Give me your best road trip advice!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do 8 - 10 or longer hour drives about a dozen times a year. It really isn't a big. You sit in a car and drive. You stop when you need to/want to. It isn't rocket science. I don't understand why everyone wants to make a big deal of it.

In my experience, the person who wants NO stops is married to a person who wants LOTS of stops, and they’ve both developed a lot of opinions about it.

Dh and I are on the same page about stops. We drove a lot over spring break with our teens and it went fine—sometimes we stopped after 2 hours sometimes after 3. It was based on needs, not how much time had elapsed since the last stop. One time we did a 4 hour trip to see family with stopping. We are flexible.

My FIL, on the other hand, absolutely rages if he has to make more stops than *he* deems necessary. If his bladder isn’t full, why is anyone else’s? It’s crazy to be so controlling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is 12 and we play the license plate game on roadtrips. It becomes a competition and we take it VERY seriously. As a result we all spend time looking around and talking vs. on our devices. Wouldn't work for a full 8 hours, but fun to designate "license plate" time. Each passenger has their own clipboard, sheet and pencil. Someone else keeps score for the driver.

We do this too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For 8 hours, we would only stop once. If leaving at 6am, stop around 11am for brunch and bathroom.

I personally stop every two hours or so. I need to pee, stretch my legs, etc. Driving with people like you is exhausting.

You're stopping 4 times on an 8 hour trip? That's insane.

I do that. Just as you need to walk around a plane for the sake of your circulation, you also need to get out of the car regularly and walk around a bit.

Exactly. I’m not sure why that’s such a hard concept to understand. I’m guessing most of the posters saying that it’s crazy are men eager to race to the destination so they can do some more sitting there.

I’m female actually, and we don’t sit around once we get to our destinations. We run around unpacking, possibly food shopping, exploring what’s new in the area, meeting up with friends for dinner, etc. Sorry your bladder hates you , but most people can go four hours comfortably without peeing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For 8 hours, we would only stop once. If leaving at 6am, stop around 11am for brunch and bathroom.

I personally stop every two hours or so. I need to pee, stretch my legs, etc. Driving with people like you is exhausting.

You're stopping 4 times on an 8 hour trip? That's insane.

I do that. Just as you need to walk around a plane for the sake of your circulation, you also need to get out of the car regularly and walk around a bit.

Exactly. I’m not sure why that’s such a hard concept to understand. I’m guessing most of the posters saying that it’s crazy are men eager to race to the destination so they can do some more sitting there.

I’m female actually, and we don’t sit around once we get to our destinations. We run around unpacking, possibly food shopping, exploring what’s new in the area, meeting up with friends for dinner, etc. Sorry your bladder hates you , but most people can go four hours comfortably without peeing.

Just because something is normal for you and your family doesn’t mean it’s “most people”

A well-hydrated person may need to pee more often than 4 hours and that’s not odd it’s just…different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do 8 - 10 or longer hour drives about a dozen times a year. It really isn't a big. You sit in a car and drive. You stop when you need to/want to. It isn't rocket science. I don't understand why everyone wants to make a big deal of it.

In my experience, the person who wants NO stops is married to a person who wants LOTS of stops, and they’ve both developed a lot of opinions about it.

Dh and I are on the same page about stops. We drove a lot over spring break with our teens and it went fine—sometimes we stopped after 2 hours sometimes after 3. It was based on needs, not how much time had elapsed since the last stop. One time we did a 4 hour trip to see family with stopping. We are flexible.

My FIL, on the other hand, absolutely rages if he has to make more stops than *he* deems necessary. If his bladder isn’t full, why is anyone else’s? It’s crazy to be so controlling.

Thank you! I really hate traveling with anxious, controlling people. Everything has to go their way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For 8 hours, we would only stop once. If leaving at 6am, stop around 11am for brunch and bathroom.

I personally stop every two hours or so. I need to pee, stretch my legs, etc. Driving with people like you is exhausting.

