road trip

What's the best way to get kids ready for a long car ride?

The upcoming Memorial Day holiday means many families will be traveling, and the preferred method of transportation seems to be by car. According to a AAA survey, 90 percent of travelers over the 2012-2013 year-end holiday traveled by car. That's 84.4 million people — and 26.7 percent of the total US population! 

Not surprisingly, many Circle of Moms members are seeking advice on keeping kids happily occupied while buckled up. If you're headed on a long car trip soon, keep reading for six road-trip tips from well-traveled Circle of Moms members.

The movie Road Trip harks back to a simpler time: a time when Tom Green was at the top of his game, Breckin Meyer was a youthful leading man, and Seann William Scott was just perfecting his snarky onscreen persona. It's been a while since Road Trip came out, but to us, it's still one of the quintessential buddy comedies. Not surprisingly, the highly quotable movie was written and directed by Todd Phillips, who would later go on to helm Old School and The Hangover. Take a look at our favorite lines, and let us know what yours are below!

• "'Cause it's your dog!" — Kyle
• "I boinked her!" — Kyle
• "Austin? Austin, Massachusetts?" — Barry

Between reunions with old friends and gatherings with the extended family, Summer traveling can mean a lot of miles logged in the family car. Road trips can be a fun way to see some sights while on the way to your destination, but they can also disrupt a healthy routine. Before you fall into a greasy fast food rut while you're on the road, take a few minutes before you leave to prepare delicious snacks that will not only be healthy but are also easy to deal with while you're eating on the go.

• Celery sticks: Celery does double duty by filling you up while helping you stay hydrated during the long hours in the car.
• Homemade trail mix: It's easy to make your own trail mix — not to mention healthier than the store-bought stuff — and it'll help keep you full and energized on the road. Make sure to buy unsalted peanuts and dried fruit without added sugar, and try one of these healthy homemade trail mix combos.
• Multigrain crackers: If you're craving carbs, keep some multigrain, or better yet wholegrain, crackers in your snack supply, but divide into serving-sized baggies beforehand so you don't keep reaching for more. I particularly like Wasa crackers and Finn Crisps.
• String cheese: Enjoy cheese in moderation and get some of your daily dose of calcium with one of these travel-friendly snacks.
• Finger sandwiches: For something more sustainable, make some easy sandwiches with hummus and cucumber and cut into fours for a filling snack or a full-on meal.
• Fruit: Sliced apples or pears, bananas, and other fruits are easy to throw into your car cooler and are also an excellent source of fiber, something that becomes more important as holiday travels begin to wreak havoc on your body.

What healthy snacks do you take with you on a trip?

Source: Flickr User Nicholas_T

I can't believe it's already August, but that doesn't mean it's too late to plan a last-minute road trip: the quintessential Summer adventure. Make sure you check out these tips before you pack up, put the top down, and hit the open road. Here's how to take a road trip if you're . . .

• With Your Best Friend: There's nothing better than blasting music and dancing in the car with your best friend. If you're taking a trip with your wingwoman, try to unwind from your normal schedule and see where the road takes you. On this road trip make it all about the journey, not just the destination. Be silly, sing loud, and surprise yourself. And if anything happens, you have your trusty bestie by your side!
• With Your Boyfriend or Husband: If you haven't road tripped together before, this could prove to be quite the experience. Make the most of the time you have together and do something special for your man. Before the trip research a few stops that you know he'll love to surprise him on the way. Is he a sports freak? Take him to a baseball game or a hall of fame. A foodie? Research some stops from Man vs. Food Nation or Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. He's sure to appreciate the time you took for him. Plus, he'll probably be more up for doing things you're into on the trip and on the way home.
• With a Big Crew: Whether you're all visiting old friends or you're on your way to an end-of-Summer music festival, the best advice I can give you is to move as fast, but as safely, as possible. Chances are, this trip is about the destination, not just the ride. Be prepared, bring your iPod if you want to snooze and get out of the convo, and no matter what, be sure to keep your cool and not bring up anything too controversial. The last thing you want to be is stressed or frazzled when you arrive at your destination. And remember, you'll be taking the trek home with the same people.
• With Your Kids: Take the constant "are we there yet?" out of the equation and be sure to come prepared with ample games and delicious snacks. A great way to involve everyone is to include the kids in planning the itinerary. If you're not looking to take requests, have a few roadside attractions or activities on a list and have everyone pick something they'd like to see happen on the road.
• With Your Mom or Dad: Spending this much time with a close family member may sound a little overwhelming, but it can be an enlightening experience. The open road seems full of possibility and without fail, it gets people to open up and start talking candidly. A road trip is a great opportunity to connect with someone you love. Get your mom or dad talking and really listen. You're sure to learn something you didn't know before.

I don’t know about you, but the sunshine and longer days already have me daydreaming about a Summer vacation. I tend to prefer road trips over air travel for my warm-weather getaways; they’re more affordable, and I love being on my own schedule, sipping Icees, and blasting tunes. And it sounds like I may be in luck: analysts are predicting that gas prices won’t climb any higher than $3 a gallon this Summer.

I’m thinking a week in June, driving up the coast to a beach town, or maybe even wine country. Have you started making any Summer vacation plans yet? If so, share your savvy travel plans with us!