You've picked a destination, scheduled your PTO, and packed the kids' suitcases. The only thing left to do? Have fun! Here are four ways to ensure the only memories you take home with you are smile-inducing ones.
1. Prep for the journey
Is your vehicle due for an oil change? Could the tires use more air? Once you’ve knocked out maintenance, go the extra mile: Pack an emergency kit. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends including jumper cables, flares, a flashlight, bottled water, blankets, a first aid kit, and, of course, a cellphone and charger. You might also want to have tools to change a tire.
And don’t forget to download the GasBuddy app, which will help you find the best prices at nearby fuel stations.
Fun fact: Road trips account for nearly 40 percent of vacations by American travelers!
2. Enjoy the detours
Back roads and off-the-beaten-path attractions may add time to your journey, but what’s the rush? Rand McNally has a free TripMaker tool that lets you plot out things to do—from confectionery tours to oddball museums—in advance.
To calm a case of the wiggles, download the AllTrails app, which includes more than 75,000 hiking routes. For additional help, check out the iExit app for parks, restaurants, shops, and playgrounds at nearby highway exits nationwide and roadfood.com, a database of nearly 2,000 culinary gems (no national chains allowed!).
3. Bring some entertainment
To make being on the road as much fun as getting to the next stop, variety is key. Try a family audiobook (the Harry Potter series and books by Roald Dahl are winners for most ages). Play travel bingo or the license plate game (the Melissa & Doug travel version adds a geography lesson). Bring a tape recorder or a digital camera and have your family take turns documenting the landscape or their favorite moments. Or pack a stash of comics, books, and sketchbooks (cup holders can double as places to corral markers).
4. Start a new tradition
Take family photos in front of every state welcome sign; sample the local ice cream flavors (prickly pear in Arizona, butter pecan in Alabama); shop for pressed pennies or refrigerator magnets at every stop; mail yourselves postcards from the road. When you return home, display those souvenirs in a shadow box or on the mantel. That collection of ice cream parlor napkins just might be something you’ll always treasure!
Woman’s Day Editor-in-Chief Susan Spencer attended RVX: The RV Experience, the industry’s premier event in Salt Lake City, to preview the newest and most innovative RVs to hit the road in 2019. Here are her top picks for the most perfect family getaway.
Winnebago Outlook
Slip behind the wheel of this nicely sized and finished classic RV, which easily fits a family of six and is ideal for a meandering road trip. In one layout, slideouts expand the main kitchen and seating area and make it comfortable for a crowd, but there’s privacy for parents (a queen-size bed, no less!) and a fun bunk for the kiddos.
Jayco Eagle HT
This RV isn’t the biggest on the road, but it feels super spacious (sleeps six to eight!) and is ingeniously designed down to the smallest detail. Cool features include bunks, an optional fireplace, a pleasantly large kitchen and bathroom, and tons of storage. The outdoor kitchen is convenient for camping without a campfire.
Forest River R-Pod
Hitch this travel trailer onto the back of your family SUV (it’s that light) and start exploring! Its compact design maximizes every inch, accommodating four people and resulting in a surprisingly open feel (without sacrificing storage). A thoughtful touch: pet-friendly features like a leash port so you can bring your pup on vacation with you.
Kate Rockwood is a freelance writer based in New York.
