We’ve taken our fair share of long car rides. For example, our drive from Illinois to Florida, where we visited Dinosaur World in Plant City and made a pit stop at the World of Coca Cola in Atlanta, was a long one. It almost took us two days, both there and back.
From our experiences, we’ve learned that long car rides can be boring and frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of things you can do on a family road trip that will make the time pass more quickly. Here are four simple ideas for your next long car ride.
Listen and Sing-Along to Music
Listening to music is an excellent way for the whole family to enjoy some tunes together. It’s also a great way of passing the time and keeping everyone entertained.
I would recommend having a few playlist ready for the trip because as you drive, you may lose favorite radio stations along that way. Be sure that your playlist can sync to the car that you are driving, especially if it is a rental car.
For example, if you’re driving a manual or an automatic vehicle like the first-ever 2022 Hyundai Elantra N, you can conveniently connect the car to your device to play music.
If you are unsure if your playlist will connect, consider using a free online service like Spotify, where you can always find new songs to add to your travel playlist.
Play the State License Game
With family travel you can create some of the best travel memories, especially when it comes to fun car games like playing “License Plate” or “I Spy.” You might just learn something about that state and have some laughs at their expense, too.
Aside from the driver, those playing will need a piece of paper, pen, or pencil and some time in which they can study states’ license plates as you pass them by. Once you’ve completed this task for one state, take turns drawing a new plate and seeing if the person who wrote down the state first can identify it.
Watch a Movie
For the passengers in the back, watching a movie is one of the best ways to pass the time on any long car ride, and it will provide you with hours of entertainment that can hold your family’s attention.
There are many different types of movies out there, so make sure to bring CDs or DVDs for each age group in your traveling party, or download them to your devices before your trip. If your children are too young for movies or have short attention spans, try audiobooks on CD and have them listen while they’re awake.
Take a Rest
You’re likely to be exhausted when you finally arrive at your destination. Therefore, make stops along the way to get out and stretch your legs. One of the things I like to do is stop at a Rest Area and our lunch or snacks. It gives us the opportunity to stretch, use the restroom, and eat without getting the vehicle messy. This way, everyone can refuel before continuing on their journey.
Final Thoughts
While car rides can be long, be optimistic, plan in advance, and make it fun so that you are intentionally creating some of the best memories for you and your family.
