10 Tips For Surviving Long Road Trips

Love them or hate them, we all need to learn how to survive long road trips at some point in our life. Long road trips aren’t always all about self-discovery and adventure, they can also be about screaming kids and bordom, if not properly prepared. Not to worry, I’ve got you covered with these tips for long road trips!

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Preparing for a long road trip is like creating a masterpiece. It takes lots of planning, a touch of stategy, and a huge dose of humour.

In this post, I share my 10 tried and trued tips to experiencing a successful long road trip. Whether roadtripping alone or with the kiddos, these tips work wonders in helping to survive a long road trip. Let’s get started!

Snacks, Snacks, And More Snacks

One of the best tips when going on a long road trip, is bring snacks – lots of them. This is especially important when travelling with kids. Sweet, salty, crunch, and chewy are the best snacks for long road trips. In other words, anything goes!

Driver Tip: Hide the best snacks in the glove box and pull them out when the passengers start getting cranky

Curate The Ultimate Playlist

Part of the fun of long road trips is playing the license plate game and having sing-alongs, but that gets old real quick. Put together a playlist of upbeat songs that will keep everyone entertained – and awake.

Long road trips are the perfect time for solo roadtrippers to catch up on their favourite podcasts.

Map Out Bathroom Stops And Sleepovers

There’s nothing like realizing that the next restroom stop is an hour away. After downing 2 coffees, you’ll need to go. Map out your pee breaks before leaving home and limit coffee when on a long road trip

Similarly, map out your overnight stops before leaving home, as you’ll need to make reservations. If your road trip is more than 6 hours, it’s a good idea to plan an overnight. Especially when travelling with the little ones.

Embrace The Attractions

Half the fun when on a long road trip is the scenery and attractions along the way. If you see a sign for an attraction – stop to visit. It’s these roadside oddities that give us the best road trip memories.

Don’t Rely On Cell Signal (Bring a Paper Map)

Yes, it’s true. We have cell service everywhere – or so we think! I know here in Canada there are many places where cell service is spotty at best.

Map out your route on a paper map before leaving home. When you’re taking the scenic route, driving in the middle of nowhere, trust me you’ll be glad you have that paper map with you.

Assign A Designated DJ/Navigator/Snack Dispenser

Team work is what produces success. When going on a long road trip, assign each passenger a role. You will need a DJ to look after the music, a navigator to keep you on the right course, and most importantly, a food distributor, to keep your bellies full.

Pack A “Just In Case” Bag

It’s more important than ever to have a “just in case” bag packed when venturing out on a long road trip – it’s like a first aid kit for your vehicle. Don’t leave home without:

• flashlight
• jumper cables
• blanket
• toilet paper (you just never know 🙂 )

Don’t Forget To Stretch

This is an important tip for long road trips. Every couple hours, pull over and stretch. Touch your toes, and take a short walk. Your back and hips will thank you.

Talk To The Locals

When stopping in small towns, chat with the locals. They are full of knowledge and can direct you to the best restaurants, attractions, etc. They know the surrounding area well and are more than eager to give insider tips.

Lower Your Expectations (tip for long road trips)

When on long road trips, things will go wrong. You might make a wrong turn, or spill coffee on your clothes, maybe even run out of gas. But that’s the beauty of long road trips – the road trip magic. Be prepared and bring your adventurous spirit with you.

Tips Long Road Trips: In Conclusion

It’s important to remember that road trips aren’t just about the destination. They’re about the weird signs, the unexpected beauty, coffee-fueled chatter, and the knowledge that there is no time limit on where you need to be. It’s time to crank up the tunes, sit back, and enjoy the ride!

PIN TIPS FOR LONG ROAD TRIPS