If you love to travel, don’t let having a family stop you! America is a great place to spend a few weeks over summer and has many open roads and destinations that are perfect for families. Don’t let fears of budget worry you either. It’s definitely possible to plan a frugal road trip. As with everything when it comes to having children a little planning goes a long way so below is a short guide that can assist you when creating the perfect summer family road trip itinerary across America in 2022.

Getting Around

One of the first things you need to consider when planning your road trip is how you will get around. The two best options are driving and flying, depending on how many states you want to visit and the time frame you have. Renting an RV ensures you can get from A to B, without having to rely on public transport. When traveling with young children, an RV provides a place to eat, sleep, and go to the toilet, which is ideal. 

Destinations

Once you have figured out how you’re getting around, you can start planning exactly where you want to go and what you want to see. Bear in mind, things happen along the way, so allow more than the given time frame to get to any destination. You can search for travel inspiration anywhere and there are even family road trips mapped out for you online.

North Carolina offers beautiful beaches, big cities, and quaint little towns that are wonderful to explore for families. During your time here, Charlotte, NC, makes a great stop. There is also an international airport in Charlotte for connections to cities such as Los Angeles and Miami, which are too far to travel on the road.   

Traveling to another state by plane is a great way to add an extra destination to your road trip. If you have an RV, you can leave this in a protected parking area. When looking for an airport parking space in Charlotte, you should use a Charlotte Douglas parking promo code. Even with a vehicle, you can still fly from place to place and leave your RV in a secure location, ready for when you get back.

Create An Itinerary

When creating your itinerary, be sure to include the length of time you are planning for your road trip, the number of miles you would need to cover, how long you are happy to drive for each day, and whether you want some days where you don’t drive at all. After you have all of this written down, it can be easy to create a rough plan for each day and to cut out any destinations that may not be worth the time and mileage. 

Remember, driving every single day can become exhausting, so it is better to plan some rest days, where you can explore cities or National Parks. Be sure not to make your itinerary too packed either, or you and your family will end up depleted, which leads to angry children and grumpy adults. While it is exciting to see new places, a vacation is meant to be savored and enjoyed, rather than rushed. 

Consider Your Budget

When planning a road trip across America, a travel budget is a great way to ensure you do not overspend or run out of money when you still have 5 days left of your vacation. A road trip budget will help when planning where to eat, where to stay, gas prices, and which attractions are within your price range. 

Again, renting an RV is perfect, as it will provide you with some budget-friendly meals, with the ability to cook and clean in the comfort of your own space. Although eating out can be nice, save this for special occasions, such as that seafood restaurant in Myrtle Beach that you really want to visit. 

Once you have created your budget, you can set an amount each day that you want to spend, which can make it easier along the way. Budgeting on some days means you can spend more on others. Some days may just be spent traveling to your destination, which is also something to take into consideration when drafting your budget. 

Plan Ahead

Summer is the busiest season of the year, so you need to plan ahead to avoid disappointment when you arrive. Book everything in advance, including flights to other cities and any attractions you want to visit. Often, this can save money too, as many attractions offer a discount when booking in advance online. There is nothing worse than making a 2-day trip to a destination only to realize that you can’t get in because you didn’t book. This will put a real dampener on your vacation and is a real disappointment for little kiddies. 

Planning ahead doesn’t just mean booking tickets either, there are other things you can do ahead of time to save you a headache on the road. If you do rent a car or RV, make sure you have an emergency roadside kit, just in case you burst a tire. If someone gets car sick, have the medicine ready. Always have fresh water handy, make sure you know where the nearest gas station is, and pack an emergency kit of snacks. 

Download navigation apps that can be used offline, so you don’t get lost in a place with no Wi-Fi or signal. It may also be worth having a hard copy of a map, as technology isn’t always on our side. Be sure to always carry some actual cash on you, in case you stop at a gas station that doesn’t take credit cards, or your kids desperately want an ice cream from the ice cream truck. 

To ensure your road trip goes smoothly, figure out how you will get around. Then, plan your destinations and create an itinerary. Be sure to consider your budget and plan ahead, as this saves time and money once you are out there. Following this guide can help you to create an amazing summer road trip across America with your family in 2022. 

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.