If you are planning a road trip then you just might want to consider these reasons to make pit stops a priority. Even Sally Clarkson in her book The Lifegiving Home talks about the importance of pit stops!
The first rest area in a state has hotel coupons and tourist guides.
If you are headed far from home you may need some guidance as far as hotel stays or nearby attractions. While most of our trips are planned way in advance due to them being press trips occasionally we take an impromptu getaway where this tip is very useful.
Stretching your legs is important for all ages.
When I was talking about this post with Riley he mentioned that his driver’s ed teacher said to drive 2 and take 10. As a teenager he thought that it was silly to stop every 2 hours to rest for 10 minutes but now as a parent of 4 children we both know how important this tip is. Taking a mental break and getting to stretch your legs helps both your mental and physical state of well-being.
Everyone needs a chance to potty!
Rest areas often provide a clean area to use the restroom. We will sometimes stop and get food through a drive-thru and one parent runs kids in to potty but a rest area is much quicker with fewer distractions to buy unwanted items. This can save your tight budget and from hearing whining kids begging for a $10 stuffed animal!
Fresh air and a bite to eat keep the natives from getting restless.
We often try to pack at least one meal or lots of healthy snacks for road trips. We usually are sure to pack jerky sticks, cheese sticks, peanut butter and cracker packs as well as dried fruits and nuts. Fresh fruit it packed only if we bring a bigger soft sided cooler and kids agree to eat said fruit. Rest areas provide nice picnic areas along grassy paths to enjoy a lunch or quick snack plus have trash cans to leave your trash behind.
More Road Trip Tips:
Road Trip Activities from 3 Boys and a Dog
How To Stay Busy On An RV from Crafty Mama in ME
Road Trip Games for Kids from Look! We’re Learning!
Best Children Audio Books for Road Trips from The Jenny Evolution
Alphabet Travel Tic Tac Toe from Letters of Literacy
Kids Road Trip Scavenger Hunt Game from Schooling a Monkey
How To Turn Family Travel Into Learning Experiences from iGameMom
Are We There Yet? Maps For Kids from Books and Giggles
5 Fun Things To Do On A Road Trip from The Usual Mayhem
Outdoor Breaks for Road Trips from FrogMom
Best Family Road Trip Music from Bambini Travel
Road Trip Notebooking Pages from Year Round Homeschooling
Travel Journal from Embark on the Journey
Printable Road Trip Games from Mrs. Karle’s Sight and Sound Reading
Road Trip Activities from Tales of Education at Home
Car Scavenger Hunt from Planet Smarty Pants
My husband was always hard to get to stop while on car trips and I had to fight tooth and nail for the stops but they are so needed not only for the passengers but the driver!
Good information to know. i would stop here.
Lots of reasons for the pit stop.The bathroom,to eat,to stretch your whole body,get some air,and a lot more.
For me, it’s a must. I have to stop every hour as it is. I get antsy on car trips.
So peaceful
Thanks for the tips! It really is so important to stop, get out, stretch your legs, and move.
Pit stops are essential when you have ‘very close veins’ as my son used to call them! Lots of fun can be had chasing one another around on the grass at rest areas! They are a blessing! We also make everyone grab at least one piece of garbage and that way the van stays clean!