Pack The Car: Your Next Vacation Could Be A Road Trip

Next Vacation — Road Trip

Normally, when people tell me that they’re afraid to fly, I like to remind them of the comforting fact that, statistically, they’re far more likely to die in a car accident on the way to the airport. And while that information usually fails to reassure, the math is the math.

But times change, and COVID-19 has added a new factor into the equation. It’s going to be a while before people clamor to get on airplanes again, but there will come a day when they return (More on that in a future post.). Until then, however, pack the station wagon, because it’s time to hit the road. Here are a few tips for your family vacation road trip.

It’s Time to Hit the Road

Okay, so road trips have gotten a bit of a bad name and there’s only so many times we can play the “quiet and still” game. But if you don’t want 17 hours of, “She’s on my side of the back seat!,” listen to the Boy Scouts and be prepared. Don’t forget the following:

• Some form of entertainment and rechargers. Is there any chance that you can find a book on tape that the whole family would listen to? Otherwise, hand out the electronics and the headphones.
• Bring snacks. Here’s a hint: Take the amount of snacks that you think you’ll need. Then double it. Then triple it. Then triple it again. That will last you about a half hour. This is probably not the time to insist on only healthy snacks, but a few of those won’t kill the kids, either.
• Bring other activities that the kids can do in a small space. Arts and crafts (without the glue) can work well. String bracelet making, anyone? Just be prepared to wear them.

Transportation Tips
Vacation Road Trip

Who is going to do the driving? When are you going to drive? Whose car are you going to drive?

I’ll answer that last question first. Here’s a hint: Rent a car. Rental cars should cost next to nothing these days. You can choose the exact car you want with the features that you want. You can get a car with more room for the Munchkins and put the wear and tear on somebody else’s car. Two tricks to getting an even better deal:

• Use a cash back shopping portal to get a rebate. I still haven’t figured out why there’s anyone left who doesn’t use these. Free money.
• Skip the insurance and rent with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, which offers primary insurance on car rental. You’ll get 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months and double points on travel, including car rentals. We’ve written about this card previously.

If possible, drivers should alternate and take plenty of breaks. This really will be a marathon, not a sprint. Normally, I’d tell you that you should drive either in the morning or at night, but I don’t think traffic is going to be the problem that it once was.

How About An RV Trip?
Drive by the Fountains at Bellagio While Lying In Bed

Admittedly, I’ve never done an RV trip, mostly to protect the local squirrel population, but the idea does seem somewhat appealing. A long drive that allows you to stop wherever you like, often for nothing or next to nothing (Many Walmarts will allow you to park overnight.). I’m not sure that you can just toss your keys to the valet and ask them to park it, but what the heck, stay overnight in Las Vegas in your new home and use your comp dollars for food.

So you probably don’t own an RV, but that shouldn’t stop you. Head to a site like RVshare, where you can still rent an RV for $100 per night. That’s better than most hotels, although your gas bills will be a touch high.

The RV trip isn’t for everyone, but this summer is as good a time as any to try something new.

Your Destination

Some of this might seem like common sense, but a reminder never hurts.

• “Extended stay” type properties, such as Homewood Suites (Hilton Hotels) and Residence Inn (Marriott Hotels) are perfect for these types of trips. You can often get multiple rooms for what you’d pay to get a single room at a full-service property.
• Make sure your destination is open. If the object is to spend a lot of time at the hotel pool, or on a beach, or at Wally World, the last thing that you want is to get there and discover that something is closed.
• Remember to have fun and go slowly. There’s no stress to get somewhere fast because, really, where do you have to be? An extra day on the road is great if it helps everyone stay sane.