My Best Family Travel Road Trip Hacks

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This weekend we decided to take the kids on one last trip before school started. One more summer fun and getaway before it is back to the school grind. I wanted to share some of my best family travel road trip hacks so that I am not as stressed when it comes to packing for a quick getaway. Since I often get a press vehicle for when I go on trips these tips and tricks help me transition between vehicles as well as help keep my kids satisfied and entertained in the car.

My biggest piece of advice for you is to get a portable tote. It makes it so much easier to switch between cars as well as restock your vehicle when you have a tote that has handles and can easily move around. Bonus if it has several compartments that you can separate out all of your essentials for any road trip. The one I use is not only cute in my favorite grey and white pattern, it is very functional. I actually got it at one of the craft stores as it is meant for art supplies. I like that it has rigid sides so whatever I need to put inside does not get smashed. It is small enough to fit between the car seats or just in the floor board.

My next travel tip is have extra cords and back up batteries for all your devices. I have a set of charging cables that I keep in my storage tote for all of our devices. By having extra cords, I assure myself that I won’t lose the ones I have at home and that I have the ones we need for each trip without even having to think about it. Back up batteries/charges are also essential. I never know how many charging spots will be in a vehicle and goodness know that my kids do much better in the car with iPads. By having their cords and extra juice power then I am assured to have less complaining about how long the trip is taking.

Of course snacks are essential. As I am out grocery shopping at Randall’s for our normal weekly fair, I stock up on food items that travel well. Lifesavers mints are one of my kids favorite things. They don’t melt and whose kid couldn’t use some better smelling breath. haha. My kids are now allowed to have gum every once in a while so we also get the Orbit bubblemint gum. A way to keep their mouths occupied and hopefully less complaining. I also discovered new Tostitos rolls. The crunchy chips you want for a road trip in an easy to eat rolled shape. They fit nicely in my storage bin too. I also have a portable fabric insulated cooler that makes life so much easier and will save you money by not having to buy snacks at every potty stop. I got mine for around $20 and it keeps my drinks cold as well as stores food for me such as a salad since I can’t have most fast food because of food allergies.

If you have littles or even bigger kids, portable DVD players are a must. I can’t tell you how much better road trips became with my kids when they could watch their own movies in the car. We have ones that are dual screen so each kid can watch their own movie and I got them their own headphones as well so momma doesn’t have to hear their movies! Seriously best invention ever!

Here is what I put in my portable tote:

• Snacks- chips, cookies, whatever doesn’t melt
• Charging cords and back up batteries
• Napkins and wipes- my kids are past the diaper stage but we still keep wipes on hand
• Coins
• Pens and Pencils as well as some paper
• Headphones
• Sunglasses
• Small umbrella
• Blogging Business cards- I often forget to pack them so I keep them in my car just in case
• Nail file and clippers
• Flashlight
• Multi function knife

It seems like a lot of stuff, but most of it is pretty small and fits right in my tote. What are your car essentials? Do you have any other family travel road trip hacks to share? Leave a comment below since I am sure I am forgetting something 🙂 When you are done go enter The Best Road Trip Ever sweepstakes and go have your own adventures!