Tag: TRAVEL TIPS

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Road Trip 101 Travel Tips

Packing Like a Pro (or at Least Like Someone Who Didn’t Forget the Toothbrushes…AGAIN)

Let’s be honest: packing for a family road trip is basically competitive logistics with a side of emotional negotiation. You’re balancing luggage Tetris, climate changes, snack distribution, and your child’s 11th-hour insistence that their rubber dinosaur collection must come along. All of it. Every. Single. Dinosaur.
 
But here’s the good news—you can pack like a pro. Or at least like a well-seasoned parent who’s survived a few too many “Mom, I don’t have any socks!” meltdowns in hotel parking lots.
In this post, we’re diving into what to pack, how to pack it, and a few hacks that’ll save your sanity when you’re halfway across the state with sticky fingers and someone yelling, “I can’t find my other shoe!”

Make a Master Packing List (Yes, You Need One)

Let’s not pretend you’ll remember everything. You won’t. You’re human, not a sentient spreadsheet.
Create a go-to packing list and save it on your phone, or better yet—print it and laminate it for future trips.
 
Divide it into categories like:
  • Clothes & Shoes
  • Toiletries
  • Medications & First Aid
  • Electronics
  • Entertainment
  • Snacks & Food
  • Car Essentials
  • “Kid Weirdness” Items (you know, the rock collection or the glitter glue journal)
Bonus tip: color-code by family member if you’re feeling fancy (or just need to visualize whose stuff you forgot).

Pack by Day, Not by Person

Here’s a pro move that many seasoned travelers swear by: instead of packing a separate suitcase for each person, pack by day—especially for shorter trips.
 
Use gallon ziplock bags, packing cubes, or large labeled pouches with:
  • Day 1: Outfits for everyone
  • Day 2: Pajamas, underwear, socks, outfit
  • Day 3: Same deal
Then all you have to do each morning is grab one pouch and hand out the clothes like the magical, organized road trip wizard you are.
 
For longer trips, do a hybrid: pack full outfits in cubes, but divide the cubes by week or occasion (casual vs. hiking vs. swimming).
 
Packing by day will help you see if Johnny has enough underwear packed so he doesn’t need to double up one day because, ew, gross.

The Car Bag: Your New Best Friend

You know that terrifying moment when you realize all the snacks, entertainment, and wipes are in the trunk under four duffel bags and a folding chair?
 
Yeah. Let’s avoid that.
 
Enter: The Car Bag. A tote, backpack, or storage bin that lives in the passenger seat or back row and holds the day’s essentials:
  • Wipes
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Chargers
  • Trash bags
  • First aid kit
  • Pain relievers (for you)
  • Reusable water bottles
  • Snacks. All the snacks.
Treat it like your road trip command center. Restock nightly. Worship it daily.

The Entertainment Arsenal

 
Sure, your kids may be planning to watch movies the whole way—but what about when the tablet dies or they start squabbling over who gets the charging port?
Pack a backup arsenal:
  • Activity books or printables
  • Travel games (magnetic chess, Uno, etc.)
  • Audiobooks and podcasts
  • DIY scavenger hunts or car bingo
  • Printable travel journals
  • One “mystery toy” per kid—pull it out when boredom hits peak levels
If you’ve got older kids, let them help curate a playlist. Nothing builds road trip unity like belting out 90s hits and pretending you all know the lyrics.

Our kids each have an “Adventure Bag” that they pack for our trips.  It is a bookbag full of things that will allegedly keep them entertained for 8+ hours in the car.  They’ve been packing their own bags since they were about 4 years old, and they are freakin’ pros at it.

Pack Light… but Bring Backups

This is where we walk the line between “minimalist traveler” and “realistic parent.”
 
Yes, you want to avoid overpacking. But there are things you will want extras of:
  • Underwear and socks (trust me)
  • Diapers/wipes if applicable
  • Swimsuits (because they never dry fast enough)
  • T-shirts (because ketchup and jelly happen)
  • Chargers (because someone always forgets theirs)
Basically, if it touches food, sweat, or small children—it’s worth bringing a spare.

Rolling vs. Folding: Choose Your Team

If you’re short on space, rolling clothes saves room and reduces wrinkles. It also makes packing cubes easier to stack and squeeze in.
 
For younger kids, consider pre-rolling full outfits and labeling them. It makes mornings faster and more independent—even your five-year-old can grab a “blue pants day” roll and be dressed before you finish your hotel coffee.

Bring a Laundry Plan

Unless you’re okay with your car smelling like gym socks and graham crackers, have a laundry strategy:
  • Bring a pop-up hamper or mesh laundry bag
  • Pack a small bag of detergent pods or travel soap sheets
  • Check if any of your accommodations have laundry facilities (game changer on long trips)
If you’re camping or going rustic, quick-dry clothes and a clothesline can be lifesavers.

