How to Make Long Car Trips More Enjoyable

My father was in the military and since as long as I can remember, my family traveled long distances in relatively short times. With my grandparents living at least 1,000 miles away at every point in my childhood, and with my mother an avid anti-flyer "unless it is absolutely necessary", there were plenty of long road trips in my youth. Lucky for me, we developed a system that made these excruciatingly long times in the car less hellish. Here are a few tips for parents and non-parents alike to make a long trip more enjoyable.

Be sure to pack a cooler

As if being stuck in a car for long periods of time doesn't make you feel nasty enough, combining road food with an extended sitting session can make you feel even more ill. Before your trip, take a stop to your local health food store and stock up on goodies that will leave you feeling refreshed and light, not weighed down and greasy like so many fast food restaurants can make you feel. Sometimes when you and your children are cranky, a fruit or protein bar can raise your blood sugar and keep you energized enough to keep from ripping each other's heads off on those cross-country treks. A cooler can be especially helpful when driving through a large city at rush hour and you're unable to stop at a restaurant because you're sandwiched between a thousand other cars full of people trying to get home. You will also be sure to save money, which can help make up for the large amount you're spending on gas.

Get accurate directions

As obvious as it may seem, clear, understandable directions can be a lifesaver on a road trip. Getting lost can cost you not only your time, but your sanity as well. Avoiding a few "I told you so"s can keep your morale high, leaving you less willing to give up and turn the car around. Check with a few different maps and websites such as Mapquest.com to ensure you're taking the easiest, most headache-free route.

Stop at rest stops

Even though it might seem like a nuisance, letting yourself and your children walk around and use the facilities prevents bladder infections from "holding it" and severe discomfort from hours sitting inside the car. Walking can prevent fatigue and crankiness and leave you less stiff and more ready to enjoy your destination once you get there. The fresh air will also do you good, too, and keep your ride clear for the long ride ahead.

Pack a care bag

Try to make things as easy on yourself as you can and keep all "just in cases" in one place. Pack a small bag with pain relievers, cold medicine, bandaids, extra toothbrushes and toothpaste, a pair of tweezers, and anything else you can think of you might need in an emergency. If you get a sudden pounding headache halfway through North Dakota and there is no convenience store in sight, you'll have pain reliever to help yourself not spend the rest of the ride in discomfort. Packing halved Benedryl may also be helpful if you need to rest and can't seem to fall asleep because of a stiff neck, time zone changes, etc.

Pack things to keep everyone entertained

As a child, the only thing that kept me from going insane was the multitude of distracters my mother would pack to keep me entertained. I'd have an arsenal of coloring books, stories, stuffed animals, and handheld video games to keep my mind off of the fact I'd been stuck in a car for the past eight hours. As I got older, I'd bring along CDs and novels to read. If the road trip happens over a three-day weekend or other time when your child might have homework, the car ride is the perfect time for them to complete their school work .. they might just be bored enough to do it! Portable DVD players are also a good choice to keep the kids' minds off of the circumstances, leaving you in peace. Make sure you bring enough music for yourself, too, and a book on tape can also help the time fly by on a long road trip.

Plan out interesting places to stop along the way

Don't forget that the journey is half the fun! Pick a few landmarks along your route as you enjoy the splendor of our beautiful nation. You can find many of these tourist attractions online, and be sure to research them before you're well on your way as some may be open only seasonally or require a larger entrance fee than you'd like to pay. An attraction will also give you time to relax and just hang out before you have to get in and drive for another dozen hours!

While long road trips might be fun for just-graduated teenagers discovering the wonders of life, they're a little harder to get excited about if you're a child or if you have children of your own. But, keeping these tips in mind, your road trip can be a little less painful, and by keeping yourself comfortable, may even be a lot of fun!