Car travel tips

1. Separate children if possible, vehicles with a 3rd row are very helpful here.
Rotate the kid's seat at every stop.
2. Bring a DVD player for each kid, or get one the mounts on the back of the front seats, this only works if the kids are close enough in age to enjoy the same movies, otherwise there are fights.
3. Most kids these days over the age of 7 don't care for traveling games (forget it if they're over 12), come to think of it, did you at that age? But you can try.
4. Motion sickness: give meds at least a half hour before you start to travel, limit fluid intake for the first hour of travel, and don't let them read or play hand held video games or DVD players at first. Having their heads down and not seeing out the window seems to make it worse.

1.Get out the map
Taking a road trip without a map is like scuba diving without your air tank its just no good. Make sure you mark out your route, exits and ideal rest stops before you head out for the day. Also, take note of any interesting sites and take the time to explore. Half the fun of a road trip is seeing the sites along the way.
2.Make sure your vehicle is in top shape
Take your car in for a tune up before you head out. Ask them to ensure your fluids are topped and that the air pressure in your tires is at its best for highway driving. Should you need to get something fixed, it is best to do it at a place you can trust. Plus, it can be more expensive when it is a have-to situation. Also, make sure you have a roadside safety kit just in case something does happen.
3.Consider renting
One option you might want to consider is renting a mobile home. The added room allows you more flexibility when traveling more room for suitcases, people can stretch their legs and you dont have to stop for those bathroom breaks. Sometimes a larger car can do the trick as well. Having extra room is a huge plus especially when youre traveling those long distances.

Many people prefer to drive their own vehicle while on holiday rather than fly. Driving to Europe can be especially nice. It’s a great way to get to know a foreign place that you may not see so clearly if you were to fly. Of course, those that are new to driving in Europe would be wise to learn a little about it first. It can be quite different than driving in your home country. There are a few things that you need to be aware of if you plan to take your own car to Europe.

Be selective regarding the time of year that you plan to go to Europe. Certain seasons are much better for driving than others. The spring and the fall is the best time to drive through Europe. Other seasons such as winter are very busy there due to holidays like Christmas. It can be extremely frustrating to drive at that time of year.

Certain European cities are much harder to drive in than others. The very busy ones like London and Paris will be more likely to cause a headache for foreign drivers than smaller towns and cities like the ones found in Sweden or Denmark. Consider the population of the city you plan to be visiting before you drive there if that is something that concerns you.

If you come from a place that drives on the right hand side of the road, then you need to remember that many European countries drive on the left side. This can take some getting used to, especially because of things like steering wheel placement.

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# Highway Patrol Numbers
If you are traveling during bad weather, it can be a good idea to jot down the highway patrol numbers before leaving. Many states have a number you can call that will tell you what the road conditions are like. If the weather gets really bad, this can mean the difference between being stuck somewhere on the road and being stuck in a hotel on the edge of where the weather is really bad.
# Prepare for the Worst
Keeping a simple first-aid kit, some water, and some food in the vehicle takes a minimal amount of effort. These supplies could help you avoid an inconvenient stop or could potentially save your life. Other supplies like gloves and an extra jacket are good for traveling through colder areas.
# Can you change a tire? Are you sure?
It is important that you are able to change a tire on your car. If you don’t know how, ask someone to show you. Even if you do know how to change a tire, make sure you know how on your car. I had a Volkswagen that we purchased used. We were on a trip and had a flat. That is when we discovered that the special adapter that was necessary to take off the locking wheel nut was missing. A service station was finally able to get it off, but we wasted a lot of time trying to deal with this oversight.
# Vehicle Maintenance
Make sure your vehicle is getting regular maintenance. Changing the oil and getting regular tuneups can make your car last longer and improve the gas mileage. Most vehicles have some type of regular maintenance schedule for checking out all the types of things that the manufacturer knows can go wrong. This can range from checking and changing the timing belt to inspecting the door hinge and sunroof drains. A few hundred dollars spent on preventative maintenance is much better than a few hundred spent on fixing an issue while you are trying to drive across the country.

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Plan Ahead
Before you hit the road, be honest with yourself about what you and your children can handle in the way of a road trip. While older children might be capable of dealing with 10+ hours in the family van, chances are your 4-year-old isn't. Generally speaking, young children should not be subjected to confinement in a car for more than six hours a day. This is just as much for your sanity as it is for theirs.

If your family car is better suited to in-town trips rather than long hauls, think about renting a van. A van will, at minimum, leave everyone enough room to create their own personal space. If your 8-year-old doesn't share his toys, chances are he isn't going to want to share elbow room either. If you decide to rent, make your reservation well in advance, especially during peak travel times. See our article on car rental tips for more information.
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Car travel is the most common form of transportation for families with kids, and taking a road trip can be a lot of work! You've got to think of everything (food, lodging, entertainment during the ride, etc.) and be ready for anything (car accidents, injuries, illness, etc.) The good news is that a little good planning and some smart preparation will go a long way toward making your next trip simpler, less expensive and more fun.

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* Decide do your kids do better in the early morning or evening hours for traveling? Which ever it is plan your travel to match, for this editor our kids don't travel well in the morning they do much better if we leave after 2:00pm and travel into the evening.
* Stock your car with:
o Favorite pre-bagged snacks for everyone even parents.
o A cooler with lots of water and favorite drinks.
o Colored pencils, crayons, a few coloring books, sticker books, travel games, travel journal for older kids
* Take along Gameboys & games, personal CD/cassette players (even for little kids), and you can get books on tape from the library.
* Do consider a portable DVD player, this makes 5 or 6 hour a day seem like 2 hours. It also cuts a lot of the unnecessary stops as the kids are involved in the movie playing.
* Here's a great packing tip form a mom of 3. To avoid the difficulty of hauling in a suitcase for every person into a hotel for the 1 night stops. Pack a 3 day bag into which each person contributes 3 days worth of clothes. This way you take one suitcase of clothes in every three days.
* Do pack a lightweight table cloth for outdoor lunch stops along the way.
* Do get postcards from every major destination along the way

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If your family car is better suited to in-town trips rather than long hauls, think about renting a van. A van will, at minimum, leave everyone enough room to create their own personal space. If your 8-year-old doesn't share his toys, chances are he isn't going to want to share elbow room either. If you decide to rent, make your reservation well in advance, especially during peak travel times. See our article on car rental tips for more information.Start packing, at least mentally, a few days before you leave. Let the kids help pack their own bags if they are old enough, and discuss the trip with them -- kids are much better behaved when they know what to expect. Packed bags mean less confusion, less standing around and less frustration on departure day. This translates into a pleasant start to your road trip.
Some other items to consider: books on CD, their favorite music CD's, blankets, pillows and favorite small toys. Coloring books and crayons will also keep the young ones occupied -- surprise them with a new one when the car gets moving. Keep the car clean by taking along a trash bag to collect the remains of snack time and moist wipes to clean up minor spills. An easily accessible (not packed deep in the trunk) change of clothes is a wise idea in case of spills or accidents.

Car journey is the most typical way of transport for family members with children, and getting a journey can be a lot of work! got to think of everything and be prepared for anything The great thing is that a little excellent preparing and some intelligent preparing will go a lengthy way toward creating your next journey easier, less costly and more fun.


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