Let’s Hit The Road, Jack!

Summer is here and everyone is gearing up for their family vacations. From the time I was a kid, my favorite vacations have always been road trips. I love hittin’ the open road, and it’s not just my love of cars that’s responsible for this. I just think there’s something extra special about piling into your car and riding with your family to the next great destination. 

Over the years, I’ve put together a foolproof packing list that will ensure an A+ road trip for the entire family. 

Here’s what to bring:

• Audio Books

Great for both kids and adults, audio books provide hours of entertainment.

• Snacks & Drinks

Avoid those unhealthy gas station pit stops by packing plenty of healthy snacks. Fruit that won’t bruise, like apples and oranges, nuts, and granola bars are all great options. It’s also a good idea to pack bottles of water, so you stay hydrated throughout the trip.

• Motion Sickness Cures

Motion sickness is very common, especially for kids, bring homeopathic cures like ginger gum and ginger candy to help. Games that keep everyone looking out the window at the horizon also help. Try finding license plates from all fifty states.

• GPS

Many cars come with built in GPS now, but even if yours doesn’t, you can pick up an affordable model to take with you.

• Emergency Car Care Kit

It’s always a good idea to make sure your vehicle is in tip-top condition before hitting the road, but even a car that’s been checked over can still run into problems. Take an Emergency Car Care Kit with you in case you encounter any number of problems, like a flat tire or a drained battery.

• First Aid Kit

You can never be too careful. Take a First Aid Kit stocked with bandages, antibiotic ointment, bug spray and burn gel. Just in case.

• Power Inverter

We love to make our road trips at least partially device free, but we still bring our portable DVD player, iPad and laptop on long car trips. These devices need power to stay charged, but you can use a Power Inverter to charge your devices from the cigarette lighter. So your devices can stay on the go for as long as you are.

A road trip provides the perfect opportunity to get back in touch with your family, see the country and enjoy the beautiful summer weather. I highly recommend setting time aside to plan one this year. Hopefully, this list will come in handy when you’re planning to hit the road for your grand adventure.