Set Expectations
Kids might not know what to expect when you bring up a road trip vacation. Spending hours—or even days—in a car probably doesn’t sound too exciting to them.
However, sitting down with the kids and including them in road trip planning could generate excitement around the vacation, help them cope with the new concept and build communication and trust within the family. Let them know what the trip will entail and get their insight on itinerary ideas.
Make a Travel Game Plan
Ashley Westbrook, a travel creator and outdoor photographer, says planning goes a long way when road tripping, especially when it comes to how much driving versus exploring you want to do. She finds that staying in one area for a few days can help families not feel pressured to see everything in one day. Westbrook also recommends having dedicated travel days to reduce stress for longer trips.
Hours in the car can go by slower than you think. Plan road trip activities and games to keep everyone engaged, whether that’s electronic toys, upbeat playlists, audiobooks or games.
Get Weird With Your Stops
Although parents often think in terms of efficiency, road tripping with kids is a chance to broaden their horizons and explore new environments. Visit the U.S.’s strangest roadside attractions to add some fun to the route. From “Carhenge” in Nebraska to the world’s largest ball of twine in Kansas, kids will get a kick out of visiting the quirky and weird sights along the way.
Plan Your Budget
Families tend to spend more money on transportation and accommodation when traveling, but often overlook the additional food, activity and entertainment costs that creep up during a vacation, says Andrea Woroch, a family financial coach.
“Saving up for a vacation is just like any other short-term financial goal you’re working towards,” Woroch says. Building travel expenses into your overall budget will help ease the financial burden when it’s time to book the trip.
Woroch recommends using Fetch, a free shopping rewards program that lets you scan grocery and shopping receipts to earn points toward gift cards for stores, restaurants and travel brands like Airbnb. By scanning receipts leading up to your trip, you’ll be able to redeem points sooner.
For more tips, and ideas on places to visit in 2026, read the full article here.
There are other important steps to take, like planning your itinerary, booking your accommodations, and making sure your vehicle is up to date on its maintenance. Planning now is sure to make your trip more pleasant and successful. So you can get out there and have some family fun!