Family road trips are a staple vacation when you’re raising kids.
With a good route, you’ll combine fun activities, beautiful scenery, and several memorable locations in just one trip. And with the proper planning and packing, you can create a vacation that everyone enjoys, regardless of ages and interests.
Top U.S. Road Trip Routes for Families
Looking for iconic U.S. road trip routes? Here are two of the most-traveled, well-loved road trip destinations in the United States.
Pacific Coast Highway (California)
Highlights: Beach views, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Hearst Castle
Length: About 500 miles; 10-12 hours total drive time
A popular section of the Pacific Coast Highway spans from San Francisco to Los Angeles. You and your kids can enjoy the beautiful ocean views and stop at famous landmarks like Hearst Castle. There are other fun (and educational) places to stop along the way, like the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Adults can enjoy cute towns, restaurants, and local shops. Don’t forget about the Golden Gate Bridge, of course!
Route 66 (Chicago to Los Angeles)
Highlights: Museums, the Grand Canyon, and various roadside attractions
Length: 2,400 miles; 2-3 weeks travel time
Route 66 is a well known route for a reason. It’s especially great for kids because of the quirky roadside attractions, statues, and museums.
One of the most magnificent parts of Route 66 is through the Grand Canyon. It makes for a great stop with kids, and they're sure to be wowed by the fantastic scenery.
The route goes through eight states and three time zones. You can tackle the entire route, or choose a section to traverse for a shorter trip.
U.S. National Parks Road Trip Loops
If you’re looking for a route featuring great outdoor activities, a national park loop might be the answer for your next family road trip.
Blue Ridge Parkway (North Carolina and Virginia)
Highlights: Fall leaves, Great Smoky Mountains
Length: 469 total miles, shorter loops available; 15 hours total drive time
The best time to drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway is in the fall, where you can witness the beautiful colors of the changing leaves.
There are many hiking trails from beginner to advanced levels, and you can stay overnight and camp or rent a cabin or Airbnb if tents aren’t your thing.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is also breathtaking.
Great Lakes National Parks Loop (Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota)
Highlights: Isle Royale, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Indiana Dunes National Park
Length: 1,260 miles (plus ferries); 1+ week recommended travel time
This Great Lakes National Parks Loop covers a lot of ground. Spanning three states and several national parks, you’ll see scenery and beauty you likely didn’t expect in this part of the country.
We recommend completing this road trip in the summer, as northern Michigan can get quite cold in the fall.
International Family Road Trip Destinations
Looking for a road trip adventure abroad? Check out these international gems.
The Garden Route (South Africa)
Highlights: Beaches, wildlife reserves, and family-friendly outdoor activities
Length: 124 miles (starting point is 250 miles from Cape Town); 4-8 days travel time
The Garden Route in South Africa has it all: forests, animal sanctuaries, Wilderness National Park, and even safari tours.
Depending on the time you go, you might even get the opportunity to visit the beaches and see whales in the wild.
The route is popular and well-traveled, making it particularly welcoming for solo travelers or first-time international roadtrippers.
The Icefields Parkway (Alberta, Canada)
Highlights: Scenic lakes, wildlife, valleys, and glaciers
Length: 144 miles; 3 hours total drive time
The Icefields Parkway drive takes you from Banff National Park to Jasper National Park. You’ll see picturesque lakes that look like they’re straight from a postcard, glacier walkways, and gorgeous views of the Canadian Rockies.
If your kids like the outdoors, there are hikes for all ages and skill levels, as well as charming towns for shopping and dinner.
Tips for Planning a Family Road Trip
It’s never as easy as just hopping in the car and heading down the road. Here are tips for making your next road trip a breeze.
Schedule frequent breaks
Taking frequent breaks is part of doing a road trip as a family. You’ll need to take restroom breaks and give younger kids a break from their car seats.
Taking breaks every 1 to 2 hours will extend your road trip, but it can make your kids (and you) much happier in the car.
Map out kid-friendly stops
Planning ahead is your best bet for having a successful family road trip. Look for playgrounds, children’s museums, and interesting rest areas along your route.
Also look for parks and scenic trails where you can let your children spend a few minutes in nature before getting back into the car.
Plan overnight stays
When you have young kids, choosing a family-friendly hotel, such as one with a pool, can help to break up the trip. It gives your kids something to look forward to, and you can remind them of the upcoming treat while you’re on the road.
Keep kids entertained on the road
To keep your kids entertained on a road trip, try car games like iSpy and Road Trip Bingo. You can also download activities they can do on their devices, but limit screen time. Use movies or iPad games as rewards for good behavior on a trip, not as their default entertainment.
Reading books, listening to podcasts together, and old favorites like coloring books can also go a long way in helping your kids stay entertained in the car.
Packing Essentials for a Family Road Trip
Getting food on the road or at gas stations gets expensive. Try shopping at the grocery store ahead of time and pack healthy snacks, granola bars, and your kids’ favorite treats for the car.
In order to save on beverages, pack an ice chest and make sure each member of your family brings their own water bottle.
For kids, bring their favorite toys or stuffed animals along with pillows and blankets so they can take naps.
If they use devices, bring portable chargers. Pre-load devices with games and movies, and bring a book, small toys, and other activities for each child that are based on their age.
Don’t forget a first aid kit, medications, and roadside emergency tools in case you run into car trouble.
FAQs About Family Road Trips
What are the best road trip destinations for families with toddlers?
If you have a toddler, consider shorter road trips, like Chicago to Lake Geneva or Boston to Cape Cod. These trips are under two hours, which means you can time your driving during your toddler's nap time.
If your trip is longer, plan to make frequent stops with toddler-friendly attractions, like a petting zoo or children’s museum.
How do I keep kids entertained during long stretches of driving?
In addition to the tips listed above, you can also bring small toys like magna tiles or sticker books that you bring out at different points on the ride.
Another idea is to create a treasure chest with dollar store toys that kids can choose from if they can make it to the next rest stop with good behavior.
Are there apps that help find kid-friendly attractions along the way?
Yes. Here are a few apps that can help you find kid-friendly attractions (or the nearest restroom) during your family road trip:
How do I prepare for emergencies on a family road trip?
When taking a family road trip, make sure to bring health insurance documents, current medications, and the phone numbers to your doctors back home. Make a note of the nearest hospitals along your route as well.
Check your car insurance ahead of time to determine whether or not you have roadside assistance, and make sure you have tire-changing tools and jumping cables in your car.
For minor kid-related issues, like soiled clothes or cuts, keep a first aid kit and an extra set of clothes in your vehicle.
TL;DR: Planning Family Road Trips
Taking your kids on a family road trip creates memories everyone can look back on and remember fondly.
To make it a great trip, make sure to plan one that has activities for kids. Also, pack snacks, things to do in the car, and always have a first aid kit on hand.
Planning goes a long way in ensuring everyone has a great time and you're prepared for any unexpected hiccups!
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