The annual road trip, whether with family or going solo, can bring back great childhood memories for many of us. Back in the day, everyone climbed in the car and hunkered down in their spot to get on the road to somewhere special, to see new sites and have new adventures! To others, the words “road trip” remind them of being squished next to the dog, grandpa or a sibling for endless hours asking, “How many more minutes?” Either way, hitting the road by car can be a cheap and fun option, so it could be a great addition to this year’s vacation plans.  Here are 5 tips for making the journey more enjoyable!

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Fun Tips:

1. Plan to have more pit stops than you think necessary.

In any car travel more than a couple of hours, add an extra 15 to 20 minutes for every hundred miles or so.  You could take in historic markers or scenic overlooks. Or you could get gas, a meal, and have a bathroom break. Regardless, getting out of the car for some fresh air and movement can help you feel better when you arrive at your destination.  These are also good times to check the tires or take care of minor car issues that may have come up, thus reducing your chance of making a car insurance claim or needing service while on vacation. If you have kids, a big bonus is they can use up some of their built-up energy.

2. Bring plenty of snacks.

Who doesn’t love snacks (or maybe they’re a guilty pleasure)? If you can bring and eat some healthier snacks on the road it also helps you feel better and means you won’t be buying the overpriced ones in the gas stations. But you’re on vacation so some fun snacks are good too! They could be like animal crackers or “Bugles crispy corn snacks” (we used to put them on our fingertips to eat). Snacks can also occupy a toddler or help a driver perk up.

Pro Tip: Pre-make individual snack boxes using adjustable compartment food storage containers. It offers a variety without the mess. Each compartment gets its own snack, and each person gets their own snack box charcuterie!

3. If kids are involved, include them in the planning.

Input, often something kids are not asked to provide. Engage them in the process. And if they have more fun, the adults usually do too. There’s nothing worse than going to places that only one person is interested in so it’s often a waste of time and money. This is supposed to be fun. You can choose a few places that fit your financial and time budgets then let the kids have a vote. For a multi-day excursion each child could help plan one of the days.

4. Have audiobooks to listen to during quiet times.

Music and chit-chat are great, but there are times of quiet too. Have some family friendly audio books from your library’s digital media app or rent from the library. You can play them so you don’t just watch the miles slip by one by one. Chances are, people will become engaged in the story and will be happy to listen longer (or else, they’ll fall asleep which could be good too). It can inspire conversations about the content and work on the long-lost art of verbal communication.

Important Tip:

• Have your important documents handy and secured in a safe place.

Though this one isn’t about fun, it is very important. Even the most organized people forget or misplace things and glitches can happen. A great idea on road trips is to have copies of your driver’s license, ID cards, car insurance papers, health insurance, credit card contact info and any other documents that you might need. Store these out of sight in a place that all adults and teens know about in case of emergency. After a car accident is not the time to figure out you don’t have your car insurance or health insurance card. If someone pickpockets your credit card it’s good to have contact and card information elsewhere to avoid some of the panic.  Secured backups give everyone peace of mind.

Use these tips to plan your next fun family road trip and safe travels. You’re sure to make many new memories!  If you need car insurance, we always offer our best rate.  Click here for a quote or call Solo Insurance®: 800-207-7656.

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