Road trips are all about adventure, but let’s be real—long hours in the car can take a toll if you’re not prepared. That’s why I’m excited to introduce today’s guest post by Olivia Wolfe, a dedicated writer with a passion for helping travelers make their journeys smoother and more enjoyable. In this post, Olivia shares her best comfort hacks to keep you feeling refreshed, relaxed, and ready for the road ahead. Whether you’re gearing up for a cross-country trip or a weekend getaway, these tips will be game-changers for your next drive!
So, you’re pumped for a hiking road trip—hitting the trails, soaking in the views, all that good stuff. But if you’re stuck feeling uncomfortable the whole way, it’s a buzzkill.
Here’s the ultimate comfort hack to elevate your next hiking road trip, making it not only memorable but also cozy and stress-free. . Trust me, it’s a game-changer—want to know how? Let’s dive in:
1. Choose the Right Vehicle
First things first—your ride’s gotta be solid. You don’t want to be crammed in like sardines with your gear squashing you the whole way. Pick something with enough space to stretch out a bit, decent AC so you’re not sweating buckets, and maybe even comfy seats that don’t leave your back screaming.
Oh, and storage is must. You’ll thank yourself when your snacks and hiking stuff aren’t spilling all over the place.
2. Pack Smart for Comfort
Packing efficiently is essential for comfort on the road. Here’s a list of must-have items:
Layered Clothing: Weather can change rapidly while hiking. Pack layers that you can easily add or remove, including moisture-wicking shirts, insulating fleeces, and waterproof jackets.
Comfortable Footwear: Bring along your favorite hiking boots or shoes that provide support and comfort. Consider packing slip-on shoes for quick stops at rest areas.
Travel Pillows: A neck pillow or lumbar support pillow can help prevent stiffness during long stretches in the car.
Blankets: A lightweight blanket can keep you warm during chilly nights or provide extra comfort during long drives.
3. Stay Hydrated and Nourished
Keeping hydrated and well-fed is crucial for maintaining energy levels on a road trip:
Reusable Water Bottles: Invest in insulated water bottles to keep drinks cold or hot throughout the journey. Healthy Snacks: Pack a variety of snacks like nuts, granola bars, and dried fruits to keep hunger at bay without resorting to unhealthy options.
Meal Prep: If you have access to a cooler, prepare some meals in advance. Sandwiches, salads, or wraps are easy to pack and eat on the go.
4. Plan Your Stops Wisely
While it’s tempting to drive straight through to your destination, taking breaks is vital for comfort. How to do that?
Stretch Breaks: Plan to stop every couple of hours to stretch your legs and refresh your mind. Use compression socks during travel to help prevent fatigue and improve circulation.
Explore Scenic Stops: Use rest stops as opportunities to explore scenic viewpoints or local attractions along your route.
5. Create an Entertaining Atmosphere
Keeping everyone entertained during long drives can enhance the experience:
Music Playlists: Curate playlists ahead of time featuring everyone’s favorite tunes. Singing along can lift spirits!
Podcasts & Audiobooks: Download interesting podcasts or audiobooks that cater to everyone’s interests for engaging listening during the drive.
Games: Bring along travel games or apps that everyone can enjoy together, making the journey more interactive.
6. Use Technology Wisely
Leverage technology to enhance your comfort while traveling:
Navigation Apps: Use apps like Google Maps or Roadtrippers to find the best routes, avoid traffic, and discover interesting stops along the way.
Weather Apps: Stay updated on weather conditions at your destination and along your route to prepare accordingly.
Car Maintenance Apps: Keep track of your vehicle’s maintenance needs with apps that remind you of oil changes, tire rotations, and more.
7. Prioritize Restful Sleep
If your road trip involves overnight travel, ensure you get quality rest:
Sleep Masks & Earplugs: These can help block out light and noise when trying to catch some sleep in the car or at rest stops.
Comfortable Sleeping Gear: Bring along sleeping bags or blankets if you plan on camping or sleeping in your vehicle.
8. Prepare for Hiking Adventures
Once you reach your destination, being prepared for hikes will enhance your experience:
Essential Gear: Ensure you have all necessary hiking gear packed, including sturdy boots, backpacks, hydration packs, and first-aid kits.
