5 Tips for Your Holiday Road Trip

Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house you go. The holiday season is here and that means road trips. No matter how you slice it, some car trips are just downright long, and sitting in the car for hours on end is enough to make even the most patient of us a little bit stir-crazy. Here are some tips to make your trip as enjoyable as possible.

1) Be prepared

Winter time often means storms and adverse conditions. If possible, plan your trip around storms to avoid dangerous and slick roads. Make sure your car is well prepared for the winter with snow tires, the right fluid levels, and an emergency kit. Nothing can ruin your holiday quicker than an accident or having your car stuck on the side of the road in a chilling blizzard. Plan for the worst and you’ll have peace of mind.

2) Throw on some Holiday tunes

The holidays aren’t the same without some nice Christmas music. Soak in the sounds of the season as you make your journey and you’ll be feeling the Christmas spirit instead of the road trip blues. However, we do have one warning. Your dad might break into spontaneous song and that might not be too pretty.

3) Pack some Delicious Snacks

Treat yourself to some tasty snacks. Eating yummy food not only makes you happy, but it also gives you the energy you need to stay awake and alert during a long trip. Nuts are said to help concentration and mental energy. Consider buying a few special snacks that you wouldn’t otherwise. Since you’re driving instead of flying, you’re saving quite a bit of money. Use a small portion of that savings to make your drive more exciting with a nice snack spread.

4) Play Games

Have you ever played the alphabet game? Along with your family members, look for words on signs that start with every letter of the alphabet. Start with “A” and go all the way to “Z.” The goal is to work together as a team to see how quickly you can get through the whole alphabet. If you finish, simply start over again. Some choose to allow an exception for the letter “X” and say it counts even if it’s not the first letter of a word.

Another fun activity is to pick a number and then count the cars that pass you until you reach that number. The car you land on is the one you “get.” Try to see who can get the nicest car.

5) Talk

The great thing about being in the car with your loved ones is that you have plenty of time to talk. The holidays are a great time to be together with family, and there are few better ways to pass the time than having a nice deep conversation with someone you really care about. If you make an effort, you may find yourself in such an interesting conversation that you lose track of time.