Always An Adventure

Real hope and encouragement for REAL life.

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Essential Road Trip Routines (That Make Everything Easier)

These road trip routines make everything easier! Pin this post for your next trip.

Unless you take long trips by car very frequently, you probably don’t have road trip routines. But you totally should! Every just like in every other area of life routines have a magical power to keep things simple and on track – exactly what you need for a road trip!

Here are four road trip routines that make everything easier:

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1. Try these road trip routines before you head out:

Create a routine for what needs to be done before you head out for the day. On shorter day trips this might just be something that you do once but for longer trips it’s so helpful to start every morning on the road in the same way.

Here are some ideas for what to put on your “Before Heading Out” road trip routine:

  • When you’re loading up, make sure to load frequently used items last so that they are easy to access if needed throughout your day. (Think: coolers, snacks, diaper bag, extra blanket.)
  • Start each road trip day with an empty trash container/bag in an easy to reach spot.
  • Make sure each person in the car has a beverage and/or snack, activity and extra clothing layer within reach.
  • Check tire pressure, fluids and fuel levels before you go.

Related: 10 Road Trip Essentials That Could Save You Hundreds

2. Create a road trip routine for stops along the way.

When traveling on US Interstates we try to stop no more than every two hours. What this looks like for us is that every other stop will fuel up our vehicle and on the other stops we try if it all possible to use a rest stop instead of a gas station or convenience stores. This saves us money and makes getting in and out much quicker. Also rest stops usually have more room to walk around and stretch your legs.

Here’s the routine we use for each and every road trip stop:

3. Set up road trip routines for when you stop for the night:

Stopping for the night is the biggest reset of all, especially when you’re on a longer trip. As tempting as it is to pile into the hotel room and crash in the bed, or hot tub, what will help the most is to make sure you’re set for the morning before you relax for the night.

  • Empty all of the trash out of the car. Clean up toys and activities, and make sure that you’re grabbing everything you need for your stay for the night.
  • Don’t forget to grab water bottles and snacks for while you’re in your hotel room, plus any activities or books to read while you’re winding down for the evening.
  • Last but not least, reset all of your luggage so that it will be easy to pack up again in the morning when you’re headed up out of your hotel. The more organizing you do as you go the easier it will be to get in and out without too much hassle.

4. Start an end of road trip routine:

Debrief with your crew. Ask questions as you’re get close to home. Find out what everyone’s favorite parts of the trip were. What wasn’t great? What would we like to do more of next time?

Take note of these mental notes, but write them down of course! Along your trip make note of inexpensive stops, great restaurants, and hotels that have pet friendly policies, if that applies to you. What are things that you wish you had brought along on this trip? Write these down so you’ll remember them for future road trips.

Save all your receipts.

This may sound like a weird tip, but saving all of our receipts has been so helpful in planning future road trips! Not only do you have hard copy records in case there are any credit card disputes, but you also have a to the penny record of how much your trip cost. This data is so helpful for budgeting future trips.

Reset right away.

Unpack and do laundry as soon as you can once you’re home. Quick clean the car. Restock toiletry bags and other travel essentials before packing your luggage away.

Routines are the saving grace of a busy life, and our road trip routines have made travel so much easier for our family. Is there anything you would add? Please comment! Was this post helpful? Please spread the love by sharing the link with your friends!

These road trip routines make everything easier! Pin this post for your next trip.

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Best Ever Road Trip Hydration Hack (No Extra Bathroom Stops!)

Learn how to stay hydrated on road trips without making a million extra stops. This road trip hydration hack really works!

We love to road trip as a family and there are few tips that I’ve learned that make everything so much easier. One of the best things I’ve learned is how to stay hydrated on a road trip without having to make a million bathroom stops. This road trip hydration trick is especially helpful as a parent traveling with kids (though it works for all ages!) I’m so excited to share it today.

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Road trip hydration is important – here’s why:

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Staying hydrated on road trips is super important. You’re exposed to all sorts of new germs, and making sure you stay hydrated is a great way to support your immune system on the trip. Plus there’s nothing like riding in an air-conditioned vehicle all day long to really dry you out. But how do you stay on top of drinking water without having to make a million extra stops?

Here’s how we do it:

We plan to stop every two hours, but not more unless someone is ill or it’s absolutely necessary. And, for every bathroom stop we make, everyone in the vehicle has to at least try to go the bathroom. Then we implement…

Our road trip hydration hack that works every time:

About 45 minutes before we plan to stop we hand out the water bottles and encourage everyone to drink up. This allows everyone to get a good amount of water in, with enough time for it to filter through our systems in time for the next bathroom break.

