How to Survive a 3 Day Road Trip Without Really Trying

Henry and Rylee sleeping
Henry and Rylee sleeping

We recently drove from Austin, Texas to Princeton, New Jersey; a trip that took a little more than three (3) days. People keep asking me, “Why did you take a three day road trip?”  The reason why we drove three days is because we didn’t want to drive four days.  😉

We surprisingly had a really fun time.  Along the way we stopped in Williamsburg, Virginia (to learn about Pocahontas,) and in New Orleans, Louisiana (to eat beignets.)  We were going to visit Washington, D.C., to witness our government not at work, but then thought, “Oh wait, we can witness that any day!” and skipped it.  Actually, it was pouring rain and the traffic was ludicrous, so we just went straight to my mom’s house in New Jersey.

If you ever decide to brave a road trip with your own family (which I recommend both for the cost savings and the great adventures) here are some tips you might find useful:

5 Tips to Survive a Long Road Trip

  1. Establish Reward/Punishment System.  Upon the start of the trip, give each child five single dollar bills.  Tell them they may use the money however they wish, but anytime they say, “I’m bored,” or “Are we there yet?” we take away a dollar.  (One of our children still has $5; the other child is broke.)  Thanks to Kim from 24 Hour Fitness for that tip!

    Busy Boxes
    Busy Boxes
  2. Pack Busy Boxes.  When my daughter was a baby we took her to Gymboree classes.  One of the things they did was hold up a box filled with an odd assortment of things and sing, “Oh what’s in my Busy Box? (Shake the box twice.)  Oh what’s in my Busy Box? (Shake, shake.) Come look and come see, oh what can it be?  Oh what’s in my Busy Box? (Open the lid.)”  I packed about half a dozen of these things, which ended up being Tupperware filled with all the toys I found under the kids’ beds, behind sofa cushions, and in the back of their closets; so for them it was like finding lost treasure.  We opened a new box every six hours or so.
  3. Watch DVDs.  Some people lament the use of electronics by children during car rides.  You know what I call those people?  Childless.  DVDs are a life savor!  I tried maintaining a good viewing balance between Tiger Mom educational films and mindless Disney movies.

    DVDs
    DVDs
  4. Snack Attack.  Here’s the situation:  You’ve been on the road for 5 hours and your husband doesn’t want to stop, but you the kids are starving.  Solution?  Pack a ton of semi-healthy snacks.  Our snack bag included whole wheat crackers, fruit and nut granola bars, raisins, fig newtons, almonds, and apple slices.  I also packed rice cakes and peanut butter for myself.

    Peanut butter on rice cake
    Peanut butter on rice cake
  5. McDonald’s Is Your Friend.  (If you are my personal trainer don’t read this.)  This is a fabulous tip I got from friends who drove to California with their four (4) children.  Stop at McDonald’s.  Let the kids run amok on the jungle gym while you and your husband enjoy your McNuggets and fries in peace.  Get the kids Happy Meals after you finish and let them eat in the car.  This extends the amount of time their attention is occupied.

    McDonald's Playland
    McDonald’s Playland

Hope you find these tips helpful.  Of course, the most important advice is to be flexible and enjoy yourself.  These are the memories you will laugh about future holidays from now.   How about you?  Do you have any road trip tips?

When in New Orleans, you must eat beignets.  It's the rule.
When in New Orleans, you must eat beignets. It’s the rule.

Oh, p.s. – I’ve switched from sheslosingit.net to 46c.7f4.mwp.accessdomain.com, so please subscribe to my new site to get all my blog posts delivered to your email.  (It’s nice getting mail that isn’t a bill, isn’t it?)

Lisa ;)

Sheslosingit.net and Sheslosingit.com (c) 2013 Lisa Traugott.  All rights reserved.  No portion of this blog, including any text, photographs, and artwork, may be reproduced or copied without written permission.

4 thoughts on “How to Survive a 3 Day Road Trip Without Really Trying

  1. I highly recommend the reward/punishment system! I started with my kids very young, and it was three nickels. I used the 3 nickel system to get through stores. I think at the ages my kids are now the dollar system would work like a DREAM!

    The biggest drawback of the snack-packing system is my husband’s truck. This is what we ride in for vacations because it pulls our travel trailer. Guess what? There is a NO FOOD rule in his truck. I’ve got to work on that. It may cost me having his car cleaned when we get home, or having to clean it myself with the same thoroughness of a $200 service. ugh . . .

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *