Carefree Car Ownership
Tips for planning a road trip with the extended family
Embarking on a road trip with the extended family can be a great way to bond with relatives you don't often see while exploring parts of the country you've never visited before. However, with so many travelers in tow, you're likely going to need more than one vehicle to get everyone there in one piece. Here are some car travel tips and car safety tips to get you started.
Route planning
With multiple drivers and vehicles making the trip, chances are that everyone will have their own opinions about the best route to take, shortcuts, rest stops and roadside attractions. To avoid any confusion en route, make sure you agree upon one path to take so that certain family members don't become separated or lost along the way. DMV.org recommends consulting a road atlas, GPS or online road map site for planning purposes.
Pit stops
As with any long trip, you'll want to take several breaks along the way to stretch your legs, get some food and breathe fresh air. Scheduling some stops ahead of time will help you keep track of all the vehicles in your party while accommodating the young ones and elderly who don't tolerate traveling as well.
Communication
Make sure you keep the lines of communication open between your vehicles to stay updated on any changes to your travel plans. Before leaving, make sure that everyone has each other's phone numbers saved and that you bring along spare car cell phone charges in case batteries die along an empty stretch of road.
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