It’s no coincidence that when families get together to tell stories, so many revolve around road trips and family vacations in the car. It doesn’t matter if it’s a trip to the beach, to the mountains, to the Grand Canyon or to Grandma’s house for a holiday, family road trips are filled with good times, sometimes silly situations and lifetime memories in the making.

Below are some helpful tips to make your next family trip, whether it be across country or around the corner (so to speak), enjoyable and as stress free as possible:

• While on the road, be certain good friends and family members back home have your contact information and know the route you plan to take.

• Before your next family trip, discuss some vacation options with the kids. Where would they like to go?  What do they enjoy?  Is there somewhere you can go that combines both fun and education?  When my kids were little, dinosaurs were all the rage, so we went to the Dinosaur National Monument, located in Dinosaur, Colorado, which was both fun and highly educational.  Unfortunately, due to construction problems, the Quarry Visitor Center is now closed, but according to their website, they have opened a temporary visitor center, which contains real fossils and exhibits.

• Researching facts about your destination as a family is another way to mix education with fun and to get really excited about the trip.

• Pack an easily accessible emergency road kit, which should include a flashlight, road flares, blanket, first aid kit which includes all medications, waterproof matches and candles, a towel, jumper cables, gloves, a gallon of water, a tool kit, a map and perhaps even some motion sickness medication.

• Be certain the vehicle you’re taking can accommodate everyone. If not or you just want more room consider renting a vehicle or even renting an RV.

• Get your vehicle inspected and serviced before you leave. You’ll want an oil change, all lights and signal lights checked, wiper blades, caps, hoses, tire pressure, filters, spare tire, etc., all looked over so they’re in tip top shape for your trip.

• Remember to switch seats along the way, so everyone has a chance to sit up front, or by a window.

• Don’t forget the snacks and games!  Make sure to bring along plenty of water, snacks, games, books, toys, MP3 player, iPods, and if your vehicle has a DVD player, don’t forget the movies!  Maybe you could purchase a few special DVD’s specifically for the trip. If the kids are a little older, encourage them to keep a Road Trip Journal, where they can record things they’ve seen along the way, places visited, funny things people said, write poetry and short stories, draw pictures, etc.

• Stop every few hours to stretch and walk around. This gives everyone a chance to get a break from the drive and if there are young children, it can help burn off some energy.

• Involve the kids in the travel plans by having them follow a map or follow the route, pointing out interesting landmarks along the way.

Do you have a favorite road trip or vacation memories to share with other Cars for Girls readers?  What is your favorite road trip or vacation tip?

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