The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Family Road Trip

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Here’s exactly how we go about the planning stage of a road trip, which gets us from idea to hit the road.

Picking your destination

It starts from as simple as picking a string of destinations and then plotting them on a route, but any good road trip planner knows there’s far more to it! .

There are so many places you can get inspiration. We’re biased and would say use our website for your road trip inspiration, but of course, there are many other great resources out there.

Ask in family travel groups on Facebook
Use Pinterest to create inspiration boards for different routes (here’s ours as a great stating point!
Browse travel websites and blogs for themed road trip ideas
Join family travel groups on Facebook and ask for recommendations
Consider seasonal attractions and events along potential routes
Ask your kids for input – getting them excited early makes the trip more enjoyable

Planning Your Route

A well-planned route is the backbone of any successful family road trip, requiring careful consideration of both practical needs and enjoyable experiences. While the fastest route might seem tempting, families should consider mixing scenic byways with efficient highways to create a more memorable journey. Take time to research and map out your route with regular stopping points every 2-3 hours – this is essential when traveling with children who need frequent breaks to stretch, use restrooms, and burn off energy.

Finding the Perfect Balance

When mapping out your journey, start by identifying major landmarks and attractions along potential routes, but don’t overlook the smaller, unexpected discoveries that often become favorite memories. Research road conditions thoroughly before departing, paying special attention to any ongoing construction projects or seasonal road closures that might impact your travel time. It’s wise to identify several alternate routes in case you encounter unexpected delays or discover interesting detours worth taking.

Safety should be a primary consideration in your route planning. Take time to mark the locations of hospitals, urgent care centers, and 24-hour pharmacies along your route. This preparation might seem excessive, but having this information readily available provides peace of mind, especially when traveling with young children. Additionally, research cell phone coverage along your route, particularly if you’re venturing into rural or remote areas, and download offline maps for these sections.

Must-Have Planning Tools

Modern technology has made route planning significantly easier, but choosing the right tools can make a substantial difference in your trip’s success. Invest time in familiarizing yourself with GPS navigation apps that offer offline functionality – this feature proves invaluable in areas with poor cell service. While Google Maps remains popular, consider specialized road trip planning apps that help identify interesting attractions, scenic viewpoints, and family-friendly restaurants along your route.

Keep your travels budget-friendly by downloading gas price comparison apps, which can help you plan fuel stops in advance and avoid paying premium prices at isolated stations. Rest stop locator apps prove particularly valuable for families, helping you find clean facilities with family-friendly amenities. Weather tracking apps should also be part of your planning toolkit, allowing you to anticipate and prepare for changing conditions along your route.

A well-planned route is crucial for family road trip success. Consider these factors:

Finding the Perfect Balance

Plan for both scenic routes and efficient highways
Include kid-friendly stops every 2-3 hours
Research road conditions and potential construction
Consider alternate routes for flexibility
Mark emergency services and hospitals along your route

Must-Have Planning Tools

GPS navigation apps with offline capabilities
Road trip planning apps for finding attractions
Gas price comparison apps
Rest stop locator apps
Weather tracking apps

Before you dive into the excitement of arriving at a new destination, be sure to think carefully about the route you will be taking. here we’re going to take you through:

Planning Apps

summarise ideas

You’ll find our complete guide to road trip planning Apps over here.

Timing

On a family road trip, be realistic how long you can travel; how many hours in a day and how many hours in total over the course of your journey.

Traveling with young kids is a completely different experience to traveling in your swinging single days; be realistic.

Everyone will have their own limits but our combined experience says try and cap your drives to 4 to 6 hours a day. When needs must you can, of course, tackle much longer stretches at once.

Setting a Budget

Route planned, you now need to work out what you can afford. One of your biggest costs is likely to be fuel. The great thing about Road tripping apps such as Roadtripper, you can enter your vehicle details and it will come up with a cost calculation for your fuel.

Hiring a vehicle?

