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mom with teens bundled in coats and hats next to trunk of car for holiday road trip

Get Ready for a Winter Road Trip with These Holiday Car Travel Tips

couple standing next to car with snowy windswept landscape on holiday road trip
mom with teens bundled in winter clothing opening trunk of car for holiday road trip

The holidays are the busiest travel time of the year. More than any other time of year, people are on the road and in the air traveling to visit loved ones and taking holiday vacations. During this time of year, a little pre-planning and preparation are key to having a fun trip and arriving at your destination in good spirits. We have a few holiday car travel tips to help you on your next family adventure.

mom with teens bundled in coats and hats next to trunk of car for holiday road trip

Road Trip Tips for the Holidays

With many road trips and long distance moves under our belt, there are a few things that we’ve learned along the way. Several of our mishaps have occurred because of a lack of planning. Some of our most memorable, for all the wrong reasons, are leaving the interior car light on and killing the car battery during a camping trip, finding ourselves on the sea wall (20 miles in the wrong direction) during a thunderstorm because the GPS didn’t work, and going WAY over budget on food because I forgot the cooler on the kitchen counter.

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Lessons learned. Now we make sure we and our car are ready for any trip. Here are my top tips for making sure you have everything you need for a holiday road trip.

woman checking oil in her car before taking road trip

Check All the Fluids

Check the levels of all vital fluids, including motor oil, coolant, transmission fluid and windshield wiper fluid. Top-off, or change, fluids as needed. Motor oil does more than just lubricate moving parts. In colder temperatures, it keeps the engine from freezing, too.

Keep An Emergency Kit Ready

 Be sure that you have a car emergency kit in your trunk for any unforeseeable car issues.

Kits should include a flashlight, jumper cables, batteries, electrical tape, a rain poncho, a reflective safety vest and an emergency blanket.

Make sure you also have a medical emergency kit equipped with band aids, gauze, alcohol antiseptic pads, insect bite relief and any necessary medications.

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mom with teens bundled in winter clothing opening trunk of car for holiday road trip

Check Tire Air Pressure – Including the Spare

Over- or under-inflation can weaken your tires, cause uneven tread wear and impact your gas mileage. Many drivers think the proper tire pressure can be found on the actual tire, however, that’s incorrect. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual or to a decal often found in the doorjamb or glove compartment for the proper tire pressure.

Check the pressure when the tire is cold/at air temperature. Do not check the pressure after an extended drive on the highway or after driving for more than five minutes.

I prefer a digital tire pressure gauge as it is easier for me to read. Don’t forget to check the spare tire! Make sure you also have a jack in the trunk.

Stay Charged

A weak battery is unreliable and may take longer to start on cold mornings. Have the battery tested before long road trips to make sure it has enough cranking power to withstand the cold. To minimize strain, start the vehicle with the heater, lights and window defrosters turned off.

Bring a Few Tools

Along with a jack and battery cables, we like to have a few important tools in the trunk. Pliers, a hammer, and a set of wrenches don’t take up much space but can be very useful for minor fixes on the road.

Pack Smart

Clean out the car, inside and in the trunk, and get rid of anything not needed for your trip. Pack the night before you leave because it always takes longer than you think.  Stage everything you plan to take near the vehicle and load based on when you need the items.

Bags/items you’ll need first will be loaded last for easier access. By packing smart and loading the night before, you can leave first thing in the morning before rush hour.

road trip beach packing list
Visit our Etsy Shop for everything you need to plan your next adventure.

Avoid the Dreaded “Are We There Yet?”

Pack a collection of toys and games to play on the trip. A plastic shoe box or canvas organizer works well to keep everything together. Classic travel games like “License Plate Bingo” or “I Spy” help pass the time. With these games, there’s nothing to pack and no small pieces to lose.

Books on tape or downloaded audio files help keep everyone entertained. We’ll often download a combination of new and favorite books for a trip.

Plan Stops

Stop frequently at parks, rest stops, and attraction sites to get out and stretch your legs. Have a picnic for lunch outdoors if weather allows. Although stopping on the road causes longer travel times, it helps make travel more enjoyable. Everyone can move around and burn off energy before having to get back in the car.