Think “Modular” When You Pack the Car

Packing the car is like playing a very high-stakes game of Tetris… in which the prize is not losing your mind at the next gas station.
  • Heaviest items first: Cooler, suitcases, folding chairs—pack them in the trunk closest to the back seat
  • Daily needs accessible: Put overnight bags and snack bins near the top or in the passenger area
  • Use seat-back organizers: These are great for small toys, water bottles, tissues, and kid-stuff you’ll need while in motion
If you’re staying overnight en route, pack a single “grab bag” with one night’s essentials so you don’t have to unload the entire car at 9 p.m. in your pajamas.

Don’t Forget the “Oh No” Kit

Nearly every time we travel, someone gets sick.  Whether it’s from the change in pollens, over-indulging on rich/sweet foods, or catching a stomach bug.  It happens.
 
This is the kit you’ll hope you don’t need but will be so grateful for if you do:
  • Thermometer
  • Children’s meds (fever, allergy, stomach, motion sickness)
  • Adult meds (because that neck cramp from sleeping weird in the car is real)
  • Band-aids and antiseptic
  • Small sewing kit or safety pins
  • Ziplock bags (for wet clothes, surprise messes, or storing “treasures” like pinecones)
Trust me, packing Pepto can prevent you from having to poop in a diaper when your whole family has the runs.  Not that I’d know from experience or anything…
 
Bonus: include a few extra plastic grocery bags for dirty laundry or trash on the go.
 
 

Pack a Little Fun for YOU, Too

Let’s not forget: you’re on this trip, too. Pack something that keeps your spirits up:
  • Your favorite book or Kindle
  • Headphones for podcasts or music
  • A journal or trip log
  • A stash of adult-only snacks or that fancy chocolate you don’t want to share
Happy parents = happy road trip. (Or at least moderately less chaotic road trip.)

Final Thoughts From the Luggage Pile

Packing for a family road trip might not ever be easy, but it can be efficient—and maybe even kind of fun, if you embrace the challenge like a travel-loving ninja.
 
You’ve got this. With a solid plan, a few tricks up your sleeve, and enough snacks to satisfy a scout troop, you’ll be rolling out with confidence—and rolling home with stories, memories, and possibly a souvenir rubber lizard or twelve.
 
Next up in our Family Road Trip 101 series:
“Keeping Kids Happy in the Car (Without Turning into a Human Snack Dispenser)” – stay tuned!

Free Family Road Trip Starter Kit

🎶 Ready to hit the road with magic in the speakers?

Don’t forget to grab our FREE Family Road Trip Starter Kit — packed with printable checklists, kid-approved games, and snack ideas for your next adventure!

🎒 Includes:

  • Packing checklist

  • I Spy game

  • Travel Bingo boards

  • Snack list

  • Activity ideas

👉 Click here to download yours now!

Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure

For future reference, be sure to save our post “Packing Like a Pro!”!   While you’re at it, take a look at our printable children’s travel journals, they are the perfect way to keep your kiddos entertained in the car.  Read about how you can start your own 50 State Challenge!  Pin one of the images below to Pinterest.  Go ahead and follow 5 Suitcases on Pinterest while you’re at it!

📌 Save this post to Pinterest
📸 Follow us on Instagram @5suitcases
👍 Follow us on Facebook @5suitcases
▶️ Subscribe on YouTube @5suitcases

Categories
Road Trip 101 Travel Tips

How to Masterfully Use Google Maps to Plan a Road Trip

Map courtesy of Google

So, you’ve got the travel bug, the snacks are packed (or will be), and your playlist is locked and loaded. Now comes the part that can either be super exciting… or super overwhelming: planning your route.

If the idea of piecing together a multi-stop road trip has you scribbling down random notes and bookmarking a hundred tabs, take a deep breath. We’re about to bring order to the chaos—and our best friend for the job is none other than Google Maps.

This post will walk you through how to use Google Maps to plan your road trip step-by-step, from saving must-see locations to creating organized lists and mapping out your route like a pro. Bonus? Once your map is set, you can access it from your phone or share it with your co-pilot (or the whole carful of kids). Let’s roll.

Why Use Google Maps for Road Trip Planning?

Before we dive into the how-to, let’s talk about the why. Google Maps isn’t just for getting from point A to point B. It can be your travel guide, your food finder, your scenic route scout, and even your bathroom break planner (don’t underestimate this one with kids on board). Here’s what it offers:

  • Custom routes with multiple stops

  • Saved lists of locations (think: waterfalls, donut shops, quirky roadside attractions)

  • Reviews and photos for nearly every destination

  • Offline map access (key for remote areas)

  • Real-time traffic updates once you’re on the road

Step 1: Sign In to Your Google Account

You’ll need a Google account to save places and create custom maps. Most people already have one (Gmail counts!), but if you don’t, it’s free and only takes a minute to set up.

Once you’re signed in, head over to Google Maps on your desktop for the best planning experience.

Step 2: Start Searching and Saving Locations

Let’s say you’re planning a loop through the Pacific Northwest and want to stop at national parks, cool diners, and the world’s largest frying pan (yes, it’s a thing in Long Beach, WA).