Trail Research: Before hitting the trails, research local hikes that suit your group’s skill level and interests. Apps like AllTrails can provide valuable information on trail conditions and difficulty levels.
9. Embrace Flexibility
While planning is essential for a successful road trip, flexibility is equally important:
Go with the Flow: Be open to changing plans based on weather conditions or new discoveries along the way.
Spontaneous Stops: Allow time in your itinerary for spontaneous stops at interesting sites or local eateries that catch your eye.
Final Thoughts
By incorporating these comfort hacks into your hiking road trip planning, you’ll create an enjoyable experience that balances adventure with relaxation.
So, gear up, hit the trail, and let the good times roll! With these comfort hacks, your hiking road trip is about to be an epic blast—think stunning views, epic playlists, and epic fights over the last s’more. Adventure’s calling, and it’s time to answer with a big, goofy grin!
Olivia Wolfe
Although a nursing intern, Olivia loves to write about her first love, travel and empower individuals with knowledge and understanding to navigate the complexities of different types of traveling experiences more effectively.
The Unites States has so many amazing destinations and a road trip is the perfect way to see them all! I’ve made a great list of 25 must see spots on your next US road trip that are quick and easy stops to help break up your drive.
Horseshoe Bend
We stopped by Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona on our Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon road trip! It was a little out of the way, but totally worth it. The views are incredible and you can spend ten minutes or two hours here! It was especially great for our boys because there were lots of rocks to climb on, which helped them get their wiggles out after being in the car for several hours.
Wilson Arch
If you find yourself near Moab, Utah then you must add Wilson Arch to your list! This amazing arch is not in the nearby National Parks, instead you’ll find this little gem right off of highway 191, south of Moab. This impressive arch spans 91 feet and has a height of 46 feet. It was a fantastic stop for us on our Road Trip to Yellowstone.
Dead Horse Point Overlook
Another amazing stop that doesn’t require a lot of time to explore is Dead Horse Point Overlook near Moab, Utah. This overlook is a very short walk from the parking lot and the views are to die for! I actually enjoyed these views more than those at the Grand Canyon! We visited this amazing site on our Texas to Moab road trip!
Las Vegas Sign
A trip to Las Vegas isn’t complete unless you get your photo under the infamous Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign! This sign marks the start of the Las Vegas Strip and can be found in the median at 5100 Las Vegas Boulevard South. There is parking lot available here and we did have to wait in a short line to get this photo. This was another stop on our road trip adventure to the Grand Canyon!
Big Lake Sand Cave
We actually found this really cool sand cave by accident when we stopped by the Shell gas station in Page, Arizona on our road trip to Kanab, Utah! It is a very short walk from the parking lot next to the gas station to reach the sand cave. This quick stop makes for a really neat photo shoot and a great place to get out and stretch your legs!
Toadstools Hoodoos
The Toadstools are one of my favorite road trip stops to date! This is such a unique place and a short hike full of adventure. This trail is about 45 minutes from Kanab, Utah. This is one of those places that you can spend all day if you have the time! If you’re able to visit, the walk is flat, easy, and about 1.8 miles out and back. I recommend checking this out if you anywhere near Page, Arizona or in Southern Utah!
Perrine Coulee Falls
If you’re ever in Twin Falls, Idaho you must stop by Perrine Coulee Falls. This waterfall runs year round and drops an impressive 200 feet, with summer months having the strongest flow. There are places to park right off the road near the trailhead to the falls. This is the very first waterfall I walked behind and now I have a new waterfall hiking addiction! We stopped here on our road trip to Yellowstone.
Golden Gate Bridge
You can’t make the trip to San Francisco without seeing the Golden Gate Bridge! We found the perfect beach to get great photos of this iconic bridge. Head over to Baker’s Beach for a relaxing break on your road trip adventures. Walk the beach, check out the beach cave, and take in the bay! We made the stop here on our Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip!
Kanab Sand Caves
The Kanab Sand Caves are such a gorgeous stop if you’re road tripping around Southern Utah. We stumbled upon these on our drive to both Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park from Kanab, and we knew we had to stop and check it out. The views are stunning and the caves are so unique. You’ll love this intriguing stop!
