Don’t just pack your bags and go! Before you actually set out on your family vacation, there are a handful of things you should consider to make sure your trip goes as smoothly as possible. Whether it’s planning for car travel, activities, or finding little extras that make the time spent away from home even more magical, this article will help you with everything from start to finish.
Sit down and write out your itinerary
Sit down with your family and write out an itinerary. Think about what you want to get out of the trip, and make a list of the places you’d like to visit. You can add a few extra places or add in some places you may already have visited. This will help you pick out other places you may want to visit while on your trip. If you’re picky about food, then pick some restaurants you’d like to go to during your vacation. You can also include things like visiting local parks, where you’d like to go for walks, or places you’d like to explore on foot.
Decide where you’re going to stay
Think about where you want to stay when picking a room. Ideally, you’d like to pick a hotel or Airbnb that has a reasonable distance from the places you’d like to visit. If you’re staying near a theme park or other major tourist attraction, this may not be as important. Pick a room that has a kitchen or has at least one refrigerator in the room. If you have kids, pick a hotel that has a pool or playground. You may also want to look into booking a stay with a bunch of families, or a weekend trip with friends. This can save you a lot of money while still getting the experience you want. You can also look into group deals and vacation rentals to save even more money.
Decide on how you’ll get there
Pick how you’ll get to your destination. Again, this is a matter of convenience and practicality. If you have kids, you may want to consider picking a route that’s more conducive to a car ride. If you’re all adults, but you have plenty of gear, you may be able to pick a bus or plane route that’s cheaper. If you have to fly, look into a cheap airline. If you have a car, you may be able to drive a longer distance and pick a route that’s more scenic or cheaper. If you have a large group, look into car sharing to save gas and save money.
Take offline notes before you start driving
Before you start driving, take some notes. If you’re planning to visit several different places, make a list of these places. If you want to visit a few local parks, make a note of them. If you want to make a stop to see a local attraction, make a note of that. You may want to make a list of places you want to visit, or things you want to see.
Bring little extras with you to make your trip extra special
While you don’t have to bring anything special, you may want a few little extras to make your trip extra special. This could include photo books, a few souvenir gifts, or a few personal belongings you pick up at home that you want to bring along for your trip. If you have kids, pick something that has a little educational value but also is a cute souvenir gift. If you have an adult, pick something that is a little more sentimental.
FAQs
What kind of car should I drive? There are plenty of guides for picking the best type of car for your family, so we’ll leave that to you. What we do want to mention is that SUVs are usually larger cars that are not recommended for families.
What kind of insurance do I need? You will want to be sure to have full coverage insurance and possibly a gap insurance to help you out in the case of an accident. A car insurance comparison site can be helpful in finding affordable rates.
What are the best road trips in the United States? Families who love road trips will likely be happy to know that there are plenty of great options throughout the United States. San Francisco, New York City, and Orlando all make great choices for road trips.
