Road trips have been a family vacation tradition for at least as long as there have been cars – and maybe longer than that! And while you can certainly see the USA by flying to your destination, in this pandemic age, many people are opting to forego the plane and plan that good ole family road Trip. Whether you are still planning a trip this summer, or later this fall, or even if you are looking ahead to next year, there are some things you can do to have as much fun ON the journey as when you arrive!

Save Your Health – While you always want to stay healthy while you travel, during this age of COVID, it is especially important to be health vigilant. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

• If possible, try to select a destination you can reach in one trip so that you don’t have to spend the night in a hotel.
• Think about renting a camper or RV to combine your lodging and transportation into one space where you’ll be most of the time, and one that is directly under your own control. Prior to arriving to pick up your RV, be sure to find out from the rental company what cleaning protocols and policies they have to keep customers – your family – safe in current conditions.
• Be sure you’ve brought ample hygiene and safety products, such as masks, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes and have some handy for use on the drive. Along the way – and especially when getting back in the car after being out and touching lots of things – be sure to disinfect the car’s hard, non-porous, high-touch surfaces, including dashboard, steering wheel, interior door handle, door buttons, seat belts, key fob, touch screen, gear shifter, and wiper and turn-indicator levers. (Don’t use a bleach-based solution on vehicle interiors, as they may damage carpets or leather seats.)
• Wear a mask and gloves when you’re outside of the car (e.g., when pumping gas, using the restroom), and especially inside any public places where you’ll encounter others.
• Pack a first aid kit with any items you might need for your trip and have it handy (ie: not buried under a mountain of suitcases). Be sure to include all the basics like band-aids, antiseptic ointment, alcohol wipes, pain medicines, stomach aids, and a thermometer. Don’t forget sunscreen and bug spray!

Save Your Sanity –  Keeping the kids happy will keep the parents happy  – and sane. And while we can’t guarantee you won’t hear “Are we there yet?” a few times on your trip, hopefully the following tips will keep them so busy they won’t realize you’ve arrived.

• Pack little surprise gifts to give to kids along the way: coloring books, crayons, toys they collected, etc. Don’t give in and give them out ahead of time however, wait for the trip as it will be a nice surprise and will help keep them entertained.
• Download your favorite movies onto your mobile devices (before you leave). For older kids (and grownups)  consider some of the many great audio books as well. Don’t forget to bring the phone chargers!
• Have each child pack his or her backpack with the activities they want to do during the ride. Gallon-size ziptop bags are great for holding pencils, pens, markers, cast iron cars, and any other small items. Have them put their electronic devices in there also.
• Consider “old fashioned” car games! They are fun for everyone in the family. One family favorite is the alphabet game where you begin at A and try to find each letter of the alphabet in order on street signs and billboards. Another oldie but goodie is the license plate game, where everyone tries to find a license plate from each state during our journey. Bonus points goes to the person who, once you arrive at your destination, is the first one to find a license plate from  your home state!
• Bring plenty of pillows and blankets. Children are more likely to sleep in the car if they are comfortable.

Save Time – Few things are more frustrating on a road trip than realizing you don’t know exactly where you are going – or spending hours in a rolling traffic back up. Advance planning is your friend here.

• We all use apps for directions, but don’t overlook printing out some general directions ahead of time, especially if you are traveling to a remote area where there isn’t great service (or you forget those phone chargers).
• Consider driving at non-peak times. Many folks like to drive in the dark for a few hours or even overnight. This has the benefit of very little traffic and for many families, the kids will sleep for much of the trip. (The kids sleeping part doesn’t work for all families though, so your mileage may vary on how effective this is for your family.)

Save Money – While driving in itself is often a money-saver, there are a few things that you can do to make the trip even more cost-effective. Here are a few favorites.

• When budgeting for gas expenses, consider using the AAA Fuel Cost Calculator. Simply enter the make, model and year of your vehicle along with your starting and ending points and it calculates how much you will spend on gas. Even if you don’t use the calculator, the site will give you an idea of what the cost of gas is along your route and at your destination.
• Instead of stopping to buy lunch, consider packing a lunch and drinks in a cooler and then finding a great place for a picnic. Not only does it save money, it’s also a great way to minimize the amount of time you spend in restaurants and food-service places. Plus, it is just a really enjoyable, fun time with family.

The saying that “the journey is half the fun” can be true on your road trip to see the USA, with a little advance planning. Next week we will explore a few more Road Trip Tips for once you arrive!

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