DISCLAIMER: We don’t keep our kids from drinking in between times but the idea is to just take sips of water if you’re thirsty and wait to really fill up until it’s almost time for your next stop.

We also don’t encourage drinking a lot of juice or sodas on our trip, because it seems like everybody downs those a lot faster – making for more bathroom stops. However, for a kid who’s not keen on drinking a lot of water at once I do hand out these low sugar lemonade pouches  or these healthy drink mix packets when it’s hydration time to encourage them to drink more liquids at once before we stop.

This tip isn’t just for kids!

I actually learned this in college while making 12-hour trips home and back with a friend on holiday breaks. She had a super fuel efficient vehicle, and was committed to only stopping once in 12 hours to refuel. (Crazy! I know!!) Her rule for anyone who rode with her was that they needed to bring their own drinks and snacks and that she wasn’t making any extra stops.

I learned to not drink at all except for tiny sips for most of the trip and then I would drink one or two bottles of water about an hour before we stopped so that I wouldn’t really need to use the restroom until then. In the years since I’ve used this with my kids and taught my husband the same trick. It works! Thank you Amanda from college. 

RELATED LINKS:

This road trip hydration trick has saved us SO many headaches and unnecessary stops on the road. I hope it’s as helpful to you as it has been for us. If so, please help spread the love by sharing the link with your friends!

Learn how to stay hydrated on road trips without making a million extra stops. This road trip hydration hack really works!

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Stress Reducing Road Trip Prep (You’ll Never Regret This!)

Road trips can be stressful, but they don't have to be! This road trip prep list will help you reduce stress and have a better trip!

Road trips are a ton of fun but they can also be really stressful too especially if you’re not prepared. There are some things you can do though to make sure that you’ll have a stress-free trip as possible. Here are four things to prep before your next trip.

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Stress reducing road trip prep:

(There are affiliate links in this post, meaning we may get a small commission from any purchases you make. . Click here to read our full disclosure policy.)

Get your car serviced.

It seems like a common-sense advice but taking your car in for a quick check and service is something that so easy to forget in your road trip prep. It doesn’t take very long and it’s definitely worth it!  Getting your car serviced before you go can even prevent costly repairs on the road.

Related: 10 Road Trip Essentials That Could Save You Hundreds

Clean and declutter your car.

There is nothing worse than starting off a road trip and an already cluttered up and grungy car. Taking the time to vacuum, wipe everything down, and get rid of any unnecessary clutter will definitely start your trip on the right foot. This is also a great time to find containers to organize any stuff that needs to stay in the car so it’s not just rolling around.

Check your emergency equipment.

Is your spare tire is filled with air? Do you know where your jack and tire iron is? Do you know how to use them? Is there a working first aid kit in the car? Are all of the contents fresh and up-to-date? Answering these questions will make sure that you’re prepared for any minor emergencies that arise on the trip. It’s not fun to think about them, but let’s face it life happens. It’s just better to be prepared.

Do a quick document check.

You’ll want to make sure that your license and registration are up-to-date before setting out on your next road trip, but that’s not the only paperwork to have on hand. Make sure you have proper identification for children if you’re taking them out of state, as well as any info for roadside assistance, updated health insurance cards, and any other documents you might need should an emergency arise on the road.

Related: 30+ Frugal & Healthy Road Trip Snacks

Take some time in  your road trip prep to make sure you’re on top of these four things. It doesn’t take long, and can make all the difference in reducing stress while you’re on the road. You will never ever regret being prepared.

For more great tips for road trip travel, click here. Was this helpful? Please spread the love by sharing the link with your friends. Click here to Pin on Pinterest:

 

Road trips can be stressful, but they don't have to be! This road trip prep list will help you reduce stress and have a better trip!

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10 Road Trip Essentials That Could Save You Hundreds

Don't leave home without these road trip essentials! This tried and true list could actually save you hundreds of dollars on your next trip.

It’s that time of year again! You’re getting ready to load up your car and hit the open road. Road trips are a great way to see the country, and for many can be a frugal way to travel. They can also be quite expensive, if you’re not careful! Use this list to make sure you don’t forget any of these road trip essentials – they could literally save you hundreds of dollars on your next trip.

(There are affiliate links in this post, meaning we may get a small commission from any purchases you make. We only recommend products and services we actually use and love. Click here to read our full disclosure policy.)

