While most summers are spent planning fun activities and vacations with the kids, this year has been all about planning your big move. The drive may seem daunting, but your cross-country adventure can become your family’s new favorite summertime memory with just a little more planning on your part.
As one of the top relocation companies in the country, you know your belongings are in good hands every mile of your long distance move, so here’s how you can make every mile of your trip unforgettable for your family.
Pack the Essentials
Nothing says road trip like a carful of delicious snacks and refreshing drinks. Pack all your favorite munchable goodies in large plastic bin for easy access and divy them each up into portionable baggies to prevent messes or over-snacking. Travel mugs and reusable water bottles are a must-have to prevent spills, and hand sanitizer is always a great call before you dive in and afterward to clean up.
Small travel pillows are necessary for all weary travels, while and blankets help manage climate control for multiple roadtrippers. And don’t forget sunglasses for anyone who could take over the wheel at some point along the trip. Lastly, phone chargers for the car are a surefire way to keep the kids from serious anguish.
Create a Playlist (or 3)
With several hours of driving on the horizon, the same 30 songs on the radio aren’t going to cut it. While creating a playlist of all your family’s favorite songs is a great idea, dividing up those songs into multiple playlists is even better. Maybe one is designated to fun, pump up jams to start the morning or give you a midday energy boost where another is slower, more relaxing jms for downtime.
If your car doesn’t have an auxiliary cable port or bluetooth to connect to your phone, invest in radio or cassette adapter before moving day.
Make a List of Must-Sees/Eats
You’re going to have your route mapped out before you hit the road, so why not map out your stops along the way. Start by thinking of places you absolutely must-see or have never been and start budgeting the time needed to explore each one. Maybe your route will be more or less guided by famous landmarks or parks you otherwise wouldn’t visit.
Are there any family or friends along the way that you’ve been meaning to see? They may even help you plan out your overnight stays or make recommendations for tourist attractions in their surrounding area.
Your Tour de America wouldn’t be complete without good eats. Being so quick and cheap, fast food is tempting, but in the end, you’ll almost certainly regret that 6th Big Mac. Try Eater.com, tvfoodmaps.com or Roadfood.com to find buzz-worthy eateries that will not only leave you feeling way more satisfied and energized, but possibly check off some spots on your bucket list!
Book Hotels in Advance
One your days are planned out, you can move on to where you’ll spend your nights. Driving until complete exhaustion before you scramble to find a place nearby is a definite way to kill all the fun of your road trip. And if your traveling with pets, planning ahead is a must to find pet-friendly places to lay your head.
Again, friends and family may be a win-win as you figure out logistics, otherwise, start out with easy sites like TripAdvisor or Booking.com. A good tip is to keep an eye on whether the hotel offers a cancellation fee or not. Plans may and most likely will change along the way, so this’ll make it less stressful on you if they do. And remember the hotel’s purpose is really just a place to crash, so don’t pay more for amenities and features you won’t be using anyway
Maximize Your Car Space
A great way to make everyone uncomfortable and on edge is to fill your car to the brim possessions you think you need. Leave packing and moving those excess items to us. It’s all part of our relocation services, and when you’re 300 miles in, you’ll be glad you did.
No matter what size vehicle you have, you’ll want to get organized so everything is where you need it when you need it. Clean out cup holders for waters or small items you’ll want on hand. And keep all important documents like car insurance and hotel reservations together in one file or bag. Lastly, ditch the boxes. Garbage and laundry bags are way more accomodating for clothes and foldable items to fit into corners and tight spaces.
For a summer adventure your family will never forget, these travel tips will turn your cross country move into an epic road trip. And for the best long distance movers in Philadelphia, give us a call.
