Driving 8 States

Car journeys are like plane flights, you just have to be organised.

Our road trip started in Newark, New York, then onto Stroudsburg to drop Molly at gymnastics camp, up to Boston, down to Washington DC, Fayettville, Savannah, and finally finishing in Orlando. We had left ourselves 5 days to cover the 1500 km. We were looking forward to seeing the country side even tho it was mostly highway. Were we looking forward to many hours sitting in the car with the girls, well not really. But I figure its all about being organised. Pack the car with the basics. Food, water, music, a movie and some car games.

Lily listening to her own tunes. Oh how we love to listen to her singing..

Lily listening to her own tunes. Oh how we love to listen to her singing

I kept a supply of Disney themed treats for our final drive to Orlando

First stop, Wal Mart to stock up on some healthy snacks, picnic essentials and some treats. We used the highway rest stops, to refuel ourselves and let the girls run around. They are nothing like the ones you find on the NZ road side. These are security watched, they have covered picnic tables areas, vending machines and loads of parking. Lily was so excited at how clean and fresh the public toilets were and even more excited to find no stand up toilets.
We made sure that all electronics were charged just incase of melt downs or the unexpected delay on the highway, usually we try to only give the girls one movie per trip. It's great for them to actually look out the window, but they do read, colour, play with little toys and lets not forget annoy each other.
In the glove box I have car bingo which I found on Pinterest and number plate bingo if it all turns to custard. A map of your route is also good, then the kids can follow the trip and mark off where they are and how far to go. There are so many ideas on the net for keeping the rugs rats entertained.
My piece of advice - My family love music and they love it loud. They sing, they tap and bang things. I admit I hate it loud and I hate the tapping, it makes me my feel really grumpy. So I use ear plugs. It doesn't completely block out the noise but it dulls it and makes us all happier. I have also been known to use them just to dull out the constant talking from the back seat.