Tips for a Smooth Family Road Trip

A road trip can be a rewarding part of your vacation or, if not planned properly, it can become a living nightmare!

First of all, it is important to bring some food with you on your road trip, or you may be at the mercy of "welcome centers" and fast food restaurants for 100% of your food and beverages -- not a good idea. Just pack some healthy sandwiches, bottled water or canteens, and nutritional bars to snack in between.

If you are diabetic, be sure to bring the necessary insulin and other medical supplies with you. Similarly, if you have any medical conditions, don't forget an adequate supply of your medications. Those who wear contact lenses should bring prescription glasses as a back up in case your eyes become irritated; at least you will be able to see the road with glasses on.

It is helpful as well to book hotel or motel reservations in advance. Highway-side motels can quickly become booked, especially during the busy summer and fall travel months, and during holidays. I recommend the AAA guidebook of road motels available at any AAA office, or you can just browse their web site.

If you are bringing a dog or other pet with you, make sure the hotel accepts animals. Otherwise, you may get kicked out -- or worse -- charged a heavy "recovery fee" if your pet messes up the room.

It is always helpful to bring entertainment options with you; CDs or a fresh set of songs on your iPod, or a satellite radio receiver... a 15+ hour car trip can be excruciating without some necessary distractions.

Also, work out a solid rotation time schedule between yourself and other drivers with you -- if one driver enjoys or is better suited to night driving, for example, they should receive this time. When you rotate drivers, you obviously can cover more distance in a shorter amount of time (although make sure that each driver is authorized to drive the car, has proper driver license/ID, and insurance).

Finally, be especially vigilant about speed limits, as the posted speed can change rapidly (so-called "speed traps") and certain counties make considerable money off of ticketing unsuspecting motorists. If in doubt, don't drive faster than anyone else on the road until you see a speed limit sign.

Take adequate breaks for food and restrooms, as well as for stretching. Some cars nowadays have "lumbar support" for improved back comfort, but it is still necessary to get out every few hours and stretch to resume optimal blood flow, and to prevent cramps or discomfort.

Remember that a road trip is supposed to be fun and not a race; you compromise comfort and enjoyment when you are simply in a hurry to get to the destination (not to mention, you increase your risks of getting a ticket).

If you are less than thrilled about the prospect of a road trip, but need your car at the intended destination, consider using Amtrak's Auto-Train service instead. It is convenient, fast, and (in my opinion) relatively affordable.