Ingredients For a Fun Family Road Trip This Fall

The kids are back in school and the weather has finally turned from swelteringly hot and humid to a nice crisp cool that encourages layers. Weeks are filled with school, music lessons and sports, while the weekends are perfect for getting out and going on a short road trip. Every road trip needs a destination and a few key ingredients to make it worth the journey. We are rounding up our favorites just for you.

What to pack for your fall road trip

A fall family road trip is an easy way to explore the towns and cities close to home. You don’t need to take a plane, and the ride will only last anywhere from one to six hours. Pack these essentials to make the ride easier with kids.

Seasonal Snacks: Every road trip needs fuel, and autumn trips are no different. Load up on seasonal favorites along the way, like fresh apple cider, ginger snaps and apple cider donuts. Apples and peanut butter are fun and packed with protein to help everyone stay energized throughout the day. If you see local farm stands along your route, pull over to indulge in fresh-from-the farm snacks that you might not be able to find at home.

Maps: We know kids sometimes need screen time to veg out on a road trip, but don’t forget that this is a key learning opportunity as well. Ditch the GPS for a bit and show your children an actual paper map. Show them where you live and where you are going. Ask them to help you track the route as you go.

Sports gear: Every road trip requires a few pit stops. Pack a soccer ball or a few baseballs and gloves to toss the ball around. This will help your kids get out, stretch and burn off some of that pent up energy they have been keeping locked up in the car.

Fall Road Trip Ideas

Now that you are all packed, where will you go? No matter where you live, you can find shades of autumn popping up.

Pacific Northwest: Drive around the Olympic Peninsula to see the Pacific Northwest at her best. Make stops in the rainforest, at the beach and at the hot springs before you head back to Seattle or your home base in Oregon, Washington or British Columbia. Just don’t forget to pack your rain gear. Autumn is one of the best times to visit the area, but the rain returns after taking the summer off.

Midwest: Anyone living in the Midwest knows that the Wisconsin Dells is the place to be when the leaves start to change. Start in Chicago, devouring all of the delicious food you can manage. Make your way up to Milwaukee to explore the city before hitting Madison and then onto the Wisconsin Dells for a little autumn break before heading back home.

Northwest: New England is prime leaf peeping territory in the U.S. In fact, New England might have coined the phrase leaf peeping. It is that popular. Book a B&B or adorable inn as your home base to explore Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts this season. You won’t be sorry you made the journey to this land of vibrant reds, oranges and yellows. You are sure to hit a few good pumpkin patches and farm stands along the way too.

Are you traveling this fall? Where are you going?

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