How to Conquer a Long Road Trip

Pack. Make sure to bring not only the basics like clothes and toiletries but also important items such as medications and any other essentials you might need along the way.

Pack a small backpack with items that could keep you entertained, like books, puzzles, or portable gaming devices. Prepare some tasty snacks (but avoid chocolate if you're headed to a hot destination!) and stock up on water or canned drinks. This will help curb your hunger when there’s no exit in sight for miles.

• You might also want to bring along an iPod, Zune, or another MP3 player for music. A portable DVD player or gaming system could also be a great idea for entertainment.

Ensure the car is tidy before you hit the road. Clear out any trash, old toys, books, and wrappers. Vacuum the seats and add a comfy blanket to your seat for extra comfort. A clean car will make the air feel fresher and help reduce that claustrophobic feeling during the long ride.

Get comfy! Use the bathroom before you depart, adjust your pillow to perfection (since you'll be in the backseat for a while), and make sure you're well-fed. Slip off your shoes and unwind. Look out the window and enjoy the scenic views as you drive along.

Enjoy classic road trip games. These timeless games are both fun and engaging, sparking your creativity. Here are some examples:

• License Plate Words: Look for a license plate with letters and come up with funny phrases. For instance, if you spot a plate that says CESC686, you might say "CESC" stands for "cows eat seven chickens".
• Another game involves finding states within your current time zone, and you earn extra points if you spot one from another time zone. It’s easier when you’re on the west coast, since you won’t likely spot a car from Maine.

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Which activity do you most enjoy while on a long road trip?

Let your imagination run wild. Dream up fun scenarios, or gaze out the window and imagine that something or someone is racing alongside you. With enough creativity, it could feel like a scene from a movie.

Put on your favorite music. Is there an album you've been meaning to listen to? Now's the perfect opportunity to enjoy it! Sit back and unwind as the hours pass by to the sound of your favorite tunes.

Get lost in a book. Be cautious though, as reading in the car may make some people feel carsick. Pack magazines or books for the journey. If your home library is small or there’s no local library, try downloading an app like Apple Books or eBooks to read on your device. Some books on Apple Books are even free! And if you have an eReader, don’t forget to take that along.

Unleash your creativity. If you’ve got a notepad, try writing a story. Imagine you’re traveling through the vast Kansas plains. Draw the open fields and dream up a thrilling roller coaster or a water slide. Write a tale inspired by your surroundings. It’ll pass the time and get your creative juices flowing.

Goof around. For instance, play some harmless pranks like pretending to cry and when someone asks what's wrong, you can say, "Someone invisible is chopping onions!" It might annoy people, but it’ll surely make them laugh. If you decide to prank the other passengers, make sure they know it’s all in good fun. Avoid pranking anyone who tends to get upset easily.

Catch up on sleep. If you're hitting the road in the morning, try waking up 3 hours earlier to tire yourself out. For example, if your departure is at 7:30 am, rise at 4:30 am. You could pack your bag, prep snacks, take a quick bike ride, and even clean the house a little. By the time you get in the car, you’ll be ready for a nap. And when you wake up, you’ll be closer to your destination!

• Wear comfortable, loose clothing. You'll want to feel relaxed on the road.
• Try to sleep if you can. That way, you won’t have to worry about your family chatting away, and you can enjoy some peace and quiet.
• If neither of those options works for you, dive into a good book, doodle, or write something during the trip. Just be mindful of motion sickness and how difficult it might be to keep your writing straight in a moving car.

• Bring a blanket—otherwise, the air conditioning might make things uncomfortably cold.
• Remember that family members may get stressed or tired from driving, so try to avoid any arguments.
• The glare on your gadgets can get annoying, so make sure to switch off your device periodically and give your eyes a break.
• Be prepared for siblings to be a bit annoying. They might try to rest their feet on you. If this happens, place something uncomfortable like Lego bricks on your lap—or just put your feet on them!
• If you nap during the trip, it might throw off your sleep schedule later on.
• Never distract the driver. Stay focused and stay safe.