There’s something special about taking your family on a road trip – the excitement of new destinations, sleeping under the open skies and all the memories made along the way. But to make the most of your time on the road, a bit of planning and prep goes a long way.
From choosing the best route with plenty of breaks to keeping everyone entertained, we’ve got the best tips on how to plan a family road trip – ensuring it’s enjoyable and full of adventure (not tears).
How to plan a family road trip: 14 tips
Map out your route
1. Be realistic
The first step in learning how to plan a family road trip is knowing your limits. If you’re new to travelling with your kids or camping in general, jumping into a week-long road trip might not be the best place to start. Instead, think small and build your way up. This could look like taking the kids out for a short day trip at first and then trying a weekend away.
You’ll also need to factor in the following:
- The ages of your kids and how much travel they can handle.
- The best time to drive and the kid’s sleeping schedules.
- How comfortable you are driving long distances.
- Your vehicle setup – do you have a trailer, caravan or just your car?
- Your camping and road-tripping style (i.e. luxury vs more rugged)
2. Choose kid-friendly destinations
Picking the right destination and camping spot is crucial to a successful road trip
When you're weighing up all your options, be sure to pick a location that offers something for everyone – kids and adults included. Whether that’s scenic picnic spots with playgrounds nearby, kid-friendly hikes, relaxing beaches or fun roadside attractions.
Don’t forget to consider the practical side too. Look for convenient rest stops, dining options, family-friendly (and pet-friendly) facilities and ensure the location is within a manageable driving distance to avoid boredom and frustration.
3. Take breaks
Frequent breaks give everyone a chance to stretch, recharge and avoid the restlessness that usually comes from long hours in the car. It also helps to prevent driver fatigue, a major contributor to road accidents in Australia. For the safety of both yourself and your family, be sure to:
- Take regular 15- minute breaks at least every two hours.
- Get out of your car, get fresh air and stretch.
- Share the driving if there'are two of you.
4. Include your kids in the planning
Getting the kids involved in planning the trip is a great way to build excitement and keep the mood high throughout the journey. Whether it’s picking campsites, choosing outdoor activities or deciding on meals, giving them some autonomy helps them feel like they’ve played an active role. It also teaches them responsibility, encourages teamwork and allows you to set clear expectations for the entire trip.
5. Be flexible
When it comes to road-tripping, flexibility is key – especially when you throw kids into the mix. It not only allows you to adapt to unexpected changes (like weather and road closures or sickness), but can lead to spontaneous adventures that’ll turn into lifetime memories for your kids.
Keep everybody entertained
6. Bring in-car entertainment
One of the best ways to avoid tantrums on the road is to bring along plenty of entertainment. This could involve a mix of activities like colouring-in books, travel-sized games and video games. Themed road trip playlists, audiobooks or classic games like ‘I Spy’ can also help pass the time.
Don’t forget to download some movies or TV shows on your laptop or phone for longer stretches or for evening entertainment after it gets dark at camp. Just make sure you’ve got power sorted to charge these devices.
7. Take in new experiences
Along with keeping the kids entertained in the car, make good use of your planned breaks to create lasting memories. Stretch your legs with a hike to a scenic viewpoint, explore small towns, stop at local cafes and bakeries or visit iconic locations like the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour.
8. Don’t forget about yourself
When planning a family road trip, it’s easy to put all the focus on the kids, but don’t forget about your own entertainment. Use the time on the road to catch up on reading, listen to podcasts or even tackle some life admin. It’s a great way to stay engaged and make the most of your time in the passenger seat.
Think ahead
9. Bring snacks & food
Packing plenty of snacks and food is an easy way to keep hunger-induced crankiness at bay. It can help you make healthier choices, stick to your budget and avoid taking any unnecessary extra breaks. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to camp and cook over the campfire or plan scenic picnics along the way – creating incredible memories for you and your family.
Just ensure you’re taking your existing setup into consideration. If you’re going on an extended road trip, you may want to consider a camping fridge to keep your food fresh.
10. Pack light
Packing for a family road trip can be a challenge (especially with younger kids) but the key to a smooth trip is packing light. With only the camping essentials, you can keep your vehicle organised, provide more space and ensure everyone is comfortable. Plus, it also reduces the risk of overloading your vehicle, improving your fuel efficiency and safety on the road.
11. Consider your set-up
Ultimately, the road trip you plan with your family will depend on your vehicle setup. Whether you’re considering the comfort of a caravan or RV or prefer something more compact like a camper trailer, it’s important to choose what best suits your needs.
No matter your choice, you’ll also need to think about how you’ll keep everything powered up and running smoothly. This may look like investing in portable power solutions and solar panels or making sure you’re visiting powered campsites to recharge overnight.
Make safety a priority
12. Give your car a check-up
Giving your vehicle a health check before you hit the road can help avoid breakdowns and ensure you have a smooth and safe journey. Before you go:
- Check your car’s tyres.
- Check your brake pads, indicators, brake lights and headlights are all functional.
- Check your engine coolant level.
- Ensure you’re up to date with your servicing.
- Invest in roadside assistance.
- Check your windscreen wipers work.
- Your vehicle batteries are charged and/or you have a dual battery system in place.
13. Prep an emergency kit
Preparation is crucial when planning a family road trip. Having an emergency kit on hand can save you stress and give you peace of mind if things go wrong on the road. Your kit could include essentials like:
- Spare tyre and tools to change it with
- A torch
- Blankets
- Water
- A fully charged phone
- First aid kit
14. Drive safely
Above all, the key to a successful family road trip is driving safely – especially when you’re faced with long hours, distractions from the kids and potentially unexpected driving conditions.
Before you set off for the trip, check the weather, set safety expectations with the kids, and follow traffic laws.If you’re towing a caravan or trailer, consider an electric brake controller for your vehicle to help prevent issues like caravan sway.
Have a successful family road trip with REDARC
By following these tips on how to plan a family road trip, you’ll be well-prepared for an unforgettable (for all the right reasons) adventure. With our wide range of automotive accessories, including electric brake controllers and dual battery chargers, you can count on REDARC for a safe, reliable and enjoyable journey.
Ready to hit the road? Equip your vehicle with REDARC and create incredible memories with your family in the great outdoors!
FAQ
What is too long for a road trip?
What's considered 'too long' for a family road trip depends on your family's needs and preferences. However, in general, anything over 8 hours of driving can quickly become exhausting, especially for younger kids.
It’s also important to factor in your road tripping history – if this is your first time out on the road with the family, a week-long trip with 6 hours of driving each day may be too overwhelming.
How to pack clothes for a road trip?
Here are our best tips for packing clothes for a family road trip:
- Focus on versatility and comfort (i.e. clothes that you can mix and match, shoes you can use for different activities/terrain)
- Pick clothes you can layer.
- Plan for different activities e.g. swimming, hiking.
- Use packing cubes to stay organised.
- Roll clothes to save space.
- Stock up on the essentials e.g. underwear, socks and pyjamas.
How to make an itinerary for a road trip?
To create a road trip itinerary, start by mapping out your starting and ending points. In between these, you can break the journey into manageable driving segments, factoring in rest breaks every two hours, any attractions you want to see along the way and overnight stays at campsites. While a plan is good, be sure to be flexible and leave some room for any spontaneous detours.
