How to Survive (and Enjoy) the Multi-Generational Road Trip
Remember your 20s and 30s? For some, that might not feel like too long ago. Anyway, remember those spontaneous road trips with friends? You’d be sitting around doing, well, not much (probably supposed to be studying) when one friend would announce, "Hey, such-and-such band is playing in San Fran this weekend!"
Cue the excitement. Next thing you know, you’re all packing a bag, hopping into someone's old car, and driving off. You didn’t care that it was a 10-hour drive. You’d drive like maniacs, barely stopping except to swap drivers and fuel up. It was a race to beat the clock, with bragging rights for anyone who made the trip faster than expected.
Ah, the good ol' days, right?
Well, fast forward to the multi-generational road trip... It doesn’t quite work the same way.
Here’s the Reality: It’s Going to Take Longer
Let’s face it: the drive will take longer, and you'll be making way more stops than you ever thought possible. So how do you cope?
Start by Planning for Extra Time
If you're anything like me, you calculate how long the drive should take. I usually rely on two things:
If I’ve made the trip before, I’ll use that time frame but secretly knock off half an hour as if it’s a race. Of course, that half hour is quickly added back once we hit traffic.
The trusty Google Maps—seems like it knows everything about traffic patterns and trip durations. But even with its best estimate running in my mind, I often find myself thinking, “This should only take 7 hours,” as the trip drags into hour 11.
Pro Tip: Take the Google estimate and double it. Seriously. If you used to make this trip in your 20s in a day, plan for an extra 5 hours.
Planning for extra time will lower your stress and make the journey more enjoyable for everyone. Trust me on this.
Plan Your Stops Ahead of Time
You’ll need to stop along the way, and these stops will take longer than you think. Gone are the days of zipping into a 7-Eleven for a quick snack and coffee. Whether you're traveling with babies or grandparents, those quick pit stops won’t work anymore.
Before you go, look at the map and plan some interesting places to stop. It gives everyone a chance to stretch their legs and explore a bit.
If you bring your own food, consider stopping at a park or rest area for a picnic. We’ve found that local city parks are often well-maintained and offer nice spots to relax.
And if you plan to stop at restaurants, it’s helpful to decide where to eat ahead of time to avoid the endless “What do you want?” “I don’t know, whatever you want” conversation.
For my family, some of these stops have become part of the tradition. For example, when we head south to California, we always stop at the Olive Pit in Corning. And on trips to Spokane, the Country Mercantile near Pasco is a must.
These stops aren’t just breaks—they’re memories in the making. Sometimes, the journey itself becomes just as memorable as the destination.
Switch Drivers Every Two Hours
This idea is a game changer for us. We learned about the “two-hour rule” when planning a trip to San Diego, and it’s become a non-negotiable part of our road trips.
Even if no one feels tired, switching drivers every two hours keeps everyone fresh and helps prevent exhaustion. It’s a simple way to make sure no one ends up grumpy or ready to nap by the time you arrive.
Don’t Forget Snacks
It doesn’t matter how many meal stops you’ve planned—your family will want snacks. It's just a road trip thing.
One of our friends, Patti, who’s been on many road trips, suggests not overpacking snacks. Instead, she recommends picking up regional snacks as you go. That way, you get to try things you can't find at home. Patti says, “My brothers have certain road trip snacks they look forward to—some of which you can only find in truck stops between Oregon and Southern California.”
Keep a Change of Clothes Handy
Whether it's a spill from a snack attack or motion sickness, accidents happen. The last thing you want is to be stuck in the middle of nowhere, 70 miles from your destination, without a change of clothes. Trust me, your fellow passengers will thank you.
If space is tight, it doesn’t need to be everyone’s change of clothes. Grandma might look a bit funny in oversized jeans, but she’ll be much more comfortable than in soggy clothes.
Enjoy the Ride
This might seem obvious, but it’s important to remember that the drive is part of the trip. The destination isn’t the only thing that matters—make the most of the time on the road.
With a little planning and a positive attitude, you’ll find that a multi-generational road trip can be a lot of fun. It’s a great way to bring the family together—and if it gets too much, you can always consider flying!
Originally posted in 2017. Updated in 2024.