Toddler Road Trip Wrap Up

Last night we returned to our home after a nine day vacation with my parents. Four out of those nine days were spent on the road, driving for many hours. This post is for any parent who is wondering whether it is a good idea to take such a long trip with a toddler (or, as in our case, a toddler and a baby). I am not sure if there was a specific reason that our trip went relatively smoothly, but it did. There were certainly moments where things got pretty intense, but we worked through them. When I stopped … Continue reading

Family Road Trip Highlights And Low Points

Tonight is our last night in the beach house here in Palm Coast, Florida. Tomorrow we will be embarking on our journey back to Vermont. So far, the trip has been fun. It has been tons of fun at times, and loads of stress at others. Of course, these things are par for the course when you take a family road trip. There have been some wonderful moments during this vacation. Yesterday was very special, as it was my sister’s wedding day. The boys both had a good day behavior – wise and things went smoothly. From spending time with … Continue reading

Family Road Trip Part 1

It is finally time for my family to take the trip that we have been anticipating for quite a few months, now. This is the first time that we have taken Dylan on a car trip that is longer than six hours. As of right now, we are a little over half way to our destination. The trip from Vermont to Florida is a long one, and it can take anywhere from twenty four hours on upwards, depending upon how many stops are made. We began our journey a little over twenty four hours ago. The first small portion of … Continue reading

Getting Road Trip Ready

I just realized today that in just a couple of weeks, my husband, the boys, my parents, and I are going to embark on the biggest adventure that we as a family have ever had. In the past, I have pretty much been a seat of the pants type of girl when it comes to travel. I am not sure if that is such a wise approach to take on a road trip from Vermont to Florida that involves four adults and two kids, so I am beginning to do a little bit of planning. There once was a time … Continue reading

How a Road Trip Can Save You Money… and Your Relationship

Newsflash: A road trip with your spouse can help you save money on couples’ counseling… and potentially an expensive divorce. Despite what you saw when Oprah and Gayle did it, a new study finds that extended periods of time in a car with a friend or significant other can be good for your relationship. YourTango and Ford Motor Company just released the results of a poll that queried more than 1,000 people who had driven long distances with a spouse or significant other. According to the poll, 84 percent said that the road trip experience strengthened their relationship. The bulk … Continue reading

Road Trip with Baby

As if traveling last month with my baby on his first plan trip wasn’t enough, we decided to make a big road trip last week to the beautiful Lake Tahoe for a family member’s wedding. I knew my older two children would be easily entertained in the car with movies and my iPod, but was really worried about how my 9 month old would do. The only other car trip that we went on with him since he was born, was about a 4 hour trip. This one was much longer (closer to 9 hours), but on that 4 hour … Continue reading

Road Trip? How to Save Money on Gasoline

Getting there may be half the fun, but it is probably also half the cost. Gas prices these days make up a big chunk of the vacation budget when you plan a road trip. Here are some ways that you can save money on gasoline and stretch your dollars. Get Your Car in Shape A well-running car can save you money because it tends to use less gas to go the same milages as a car that is not optimized. Some areas to check on your car include oil level, proper tire inflation, working spark plugs and good quality tires … Continue reading

Summer Road Trip Survival

Do you remember when Oprah and her BFF Gayle embarked on an 11-day summer road trip across America? The queen of talk’s cross-country adventure served as a reminder to many of us about the challenges associated with being crammed in a limited space for an extended amount of time with more than just ourselves. Even the people we claim to love with our heart and soul can get under our skin during a long car ride. To avoid taking a turn into vacation purgatory this summer, it’s critical to be well prepared. Remember, when you’re cruising along the highway, one … Continue reading

Tips for the Teen Road Trip Challenge

For many parents, taking teens on a summer road trip is not exactly a relaxing vacation option. In fact, for some moms and dads, the idea of being trapped in a cramped vehicle with moody kids could be categorized as downright torture. The mere act of persuading a teen to enthusiastically partake in a family road trip is a challenge in itself. However, once you hurdle that initial obstacle there are ways to make the rest of the trip run a bit smoother. And who knows; you may even strengthen the family bond in the process. Choice of Vehicle: Embarking … Continue reading

Road Trip Sanity Savers

Keeping the peace in a vehicle filled with cranky kids is no small task, and with the summer travel season kicking off this weekend, now is the time to arm yourself with weapons against the “Are we there yet?” blues. With advancements in technology, the family car often morphs into a mobile living room complete with DVD players, video games, and smartphones. These days, most parents don’t dare travel long distances without arming kids with portable digital devices, from iPads to portable PlayStations. These electronic entertainment systems are a far cry from playing 20 Questions in the back of a … Continue reading