Road Trip Tips

Have you been on a good road trip lately? A good old-fashioned, pack the car to the brim, leave before dawn, salty snacks, license plate game, "Are we there yet?" road trip! We went on one for Spring Break this year. 7 states, 1,800 miles, 28+ hours in the car.

There are definitely advantages to this type of travel:

• Decreased stress and increased flexibility - No airport lines, waiting, missed flights, or limits on liquids. Can't decide if you want to pack that jacket or snorkel? As long as there's room in the car, go ahead and throw it in! As long as time allows, you can add bonus stops along the way.

• See the country - Road trips provide an opportunity to really sit back and enjoy the ride. Look out the window and notice the similarities and differences compared to where you live. It's a great way to see some "non-destination" places that you may have otherwise missed.

• Quality time - Hours in the car means a lot of quality talk time. We had fun asking each other silly questions, taking turns controlling the music play list, and talking about the highlights of the trip. I even treated the guys a little taste of Broadway with my one-person show, where I enthusiastically sang along to every part!

Road trips can also get a little boring. In an effort to combat boredom, I like to bring a Snacktivity Surprise bag! (Patent pending)

Every hour or so, we get to open a package. It might be a snack or an activity. The 12-year-old in charge of picking the opening order may have felt the contents because we got to the Reece's Pieces long before the applesauce pouches! The activities are intended to inspire fun conversations and games that help the time pass faster. When all else fails, everyone except the driver can always take a nap.

If you haven't done a road trip in a while, I suggest putting one on your travel wishlist. Get some family or friends on board, or even go solo. What are some of your best road trip tips?