Start by typing your destination in the search bar—like “Olympic National Park.”

Once the location pops up:

  1. Click on it.

  2. Hit the Save icon (a little ribbon).

  3. Choose a list to save it to (more on this below), or create a new one like “PNW Road Trip Stops.”

You can save any type of location this way—restaurants, gas stations, museums, even places like “cool rock formations near Bend, OR.” (Seriously, try searching that.)

Step 3: Create Custom Lists to Stay Organized

Now comes the real magic. You don’t want to just save 100 places to one giant list and sort through it later like a digital scavenger hunt. Organize your road trip dreams into themed lists.

Here’s how to create a list:

  1. In Google Maps, click on the Menu (☰) on the top left.

  2. Select Your Places > Saved.

  3. Scroll down and click New List.

  4. Name your list—like “Roadside Attractions,” “Kid-Friendly Stops,” “Best Eats,” or “Campgrounds.”

  5. Choose public, shared, or private access (shared is great if you want to let your partner or teens add suggestions).

  6. Add locations to this list as you go by clicking “Save” on each place and choosing the list.

💡 Pro Tip: Color-code your pins with emojis in the list title (like 🌮 for tacos, 🏕️ for campsites) to spot them easily later!

Since we’re on a quest to visit all 50 States, any time I stumble across a place that sounds interesting, I save it on Google Maps.  That way, when I’m mapping out an itinerary, I can try to include it.  We also want to take the kids to all of the National Park Sites, so I’ve saved all of them, as well.

Step 4: Build Your Route with Google My Maps (Optional but Awesome)

If you want to visualize your entire trip, step by step, and drop in your saved locations—Google My Maps is the tool for you.

Here’s how to use it:

  1. Go to Google My Maps.

  2. Click “Create a New Map.”

  3. Use the search bar to add stops. Click “Add to Map” to drop a pin.

  4. Use layers to separate types of stops (like Day 1, Day 2 or Parks vs. Restaurants).

  5. Drag pins around to reorder stops and draw lines between destinations.

You can also add notes to each location (like “bathroom stop with playground” or “Lincoln’s must-see guitar shop”).

When you’re done, share the map with anyone joining the adventure—and open it on your phone during the trip for instant access.

Step 5: Use “Explore Nearby” to Fill in Gaps

Stuck with a long stretch of driving between stops? Google Maps’ Explore Nearby feature can help.

Just zoom in on your route and click the “Search this area” option. Then type in what you’re looking for, like:

  • “Playgrounds”

  • “Coffee with drive-thru”

  • “Nature trails”

  • “Weird roadside attractions” (you’d be surprised!)

You’ll get real-time suggestions with ratings, photos, hours, and directions—all just a tap away.

Step 6: Download Your Maps for Offline Use

We’ve all been there—cruising through a mountain pass or middle-of-nowhere backroad with no signal. That’s where offline maps save the day.

Before you hit the road:

  1. Open Google Maps on your phone.

  2. Tap your profile photo > Offline Maps > Select Your Own Map.

  3. Zoom in and select the area you want.

  4. Tap Download.

Boom! No Wi-Fi? No problem.

Have a kid who likes to track your progress?  Or are you super anal and like to have all of your plans printed out so that you can review them in your hotel room each night?  (Pssst….I’m talking about me here!) Copy and paste your maps into Canva and create a day-by-day itinerary.

This page of our Mason-Dixon Road Trip is a little cluttered, but it includes an outline of how we spent our day, hours of operation, a map with our route and drive time, parking information, info for Metro stops, and a walking map of the National Mall.  The Maps and Metro info were all pulled directly from Google Maps.

Step 7: Add Fuel, Food, and Fun Along the Way

Once you’ve got your major stops in place, layer in the extras. Try searching for:

  • Gas stations (filter by brand or reviews if you’re picky)

  • Rest stops

  • Local eats (search “diners near me” for the full road trip vibe)

  • Parks or trails to stretch your legs

Save anything that looks good to your lists so you don’t forget them when it’s mile 432 and someone really needs a donut.

Through playing around with the restaurants feature, I found one of my kids favorite YouTubers owns a restaurant that we were able to add to our itinerary.  I also found breweries in Iceland, a bangin’ pizza place in West Virginia, killer donuts in Orlando, and many more!

Bonus: Use the “Send to Phone” Feature

For any location you’re viewing on desktop, just click “Send to Your Phone” and Google Maps will push it to your app. It’s perfect for planning on your laptop and navigating from your phone later.

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Final Thoughts

Road trips are all about the unexpected detours, the unforgettable views, and yes—even the snack fights. But having a solid plan in your back pocket (or your phone) makes the adventure a whole lot smoother.

With Google Maps, you can keep everything from bucket list stops to bathroom breaks organized, visible, and easily shared. No more frantically trying to remember that cute pie place your friend told you about—save it once and let Google do the remembering.

So go on—start pinning, list-making, and dreaming up your next great family escape. And remember: the journey is the destination (but good directions definitely help).

