There has arguably never been a better time to explore the country you love in the comfort and security of your own vehicle.
Road trips are my earliest, fondest memories and partly responsible for my deep love of the open road, the reason I have chosen to live my life driving around the world, chasing the horizon. My children were in diapers when they experienced their first road trips, have grown up road tripping and I am fortunate to be married to a woman who loves the open road as much as I do, we spent our honey moon exploring the country by road in a small sedan. But, there is a significant difference between traveling as a couple - young and free, in love, listening to the radio - and traveling with children. We soon learned that we had to adjust our mindset if we were to ensure that our children would enjoy the journey as much as we did.
Here are a few ideas to help you make the most of your own road trips with a family (or even alone with your sweetheart):
Travel light and pack intelligently.
Whether heading out for a cross country cruise or a mission to the beach, you never need as much gear as you think you do. Mountains of gear will weigh down the vehicle, create a frustrating clutter and take up valuable space. You cannot pack for every season and do not need every toy in the garage, stick to the most popular and likely to be used given the destination and the terrain. Bicycles and kayaks are great for most destinations and each child should choose one or two simple small toys which will keep them entertained. Avoid gluing the kids to their screens, there is a whole world out there waiting to be discovered. Audio books and pod casts are excellent travel companions and encourage the imagination to soar.
Eat well.
You have two choices - you could feed the kids sugar and watch them bounce around the car on a sugar high or you can feed them low energy, healthy snacks. Our go to is popcorn (lightly salted), trail mix, fruit and cold meat salad sandwiches for lunch. We avoid junk food, soft drinks, ice creams and candy (until we get to California where we track down the first In n Out burger joint and go Animal Style, triple triple for me please).
Be alert.
Behind the wheel you have one job and one job only, drive like your life depends on it (it does). A flask of coffee will keep the eyes open across those long, dull stretches and adds a touch of comfort if you (like me) drive a highly practical but uncomfortable vehicle. A bottle of cool water will help to keep you hydrated and feeling good. Remember to drive defensively, anticipate what others drivers will do and be ready to react confidently.
Be prepared.
Are your tires (and spare) rotated, balanced, have sufficient tread and are inflated correctly? Is the cooling system working correctly and do you have surplus coolant? Is the vehicle serviced and mechanically sound and do you have a well packed tool box and emergency spares box? There is nothing more aggravating than an avoidable breakdown with a back seat full of kids and an impatient spouse throwing stink eye. Nothing is more frustrating than being stricken on the side of the road and spending your holiday money on recovery and repair. It is also wise to let friends and family know where you are going and when you expect to return, a simple text message can save lives if the dwang hits the fan and you find yourself stuck in a remote area. Pro tip, a couple of gallons of extra fuel stored well in or on the vehicle can save the day when that unexpected howling head wind drains your fuel tank 50 miles before the next calculated fuel stop. Be sure to pack a warm jacket for each person and a rain coat.
The journey is as important as the destination.
Yeah, I know, we don’t often have much vacation time and the best place to get away from it all is far away from it all, but slow really is the way to go, especially if you have thirsty kids with tiny bladders. Try and plan stops along the route which gives everyone an opportunity to stretch the legs and burn some energy. We try and avoid highways and prefer to take the “old” road seeking oddities and experiences which bring flavor and fun to the journey. Leave the masses to blast along the hard top, life is better on the winding, quiet road. If you travel in a camper, an RV or if you have space for some camping gear, you will have the opportunity to have some micro adventures along the way, hiking, caving, swimming and sitting around the campfire roasting marshmallows. A family trip should be about bringing the family together and enjoying the simple pleasures, which tend to be the most rewarding.
Be cool. Have fun.
Graeme Bell was born in South Africa. Together with his wife and two children he has spent much of his adult life chasing momentous experiences and campfire smoke across five continents. He has traveled overland to Kilimanjaro from Cape Town, circumnavigated South America, explored from Argentina to Alaska, Europe to Asia and across the entirety of coastal Western Africa, all in a trusty Land Rover. Graeme and the family are now encouraging their self built Defender live in camper (and permanent home since 2012) to find a way from Cape Town to Vladivostok.
Graeme is a Member of The Explorers Club, the author of five excellent books and an Overland Journal contributor since 2015.
