When Getting There Can Be Half the Fun

Looking for a fun and less stressful vacation idea? If you enjoy driving, consider taking a “Driving Vacation”. A driving vacations put you in control and gives you more flexibility. All you need to determine a head of time is where you want to go to. You can even just determine the general direction you want to travel and then head out. However Driving vacations do take a little planning, but if you leave a day later or a day earlier, it doesn’t really matter that much. If your traveling with children then you can make numerous stops and the children aren’t cooped up in the car for more than two or three hours at a time.

Here are some planning tools for taking a “Driving Vacation”.

Decide Where You Want to Go
If your children are young, then you will do most of the planning, but their interest should be considered. If your children are older, then let them participate in the planning as much as possible. You don’t have to plan the entire trip mile by mile before you leave. Have a general idea as your journey will offer may side trips.

Get Some Travel Guide Books
Once you’ve decided on a destination or even a general direction to travel, then get some guidebooks. The best place to get them is for a local Automobile Association. You can easily obtain these guides from them if you are a member. However, if you are not a member it might be a good idea to join. If you have any automobile emergencies on the way, they will provide much needed assistance.

Make a Tentative Plan
Once you get the guidebooks, sit down with the family and take a look at what’s available along your planned route you will be driving. Maybe you just want to plan one day at a time. Sometimes the fun comes from planning the next day’s activities each night along the way. It also allows you to adjust to driving as maybe some days are better for driving than others. Make the plan tentative as you will be offered lots of options along the way. Remember flexibility is the key to enjoying your trip.

Here are some Keys to Enjoy the Trip
Don’t’ worry about how long it will take to arrive at your destination and don’t try to stop at every tourist attraction. Maybe something can be visited on the way home. Consider taking a different route home which will open up new places to visit. Each night, with your family, re-evaluate the plan. Look through the guidebooks and see what is available. Stop early in the evening for the night. If possible get a room at a motel with a pool. Shopping early this way gives the family time to spend together and have some fun.

Extra Suggestions
When you enter a new state or province, stop at the first tourist information center. You will bind a wealth of information at these locations. Many motel chains have directories of their other locations in their lobbies. If you like that particular motel chain, then plan to stay at the next one as you will know what they offer. Be prepared for things for the kids to do in the car.

Remember flexibility is the key to having a happy “Driving Vacation”.