Taking the kids off down the highway, strapped into the back seat of the car, seems like a pretty easy and accessible way to approach a vacation. And you’d be right – it’s a lot easier (and cheaper) than trying to organize flights! But when you really think about road travel, you’ll also notice that there are a few holes in that family-friendly image. Like dealing with cranky toddlers in the middle of an 8+ hour drive.
So, if you want to plan the most family-friendly trip possible, should you consider a family road trip? Let’s talk about it!
The Family Road Trip: Chaos or Connection?
There’s a specific kind of tension that exists only inside a moving SUV somewhere between home and your road trip destination. It’s the sound of a dropped juice box competing with a GPS that’s insisting on a “faster route” through a mountain pass you know is closed.
At that moment, the family road trip feels like a descent into pure, unadulterated chaos.
Yet, fast-forward two hours to a golden-hour view over the Rockies or a spontaneous, three-part harmony sing-along to a song everyone actually likes, and suddenly, you’re experiencing the kind of deep, unfiltered connection that a 30,000-foot flight could never facilitate. The truth is, the family road trip is always both. It’s a high-stakes gamble where the “payout” isn’t the destination, but the shared resilience and inside jokes you build along the way.
It’s Easy to Plan Diversions, Even at the Last Minute
When on a road trip, you can stop whenever you need to. You can go anywhere you want. And even if you’ve been on the road for 3 or 4 hours, and you’re still 2+ hours away from your destination, you can choose to stop and just spend some time in the moment.
You don’t get that same opportunity when you’re on a plane or train! If the kids complain that they’re bored or want to get up and move around, you have to do your best to convince them to stay seated.
But when you’re in charge, you can choose to stop off at an RV park you see coming up on the left. Quickly take the turn, head inside, and enjoy a bit of downtime at a campground with all the amenities you need to feel refreshed and stave off boredom.
You Get to Take Your Own Vehicle
Whether that’s your usual car or an RV you’ve hired for the weekend, that’s up to you! But either way, you get to take your own vehicle, which you’re far more familiar with.
This also means you get a cozier, more private space for the family. If someone throws a tantrum, there are no strangers around to watch and judge. If you want to take your shoes off, no one will mind. And there are no restrictions on what you can take with you, either! As long as it all fits in the trunk (or RV!), you can take it.
The Long Hours on the Road are Another Thing
There’s one downside to going on a road trip with the family: the long hours on the road. Cars are only so fast! There’s nothing much you can do about needing to go from one side of the journey to the other, and sometimes, you do have to grin and bear it!
While you can break the journey down, stop off, and pack snacks, consider whether you can handle this length of journey.
Road tripping puts you in charge. But is it as family-friendly as you need it to be? Let the family decide!