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We just got back from an epic road trip to the Grand Canyon and we did some things {and learned some things} along the way that made the road trip so much easier. I thought it might help to share our favorite road trip tips and tricks with you in case you’re planning a road trip, big or small. And I’d love to hear your favorite road trip planner tips so be sure to leave a comment for all of us!
If you’re hitting the road with the family, first, you need to check out 65 ways to entertain kids during a road trip. Many of the ideas are really simple, require very few {if any} supplies, and can help keep the kids busy on the road for all those hours ahead. And then you need to check out these tips and tricks.
Road Trip Tips and Tricks
Bring air mattresses.
I have a handful of kids but whether you have a big family or a small family, bringing along one or two twin sized air mattresses {and a pump!} can make travel so much easier. The air mattresses can be bought for less than ten dollars a piece at big box stores, rolled up to take up very little room in the trunk, and they can easily be set up and taken down. During our last road trip, we used them during every single stop! They allowed the kids to spread out more {instead of always sharing a bed}, gave everyone a little more personal space {so important after being together every waking minute}, and allowed us to stay in one room rather than dividing up among two rooms.
Consider both AirBnB’s and hotels.
During recent trips, we’ve stayed at a combination of hotels and AirBnB’s and both have distinct advantages.
AirBnB’s are often a much more affordable option, especially in certain locations. They allow you to truly experience an area and often provide far more room than a hotel room would since you can get an entire house for the same price as a hotel room. If you’re traveling with kids, it’s so nice to have room to move around, possibly have a yard to play in, and not have to worry about disturbing people in adjacent rooms!
On the other hand, hotels have their advantages too. Free breakfast at many hotels can save a lot of money during a road trip, extra amenities like fitness rooms and pools are nice, and you can expect a certain level of consistency with hotels.
Book accommodations well in advance.
Whether you’re opting for hotels or AirBnB’s, book your accommodations as soon as you plan out your road trip. The best AirBnB’s book up quickly and so do hotels. We were unable to stay at one particular hotel we wanted along the way because it was fully booked and I was kicking myself for not reserving it earlier. Most hotels and AirBnB’s allow free cancellations within a certain amount of time {check the policy prior to booking} so you’re set even if you change your mind.
Consider staying at locations with pools.
While you may not want to swim every night, having that option at some of the hotels along the way is really great, especially when traveling with kids. After a long day in the car or a hot hike at a national park, a pool is the perfect way to relax, cool off, and wear off some energy. We had a beautiful pool at one location but the kids swam in the pools everywhere we had one, nice or not, and it was a great {free} activity.
Bring water bottles and a small cooler.
We brought a large package of water bottles and a small cooler with us and it was so helpful. Refillable water bottles are also great as long as you think you’ll have places to fill up along the way {good water isn’t always easy to find}. We filled the small cooler with ice each morning, added some water bottles, and the kids always had something cool to drink along the way.
Fill up with gas when you can.
Depending on where your road trip takes you, you may end up in areas with no gas stations for miles and miles. During our Grand Canyon road trip, we had stretches where we didn’t see gas stations for hours {and they were expensive when we did}. Filling up every morning and during lunch stops, if needed, will save a lot of stress along the way.
Bring lots of snacks.
A road trip isn’t a road trip without snacks {wink}. Whether they help pass the time, alleviate a little hunger, or tide everyone over while you try to find somewhere to stop for lunch, snacks are pretty much an essential. I like to buy all the snacks at home before we ever leave rather than trying to hit up a grocery store during the trip … that way I know what I’ll be spending {grocery stores in different areas can range a lot from what you’re used to, especially if you’re in a tourist location} and I don’t have to try to track down a grocery store.
Bring games and sports equipment.
A few board games, a deck of cards, a basketball, or some badminton racquets take up very little room in the trunk and provide great entertainment along the way. Board games and cards are perfect for a hotel room but if you end up staying at an AirBnB, sports equipment is something to consider. We’ve stayed at places that had basketball hoops as well as large backyards, perfect for a quick game of badminton. It’s a great way to expend some energy after a day in the car, add a little exercise to the routine, and have some fun with the family.
Don’t expect small towns to function like a big city.
We’re used to living in a major metroplex and if you’re also from a big city, you might have certain expectations that all areas will function like the city does. Small towns often have very different business hours with businesses closing early or not even staying open on certain days of the week. Google maps also can be outdated if you’re in a touristy area with a lot of seasonality. We’ve experienced restaurants that were no longer in existence, closed for the off-season, or in a new location … and online maps are often not updated. A little patience and willingness to alter plans will make for a much more enjoyable road trip.
Leave time for the unexpected.
Half the fun of a road trip is seeing new and unique things and enjoying experiences. If possible, leave a little room in your schedule to stop at fun places along the way and experience a little adventure. You may end up at your final destination a little later than intended but rarely will you regret the memories created along the way.
What are your tips for a successful road trip?
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