What do you wish you had for the DRIVE down?

[Becky2005]

I'm with bartleby1 on prefering to drive.

My DH is actually even planning on possibly taking a day off without pay just so we can drive easier. He's the one that definitely doesn't want to fly, I did suggest it as a possibility even though it would be more work.

For me, it's not *just* about the time. It seems all the little confusion things add up to it. I remember when we were going to go in 2005, I did look into airfare but for 6 people it was just cheaper & easier to drive.

I kept trying to figure out how in the world to get all 4 kids stuff together since our little one was only 1 1/2 years old. The thought of going to the airport -- oh what is it up to now? 3 hours before flight time? Plus an hour drive for us to the airport, then reading about all the "the flight time has changed, they cancelled our flight, we were delayed due to pick any number of reasons", I also remember that was right about the time they quit having liquids being allowed on & it was unclear what was & wasn't allowed for liquids. It seemed the rules were being changed daily.

It was just so much easier to load the car up with a cooler, diapers, stroller, etc... and leave when we were ready to leave both on the way down & on the way back. Especially on the way back, if we decided to leave earlier we could or if we wanted to leave a little later we could plus stop along the way we could (or take a scenic detour through some cornfields at midnight an hour away from the house too -- who knew they had paved roads back there! ).

I just have never found driving that big of a deal, then again DH says I have control issues, so driving gives us more control over the vacation than being at the mercy of the airlines.

 

[buzznina]

Like PP's, paper towels and a bottle of cleaner for spills, zip lock bags...
Here is one thing that I did not see mentioned yet and that would be a DC to AC inverter so you can plug the electronics into. We also bought one of those little electric cooler/refridgerators and that is nice to have (if you have the room).

 

[kksmom92]

I also like driving... of course maybe that's because when i'm driving my DH can deal with the kids for a change! We leave at night and drive straight through from Michigan. My husband worked nights so it actually works out good for us. He drives at night while I sleep and then I drive during the day

This is our list of stuff to bring in the van rental...

* Leapster & games for both kids

* Laptop & DVD's. (Bought an adapter at Radio Shack so we can just keep it plugged into the car)

* BOOKS! I end up bringing a box of books for the kids to read along the way.

* Travel Bingo cards (you know.. those ones we used as kids )

* Drinks and snacks

* Paper towel & meijer bags for trash.

* This Feb will probably be the 1st year we don't bring it, but a kids potty w/ toilet paper as in the middle of the night you never know when your kids might say they have to go potty and they have to go right then and there. We still will bring toilet paper I'm sure.. just in case!

* Paperwork of things we might want to do on the way down & maps (or a GPS if your lucky)


What my sister takes when they go on vacation... books on tape (CD). They love listening to them and she said time goes by fast that way. Between that and list of Geocaches between their house and where ever they are going.. I think that's all they need.

 

[smkiya]

I just have never found driving that big of a deal, then again DH says I have control issues, so driving gives us more control over the vacation than being at the mercy of the airlines.

Totally agree.

I like being in control of my environment as much as I can, I know you can't control other drivers. I enjoy sightseeing, and the thrill you get when driving into a new state. When dh and i moved to California for a few years, we drove (had to bring our car). We stopped in several states and did lots of cool, fun, touristy things. We did St. Louis arch, Budweiser factory, a real Texas steakhouse, visited a friend in Albuquerque, saw the grand canyon, gambled in Laughlin, NV... not to mention dh is into horse racing, and we stopped at a track in indiana and oklahoma city. We met a lot of nice people and saw a lot of neat things. Driving is a unique experience in itself, and I wouldn't trade it.


"I found out long ago
ohhh ohhh
its a long way down holdiday road
ohhh ohhh

Holiday road
ohhh ohhh
holiday road
ohhh ohhh..."

 

[tjbaggott]

We were originally going to fly, even though DH wanted to drive from the start (I vetoed that). BUT then our Canadian Dollar took a nose dive which made even flying out of a U.S. airport for our family of 6, too much $$$$. So I relented and agreed to the drive. In the 6 months since that decision, we've all become really excited about driving down, it's a whole separate vacation! Even though our dollar has all but fully recovered, and flying out of Syracuse actually is now affordable, we are SO Physched for the drive!
I do imagine the drive home will be difficult though, excitement gone. We'll see how it goes and then I'll decide if we ever do that method again.

 

[cheerforchelsea]

My best investments for a long car trip had to be a hard rooftop carrier for my Tahoe and a portable DVD player!!

 

[reservations4five]

i see a couple of northerners here-were from jersey- my hubby has been wanting to do this drive for 5 years and ive vetoed it every time.we have 5 year old twins and cannot see being in the car that long with them!! also dont u think the time u waste driving would be better spent in the parks..if u fly u get all that extra time..someone prove me wrong here..if u had the $ to fly would u still drive?? hubbys all about saving money but id rather not waste the time! whats ur opinions..

I have twin DD who are 7 and a DD who is 12, we have ALWAYS drove. I agree with the PP who said to make it a part of your vacation. We drive from Ohio, breaking in up into 2 days/1 night.

