How to Plan a Stress-Free Road Trip

I look forward to taking a family vacation with my two girls every year. I find, however, if I don't make plans ahead of time, the drive can be a nightmare. This article will share some of the things you can do to ahead of time to insure that your trip is a fun and meaningful one with the least amount of stress possible.

First, prepare driving directions ahead of time. This was not a problem for me since I am a woman. Men, however, seem to have more difficulty doing this. They don't like to ask for directions or rely on someone else to know how to get somewhere. I personally don't want to spend any of my precious vacation time lost. I use websites like Mapquest or Expedia to print out driving directions. If you are not good at reading your directions backwards, print out directions for the return trip home as well. It only takes an extra 60 seconds.

Second, take the scenic route. If you are taking a long road trip you are likely to come across natural or manmade wonders you may want to stop and see. Yahoo!Maps can print you out driving directions with multiple routes to allow you to take advantage of these sites. If you research ahead of time you can see what wonders are along your route and decide which ones you would be interested in stopping to see.

Third, take plenty of breaks. This is especially important if you have your children with you. Kids can get cranky and anxious sitting in a car for hours on end. Make sure you take enough rest breaks and get out to stretch and take a little walk. One thing I like to do is plan some picnic meals outside of the car. I bring a big blanket to lay out wherever we stop and we have a picnic lunch. It is a great time to unwind from the driving and nourish our bodies to begin again. This really lifts our spirits for the second half of the day.

Fourth, bring some entertainment for the kids. I always hand each of my children their traveling duffle bag. They are allowed to bring only what fits in the bag. So they choose their favorite toys, books, coloring books, or handheld games. This makes cleaning up at each stop for the nigh easy. They just fit everything back in that duffle bag. Some parents like to bring portable DVD players, but I never got in to that.

Following these tips will help you keep your stress level at a minimum and allow you to focus on the fun of your family trip.