Home Alone House
If Home Alone is still your favorite holiday movie, then you should put the Home Alone House on your bucket list! It was always a dream of mine to see it in person, so when I was road tripping to Chicago, I made the half hour drive to 671 Lincoln Ave in Winnetka, IL. And my childhood dream came true!
Field of Dreams Site
My boys are baseball players and love all things baseball. So, on our Midwest road trip, we made the stop at the Field of Dreams movie site! We toured the house, the cornfields, and played baseball on the actual field! This is a fantastic stop for both movie and baseball lovers!
Bear Creek Falls
If you’re in Colorado, I highly recommend driving the Million Dollar highway from Ouray to Silverton. On this drive, be sure to stop to see Bear Creek Waterfall. You can’t see it from the road without stopping at the overlook and checking it out! It is one of the most gorgeous waterfalls I’ve ever seen in person! We stopped by on our Southwest Colorado Road Trip!
Garden of the Gods Park
Another great stop in Colorado is Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs. We’ve visited on more than one road trip because it’s just that great of a stop! If you enjoy nature and rock formations, this is the place for you. If you have kids, they will love this nature’s playground!
Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam is not my favorite stop on the list, but I am glad to say that I’ve seen it in person. It is a really neat accomplishment and a cool stop. We enjoyed walking across the Hoover Dam Bridge. If you’re road tripping around Nevada, be sure to check this out! We stopped by on our Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon road trip!
Natural Bridges Overlook
One of the most beautiful overlooks I’ve seen in person is the Natural Bridges Overlook along the Samual H. Boardman Corridor in Oregon. You can simply take in the sights from the overlook, or if you’re more adventurous, you can hike out to the natural bridges. We stopped here on our Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip!
St. Joseph Lighthouses
If you’re near Lake Michigan, be sure to check out the St. Joseph lighthouses! Lighthouses always seem to make a stunning backdrop. Stroll along the beach and take in the scenery if you’re near the area. I was lucky enough to visit on a gorgeous fall day as my girlfriends and I road tripped from Chicago to Michigan!
Abe Lincoln’s Homestead
I love all things Abraham Lincoln, so when I heard that we would pass by his homestead on our road trip to Chicago, I knew we had to stop! It was a quick visit, but totally worth it. The only home that Lincoln ever owned is in Springfield, Illinois. You can see the home, take the tour, walk down his old street, or venture down the street to the Presidential Library. Who knew that Springfield was so cool?
Waco Mammoth National Monument
If you’re in Texas and you like fossils and mammoths, then you should give this place a try! We visited for less than an hour on our drive to Waco, TX. We found it very fascinating to learn that so many mammoths once roamed in Texas.
Monument Valley
We stopped by Forest Gump Point in Monument Valley for a quick photo on our Texas to Moab road trip. Monument Valley provides such a beautiful desert landscape, so just driving through is breathtaking. You can drive through, stop for a quick photo, or spend days just in this area alone!
The Hollywood Sign
It’s been years since we’ve visited Los Angeles, but if you’re in the area you have to see the iconic Hollywood Sign! You can get great views of the sign from Mulholland Highway and the Griffith Observatory!
Don’t forget to save this information for your next road trip!
I consider all of these stops quick, because you can spend less than an hour at each one. Of course, you can also spend more time at any given one of them, the choice is yours! We prefer quicker stops to get to our destination sooner, but that’s just our preference.
What amazing stops have you come across on your road trips? Leave a comment so I can add them to my list! Happy travels, my friends!
The United States, with its vast and diverse landscape, is home to a myriad of experiences from coast to coast. Whether you’re interested in exploring vibrant cities, immersing yourself in rich history, or enjoying outdoor adventures, I’ve got you covered. Check out my list of our top 52 epic road trip adventures across the United States to help you plan the road trip of a lifetime!
It’s hard to even describe the size of these Redwoods, they are truly awe-inspiring! The hikes we took, like the trail through the Stout Memorial Grove, was very easy and had plenty of opportunities for the kids to climb on fallen logs.
3. Go dog sledding at Monarch Mountain in Colorado
Dog sledding in Monarch, Colorado
If you’re in Colorado in the wintertime, I highly suggest looking into a dog sledding adventure! The views are incredible, but we all agree that the most fun was getting to play with the dogs after our guided sledding adventure!