You're stopping 4 times on an 8 hour trip? That's insane.

I do that. Just as you need to walk around a plane for the sake of your circulation, you also need to get out of the car regularly and walk around a bit.

Exactly. I’m not sure why that’s such a hard concept to understand. I’m guessing most of the posters saying that it’s crazy are men eager to race to the destination so they can do some more sitting there.

I’m female actually, and we don’t sit around once we get to our destinations. We run around unpacking, possibly food shopping, exploring what’s new in the area, meeting up with friends for dinner, etc. Sorry your bladder hates you , but most people can go four hours comfortably without peeing.

The difference between you and me is that I don’t care how often you have to pee. 4 hours? Good for you! Keep on driving. However, your bladder is not better and it doesn’t get to dictate how often I pee. I don’t need to get a UTI just so you can unpack 10 min earlier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For 8 hours, we would only stop once. If leaving at 6am, stop around 11am for brunch and bathroom.

I personally stop every two hours or so. I need to pee, stretch my legs, etc. Driving with people like you is exhausting.

You're stopping 4 times on an 8 hour trip? That's insane.

I do that. Just as you need to walk around a plane for the sake of your circulation, you also need to get out of the car regularly and walk around a bit.

Exactly. I’m not sure why that’s such a hard concept to understand. I’m guessing most of the posters saying that it’s crazy are men eager to race to the destination so they can do some more sitting there.

I’m female actually, and we don’t sit around once we get to our destinations. We run around unpacking, possibly food shopping, exploring what’s new in the area, meeting up with friends for dinner, etc. Sorry your bladder hates you , but most people can go four hours comfortably without peeing.

The difference between you and me is that I don’t care how often you have to pee. 4 hours? Good for you! Keep on driving. However, your bladder is not better and it doesn’t get to dictate how often I pee. I don’t need to get a UTI just so you can unpack 10 min earlier.

UTI woman you have a wierd obsession. I’m sure your family hates traveling with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For 8 hours, we would only stop once. If leaving at 6am, stop around 11am for brunch and bathroom.

I personally stop every two hours or so. I need to pee, stretch my legs, etc. Driving with people like you is exhausting.

You're stopping 4 times on an 8 hour trip? That's insane.

I do that. Just as you need to walk around a plane for the sake of your circulation, you also need to get out of the car regularly and walk around a bit.

Exactly. I’m not sure why that’s such a hard concept to understand. I’m guessing most of the posters saying that it’s crazy are men eager to race to the destination so they can do some more sitting there.

I’m female actually, and we don’t sit around once we get to our destinations. We run around unpacking, possibly food shopping, exploring what’s new in the area, meeting up with friends for dinner, etc. Sorry your bladder hates you , but most people can go four hours comfortably without peeing.

The difference between you and me is that I don’t care how often you have to pee. 4 hours? Good for you! Keep on driving. However, your bladder is not better and it doesn’t get to dictate how often I pee. I don’t need to get a UTI just so you can unpack 10 min earlier.

UTI woman you have a wierd obsession. I’m sure your family hates traveling with you.

Neurotic man-child, my family is perfectly fine stopping whenever one of us needs to. I'm sorry you haven't matured enough yet to understand basic bodily functions and consideration for others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do 8 - 10 or longer hour drives about a dozen times a year. It really isn't a big. You sit in a car and drive. You stop when you need to/want to. It isn't rocket science. I don't understand why everyone wants to make a big deal of it.

In my experience, the person who wants NO stops is married to a person who wants LOTS of stops, and they’ve both developed a lot of opinions about it.

Dh and I are on the same page about stops. We drove a lot over spring break with our teens and it went fine—sometimes we stopped after 2 hours sometimes after 3. It was based on needs, not how much time had elapsed since the last stop. One time we did a 4 hour trip to see family with stopping. We are flexible.

My FIL, on the other hand, absolutely rages if he has to make more stops than *he* deems necessary. If his bladder isn’t full, why is anyone else’s? It’s crazy to be so controlling.

