How to plan a summer family road trip

How to plan a summer family road trip

Preparation will make for a smoother ride, but it doesn’t have to be difficult

by JULIE HANSON photograph by JOSHUA HUSTON

My family once completed an 18-day, 4,000-mile road trip through seven states. And we were still speaking to each other at the end!

When I announced our intention to do this, a friend responded, “That’s amazing! I wouldn’t even know how to begin to plan such an adventure.”

This made me realize that not everyone is married to a geography lover/wannabe travel agent who loves nothing more than a good AAA map and guidebook. But that needn’t stop you from hitting the road with your family. Here’s how.

The plan

First, set your timeframe and a rough idea of where you’d like to go. For instance: You have 10 days and want to see some national parks. Or, you have a single goal — say, Disneyland — and want to design a road trip around it.

Sit down with a paper map or atlas (my family is retro that way). Think about what ideally constitutes a “day’s drive” for your family. If you’re new to this, start with 3 or 4 hours. Departing the Seattle area, for example, Day 1 will take you as far as Spokane or Portland or Vancouver, B.C. Sketch out an itinerary based on how far you want to go and what you want to see along the way.

Hint: Underplan, don’t overplan. You can always find something additional to do like check out a cool local playground.

Break up the driving: There’s always something to see along the way: parks, waterfalls, dams and sculptures to name just a few. You could leave this to chance, or you could research it. Larger points of interest will be evident from your map. Smaller points of interest will be evident as you gaze out the window. (See “underplan,” above.)

The details

Reserve places to sleep: While I love the idea of driving until you’re ready to stop, don’t do it with kids. Reserve ahead. Hint: Hotel/ motel pools are usually a hit with kids, and a nice reward/relaxation after a day in the car. Consider joining a loyalty program. You’ll always know what to expect from your lodging, and you’ll earn benefits along the way.

Speaking of hotels and sleeping: When planning a trip, consider how often you want to pack and unpack. It can be exhausting dragging everything out of the car and then back in. Don’t underestimate the luxurious feeling of staying in the same place for consecutive nights, at least once or twice on a long vacation.

Reserve other things: If your research has led you to a cool cave tour or other attraction, go ahead and book it. Things fill up fast, especially in summer months! Some national parks now require timed-entry reservations during peak season. If you have a special restaurant in mind, reserve that, too; you’ll be glad you did.

“One year I gave my daughter too much autonomy and she neglected to pack any underwear or socks for our weeklong vacation.”

What to take

Pack drinks and snacks. To save money and landfill space, give each family member a reusable water bottle and have them fill it each morning.

Bring first-aid basics and any medications that family members will need. Don’t forget sunscreen and bug spray.

Packing: This is a great thing for kids to learn. You’ll have to figure out how much autonomy to give them. (One year I gave my daughter too much autonomy and she neglected to pack any underwear or socks for our weeklong vacation.) Consider the weather forecast and what you plan to do, also how many personal or “comfort” items you have room for. How many clothes you pack could depend on laundry facilities at the places you reserve

Don’t forget

Screen/device time. Figure this out in advance or you might hear yourself bellowing, “Why are you on your phone when there’s beautiful scenery all around us?!?” more often than you would like.

Have a food plan. Perhaps bring your own (simple) breakfast, have a picnic lunch along the way, then dinner at a restaurant. Yes, bring the cooler. Set a budget. Or at least think about it. Food, gas and lodging are obvious expenses, along with fees for attractions. Will you buy souvenirs and gifts?

My family collects Christmas ornaments from places we visit. Consider whether you’ll want to treat your kids to souvenirs, have them buy their own or some combination thereof.

The homefront: Stop your mail and anything else that needs stopping. If you have pets, arrange for their care well ahead of time.

Now that you’re prepared, don’t expect things to go perfectly, because they won’t. Enjoy the change of pace. Try something new. Memories are about to be made.