Start with the walk down into the cave behind the Visitor Center and then take the elevator back up! This entire 2.5 mile cave walk is absolutely amazing and a must-see if you are in New Mexico. Be sure to visit the website to purchase timed-entry tickets ahead of time.
Ouray is a stunning mountain town. It was amazing to stumble across this waterfall, just a short walk from downtown on 8th Avenue!
7. Become a Jr. Park Ranger at any National Park or National Monument
Jr. Rangers
This has become one of my youngest boy’s favorite things to do when we visit a National Park! Just head to the Visitor Center wherever you are to learn more and get the necessary booklet to complete and earn your badge.
Winter adventures are the best, especially when you live in Texas and rarely get snow. We love to snowboard together and Crested Butte is our favorite little ski town!
This stop is hilarious! If you’re near St. Roberts, Missouri I highly suggest stopping at this place for some amazing fudge, candy, and lots of laughs!
There’s nothing more that I love than adventuring with my family. It’s even better when we get to explore on our own without a guided tour. This place is fascinating and very informative. We loved climbing ladders to get a closer look at these cliff dwellings.
Seeing the Macy’s Parade has been on my bucket list for years, but I think we enjoyed walking through the parade balloons the day before even better. Here, you get an up close view of the different parade balloons as they are being inflated! Truly a unique experience. You can find this location at Columbus & 72nd St.
13. Visit a living history museum in the Historic Triangle, Virginia
Historic Jamestowne
Being a teacher, I absolutely love learning about the history of our country! The Historic Triangle is a set of three of living history museums. We explored Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestowne, and Yorktown. We enjoyed Jamestown the most!
This drive is not for the faint of heart! But, I have never seen views like this on any of our road trips. The best views can be seen from Ouray to Silverton! Use extreme caution if you’re brave enough to attempt this one!
15. Walk on the MayflowerII in Plymouth, Massachusetts
Plymouth, Massachusetts
Again, I am a huge nerd! So of course, I had to make the drive to Plymouth when we were visiting Boston last summer. Walking on the Mayflower was a dream come true. Yes, I know it’s not the original, but it’s still so cool to learn more about the journey and see a replica in person!
Orange Beach in the spring is delightful. The weather is warm and the crowds are thin! Sometimes it’s just really nice to relax on the beach and have no plans. Big waves are also super cool, especially for the kiddos!
The Preserve is a truly unique experience down in the Hill Country. We had such a fantastic day learning about elephants, giving one a bath, and ultimately helping in their conservation.
Getting to walk inside Abraham Lincoln’s home in Springfield is a must for anyone that loves history and our 16th president. We learned so much during this tour and it sparked our love of seeing other presidential homes across the US!
20. Collect sand dollars at Enderts Beach, California
Enderts Beach
I’ve always wanted to find a sand dollar at the beach and I’ve only been successful here! The views are impressive and we loved counting all the sand dollars on our walk along the beach!
21.Take a photo in the first town in the first state in Historic Lewes, Delaware
Historic Lewes
I didn’t realize that Delaware is so full of early US history! Be sure to stop for a photo if you’re near Lewes, DE. It’s the first town in the first state in the US!
If you like adventure, then I highly suggest taking a white water rafting trip! I will admit, it’s a little scary but oh so fun. My boys loved this activity on our road trip through Colorado.
The Grand Canyon is something everyone needs to see at least once! Move away from the scenic lookout points for less crowds and views like this.
24. Explore Jesse James’s hideout in Robbers Cave, OK
Robbers Cave State Park
If you enjoy camping and hiking, take a trip to Robbers Cave. You’ll find caves, slot canyons, and a super cool hideout that outlaws like Jesse James used to hide from the law.
25.Take a tram to the top of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri
View from inside the arch
St. Louis is a really neat town to explore. If you visit, you have to go inside the Gateway Arch. The tram ride up was a little intimidating, but super cool!
26. See the birthplace of our government in Philadelphia
Inside Independence Hall
We loved our visit to Philadelphia! If you’re there, be sure to get tickets to go inside Independence Hall. It still smells like the 1700s and the relics from that time period really take you back. I might have cried when the Park Rangers showed us some actual artifacts that were George Washington’s!
