We believe few things are as fun as a family road trip, and it seems most people agree: The average family takes around five road trips each year.
The only thing better than a road trip? A comfortable, well-planned road trip.
That’s where these tips come in. Whether you’re a fan of spring break family road trips or cross-country summer camping, our ten road trip hacks will help keep spirits high—even in close quarters.
1. Get (and stay) organized
When your car is your home for a few days, you want it to stay clean. It’s easier to find things and put them away in a tidy vehicle, and you’ll be far more comfortable without bags on your lap. There are many options for keeping your car nice and neat, such as:
- Using a trunk organizer or storage caddy
- Placing an organizer in the center backseat
- Adding hooks or a hanging organizer that attaches to the car seat's headrest
- Adding a gap filler organizer to hold more beverages and other loose items
RaiseRight pro-tip: Consider buying car-friendly storage solutions from Amazon, REI, Home Depot, or Lowe’s.
2. Keep a first aid kit in the car
Okay, this isn’t just a hack for long car trips—you always need a first aid kit in your car! The good news is that yours can be as simple as a Ziploc or tote bag with essentials like:
- Aspirin
- Bandaids
- Antibiotic ointment
- Antacids
- Allergy and itch relief
- Tweezers
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
RaiseRight pro-tip: Stock up on first aid supplies from your local CVS, Walgreens, or Rite Aid.
3. Stock up on snacks
As any road-tripper knows, snacking fends off boredom and keeps your energy up.
Before embarking on your adventure, hit up your local grocery store for the best deals. Once you’re on the road, you can plan pit stops to restock at big-box retailers like Walmart or Target.
Wherever you shop, remember to mix in some healthy foods (like trail mix and fruit) with your treats.
4. Pack a cooler
While the best road trip snacks don’t need a refrigerator, a cooler gives you options. Instead of just granola bars, you can bring cold cuts and cheese for cost-saving sandwiches.
The other benefit of a backseat cooler is keeping drinks chilled. After spending hours on the road, few things feel better than an ice-cold soda or sparkling water.
5. Set up a tiny trash can
You'll end up with garbage as you finish your snacks or fast food meals. Rather than letting clutter collect, make a dedicated space for your trash.
A cereal storage container works great as a car trash can. Simply line it with a garbage bag and stick it between the car seats. The lid is perfect for preventing spills and smells.
If you don’t have a container handy, a designated bag or box will do—the goal is to ensure your trash is contained.
6. Make frequent stops
This road trip hack may seem counterintuitive. After all, the more you stop, the longer it’ll take to get where you’re going.
But a road trip is all about the journey, not the destination, so slow down and stop at those “World’s Biggest” attractions. The memories you make—not to mention the bathroom breaks you take—will be worth it.
7. Bring outdoor activities
Whenever you pull over at an attraction, rest stop, or gas station, it’s worth taking a moment to stretch your legs. And what better way to move those muscles than with family-friendly activities?
Consider packing these crowd-pleasers:
- Hula hoops
- Baseball gloves
- Badminton rackets
- Jump ropes
- A soccer ball
8. Give kids a space to play
When your kids are awake in the car, you can keep them busy by putting out a backseat car tray. These collapsible, compact trays are available at any department store.
Your kids will love having a hard surface to color, play, or craft on. Plus, you’ll have an easy-to-clean place setting for those on-the-go meals.
9. Join in on the fun with car games
Playing games on a road trip isn’t just for the kids. Everyone can participate in these free, easy-to-learn car games:
- The license plate game – Look for license plates from all 50 states and Washington, DC.
- Twenty questions – Have one player think of an object and let the rest of the car guess what it is by asking yes or no questions.
- The alphabet game – Find every letter of the alphabet in order by using road signs and billboards.
10. Download podcasts or audiobooks
Need another way to kill time? Pick out some family-friendly podcasts on Spotify or Amazon Music, then download them to save data. Whether your crew loves comedy or cooking, you’re sure to find episodes that appeal.
As for audiobooks, services like Audible are a terrific source of entertainment. However, you may be able to score audiobooks for free—check with your local library to see what they offer.
Enjoy your best road trip yet
Follow these car hacks for road trips, and you’ll never have to hear “Are we there yet?” again. Instead, your next family adventure will be a fun, stress-free experience.
Don’t forget to purchase all your road trip essentials—from snacks to gas or hotel stays—from RaiseRight and earn money for your cause in the process!
Not yet earning with RaiseRight? Don’t miss out: enroll your organization into a fundraising program, then purchase gift cards from any of our hundreds of partner brands, with your organization receiving earnings for every gift card purchase. Learn more about how RaiseRight works.
Or, looking for other useful tips and tricks? From fun family activities to party planning pointers, check out our parenting blogs for more need-to-know information.