Thank you! I really hate traveling with anxious, controlling people. Everything has to go their way.

Agree! Pp, I hope you enjoy your vacation, wherever you go this summer

[Anonymous]

Is it just you and 14 DC? Let your DC ride in the front passenger seat.

Make it fun! I love driving and when our 3DC were very young, I would insist on driving a significant portion of the time (I observed that when DH would drive, I’d have to serve snacks, referee fusses, keep convos going, ask for rest stops - not relaxing!) so that all I had to do was drive! That’s the easy part!

I enjoy comedy radio and podcasts but typically on long road trips, DH or I will listen to our own podcasts or music via headphones. Driver’s choice, always.

I’ve also driven carloads of teens to competitions and events and it’s akin to being an Uber driver - each gets in with travel pillows and headphones and sleep or do their own thing the entire trip.

[Anonymous]

PP/driver! Stock up on your fave road trip food.

I chain chew bubble gum (keeps me alert), and bring sour candy - I love indulging in sugary treats when I’m driving (and maybe of vestige of having motion sickness as a child confined in the back seat on cross country trips). We bring an entire cooler of drinks and snacks.

Also, I will stop ASAP the second anyone announces they need a break - for any reason. No pressure - I can always use a break.

I also keep the car super cold - again driver preference. No one wants to sweat it out in a car.

My job is in emergency preparedness. I keep a well stocked bin in my trunk of extras - water, a blanket, snacks, first aid kit, clothes, jumper cables. All reassure me that I can deal with a traffic jam, minor emergencies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For 8 hours, we would only stop once. If leaving at 6am, stop around 11am for brunch and bathroom.

I personally stop every two hours or so. I need to pee, stretch my legs, etc. Driving with people like you is exhausting.

You're stopping 4 times on an 8 hour trip? That's insane.

I do that. Just as you need to walk around a plane for the sake of your circulation, you also need to get out of the car regularly and walk around a bit.

Exactly. I’m not sure why that’s such a hard concept to understand. I’m guessing most of the posters saying that it’s crazy are men eager to race to the destination so they can do some more sitting there.

I’m female actually, and we don’t sit around once we get to our destinations. We run around unpacking, possibly food shopping, exploring what’s new in the area, meeting up with friends for dinner, etc. Sorry your bladder hates you , but most people can go four hours comfortably without peeing.

The difference between you and me is that I don’t care how often you have to pee. 4 hours? Good for you! Keep on driving. However, your bladder is not better and it doesn’t get to dictate how often I pee. I don’t need to get a UTI just so you can unpack 10 min earlier.

You should see a doctor if you can’t go more than two hours without getting a UTI. I am perfectly hydrated and haven’t had a UTI since I was four years old. I honestly think something is wrong with your body.

[Anonymous]

An 8-hour trip with a 14 year old is fairly easy. Let him do whatever he wants-- if that's sleep, play on whatever device he has, read, whatever. Download podcasts or make playlists for yourself. You could break up the trip with one quick/fun stop but if you'd rather power through, you could do that, too.

[Anonymous]

Make sure you have chargers in the car for the devices and this is easy.

I like to set a rough stopping time of every 3ish hours. Most people need to pee by then. So we do at least that. We try not to snack too much in the car, so that we're actually hungry when we stop for meals. For your trip I'd probably stop for a "2nd breakfast" around 9am, then for lunch around 1-2pm depending on everyone's hunger levels. That way we don't arrive starving and can figure out dinner etc after we are there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is 12 and we play the license plate game on roadtrips. It becomes a competition and we take it VERY seriously. As a result we all spend time looking around and talking vs. on our devices. Wouldn't work for a full 8 hours, but fun to designate "license plate" time. Each passenger has their own clipboard, sheet and pencil. Someone else keeps score for the driver.

We do this too!

My elementary kids loved this last summer. We played the entire family finding plates, but I do like the idea of it being competitive. The kids also watched movies on iPads for a chunk of the trip, but this helped for the non-screen time portion.