Jekyll Island is already picturesque with gorgeous beaches and moss covered trees. Driftwood Beach is a unique day trip and fun for the whole family to explore. My boys enjoyed climbing on the trees and swimming here.
28. Do all things Christmas in Santa Claus, Indiana
Santa Claus, Indiana
Did you know that there’s a town called Santa Claus in Indiana? We visited a few years and did all the Christmas activities! We had breakfast with Santa, wrote him letters at the post office, and took all the Christmas photos around town!
Michigan is beautiful any time of the year, but I loved my trip in the fall! We explored quaint, waterfront towns and did a little hiking, too! It’s a great place for a girl’s trip.
Another city full of early American history is Boston. The 2.5 mile long Freedom Trail passes by 17 different locations that are significant in our early history.
31. Hike to Ice Lake in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado
Ice Lake
This is a tough hike, but the views are totally worth it! Jereme called this lake, “the Gatorade lake.” I have never seen water so blue! It’s about an 8 mile hike, and the elevation gain is comparable to hiking over two Empire State Buildings.
I have always wanted to drive through Monument Valley and finally had the chance on our way to Moab a few years ago. We stopped for a quick photo at Forest Gump Point!
This trail is one of my most favorites to date! I love exploring caves and this place is fantastic. There are around 13 caves along the trail that you are allowed to explore on your own!
34. Learn about the early days of whaling at the Seaport Museum in Mystic, Connecticut
Seaport Museum
We enjoyed our East Coast road trip last summer. I had heard about Mystic, so we decided to stay the night there. The Seaport Museum is similar to a living history museum. We had a blast walking around and going onboard different ships.
I’ve taken the architecture tour once in Chicago and it was the highlight of the trip. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. I learned a lot about the history of Chicago and the views were great!
36. Catch a game at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts
Happy boys at Fenway!
My boys love all things baseball. So, when we visited Boston, we knew that we had to see a game at Fenway. It was a blast and I even caught my little one a ball from a player on his birthday!
37. Stroll along the Cliff Walk trail in Newport, Rhode Island
Cliff Walk
I cannot imagine what it must be like to live in Newport. There are mansions, and breathtaking views, and a boardwalk, and amazing seafood, and shopping! The Cliff Walk was our favorite… besides eating!
The River Walk is a fun place to explore any time of year. There’s a lot of shopping and a lot of amazing restaurants. But, it’s even more amazing at Christmas because they hang millions of lights all along the trees that line the river!
39. Experience the Wild West in Virginia City, Montana
Back in the Wild West
This little town makes for a fun day trip if you’re near Yellowstone. We enjoyed our visit and exploring the area. The town is now designated as a National Historic Landmark District and the buildings along the main street are like individual museums of the time period!
40. Explore the Cliff Palace dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park
View of Cliff Palace
I felt like a little kid again climbing ladders to access the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde! It’s a truly unique experience and I highly recommend seeing this National Park. Be sure to get timed-entry tickets ahead of time if you plan to visit.
If you’re a movie fan or a baseball fan, this is a fun stop if you’re in Iowa! My boys watched the movie for the first time a few summers ago, so it made a great stop on our Midwest road trip. They had a blast playing baseball on the actual field and walking through the rows of corn stalks.
I’ve always been interested in learning about the Ice Age and other extinct animals. I recently heard about the Waco Mammoth National Monument that’s located in Texas. Here you can see 24 Colombian Mammoth fossils!
We had our very first bear encounter on a trail in the Grand Tetons a few summers ago! It was a little scary at first, but also a very cool experience. Make sure to bring bear spray! We saw several bears and cubs, deer, a fox, and moose on our trip.
Driving through the dramatic landscape of the Badlands should be on your road trip bucket list! There are many scenic overlooks, the chance to see wildlife, and even hiking trails to explore. It does get pretty hot there in the summer.
If you love waterfalls as much as I do, then be sure to find Upper Mesa Falls if you’re near Yellowstone. This waterfall is gorgeous and you can get so close to it.
One of my favorite adventures was walking among the giant sculptures of the Ruins of President’s Park. It was creepy, but we were fascinated. If you’re looking for something different, add this to your list!