Next stop: Packing Like a Pro (or at Least Like Someone Who Didn’t Forget the Toothbrushes)
We’ll make sure you’re ready to load up that trunk like a Tetris master.

Free Family Road Trip Starter Kit

🎶 Ready to hit the road with magic in the speakers?

Don’t forget to grab our FREE Family Road Trip Starter Kit — packed with printable checklists, kid-approved games, and snack ideas for your next adventure!

🎒 Includes:

  • Packing checklist

  • I Spy game

  • Travel Bingo boards

  • Snack list

  • Activity ideas

👉 Click here to download yours now!

Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure

For future reference, be sure to save our post “Mastering Google Maps for the Ultimate Road Trip Plan!”!   While you’re at it, take a look at our printable children’s travel journals; they are the perfect way to keep your kiddos entertained in the car.  Read about how you can start your own 50 State Challenge!  Pin one of the images below to Pinterest.  Go ahead and follow 5 Suitcases on Pinterest while you’re at it!

📌 Save this post to Pinterest
📸 Follow us on Instagram @5suitcases
👍 Follow us on Facebook @5suitcases
▶️ Subscribe on YouTube @5suitcases

Categories
Road Trip 101 Travel Tips

How to Plan the Perfect Family Road Trip Route

Map of our Kentucky Itinerary
Let’s get one thing straight: planning the perfect family road trip route isn’t about plotting a flawless course where nothing goes wrong and every rest stop has gourmet coffee and sparkling bathrooms. That place doesn’t exist. (If it does, please send me the link immediately.)
 
But with a little strategy—and a healthy dose of humor—you can map out a trip that’s fun, flexible, and not entirely fueled by desperation and fruit snacks.
 
Whether you’re a Type A itinerary-maker or a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-car-seat parent, this post is for you. Let’s break down how to choose where to go, how far to drive, and how to balance practical stops with just enough whimsy to keep everyone excited.

Start With Your “Why”

Before you open Google Maps or start color-coding a spreadsheet (no judgment, you beautiful planner, you), take a moment to ask: Why are we doing this road trip in the first place?
 
Knowing your “why” will help shape your route. A chill beach-hopping trip looks different than a history-themed trek through Civil War battlefields (Gettysburg, anyone?)  or a National Park power tour. Start with the vibe, then build the map.

Pick a Realistic Destination (and Back)

This is the part where we embrace a hard truth: just because you can technically drive from Chicago to Yellowstone in two days doesn’t mean you should. Especially not with a toddler whose favorite activity is removing their socks and throwing them at their siblings.  Been there, done that.
 
Here’s a good rule of thumb for drive time with families:
  • With Littles (0–5): 4–5 hours max
  • With Big Kids (6–12): 6–7 hours
  • With Teens: 7–8 hours if they have snacks, chargers, and noise-canceling headphones
  • With Freaks of Nature: Our kids are so down for an adventure that they’re content being in a car for even longer than 8 hours!  We pack a ton of snacks, and they have their road trip essentials to keep them happy.
 
Break up longer distances into segments. Give yourself cushion time, not just for bathroom breaks but for those magical, unplanned moments—like discovering a roadside petting zoo or a gas station that sells deep-fried Oreos. (Road trip gold.)

Scenic vs. Direct: Choose Your Adventure

This is the classic road trip dilemma: do we take the direct route, or do we meander?
 
  • The Direct Route
    Best for: tight timelines, younger kids, trips where you’re just trying to get there already
    Bonus: fewer chances of someone getting carsick on twisty backroads.
  • The Scenic Route
    Best for: longer trips, kids who can handle a bit of extra time, or families who enjoy the “off the beaten path” vibe
    Bonus: Instagram-worthy views, quirky pit stops, and better storytelling later
Want a compromise? Plan your scenic stops around practical needs. Hit a beautiful state park for a picnic lunch or detour through a charming small town when you need to refuel. It’s the road trip version of sneaking spinach into mac and cheese.

Build in the “Three S’s”: Snacks, Stops, and Surprises

Every great route has flexibility built in. That’s where the “Three S’s” come in:
 
  • Snacks:
    Know your route well enough to identify snack needs. Pack your favorites, but also note where grocery stores or healthy options might pop up. This isn’t just survival—it’s morale management.
  • Stops:
    Aim for a real stop (not just a bathroom sprint) every 2–3 hours. Think parks, playgrounds, cool roadside attractions, or even just a pretty rest area. Pro tip: picnic lunches = budget win + fresh air.
  • Surprises:
    Leave space in your itinerary for the unexpected. That funny billboard advertising the “World’s Largest Rubber Band Ball”? Go see it. Let your kids pick one random stop. The best memories are often the least planned.

