Vacations are supposedly a time for you to enjoy some quiet time and unwind from the stress that you have been facing at work or in school.

Road trips sure are fun and exciting if you are going with friends. But parents who are thinking of going for a trip together with their children may find it more of a chore than a relaxing holiday. The long hours in a car and having to entertain the kids during the journey are some of the typical “problems”.

Although hiccups along the trip are unpredictable, there are still ways to minimise a meltdown from happening. Here are some tips on how to keep you and your young ones happy throughout the journey!

#1 RENT A COMFORTABLE CAR

Since you will be spending long hours in the car, it is one of the most important considerations you have to make. If your kids are going to be cooped up in an uncomfortable car, chances are that the trip will turn out to be quite a miserable experience.

Make sure you do your homework before making a decision as you would need to rent a car that is suitable for your family and whether it fits into your budget as well. The sport utility vehicle (SUV) is a popular choice among families as the car is the top choice for rugged off-road adventure. Recreational vehicles (RV) may be suitable for families who want to get around and still be able to have ice-cream from the fridge or using the toilet without stopping for a break.

Some cars offer more than just space and comfort but also additional bonuses like entertainment, GPS units that are able to point out traffic cameras and safety features like blind spot warning.

Additional tip: Check your car before driving off to ensure that there are no flat tyres and engine breakdowns. The last thing you want to happen is to be stranded in the middle of the road with a broken vehicle.

Photo Credit: MVP Sports Club

#2 BRING ALONG SOME SNACKS

Do not belittle these packets of dried fruits and cereals because they will be your lifesaver when the children simply refuse to eat anything at the restaurant you have decided to stop by for dinner.

Pack some healthy snacks like raisins, granola and even fresh fruits but make sure that you check the sugar level first. Trust us when we say, you do not want them to be high on energy throughout the trip.

Additional tip: Electrolyte water hydrates faster and stays in the body longer. That means lesser toilet stops!

Photo Credit: Mindful

#3 ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE KIDS

Some parents are fine letting their children play with electronic gadgets while others not so much. We understand that sometimes it is difficult not to give in when your child requests for the smartphone or tablet but since it is a road trip, maybe you can consider having a range of entertainment that does not involve technology.

Younger kids may like crayons and colouring books or fun car games like having a spelling bee. Older children can be encouraged to do journal jotting, having them write down what they see along the way and collecting something small along the way such as postcards at rest stops or a seashell from the beach.

Not only do such activities make the car ride seem shorter, it is great for family bonding time!

Photo Credit: Slate

#4 REST STOPS ARE IMPORTANT

Even if you are driving a RV, it is important to take regular breaks every now and then to freshen up. While it is good to keep track of time, it may not be a good idea to follow your schedule too tightly.

Frustration may arise among family members if there is too much pressure. Instead, have some breakfast or go grab coffee and take it as a chance to explore new places that you have not been to.

Photo Credit: Bikepacking

#5 FIRST AID KID

Apart from rest stops, there won’t be any Watsons or Guardians for you to purchase medication when your kid has a sudden fever. A first aid kit is always important as you never know when a situation might arise.

Have the usual medications for fever, stomach upset, antiseptic ointment, bandages, plasters, wet tissue and toilet paper ready in the kit.

Photo Credit: Jessie on a journey

#6 DOWNLOAD THE NECESSARY APPS

Technology can be useful in its own ways and save you from unnecessary troubles such as getting caught in a traffic jam.

The few apps that you should have in your device include Waze, which is an app that will help you navigate around traffic jams and construction delays; Gas Buddy that tells you when and where to buy gas and how to get the best value out of it; and AroundMe to keep yourself updated with the latest information on restaurants, banks, hotels and movie schedules that are near you.

Photo Credit: Adoption

#7 BE SPONTANEOUS

Along the way, you will pass by many places that were not included in your planning list but always be open to new suggestions given by people you meet along the way or overheard from the local radio DJ. You may end up loving those places more than the ones you planned to go!

#8 BE REALISTIC

Preparing yourself with the above tips are not a given that the trip will be entirely smooth sailing. Going on a family road trip is not like racing for The Amazing Race, so don’t over plan or decide on a minimum of eight hours drive every day.

Have ample breaks in between the car rides and let your kids stretch their legs at nearby parks or playgrounds. Once they use up their energy with all that running, it will be easier on you when they sleep in the car during the journey.

Lastly, have fun and try not to stress out too much!

Read: 10 Things You Should Consider Before Driving On A Road Trip.

