Five Family Car Travel Tips for a Safe, Memorable Trip

Before hitting the road for a family trip heading to the mountains or beach, consider these top five family travel tips. With proper planning, maintenance and plenty of activities to keep family members comfortable and entertained, your next cross country trip will be an enjoyable adventure.

Schedule Appointment for a Car Check-Up Before Leaving on Your Trip

Avoid unwelcome problems on your family vacation by making an appointment to get your vehicle checked out before leaving for your trip. Get the oil changed, tire pressure checked, brakes checked and any needed maintenance completed. Have your windshield wipers replaced, if they need to be. Proper maintenance can help insure you avoid potential problems with your vehicle while on vacation.

Pack an Auto Emergency Kit

Before taking any long trip in your automobile, be sure your vehicle is stocked with an auto emergency kit. A Car Safety Kit should contain a booster cables, flashlight, basic first aid kit, air compressor, basic instructions for road side assistance, reflective triangles, standard and Phillips screwdrivers. Complete car emergency kits are available from most discount retailers and on-line. Be sure to include some water bottles, snack bars and emergency blanket in your travel kit as well. Make sure cell phones are charged and available for use should an emergency arise. Being prepared for an emergency will help you and your family car travel experience less stressful.

Car Entertainment Activities for Kids and Family

Let each child fill a backpack with books, activity workbooks, paper and colored pencils. The activity bags provide hours of entertainment for children traveling cross country in a car. Play travel games such as travel bingo or a travel scavenger hunt. Rent audio books from the library. Download new songs onto their MP3 players. Consider purchasing a DVD player for watching movies. Make sure passengers are comfortable by bringing along pillows and blankets for each individual to catch a little sleep on the long journey.

Plan Fun Stops Along the Trip

Is there a park on the travel route? Consider stopping to let kids run off some energy. Stop at a fun museum or interesting landmark. Split the trip up with planned activities along the journey. These stops should be fun and allow family members to get a much needed break from hours of driving. Although, the stops may increase the overall travel time, family members will be happier once they arrive to the intended destination.

Be Reasonable with Driving Times to Avoid Driver Fatigue

Break long cross country trips up into several days to help avoid driver fatigue. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents recommends that drivers take a 15 minute break after every two hours of driving. When driving if the driver feels drowsy, be sure to pull off the road in a safe spot and take a break. Get a cup of coffee and some fresh air. Even a short nap can help the driver become more alert and ready to drive again. Arriving to the travel destination safely is the most important aspect, so make sure to take breaks when necessary.

Traveling by car with your family can be an enjoyable experience with planning and preparation. So whether heading home for the holidays or on an extended cross country vacation, take the time to prepare your automobile for an enjoyable and memorable trip.

Sources: http://www.rospa.com/roadsafety/advice/driving/fatigue_facts.htm