Tools to Help You Plot Like a Pro

Tech is your friend—but don’t rely only on it. Here’s a combo of apps and good old-fashioned know-how:
  • Google Maps or Waze: For plotting routes and spotting traffic
  • Roadtrippers: Lets you see cool stops, restaurants, and attractions along your route
  • iExit: Tells you what’s coming up on your highway exit (restrooms, food, etc.)
  • Offline Maps (like Maps.me): Great for dead zones in rural areas
  • Paper Map: Because GPS betrayal is real, and you don’t want to explain to your kids why you’re crying in a cornfield in Iowa

Get the Kids Involved

Yes, even the little ones. If they feel like part of the planning, they’ll be more engaged in the journey.
 
Let them:
  • Help choose stops from a list of options
  • Pick a “trip mascot” stuffed animal that tags along
  • Create a travel bingo or scavenger hunt game based on your route
You’re not just making memories—you’re building travel confidence in tiny humans.

Time It Right

Leaving at 6 AM might feel like punishment, but it can actually be genius if your kids will sleep through the first couple of hours. On the flip side, traveling during peak traffic or nap-deprivation zones? Not it.
 
Some tips:
  • Avoid rush hour if you’re going through a major city
  • Plan to stop for a longer break in the mid-afternoon (when everyone’s cranky)
  • Know your kids’ rhythms: time your driving for their happiest hours

Back-Up Plans = Sanity

Your route is not set in stone.
 
Repeat after me: It’s okay to change the plan.
 
To help my pretend I’m not Type-A as s***, I always have backup plans built into my itinerary.  Places that we can visit if there’s time, things that we can ditch, if needed.  Things to do in the event or rain, or when the kids were younger meltdowns.
 
Have a few backup stops saved on your phone in case:
  • A park is closed
  • It rains
  • Someone suddenly must pee even though they “didn’t have to go five minutes ago”
Flexibility is your co-pilot. Don’t try to control the journey—embrace the adventure.

Don’t Overplan Every Minute

You are not a cruise director. You are a road trip parent. There is a difference.
 
Structure is good—chaos is not. But overloading your days with 17 things to see/do/photo will make everyone grumpy by 2 PM.
 
Pick 1–2 anchor experiences per day. The rest? Leave it open. That’s where the magic lives.

Final Thoughts From the Driver’s Seat

Planning a road trip route with kids isn’t about perfection—it’s about purpose. Where do you want to go, and what do you want to feel along the way?
 
You can’t control traffic, weather, or your child’s sudden distaste for their favorite snacks. But you can craft a trip that mixes practicality with play, purpose with whimsy, and plans with just enough flexibility to make room for wonder.
 
So fire up your map apps, charge the tablets, and get ready to play navigator, snack curator, and chief memory maker.
 
Our next pitstop will be Mastering Google Maps for the Ultimate Road Trip Plan.  See you there!

Free Family Road Trip Starter Kit

🎶 Ready to hit the road with magic in the speakers?

Don’t forget to grab our FREE Family Road Trip Starter Kit — packed with printable checklists, kid-approved games, and snack ideas for your next adventure!

🎒 Includes:

  • Packing checklist

  • I Spy game

  • Travel Bingo boards

  • Snack list

  • Activity ideas

👉 Click here to download yours now!

Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure

For future reference, be sure to save our post “Planning the Perfect Family Road Trip Route”!   While you’re at it, take a look at our printable children’s travel journals, they are the perfect way to keep your kiddos entertained in the car.  Read about how you can start your own 50 State Challenge!  Pin one of the images below to Pinterest.  Go ahead and follow 5 Suitcases on Pinterest while you’re at it!

📌 Save this post to Pinterest
📸 Follow us on Instagram @5suitcases
👍 Follow us on Facebook @5suitcases
▶️ Subscribe on YouTube @5suitcases

Categories
Road Trip 101

Why Road Tripping with Kids is Totally Worth It

Let’s be honest—family road trips don’t usually start with a serene sunrise and a packed car full of cooperative children humming show tunes. No, they typically begin with someone asking if we really need five pairs of shoes, the baby losing their mind because you looked at them wrong, and a snack bag that somehow takes up more space than the actual luggage.
 
And yet, we do it anyway. Not just because we’re brave (though, yes, absolutely, we are warriors of the open road), but because road-tripping with kids is one of the most rewarding, hilarious, and memory-packed ways to travel as a family.
 
In this Family Road Trip 101 series, I’ll be walking you through everything you need to plan, survive, and even enjoy hitting the road with your crew. But first, let’s talk about the “why.” Why do parents pile kids into a vehicle and set off into the great unknown armed only with baby wipes, granola bars, and questionable optimism?
 
Well, friend. Let me tell you.

The Case for Chaos: Why You Should Road Trip Anyway

Sure, flights are faster, cruises have buffets, and staycations involve way fewer miles on your car. But road trips? Road trips give you something the others can’t: flexibility, spontaneity, and the chance to shout “Cows on the left!” with unbridled enthusiasm.

1. You Get to Actually See the Country

Planes may take you places, but road trips let you experience them. Want to stop at the world’s largest rocking chair? You can. Feel like detouring through a national park because someone saw a bear on TikTok? Go for it. Your itinerary is yours to bend, twist, or throw out entirely.
 
And your kids? They’ll remember the random roadside diner where you played Uno for an hour more than the airport security line or the all-inclusive resort buffet.

