Taking A Family Road Trip

Bottom-Line Travel

Budgeting before you take a family road trip is always a good idea. Make sure you account for everything, including food, lodging, gas and all the items in between. Put in a 10-percent cushion for any unforeseen situations that will invariably arise during the road trip. Even with the cushion, it can be tough to stay on a budget, but do not let money concerns ruin the trip. A budget really just keeps expenses from getting out of hand.

source

Destination or Tour Road Trip

Obtain a map and plot out the best course for the road trip. You are going to need to decide if this is a trip or destination excursion. Touring road trips are more about sightseeing and visiting places along the travel route; there is not really an ultimate destination. Destination excursions, on the other hand, are about getting to a single destination, and that is the primary goal of the road trip. These types of road trips involve more expediency than sightseeing. Decide which type of road trip suits your family and plan accordingly.

Pack Light

Institute the one-bag rule for everyone involved, including the parents. On any trip, there is tendency to over pack and this just makes for more headaches. Therefore, you should make a rule that each person can only bring one bag on the trip. This way, there are fewer things to keep track of, and you won't have to bring a separate trailer with you just to carry all the bags.

Cut the Clutter

To help alleviate the clutter, any road trip must have a super tote bag. This bag contains everyone's miscellaneous stuff that they want to bring on trip. You can put the children's games, DVDs, snacks, books, small toys, CDs and gaming systems in there. The super tote makes it easier to keep track of all this stuff and reduces clutter in the car during a road trip. Also, be sure to bring large trash bags so that the car remains clear of family travel litter.

Saftey Rules

Anytime you and the family are driving a long distance, safety is always a concern. Make sure there is a first-aid kit in the car, along with water and canned food in case you get into trouble on the road. Also, have the car checked out thoroughly by a mechanic before the trip. This will ensure that the vehicle is on optimum driving condition. Finally, tell family members or friends when you expect to return. Provide them with contact information, if possible, and leave them a copy of the route you plan take on the road trip. This is a wise precautionary measure, which will allow people to find you, just in case anything happens on the trip.