Driving around the mountains in a convertible on a beautiful fall day is highly recommended! Snowbird is breathtaking, especially if you’re lucky enough to visit in the fall.
Another fun adventure was walking from Pennsylvania into New Jersey via the Ben Franklin Bridge. The views of Philly are awesome and it’s just fun to say we walked from one state to another. The walk was not long at all!
If you have kids that like dinosaurs, then you should definitely visit Dinosaur Valley State Park. There’s a large collection of dinosaur tracks in the river bed. It’s even better to visit at the end of a dry summer!
In conclusion, embarking on adventures in the USA offers a diverse array of experiences that anyone can enjoy. Whether it’s hiking in national parks or immersing oneself in the historical significance of landmarks, the USA beckons travelers with open arms. Each adventure leaves its mark, creating memories that resonate long after the journey concludes!
If you want to explore more of the United States, check out these six bucket list road trip destinations for 2024! We traveled to each of these destinations over the past year or so, and these are the top places that I would recommend to anyone needing a little road trip inspiration.
Ouray might be my favorite destination in Colorado! My first visit was this past August. I truly fell in love with the landscape and the vibe of this entire mountain town.
Stay in Durango for more dining and nightlife options
Lake Haiyaha is a stunning lake in Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes Park, Colorado. You can access this trail in the Bear Lake Corridor of the Park. This is a moderate to challenging hike because it is uphill for a bit and then there’s a rock scramble to the lake. It was so much fun… and so much easier to hike down!
Be sure to get Bear Lake Corridor permits from May – October
Driftwood Beach is a unique little gem found in Jekyll Island, Georgia. I traveled there last summer and knew I had to explore the driftwood along the beach before returning home. This is not the best beach for swimming, but it’s amazing for exploring, climbing, and photographing!
The entire Oregon coast is a dreamy road trip adventure! We made the trip from the Redwoods in California up to Cannon Beach, Oregon. That is one of my favorite trips to date. We stopped at the Natural Bridges Viewpoint off the Samual H. Boardman Scenic Corridor in Brookings, OR. This was a great place to stop and stretch our legs. You can view the natural bridges from the viewing area near the parking lot. But we went ahead and did the hike down to the bridges and walked over them! It was tough coming back up, but easy enough for my boys to do it with us and they were only 7 and 10 at the time!
Stay on the marked trails if you want to get a closer look
Watch for wildlife – we saw a seal swimming in the water
The Grand Tetons are indeed grand! If you want a fun place to explore, you can make the Grand Tetons a stop on your road trip to Yellowstone or you can make it an entire vacation destination. What I loved about our road trip to the Tetons was that the views on the drive through Wyoming were stunning and we saw so much wildlife!
Ice Lake near Silverton, Colorado is the most outrageous lake I have ever seen. The views up to the lake were amazing. We encountered streams, waterfalls, and wildflowers along the trek. It was extremely tough for us flatlanders, but we made it. The views are one hundred percent worth the effort!
Stay in Durango for more dining and nightlife options
It’s true, road tripping is not for the faint of heart. And then you add in kids and it becomes a whole other level! But, there are so many advantages to taking a road trip over flying, especially with kids. I love that we can see and do more along the route and that I can bring along everything we need with no restrictions or limits! Keep reading to learn all of my tried and true tips for how to survive road tripping with your kids!
Tips for Road Tripping with Kids:
Choose Your Destination – If you’re planning your first road trip with kids, I suggest choosing a closer destination first to see how they do. Then you can add more time and farther distances based on how the first trip goes. We started road tripping with our boys when they were really young. Jett was only four months old when we made the nine hour drive to the mountains! Jake was only two months old when we road tripped down to the beach six hours away. So mine don’t know life any other way. If you are able to, start them out young and longer road trips will be easier.
Have a Plan – I recommend having a plan for your route, especially since your kids will be with you! I would love to be someone that could take a spontaneous road trip with no plan or destination in mind, maybe someday! But, I just feel so much better with a plan in place when the kids are road tripping with us. This means, knowing the route you plan to take and pre-booking your accommodations before you leave.
Check Your Vehicle Before the Road Trip – Make sure your vehicle’s tires are in good condition before you head out on a road trip. Get your oil changed if it’s time. Pack the jumper cables and portable battery charger if you have one! Take it from me, it is not fun to have car trouble on a road trip!
