down the road or exploring a new country but one thing’s for sure, if
not planned correctly what can seem like a fairly straight forward car
journey can turn into a nightmare, especially if you have children on
board!
For any of us with children the thought of a long car journey
can become very stressful. To avoid the common phrases of “are we there
yet?” and “I’m bored” it’s essential to plan in advance so the journey can be as relaxed as possible for both you and the children.
With two boys myself and being a family of adventurers, I know how difficult it can be travelling for long
periods of time. Last year we travelled the length of the Republic of Ireland to stay in the d Hotel, Co. Louth and visit Tayto Park for the first time and we also travelled a good three hours to Co. Kildare to stay at Killashee Hotel and with big plans to travel to the west coast of Ireland this year, I thought I’d put together a short guide with tips
for preparing for a road trip.
Make sure your car’s in good health
The most important part of a road trip is to make sure your vehicle is
in good health and won’t cause you any issues during the journey. The
last thing you want is to find yourself on the hard shoulder of a
motorway waiting for road side assistance.
Before you set off on
your journey it’s important to carry out the necessary checks on your
vehicle to ensure you get to your destination safely. NCT/MOT & service
should be carried out on a yearly basis anyway, but making sure the
screen wash is topped up and the tyres are in good condition are just
some of the other factors you need to consider before setting off. The
condition of tyres is often overlooked, but worn or damaged tyres can
result in serious consequences. If you’re planning a road trip then make
sure your tyres are in good healt.
Keep the children occupied
For us as adults
being cooped up in a car for long periods of time can be frustrating, so
we can only imagine what it’s like for the younger passengers. Packing a
bag with things to do and read means the kids will be occupied
throughout the journey and you can enjoy the ride in peace (hopefully). If you're looking for some ideas you can read my 6 ways to keep children happy and entertained on long car journeys.
Stopping at service stations is a good way for everyone to stretch
their legs and have a break from driving but with sweet shops all around
it’s important to buy snacks before you leave as buying refreshments at
service stations can be costly.
Plan ahead
If you’re setting off on a
journey you’ve driven before then you’ll be familiar with the route
you’re taking and any possible factors that could affect your arrival
time. If the journey is one you’ve never done before then plan ahead and
map the route out and research whether there may be any roadworks or
areas where traffic is common, as well as travelling before or after
rush hours. The last thing you want is to be stuck in traffic with
children in the car.
Hopefully this quick guide has given you some
ideas if you’re planning a road trip and I hope both you and the
children enjoy the ride.
What do you find works best when planning a road trip?