2. It’s a Built-In Family Bonding Machine

There’s something about long car rides that forces connection. You’re in a confined space together, with nowhere to hide from deep conversations or dad jokes. This is where spontaneous heart-to-hearts happen, where kids ask big questions about life and you realize your third grader has surprisingly strong opinions about road signs.
 
And yes, there will be bickering. But there will also be inside jokes, group singalongs, and that magical moment when everyone’s laughing so hard they can’t breathe—and you almost forget how long you’ve been in the car.
Almost.

3. It’s (Mostly) Budget-Friendly

Unless your kids have developed a sudden craving for gas station sushi, road trips are one of the most affordable ways to travel as a family. You can pack your own snacks, stay in budget motels or campgrounds, and skip expensive airfare.
 
Plus, when you save money on travel, you can splurge on meaningful experiences—like a guided cave tour, a once-in-a-lifetime zipline adventure, or a comically large gummy bear from a novelty store in Missouri.

4. The Teachable Moments Are Everywhere

From geography and history to problem-solving and patience (so much patience), road trips are a rolling classroom. Your kids will learn how to read a map, how to be flexible when plans change, and how to share the backseat without causing a diplomatic incident.
 
They’ll also see the diversity of the landscape, different ways people live, and maybe even start asking deeper questions about the world around them. Or, at the very least, they’ll learn not to underestimate your ability to make up games on the fly.

What to Expect From This Series

This isn’t just a blog series. It’s your new co-pilot (minus the ability to reach into the backseat and stop your kids from fighting over the window seat).
 
Over the coming weeks, we’ll cover:
  • How to Plan the Perfect Route (without losing your mind or your map)
  • Packing Like a Pro (or at least like someone who didn’t forget the toothbrushes)
  • Using Google Maps Like a Pro
  • Feeding the Troops (snacks, meals, and strategies for avoiding hangry outbursts)
  • Entertainment Ideas for the Long Haul (with and without screens, because let’s be real—both are useful)
  • Making the Car a (Mostly) Comfortable Place to Be
  • Budget Tips Without Killing the Vibe
  • Smart Stops and Fun Detours
  • How to Handle the Unexpected Without a Meltdown (Yours or Theirs)
  • And, of course, Why All the Chaos is Absolutely Worth It
Every post will come with practical tips, personal stories, and just enough humor to make you feel like you’re not the only one who’s had to explain to your kid why we don’t collect roadkill as souvenirs.

My Road Trip Philosophy

I’m not here to pretend every mile is magical. Road trips with kids are messy, unpredictable, and occasionally make you question your life choices. But they’re also where some of my favorite family memories were made. From impromptu dance parties at rest stops to the time we accidentally ended up at a llama farm (long story), it’s all part of the adventure.
 
The mess is the magic. The detours are the stories your kids will tell someday. And the joy is in the journey—even if that journey includes five renditions of the “Baby Shark” remix.
So whether you’re road-tripping for a weekend or crossing state lines on an epic summer trek, this series is for you.
 
Let’s hit the road, snacks in hand and expectations somewhere between “total disaster” and “best trip ever.”

Final Thought Before the First Exit

No matter what your road trip looks like—whether your kids are toddlers or teens, whether your car is spotless or full of goldfish dust—know this: You’re creating something they’ll remember.
 
And in the end, it’s not about the perfectly posed photo or the Instagram-worthy destination. It’s about the time spent together, the laughs, the lessons, and the moments in between.
 
So buckle up. Turn up the playlist. And remember: you’ve got this.
 
 
See you there, road warrior.

Free Family Road Trip Starter Kit

🎶 Ready to hit the road with magic in the speakers?

Don’t forget to grab our FREE Family Road Trip Starter Kit — packed with printable checklists, kid-approved games, and snack ideas for your next adventure!

🎒 Includes:

  • Packing checklist

  • I Spy game

  • Travel Bingo boards

  • Snack list

  • Activity ideas

👉 Click here to download yours now!

Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure!

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Favorites List Gift Guide Road Trip 101 Travel Tips

How to Survive a Road Trip with Kids: Entertainment Ideas for a Stress-Free Ride

Our kids have become road trip experts at 7, 7, and 10 years of age.  They’ve been going on long car trips for as long as they can remember.  Our standard road trips are about 7 hours long, but they’ve spent as much as 12 hours in the car. 

Since they were about 4, they have been responsible for packing their own “Adventure Bags”.  Adventure bags are backpacks full of things to keep them occupied while they’re being chauffeured around the country.  Here are our kids favorite things to pack for a road trip.

Smiley's Travel Essentials

Now that our daughter Smiley is 11, her adventure bag looks a little different than it did when she was younger.  Before she was all about drawing and coloring while we were in the car, now she’s more into playing games.