Set a Max Drive Time for Each Day – We are not the best at doing this, often times we like to hurry to our destination so that we have more time to explore there. But, we’ve recently started setting a six hour max drive time for each day. We all seem to feel better when we actually go by this rule! This can be tricky, especially if you’re limited on how much time you have for your entire trip. Ultimately, you know your kids best, so you can judge how far and long they’ll be able to make it. Our longest road trip has been a total of fifteen hours in one day and that was on the way home. We decided to power through and just get back to our house and it actually went better than I thought it would. I only suggest this if your kids are used to longer road trips!
Bring Plenty of Snacks and Drinks – There is nothing worse than hangry kids and no stores or restaurants in sight! Trust me, I learned the hard way. We have a basket that fits nicely in the floorboard of the back seat and I fill it with all of our favorite snacks. I recommend bringing less sugary snacks and instead bringing salty snacks and things like beef jerky, nuts, or peanut butter crackers for some protein. We also bring Gatorade bottles of various flavors with us.
Wear Comfy Clothes – If you plan to be in the car for a long period of time, wear comfortable clothes and shoes. This will make the journey a lot more enjoyable for everyone!
Make it Cozy with Pillows and Blankets – My boys like to bring along their own blankets and pillows for the road trip. They also have cute, little neck pillows that are way less bulky than their bed pillows. Mine like to sleep on part of the drive, so we try to make it as cozy as we can for them!
Allow Technology – Technology rules go out the window when we’re road tripping! We pretty much allow them to play games on their devices as long as they’re staying entertained and until they lose their charge! My advice, make sure all the kids have their own devices because sharing never goes well. And charge all devices the night before your trip so they’re fully charged and ready to go!
Stop for Breaks Often – If you or your kiddos are getting restless, it’s time to stop for a break! We either stop at a gas station or at a scenic overlook. Sometimes just getting out of the car to stretch your legs or get fresh air can make a big difference. Make sure you stop somewhere safe, don’t just get out on the side of the highway!
Find Playgrounds or Other Fun Stops – If you’re traveling with kids, stopping for something fun along the drive is a must! I have recently started using the Roadtrippers app and love how easy it is to find stops along the way!
Read Riddles and Random Facts for Kids – This might seem silly, but my boys love for me to read them riddles or weird facts while we’re on the road! Save this activity for when you notice your kids are getting restless. Click here for some of my go to random facts for kids!
Leave Early – We are a family that likes to sleep! We are not early risers and never have been. But, when we are road tripping, we go to bed early the night before and we try to get up earlier than we usually do to start the journey. This almost always ensures that our boys will sleep at some point along the drive!
Bring Medications – Make sure you bring all necessary medications that you or your family might need. I also bring headache medicine, Dramamine for carsickness, Pepto and gas pills for tummy trouble, and Benadryl. Our pediatrician told me that Benadryl is like a cure-all and recommended that I take it along on our cruise for seasickness for the kids. Obviously you should discuss with your doctor first and make sure you have the correct dosage. Ours gave us a sheet for the correct dosage based on age and weight that came in very handy when they were younger. I actually suffer from vertigo and have a prescription that I take, but often I find that Benadryl works faster for me!
Let the Kids Create a Playlist – We love jamming to our favorite songs while we’re driving. And at some point, there’s always a stretch of highway that gets maybe one or two radio stations. So, the boys have created a playlist on my phone that we save just for this! Am I totally sick of their favorite songs on repeat, absolutely! But we will do almost anything to keep the drive sane!
Friendly Competitions – We all love a little competition in our family! I offer an extra $5 on souvenir spending for various tasks, like which kid will have the cleanest area or for who has the best attitude on the drive. This has worked wonders for our boys now that they are older!
Road Tripping Products that We Use and Love!
I am not one to buy things just to buy things. But I do have some items that I truly love for road tripping, mainly because they have made the journey a lot easier!
The following items are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission, at no extra charge to you, if you purchase any items using the links provided. Thank you!
Most importantly, I hope you have fun along the way! Road trips are some of our favorite adventures and often are a more budget friendly option for us. In this case, the highway is the limit! Just remember to be patient, plan for delays and emergencies, and drive safe. I’d love to hear any of your road tripping tips, so leave a comment. Happy travels, my friends!