Vehicle hire tips

Once you’ve worked out your expected costs, add a buffer of about 25%.

Choosing accommodation

What sort of road-tripper are you? Do you pop in your car and head from one accommodation to the next, staying only a night or two at each stop? Or do you prefer the comfort of your own bed and having everything with you?

When traveling with kids, the days of “winging it”, driving as far as you can in one day and then hoping there’ll be accommodation t the other end are well gone.

Hotels and Motels

Not always the most cost-effective but certainly convenient way to travel with kids. No need to worry about setting up camp, simply flop! We always look for those that include a mini-fridge and a microwave as they allow us to prepare meals for the next day, as well as quick and easy dinners if you can’t bare dining out after a big day on the road!

Look for family-friendly amenities
Prioritize properties with mini-fridges and microwaves
Consider suite-style rooms for longer stays
Check cancellation policies
Read recent family-focused reviews

Camping Options

Research campground amenities
Consider KOA or similar family-friendly chains
Check reservation requirements
Plan for weather contingencies
Pack appropriate gear

RV and Motorhome Tips

Compare rental companies thoroughly
Check vehicle specifications and limitations
Understand hookup requirements
Research RV-friendly routes
Plan dump station locations

Essential Gear and Packing

Vehicle Preparation

Complete maintenance check before departure
Check tire condition including spare
Update emergency kit
Clean and organize vehicle
Install any needed child entertainment systems

We talk about talk the mechanical checks you should make before a long road trip here

Must-Pack Items

First aid kit
Car emergency kit
Important documents folder
Entertainment bags for kids
Snack and drink station
Basic tool kit
Charging stations for devices
Travel pillows and blankets

Organization Tips

Use packing cubes for clothes
Create individual activity bags for kids
Keep essential items easily accessible
Use trunk organizers
Label everything clearly

Digital Necessities

Download offline maps
Prepare playlists and audiobooks
Download movies/shows for offline viewing
Bring backup power banks
Have car chargers for all devices

Road Trip Games and Activities

Create travel journals for kids
Pack card games and travel-sized board games
Prepare road trip bingo cards
Download educational games about destinations
Bring traditional car games list

You’ll find our complete guide to essential road trip gear here [with a downloadable checklist you can tick off as you go!]

Managing Your Timeline

Daily Drive Times

Aim for 4-6 hours maximum driving per day
Plan longer stops around meal times
Schedule drives during optimal times (nap times for little ones)
Build in buffer days for unexpected delays
Consider time zones when planning daily segments

Seasonal Considerations

Check festival and event schedules
Be aware of peak tourist seasons
Plan for weather-related delays
Book accommodations further ahead during high season
Consider shoulder season for popular destinations

Budgeting Smart

Core Expenses

Fuel costs (calculate using vehicle MPG)
Accommodation
Food and snacks
Entertainment and attractions
Emergency fund (25% buffer)

Money-Saving Strategies

Pack meals and snacks
Use gas price comparison apps
Book accommodations in advance
Look for bundle deals on attractions
Consider camping for some portions
Join rewards programs for hotels and gas stations

Safety Considerations

Pre-Trip Preparation

Vehicle safety check
Emergency contact list
Insurance review
First aid training refresh
Weather monitoring plan

On-the-Road Safety

Regular rest breaks
Driver rotation schedule
Child safety seat checks
Security measures for stops
Emergency procedures review

Making Memories

Documentation Ideas

Create a trip hashtag
Start a travel journal
Take daily photos at landmarks
Collection travel memorabilia
Record short video diaries

Building Traditions

Special road trip snacks
Morning departure rituals
Milestone celebrations
Photo opportunities
End-of-day family time

Remember, flexibility is key when road-tripping with family. Build in extra time, expect the unexpected, and focus on creating memories rather than sticking to a rigid schedule. With proper planning and preparation, your family road trip can be an incredible adventure that everyone will remember fondly.