How to have a great family road trip vacation!

For most people, the thought of a two week road trip with two small children is as attractive as a two week visit with the dentist! But with modern technology, some planning and an adventurous spirit, a summer car trip can be fun and memorable!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Roomy family car - preferably a mini-van with good gas milage.
• Laptop computer with wireless capability.
• Portable DVD player.
• Cell phone
• Driving Atlas
• Cooler filled with snacks & beverages

1. Plan to drive no more than 3-4 hours per day:
   You can have a long day (6 hours) on the first and last days to get you started and get you home, but the rest of the trip, plan to take your time and stop frequently.
2. Use modern technology to plan your days:
   Most hotels now offer free wireless internet, so if you bring a laptop, you can look at maps, find hotels and restaurants and find fun things to do in each new city.
3. Stop to see friends & relatives:
   Friends and relatives that you don't often see make ideal road trip stops. It is great to break up the trip by staying in some hotels and with welcoming friends and relatives. Road trips provide a great opportunity for reconnecting. Because you are on a road trip, visits will be appropriately brief and the pace is relaxing, and people love to show guests around their hometown.
4. Seek out unique cities and attractions:
   Every city has it's own character and fun things to do. Children's museums are great places for young children to blow off steam before an afternoon of driving and most larger cities have them. Older children can learn first hand from the many museums devoted to preserving history.
5. Always be prepared to stop:
   You never know when you might see a minor league ball game to attend, a great looking putt-putt golf course, or a scenic overlook too pretty to pass up. Even a roadside attraction like "the World's Largest Prairie Dog" can provide a great photo op and a funny memory.
6. Have something relaxing to do in the car:
   Use the car time to allow children to rest from doing other activities you find along the way.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan loosely. Do your homework, but dont plan every day before you start, allow plenty of time for discovery.
• It is good to have a destination, but don't make the destination a goal, enjoy the entire trip.
• Make sure your car is in good working order prior to the trip and drive carefully.
• If you let your 3 year old have a package of markers to color with in the back of the car- make sure they are the washable kind and be prepared to have a child with some very colorful arms and legs.