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Don’t forget these money saving road trip essentials:

Roadside Assistance Membership Info

A roadside assistance policy is absolutely one of the best ways to save money and have peace of mind on the road. Breakdowns and accidents happen – it’s part of life! The membership fee for roadside assistance is tiny compared to the cost of paying out of pocket for someone to tow your vehicle should it break down just once on the road. This one tip alone could save you hundreds of dollars!

Also, many insurance companies offer roadside assistance as part of their policies (or as an inexpensive add-on). Take the time to find out your benefits and have the info handy should you need it on the road. You won’t regret it! With that, don’t forget to make sure you have:

Current Proof of Insurance + Registration

Heaven forbid you get in a fender-bender or get pulled over, but you’ll want to make sure all your necessary documents are on hand and current – just in case. This might save a bit if you’re ticketed for some reason, but it’s worth it’s weight in gold for peace of mind. It’s nice to have your ducks in a row. Also, don’t forget to pack a:

Tire Gauge

Before your trip, find out the ideal pressure for your vehicle’s tires, and then make a point to check your tires at the start of each day. This $4 tool could save you the price of a new tire, and at the very least make sure you’re getting the best fuel mileage possible. And, speaking of fuel mileage – you’ll want to download a good:

Fuel Price Finder App

On our last trip we used Gas Guru, and it saved us up to 40 cents per gallon on each fill up! It is so nice to be able to look up fuel prices ahead of time, and know that we were getting the best deal. And the savings really do add up.

Another road trip essential that could save you hundreds is to make sure you bring:

Plenty of Cash

Paying cash at gas stations is THE BEST WAY to avoid credit card skimmers at the pumps. Also, paying with cash can help you stick to a budget for your trip. We try to carry cash for all travel purchases, plus a backup stash that could get us home if for some reason there was an issue with our cards or bank account. Along with plenty of cash, you’ll also want to bring plenty of:

Bottled Water

Buying a case of bottled water at the grocery store will cost pennies on the dollar per bottle, compared to convenience store prices. Also, when you bring a cooler of ice cold water you’re more likely to stay hydrated – a great way to stay healthy and keep your immune system strong on your trip. Also, don’t forget to pack loads of:

Healthy Snacks

Bringing your own snack foods will save you boatloads of cash on your trip – and if you pack healthy snacks you’ll feel better too. (Here’s a list of 30+ Frugal and Healthy Road Trip Snacks!)  Not buying snacks and drinks at convenience stores and vending machines can save you $5 or more per person, per stop. That adds up fast! Another helpful way to save is to bring your own:

Travel Mug

A simple, insulated travel mug is safer to drink from while traveling, and will keep your hot beverages warm longer, and your cool beverages cooler. We like to fill ours at the hotel prior to checkout, insuring we’ll have a nice cup of coffee to start the day’s drive. Average savings? $3-$5 per day.

Another thing that is super helpful but commonly forgotten:

A Well Equipped First Aid Kit

Bringing a well equipped first aid kit (more than just bandages and antibiotic ointment) should top your list of money saving road trip essentials. Knowing you have the right supplies on hand to clean and bandage a cut or deal with nausea gives so much peace of mind. It can also prevent an expensive detour to a pharmacy or urgent care.  To any comprehensive first aid kit (like the ones below) I like to add/make sure to include simple OTC medications for pain, nausea, motion sickness and allergies.


Also, don’t forget to bring updated copies of your:

Health Insurance Info

If you do have to visit an Urgent Care or Emergency room, knowing what locations are covered by your insurance could save you hundreds (if not thousands!) on medical bills. Make sure to have current copies of your cards, as well as what numbers to call if you need directions to the closest covered facility.

It Never Hurts to be Prepared!

As you can see, just a little advance planning could save you hundreds on your next road trip. And why not? Use the savings to go farther or do something fun! Or just let these road trip essentials make your journey more relaxed and enjoyable!

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Love these tips? Please share the link with your friends! Also, we LOVE to hear your feedback. Think I missed something on the list? Please share in the comments below!

Don't leave home without these road trip essentials! This tried and true list could actually save you hundreds of dollars on your next trip.

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How to Make a DIY Travel Kitchen and Save Money on Road Trips

 

With this DIY Travel Kitchen, you'll be sure to have everything you need on hand for cooking healthy, money-saving meals on your next road trip!

When we were planning our last road trip, I had this crazy thought: What if I could create a DIY Travel Kitchen that could be used in any hotel room – allowing us to save money and eat better by preparing home cooked meals? Was it even practical? Would it be more hassle than it was worth?