We plan stops as part of our trip. When we are on the road, even though it may be a 15 hour trip, we say, “Our next stop is only 3 hours away” 5 times. This way it doesn’t seem like the trip will last FOREVER.

two girls with heads and elbows hanging out window of car on road trip

Don’t Forget the Snacks

Pack a soft sided cooler with snacks and drinks. Keep the cooler in the front of the car where you can reach them without stopping. Good travel snacks include trail mix, dried fruits, beef jerky, nuts, and fresh fruit. Pack a water bottle for each person to stay hydrated too.

Keep Everything Cleaned Up and In Its Place

Pack clean-up supplies like wet wipes, hand sanitizer, paper towels,or napkins to clean up after eating. A trash bag is also a good idea to limit clutter and helps keep the car mess free.

These holiday car travel tips will help you enjoy holiday travel with your family. What keeps your family smiling in the car?

More Road Trip Tips for Families

  • How to Best Prepare for a Cross-Country Road Trip with Your Family
  • Budget Hacks for Cheap Road Trips in 11 Simple Steps
  • What You Need for a Family Road Trip + Weekend Packing List
  • 8 Beautiful Road Trips to Take in the USA this Year

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Ready to Start Planning Your Trip? Use These Helpful Links to Book Your Trip!

  • AIRFARE
    • Find low fares with airfarewatchdog, Skyscanner, and WayAway.com.
    • Get airfare deal alerts up to 90% off from Dollar Flight Club (free & paid membership options)
    • Book your plane ticket with  Expedia or Kayak
    • Book your Airport Parking Reservations and save money.
  • ROAD TRIP/CAR RENTAL
    • Take the scenic route and rent an RV from RVShare
    • Get packed for an epic road trip and don’t forget the Road Trip Games to Play in the Car Need more space? Get a rental car thru Discovercars.com.
  • LODGING
    • From hotels to private homes, find the perfect accommodation with Hotels.com or booking.com.
    • For camping and RV campgrounds, find the ideal location with Campspot.
  • PACKING
    • Travel in style with a suitcase, carry-on, backpack, or handbag from Away and Eagle Creek.
    • For packing cubes, we love these from Eagle Creek and these reusable silicon bags for a 3-1-1 bag from Stasher.
  • TRAVEL PLANNING
    • Looking to start travel hacking and want a place to keep track of it all? There’s the free TravelFreely site.
    • For budgeting help, get our road trip budgeting tips here.
  • ATTRACTIONS/ACTIVITIES
    • Save on tickets to attractions, sightseeing tours, and more with
      • Tiqets for cultural events, museums, Broadway shows, etc.
      • CityPASS for multi-day attraction passes at up to 55% off in select cities
      • Get Your Guide and Viator for guided tours/excursions, day trips, and activitties
      • Groupon for discounted local attractions and event tickets
      • Undercover Tourister for discounted theme park tickets
    • Find guided outdoor activities led by local guides at 57Hours.
    • Find information on local trails with the AllTrails App.
  • LEARN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
    • We use and recommend Rosetta Stone to learn a new language. We bought the $179 lifetime option with unlimited access to ALL 25 of their languages.
  • Need something else to plan your perfect trip? Visit my travel resources page for more trusted partners.

 

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Written by:
Nicky Omohundro
Published on:
September 15, 2024
Thoughts:
1 Comment

Categories: Family TravelTags: travel tips

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About Nicky Omohundro

Nicky Omohundro is a travel and active family lifestyle blogger and social media influencer based out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She shares stories, destinations, and ideas on food, family, health, and outdoor recreation to help families find their own adventures. Her spirit animal is a caffeinated squirrel fueled by coffee, real food, and the desire to seek new adventures.

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Comments

  1. blankL. E. Mastilock

    December 2, 2015 at 9:26 pm

    Good tips. I love when we are not on a tight time schedule and can stop at interesting places along the way. It’s fun to experience the adventure and find new places. Love the Willie Nelson bandanna with braids! Glad you had time for fun and silliness!

    Reply

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Hello, my name is Nicky, founder of Little Family Adventure. I'm a vivacious mother of three who wants to assist you in having "No Child Left Inside." With one teenager still at home and two young adults successfully out navigating the world, I'm out exploring the world and traveling with and sometimes without them to provide you with fresh food ideas, travel destinations, and family-friendly activities. Allow me to help you discover your own Little Family Adventure!

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