Tips to Survive a Long Car Ride

August 15 2009 by Bryson Forbes

Kids-in-Car.jpgWe just got back from a week in South Carolina and the trip was fantastic. The weather, the beach and yes, even the drive went famously. With two kids ages six and five, we were certainly a little nervous about driving across the United States.

Here are my top 10 tips to make a long car ride a good experience:

10. Pack a small cooler, some ice and pick up some healthy snacks. Juices, yogurt (don't forget plastic spoons) and fruit. Without the snacks you'll end up stopping more and likely eating exclusively fast food.

9. Make sure you pack some treats. We found Skittles to be a great currency to bribe our children. It sounds cruel as I write it, but trust me; it works and makes everyone's trip a lot better.

8. Pre-plan your route and make hotel reservations. Try to stay with the same hotel group throughout the trip and make sure you are a member of their loyalty program. For instance, if you stayed with Best Western twice over the summer and are a member of Best Western Rewards (like me!), you got a free night voucher!

7. Plan to stop every two to three hours to stretch, use the facilities and fill up on gas. No need to have the gas gauge under a quarter tank, especially on long Interstate highways in the evening. Make sure you encourage the kids to use the facilities. If you don't, invariably ten minutes later they'll magically need to go.

7. Plan to stop every two to three hours to stretch, use the facilities and fill up on gas. No need to have the gas gauge under a quarter tank, especially on long Interstate highways in the evening. Make sure you encourage the kids to use the facilities. If you don't, invariably ten minutes later they'll magically need to go.

6. When you are crossing the border don't pick lane #7. Completely by fluke I picked this lane both times and it was the one line that didn't move. I concluded others try to get seven for luck and who needs luck at the border?

5. Portable DVD. I wish this device was invited in 1975.

4. GPS. I wish this device was invented in 1972. Caution, if it's your first time out of your local area make sure you are familiar with the settings. Good idea to throw the manual in the car. Your co-pilot can become an expert quite quickly.

3. Play games. If you are a member of CAA make sure to utilize all of the great road trip games they have for families - you can find a ton of great car games and other planning tools through the organization. There also are some really good ideas at www.momsminivan.com. My personal favourite is virtual hide and seek.

2. Cruise control. I don't think many people use this feature on their car, but on long drives it is such a bonus. You'll get better fuel efficiency and it might just save you a speeding ticket. Your feet, knees and butt will thank you and show you their love with better blood flow. Again, if you haven't used it before, give your co-pilot the car manual and have them bark out instructions. At the very least it will kill 30 minutes.

1. Have cash in the car. If you're Canadian and not used to paying tolls you are going to run into a number along the way. Have at least twenty dollars in ones. Trust me they won't take debit!

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