Here are our daughter’s road trip essentials:

Nintendo Switch
Road Trip Trivia
Guess in 10
Car Backseat Organizer
Origami Puzzle Game
On the Go Games
Travel Pillow
Smartest in the Car
Kanoodle

 

The Boys Travel Essentials

The twins are now 7 and are at the age where they are obsessed with video games, but they can also still entertain themselves with things like Wikki Stix, magnetic tiles, and cars.

Here are our boys road trip essentials:

Nintendo Switch
Doodle Tablets
Wikki Stix
Car Bingo
Mini Magnetic Tiles
Magnetic Men

Our Road Trip Playlist

It wouldn’t be a proper road trip without a bangin’ playlist. Head on over to Spotify to listen to our Road Trip Playlist. The playlist is full of some of our favorite jams and road trip classics.

You’ll hear everything from Jellyroll and Fall Out Boy to Taylor Swift and Queen.  There’s a little something for everybody. 

When we go on trips, we sprinkle in songs that mention the places on our itinerary.  

Road Trip Planning

Want to plan a killer road trip but you’re not quite sure where to start?  We’ve mapped out our tried and true way of planning a road trip the whole family will enjoy!

In this post, we outline:

  • How to pick a destination
  • Our research tips
  • Budgeting
  • Lodging tips
  • Our road trip essentials

Free Family Road Trip Starter Kit

🎶 Ready to hit the road with magic in the speakers?

Don’t forget to grab our FREE Family Road Trip Starter Kit — packed with printable checklists, kid-approved games, and snack ideas for your next adventure!

🎒 Includes:

  • Packing checklist

  • I Spy game

  • Travel Bingo boards

  • Snack list

  • Activity ideas

👉 Click here to download yours now!

Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure

📌 Save this post to Pinterest
📸 Follow us on Instagram @5suitcases
👍 Follow us on Facebook @5suitcases
▶️ Subscribe on YouTube @5suitcases

*5 Suitcases is an Amazon affiliate.  If you purchase something from our website, we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

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Blue Lagoon Europe Hofsos Pool Iceland

Visiting a Pool or Lagoon in Iceland for Newbies

Blue Lagoon, Iceland

Icelanders take their lagoons and pools very seriously. Relaxing in geothermal water is a long standing tradition for the locals.  Over the years, a handful of rules, both written and unwritten, have developed.  Before you visit, here are 4 Things to Know Before Visiting a  Pool or Lagoon in Iceland.

Blue Lagoon, Iceland

1. Showering Etiquette for a Pool or Lagoon in Iceland

Since relaxing in the lagoons or pools is such a sacred tradition for Icelanders, it is important that you follow their customs.  For instance, everyone is expected to shower prior to getting in the water.  It is expected that you shower naked and use soap to wash your face, underarms, private area, and feet.  

Once you have fully cleaned your body, put on your bathing suit and enjoy the warm water!

Okay, but do I really need to shower naked?

In short, yes.  Unlike other spas or pools where you typically shower with your swimsuit on, in Iceland you are expected to shower naked and then put your bathing suit on.  In fact, this is required by the Environment Agency of Iceland…aka, it’s the law!

Sure, it may sound uncomfortable, but literally everyone else will be naked.  It’s honestly not a big deal.  No one will be staring at you.

Are there private showers available?

If you’re visiting one of the more popular lagoons, geared towards tourists, you’ll most likely find a few private showers.  The Blue Lagoon, for instance, has several private showers…however, only a couple of private dressing rooms.  Nearly everyone changes in front of one another.

The local pools do not offer private showers.  There are designated areas where you’ll undress, store your belongings, shower, and dry off.  The areas are all clearly marked with signs in both Icelandic and English.

Hofsós Swimming Pool

2. Bathing Suit Requirements for a Pool or Lagoon in Iceland

Most pools and lagoons require bathing suits to be worn.  They do not permit shorts, sports bras, leggings, etc. to be worn instead of bathing suits.

What if I don't have a bathing suit or towel?

Sometimes space can be extremely limited in a suitcase, trust me, I get it.  If you do not have space for a bathing suit and towel in your suitcase, all pools have bathing suits and towels available for rent or purchase.  

Some lagoons even include the use of a towel or bathrobe in your entrance fee.  At the Blue Lagoon, for instance, our package included a towel and a bathrobe.

We did, however, pack quick dry microfiber towels, which came in handy at the local pools.  They didn’t take up a lot of space in our bag and were a great thing to have on hand!

One thing I noticed, at a local pool, is that Icelanders don’t take their towels with them to the pool.  Instead, they stash them on a shelf just before exiting for the pool area.  I didn’t realize this at first, and later saw that I was the only person with a towel by the pool.

Hofsós Swimming Pool

3. Do I need flip-flops of sandals?

The distance from the showers to the pool is typically pretty short and you can absolutely get away without wearing flip-flops or sandals.  In the interest of space in my suitcase, I chose not to pack any.  Like many other people, I walked barefoot from the showers to the pool or lagoon.

At the pools, the locals didn’t wear their shoes out.  At the lagoons, several tourists had their flip-flops, Crocs, or sandals with them.

Honestly, this is totally up to you.  Depending on the outside temperature, you may want them though as the walkways can be frozen or slippery.