Most people prefer driving themselves on a holiday as it allows them to travel at their own desired pace. Travellers also get to immerse in unrivalled scenery without having hoards of tourists obstructing their views, or a tour guide rushing them to move on to the next destination.

While driving on a holiday may be an enticing idea and coveted for its unlimited freedom, a lot of preparations actually have to be made way in advance to ensure a smooth trip. Many first-timers find themselves in a state of shock by the various setbacks they face due to their negligence in handling unforeseen circumstances. These issues are usually seemingly minor, but they result in panicky situations which could be otherwise avoided if proper planning was done.

To ensure a pleasant journey when you drive on a road trip, here are 10 things you should consider before embarking on a road trip.

#1 IS DRIVING THE IDEAL CHOICE?

To drive or not to drive – that is the first and foremost question. With so many other transportation options available, you may be surprised that a flight or train to your desired destination may actually be cheaper than driving. Remember to bear in mind the cost of car rental, fuel and the most priceless commodity – time.

For instance, the car journey from Melbourne to Sydney takes approximately 9 hours. Yet Australian domestic planes allow you to fly from Melbourne to Sydney at an average of A$100.

#2 SELECTION OF CAR RENTAL COMPANY

Selection of car rental gets really tough when there are so many options to choose from. But with convenient websites such as Sky Scanner and Compare & Choose, you get to compare the price differences between several well-established car rental companies.

If the price differences are insignificant, you should look up on which company’s location is most convenient for you to pick up and drop off the rented car.

#3 EXTRA ADMIN COSTS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT

Do take note that there may be certain additional administrative fees that may take you by surprise. For example, young drivers under 25 years old have to pay a surcharge of AUD 16.50 and AUD 27.50 per day for Hertz and Thrifty respectively.

The loss of your GPS and other car accessories are usually not covered by insurance. Budget charges AUD 495 (excluding an additional admin fee and GST) in the case of a lost GPS. In addition, premium car rental locations such as Sydney airport will set you back an extra 28.5% in fee.

#4 GPS AND OTHER MAPS

Do make sure you have both a GPS in the car and a physical map if you are driving to a place that is really far out. Having a fully-charged smart phone with the reliable Google Maps application will also be a handy back-up.

#5 ROUTE YOUR JOURNEY

It is best to route your journey beforehand to have a rough idea on how long the road trip will take, as well as when and where it is ideal for fuel pit stops in between. This is to avoid the mishap of being stranded in the middle of nowhere when your vehicle runs out of petrol and there are no gas stations nearby.

Trip Tik Travel Planner mobile app can effectively compare the prices across various gas stations to help you decide which path to take for the most cost-effective manner (only valid for United States). If you are traveling around the U.S. and wish to stop from time to time to catch the amazing scenery or other interesting attractions, download the app RoadTrippers – it will assist you in searching the best spots to stop.

#6 FOOD

If the drive is going to be an arduous journey of at least five hours, you definitely need food to keep you and your passengers (if any) going. Do you intend to stash food in the car or do you intend to stop by restaurants to recharge your energy levels?

If preparation and storage of food is too much of a mess, download the app TVFoodMaps to help you locate the nearest eateries during your drive. Restaurants are extremely scarce in the vast space outside of the city so do prepare or risk a growling tummy!

#7 WEATHER CONDITIONS

Are you dressed comfortably for the long journey ahead and is your car fitted accordingly for the weather? If you do intend to drive up the snowy mountains, fitting of snow chains is essential for safety measures. If you are not confident of driving in a foreign climate, perhaps it is best to hire an experienced chauffeur/ join a guided tour instead of risking your lives.

#8 MUSIC

Never underestimate the power of music. Preparing a long playlist of your favourite melodies will help you tremendously in keeping awake and continuing with the immensely long drive. It will also definitely liven up the mood – and who knows, that particular song might just be the soundtrack of your summer holiday!

#9 2ND DRIVER

Are you and your companions taking turns to steer the driver’s wheel? These arrangements should be planned prior to the actual road trip, so that each of you get ample rest to focus on driving. Car rental companies do charge extra fees for each additional driver too. Avis, Budget and Enterprise, however, do waive off that fee in the event if the second driver happens to be your spouse.

#10 LICENSE

Last but not least, it is crucial to ensure you have a certified driving license recognised by the country that you are driving in. Every country and car rental company has their own rules to abide. In Australia, an English-written driving license accompanied with a photo is the typical bare minimum requirement. You would also have to be at least 21 years old to rent a car.

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.