I make sure to keep easy and less-messy snacks in the car for the kids. Small water bottles with sports tops are a must, and so are rice cakes! I have a 20-month-old and a 3 1/2 year old, so I keep a basket of toys on the seat in between their car seats. I also make sure to take favorite blankies and extra pacifiers. One trick I have learned from camping is to have an extra (small) bag with a change of clothes (including socks and shoes - Crocs are good for this) for everyone and any essentials like diapers and wipes in it. If you get rained on or one of the kids has an accident, it's far easier to pull a small bag out than to try to rummage in a suitcase in the back of the car!

By Nancy on 11/17/2009

If you're on a long road trip and the kids are getting antsy, but you don't want to stop at a restaurant with a play area...find a public school! If there's an elementary around they probably have an accessible playground! Now, that's free. You could find a park, too, but schools typically have the best playgrounds!

By Mimi on 11/17/2009

Living in Hawaii a road trip would consist of a 2 hour circle drive.  At any rate I would still bring tons of snacks, a potty, and entertainment for my 2 year old. 

By Rosalia on 11/17/2009

When we travel its usually a 12 hour ride one way so I pack a cooler with sandwiches and drinks so we dont have to stop at fast food, and a foot ball to throw with we stop at a rest stop. I also like to carry sugar free candies or gum when your mouth is dry you dont have to drink alot and cuts down on potty breaks. I have 2 boys ages 9 and 5 so I make up suprise bags with dollar store toys, crayons, and puzzle books.

By Jennifer on 11/17/2009

I've always got plenty of snacks and drinks, but the real life saver on our trips is the dual screen portable DVD player.  I don't allow unlimited screen time at home, but in the car it makes life so much easier!  The kids know they have to take turns choosing the movie or show, and when it starts playing even the baby gets quiet (and he can't even see it!).

By Andrea on 11/18/2009

Always check the car at the mechanic's and make sure all fluids are in order and tires are full of air and the treads are not too worn. Also check the brake pads to make sure they are good to go. That's always good before any long trip. If you plan on traveling to a cold area, may be good to see if you need snow tires or any other type of winter equipment. Holidays are fun, but having car trouble is no fun at all!

By Annie on 11/18/2009

Depending on the age of the kids ... this is what I did until mine were about 10 or so.  I would to to the local $1 or .99cent store.. fill up a bag (5-6 things each) and wrap them.  Then I would keep the small bags up front with me and we would open one every 30 minutes or so (divide the trip up into segments) and they would have fun guessing what was coming next.  and with them only being a $1 or so you don't feel bad if they get broken easily.  Now this was long before the dvd in the car thing... good luck with your trip!

By Mari on 11/19/2009

Audio books & music make the miles fly. Bottles of water & homemade trailmix are great for munchies. Even though it makes the trip a little longer, you've got to get out & move around for a few minutes every couple of hours to stay healthy - keep the blood flowing!

By Barbara on 11/20/2009

I get snacks in small bags, a change of clothes for everyone, a small cooler to stop for a picnic lunch or for lunch on the go that is healthy and not fast food. Grapes are excellent! A stop now and then to let the kids run around is a must for everyones sanity!

By Shannon on 12/16/2009

We travel to see family about once a month.  It is about a 3 1/2 hour ride one way and with 3 boys ages 9, 6, and 3 it is very difficult to keep the sanity.  A portable DVD player is always a good thing and the two older boys have there Nintendo DS with them.  I don't normally like video games but for travel it keeps the piece.  I also pack snacks of friut and pretzels and juice boxes and bottled water, instead of junk food.

By Bonnie on 12/21/2009

We always make sure we have plenty of audio books on hand and "neat" snacks (such as cherios, toasted oat squares, wheat things, pretzels...something thats not sticky and will vaccuum up easily).  I decided to not get the in car video, since I want my kids to see the world around them...compare suburban vs. country vs. "the middle of no where".  We listen to books on tape instead of video games so that we are all involved together.  The Box Car Children, Magic Tree House, Grimm Sisters, and others are favorite series for the whole family.  We've also listened to longer stories (Erigon(sp?), Eldest, Gregor the Overlander, etc.)  We travel from CT to OH several times a year 9-11 hour car ride.We also used to stay at a hotel between CT and OH, but I have "bribed" my kids with a $20 toy each if we could just go all the way through without them complaining.  There is a Walmart about 1/2 way through and they buy a "car toy" to get them the rest of the way home...  (Figured it still saves me about $80 for hotel and dinner).I also did the "open a package" every hour...but listening to the books on CD, the time just flies.  We usually call someone when we cross a state border.If we need a break, I look on my GPS for elementary schools and will stop and play at their playground.  You can't always be sure that a "park" will have a playground, but most elementary schools will.

By Jan on 12/28/2009

We use coupon books for hotels/motels available at restaurants, fast foods and rest stops.

By Leona on 1/7/2010

Our family road trips are usually 5 hrs. I always go online to research the cheapest gas prices along the way so I can fill up at the lowest price, or just get enough from the pricey stations to get me somewhere cheaper. We have 6 kids ages 1- 19, so for us bottled water and car friendly snacks are a MAJOR priority. :) We try to leave right after breakfast so we don't pay for pricey restaurant stops more than we have to.

By B on 1/21/2010