4. How do I pay for drinks?

While at the Blue Lagoon, you'll use your wristband to charge purchases to your account.

If you’re visiting one of the lagoons geared towards the tourists, you’ll be provided with a bracelet that you can use to charge items to your account.  These bracelets are also color coded, which indicate what level package you purchased for your visit.  

The front desk will store your credit care information.  Simply tap your bracelet at the device at the bar and it will be added to your bill.

You’ll need to settle your bill, and scan your bracelet, before you are permitted to exit the facilities.

Let Us Help You Plan Your Trip!

Our 8-Day Iceland Itinerary offers hotel and food recommendations for the entire Ring Road. Join us as we relive our 8-Day Ring Road Road Trip!  We’ll give you a breakdown of what we did each day, share some advice from the road, and offer suggestions for other things to add to your itinerary.

Our trip includes:

Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure!

For future reference, save our post:  Visiting a Pool or Lagoon in Iceland for Newbies.  Pin one of the images below to Pinterest.  Go ahead and follow 5Suitcases on Pinterest while you’re at it!

While we were in the area, we also visited Pingvellir National Park, Gullfoss, and much more!  If you haven’t already, read all about our visit to The Blue Lagoon.

Be sure to give us a like on Facebook or follow us on Instagram and Twitter for more travel tips and tricks. See you next time!

**This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience** 

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Travel Tips

How to Pack a Car for Road Trips- Our Set Up for a Family of 5

Photo by Dominika Roseclay on Pexels.com

We often get asked questions about how we pack a car for road trips so we though we’d share with you our set up for our family of five.  Be sure to watch the video of how to pack a car for a road trip so you can see how it all comes together!  If you have something that you’ve discovered works well for your family, we’d love to hear about it so we can try it!  Drop a comment below to tell us your ingenious idea!

About Our Road Trips

Our road trips typically last anywhere from 2 to 8 hours.  Whether we’re packing for the Florida Springs, a theme park, or our annual trip to Jellystone, how we pack a car for road trips is pretty much same.  Our video (below) shows how we set up the car when we bring along our dogs, LB and Parker, as well.  

When we take family road trips, we typically take our Ford Explorer.  Every once in awhile, we’ll take our Jeep Gladiator.  On longer trips, we use our cargo trailer, which you’ll see in the video.

How We Pack a Car for Road Trips

When we purchased our car we made sure it had three things: third row seating, a hitch, and captain seats (to easily access the third row).  These three features are key components on how we pack a car for road trips.  Our twins are still in car seats, so they sit in the captains seats.  Our oldest kiddo has the back two seats all to herself (unless we are traveling with the dogs).  The captain seats also helps to ensure all of the kids have their own space so there’s less arguing.  

In front of each of their seats, the kids have a hook to hang up their backpack.  This backpack is full of things to keep them occupied during the car ride (see our list of ideas in the “Great Ways to Keep Your Kids Entertained” section below).  They also have access to a snack box that lasts them for both legs of the trip.

The hitch comes in handy so that we can use a cargo trailer to store our larger items.  This helps create more room in the vehicle when we’re traveling with our pups.  In the video, you’ll see we used a suitcase to store all of our belongings  on this particular trip…but that isn’t always the case.  We often leave the suitcases at home and pack into storage containers with lids, instead.  We’ve found that these fit better on our cargo trailer.  Each family member has a different color packing cube set.  We fill our cubes for our outfits for the trip and toss them into the tote.  It couldn’t be any easier!

Our Road Trip Essentials

You’ll find items like these every time we pack a car for road trips.  They help keep our  items tidy, organized, and most importantly- accessible.  Some things that we have found that work for us include lap desks, hooks, storage totes, tablet holders, and snack boxes.

Great Ways to Keep Your Kids Entertained!

The key to a successful family road trip is keeping the kids entertained on the ride!  When we travel, each of our kids has a backpack full of things to keep them busy while we travel.  Believe it or not, we’ve actually managed to do a few 8 hour car rides without ever turning a tablet on!  Here are some of the things you might find in their bags:

It wouldn’t be a proper road trip without a bangin’ playlist. Head on over to Spotify to listen to our Road Trip Playlist. The playlist is full of some of our favorite jams and road trip classics.

You’ll hear everything from Jellyroll and Fall Out Boy to Taylor Swift and Queen.  There’s a little something for everybody. 

When we go on trips, we sprinkle in songs that mention the places on our itinerary.  

Road Trip Planning

Want to plan a killer road trip but you’re not quite sure where to start?  We’ve mapped out our tried and true way of planning a road trip the whole family will enjoy!

In this post, we outline:

  • How to pick a destination
  • Our research tips
  • Budgeting
  • Lodging tips
  • Our road trip essentials

Save a Pin for Your Future Adventures!

Be sure to give us a like on Facebook or follow us on Instagram and Twitter for more travel tips and tricks. See you next time!

 

**Please note that this post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. All opinions are my own. Pinkie swear**

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