap desk will also come in handy.
8. Keep a charging adapter in your car with a power strip for all your smart phones, tablets and other electronics.
9. Consider packing everyone’s clothes in large zip-lock bags. If you pack each bag with a different day’s outfit this tip is sure to keep you super organized. Especially if anyone is sharing a suitcase!
10. Before going on a long road trip, stop by the bank for a couple of rolls of quarters. You won’t have to scrounge around for the toll fees each time you come to one.
11. Pack your shoes in shower caps to keep the rest of your clothes dirt free.
12. Dryer sheets are a traveler’s best friend. It will keep your clean clothes smelling fresh, while preventing the odor of the dirty ones.
13. Pack a roll of paper towels, hand wipes, hand sanitizer and tissues to be prepared for those unexpected messes.
14. Pack a cooler full of healthy snacks such as yogurt, apples, almonds and bottled water to avoid snacking on junk food.
15. Keep your loose chargers and ear buds in old sunglasses cases to prevent them from getting tangled. Thank us later.
16. Create a scavenger hunt for the kids. Have them look for certain landmarks, different colored cars, animals etc.
Sometimes the simplest things can make the biggest difference. Following these tips will take the bumps out of any road trip and make it (almost) completely stress free.