Hey y’all! I hope all is well with you and your loved ones during this crazy quarantine situation we’re in. I am getting restless and my family is beyond ready to get back out there and hit the road for our next adventure! I planned to share our Virginia road trip with you all shortly after we returned home, but I’ve been busy with teaching remotely, homeschooling my boys, and I’ve honestly just been sad and at a loss for words. It seems like it was forever ago that my travel bestie and I were planning our spring break road trip. I can’t believe that it was just last month that we were driving across the country on our longest road trip to date. Little did we know that the world would basically shut down as soon as we returned home. While I’m really sad this is happening, I am trying to soak up this time with my family and today Jake and I were talking about our favorite trips and our best travel memories. I thought, now is the perfect time to look back on this trip and share all the memories we made! As always, I hope this blog helps your family plan your next big adventure!
Road Trip Crew
So, we were REALLY lucky that we were even able to take this road trip. We loaded up and left the day spring break started in early March. Carrie was able to use her father-in-law’s time share and we decided that we wanted to take the kids to Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. We probably planned to visit too many places for one week, but we weren’t sure when we’d get back to the area and wanted to hit several states on this road trip. We decided to start our trip in Harpers Ferry, WV. Honestly, I don’t know if I was busy with school or what, but this is probably one trip that I knew the least about before leaving. Usually I spend several hours researching our destination and have a list of things I want to do and see. I feel like we did a lot of planning on the way, but what else did we have to do on a 20 hour drive? We didn’t know a lot about West Virginia, but it was a state that our kids had not been to yet, so we decided Harpers Ferry is where this trip would start. When I told my boys that it is one of the most haunted places in the US, they were all about it… until it got dark haha! The drive was really nice, we stopped after 6 hours and stayed the night in Memphis, TN. The next day was our longest drive of the trip, a total of 14 hours but we were finally on the East Coast! We actually stayed about 12 miles from Harpers Ferry in a town in Maryland (we got to mark another state off our list).
View from Jefferson Rock
I will say that I was pleasantly surprised with Harpers Ferry. Like I mentioned, I didn’t really know much about this town until the drive and I am sure there is a lot that I can still learn about it. It is such a cute, quaint town. When we first arrived we weren’t really sure where to park and start the day. We drove through the town first and my excitement level sky-rocketed! I can be really nerdy when it comes to history and the town just looked so old. Then I saw a sign about Lewis & Clark and just knew it was going to be fantastic day! So, the parking in the town is very limited but signs guided us to large parking area about 1.5 miles from the town to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. We had to pay to park, but there are facilities in that lot and a bus that picks up and drops off visitors. We decided to walk down to the town on the trails and that was an adventure in itself! The scenery was beautiful. Harpers Ferry sits right near the water and we really enjoyed the scenic walk to town. We saw waterfalls and climbed rocks and even stopped by old, creepy ruins on the walk into the town. Luckily it was all downhill and we grabbed the bus back to the parking lot when the day was over!
My boys on the hike down to Harpers Ferry
The kids loved the walk!
Our kids LOVE old ruins!
The town itself was like something out of the 1800s. Not a lot has changed and I think that is how the locals want it. I can’t keep saying this enough… I wish I would’ve paid attention in my history classes when I was younger. I still can’t believe that I walked in places that Lewis & Clark have been, where Thomas Jefferson has been, and where a Civil War battle took place. The buildings still have that old feel and the windows are adorned with relics from the 1800s. The candy shop still makes and sells candy from different time periods and we loved the first candy canes from the 1600s. It was also pretty creepy when most of my photos had auras and the kids were freaked out – I loved it hah! And, Thomas Jefferson is still Jett’s favorite president and we hiked up to Jefferson Rock and got to see where he stood on October 25, 1783! The views were impressive and we all thought this was the perfect day trip!
I loved the old light posts through the town!
There’s still a train that runs through the town!
Look at these old candy canes!
The kids would NOT let us book a ghost tour!!
I loved this house!
This was just our first stop on this road trip! Stay tuned to see our time spent in Washington DC, our White House visit, and our day trips to Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown.
Road Trip Queen 