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After a little research I found a few ideas for how to cook in a hotel room, and set out to create my own travel kitchen, which I’ll share below.

(There are affiliate links in this post, meaning we may get a small commission from any purchases you make. We only recommend products and services we actually use and love. Click here to read our full disclosure policy.)

As you go about creating your own DIY Travel Kitchen, here are some suggestions for things you’ll probably want to bring with you on the road:

 

A PORTABLE HEAT SOURCE

Depending on what you like to eat, this could be anything:  a mini George Foreman grill, Slow Cooker, or an extra deep electric skillet like this one. An Instant Pot looks like another good option. After reading this blog post, I decided to use a large rice cooker we already had and were comfortable using. It turned out to be a great choice for us, more on that below.

VERSATILE COOKING UTENSILS

This could include:

  • Can opener
  • Paring knife with safety cover
  • Slotted serving spoon
  • Pancake flipper
  • Spatula
  • Measuring cups and/or spoons if needed

DISHWASHING SOAP AND SPONGE

You’ll definitely want to bring dish soap and a sponge to clean your dishes. Hotel room sinks can be small, so you may want to bring a small dish tub as well. I ended up using the insert for our rice cooker as a tub to wash dishes in, and rinsed under tap water before laying them out on a towel to dry.

MINI SPICE COLLECTION

Empty Tic Tac containers make excellent mini spice jars. I brought 3, and filled one with seasoned salt, one with a mix of salt and pepper, and one with garlic powder. We barely used them, but they were nice to have on hand.

With this DIY Travel Kitchen, you'll be sure to have everything you need on hand for cooking healthy, money-saving meals on your next road trip!

PLATES, BOWLS AND PLASTIC SILVERWARE

For our last trip, we brought reusable bowls and disposable utensils. The plastic bowls packed nicely for travel, and were easy to clean up. We were tight for space, and I didn’t want the hassle of trying to keep paper plates and bowls from being crushed while traveling. I brought disposable utensils because we had them on hand, and I didn’t want to risk losing pieces of my flatware set on the road.

PAPER AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS

Consider bringing:

  • sanitizing wipes for surfaces before and after cooking
  • paper towels (we used these for napkins as well)
  • ziploc bags for storing leftovers, etc.
  • small trash bags

A word on the trash bags – even the nicest hotel rooms we stayed in had tiny, very thin trash bags. It’s worth bringing your own extra trash bags so that you can dispose of any food-related waste properly – it makes everything much nicer.

You Might Also Like: 10 Road Trip Essentials That Could Save You Hundreds

With this DIY Travel Kitchen, you'll be sure to have everything you need on hand for cooking healthy, money-saving meals on your next road trip!

HERE’S WHAT WE BROUGHT IN OUR DIY TRAVEL KITCHEN:

With this DIY Travel Kitchen, you'll be sure to have everything you need on hand for cooking healthy, money-saving meals on your next road trip!

I was able to pack everything except the food and roll of paper towels inside of the rice cooker. Since we were traveling with two kids (5&6) and a cat, it was nice to pack in such a small container. The only thing I REALLY wished I had brought along was a slotted spoon for scooping out pasta to drain.

We ate simple meals on our travels. I practiced at home to test cooking times and serving sizes – I didn’t want to have any leftovers. Here are some of the types of meals we ate:

  • Kielbasa, potatoes and canned green beans.
  • Macaroni and cheese with canned chicken breast.
  • Burritos with refried beans and shredded cheese.
  • Hearty canned soup and crackers.

We had a good stash of healthy snacks with us, so most of our meals included a side of fresh veggies or fruit from our snack bag.

WE LOVED OUR DIY TRAVEL KITCHEN

It’s true, it did take a little effort and experimenting to put it all together – but it was totally worth it! We saved money, and had a more relaxing experience overall. Several times we prepped the food and then relaxed in the hotel pool while our meal was cooking – how cool is that?

Hotel room cooking isn’t for everyone — and it’s not necessarily something we’ll do on every trip. But there are some times when it is necessary, and I love knowing that if needed, we can make do in any hotel room with our DIY travel kitchen.

OTHER HELPFUL ARTICLES FROM AROUND THE WEB:

How to cook real food in a hotel room.

The complete beginners guide to cooking in a hotel room.

Necessities for cooking in a hotel room.

How to use the Instant Pot in a hotel room.

Do you have any great tips for hotel room cooking? I’d love to hear them!

With this DIY Travel Kitchen, you'll be sure to have everything you need on hand for cooking healthy, money-saving meals on your next road trip!