We have a portable DVD player, MP3 players, DS and other hand held games. They do just fine. When they are antsy we stop, finding a MCDs that has a play area, they play and run while we eat and I get their food to go. HTH

 

[aestapa]

Earplugs and Valium.

 

[tjbaggott]

Just picked up something on my wish list today! A console organizer that sits on the floor between the two front seats! Lots of room in it to hold movies, CD's, GPS, sunglasses, 4 cup holders, a place for maps and secions to hold coins, all organized (that will be helpful on the toll roads). Has a lock and key too!

 

[momminnie]

Just wondering how long of a drive is it from Ontario Canada? We only have about 8 hours from SC. DVD players and Handheld games ,snacks and drinks a must. I have to keep everything strightened up or I will spaz out. To much people and junk in a small area.

 

[CindyCharming]

Ok now you have me thinking driving is alot less hassle! LOL I haven't been on a place since I was 5 LOL DH is military so he has always had to fly back and forth places usually at their expense though LOL

I don't know, to me it's less hassle, especially with kids. I'm sure there are people who would strongly disagree with me. I just know I was much, much less stressed out when we drove. We are in Michigan too, btw.

I just have never found driving that big of a deal, then again DH says I have control issues, so driving gives us more control over the vacation than being at the mercy of the airlines.

I agree, this is a huge part of it for me.

* This Feb will probably be the 1st year we don't bring it, but a kids potty w/ toilet paper as in the middle of the night you never know when your kids might say they have to go potty and they have to go right then and there. We still will bring toilet paper I'm sure.. just in case!

I bought one of these last year for our then-3 yo and it came in very handy. She was still at that point where when she announced she needed to go to the bathroom she needed to go NOW.

Fisher-Price Portable Potty Seat

 

[DSoltes7]

After several travel misshaps with kids getting sick in a carseat, we now always pack in an emergency "sick kit". It's a plastic Target bad with a change of clothes for all 3 kids, a towel, and a roll of paper towels, plus an extra plastic bag for the dirty clothes if needed.

 

[bartleby1]

After several travel misshaps with kids getting sick in a carseat, we now always pack in an emergency "sick kit". It's a plastic Target bad with a change of clothes for all 3 kids, a towel, and a roll of paper towels, plus an extra plastic bag for the dirty clothes if needed.

GOOD IDEA! I just had a "Why didn't I think of that" moment!

My little one threw up on the way to an amusement park a few weeks ago. Apparently the huge glass of OJ, chocolate chip pancakes, with a big huge cookie from Perkins (why do they give kids cookies for breakfast anyway???) didn't agree with her. She was fine once we arrived, but it sure did make a mess. I could have used an emergency "sick kit" that day.

We are leaving in two days so I am going right now to make my "sick kit"! Actually, I think I'll leave it in the car all the time!

 

[tjbaggott]

Just wondering how long of a drive is it from Ontario Canada? We only have about 8 hours from SC. DVD players and Handheld games ,snacks and drinks a must. I have to keep everything strightened up or I will spaz out. To much people and junk in a small area.

From where I am, Ottawa Ontario, it's about 23 hours to Orlando, Give or take an hour or two depending on traffic, speed, weather.

 

[gregokdisney]

but when my son threw up on the way BACK, I wished I had more wipes and plastic bags!

 

[lovebuzz]

One of those small screw drivers. You need one for the leapster or for sunglasses.

 

[ma2jr]

Wish wish... an RV!

 

[bear74]

oh lots of good ideas. We are thinking of Driving from Austin, Texas next year. DD's will be 7 and 3.

 

[nepean]

I also drive from Ottawa, Ontario Canada. Usually we leave at 6 am and have breakfast in Florida. That includes gas stops and rest area breaks. Sometimes we stop for 2 hours near dawn if I (the night time driver) is tired. We have a plug in cooler for drinks, snacks and do not stop for meals. DVD player and a roof top carrier. We have a hard shell one but have bought a soft onefor this trip. We also got inflatable roof racks. We store all of it inthe back of the trunk and if we need it on the way home we can use it.

Nepean

 

[luckyBelle]

I have been going on long car trips since I was little, and I always like to be over prepared. I have read lots of great ideas here, and will be adding things to my list. Here are a few more that I think are different from what has already been posted:

1. If you decide to bring crayons, one tip is to put them in a plastic cup with a lid that you can peel off (think kid's cup from a restaurant like Chili's), then the cup can be in the cupholder while they are using it, keeps them from rolling around.

2. You can fit a LOT of empty plastic grocery sacks inside the roll of paper towels, or an empty one. (about 3 in a toilet paper roll, about 8 in a roll of paper towels)

3. Luckily we no longer need a potty, but we used to bring one along. Here's a helpful hint: line the potty with a plastic grocery sack, place 1/2 of a diaper in the bottom to "absorb", then after they go, tie it all up in a neat little sack for throwaway! I kept a very small tote bag with the potty that held the plastic sacks, diapers, wipes, hand sanitizer, and ziplocs just in case I really needed to seal up something offensive.

4. I also get lots of magazines for myself because if I try to read a book, I find I am interrupted too often. Magazines have lots of short articles or tidbits to enjoy.

Happy travels!