Y’all coming on a road trip? Or at least coming on a road trip Twitter chat? Not quite the same but you use less petrol! Tuesday’s #familytravelhour was the usual mix of advice, plans, dreams and random wonderings and wanderings that makes us love them so much. Trips100 Editor Kirstie Pelling sketches a quick road map of where it went..

As usual, everyone rose to the occasion with enthusiasm, describing many and varied road trips to nearby and faraway places:

@swhittle As a parent – Manchester to Swansea / Dover / Benodet have been the longest we’ve done #FamilyTravelHour

— Colette (@Lollinski) March 22, 2016

 

Sorry, so LATE! We did a 6 month US roadtrip and one month in NZ. Getting ready for taking on Spain this Summer 🙂 #FamilyTravelHour

— Maria Belfort (@onetinyleap) March 22, 2016

Some family travellers do long trips regularly with the kids, like Suzanne from @3childrenandit:

@lpkids @swhittle Twice a year we drive the epic 12 hour road trip from our house in the uk to the Alps. Def gets easier. #FamilyTravelHour

— Suzanne (@3childrenandit) March 22, 2016

Most people use some kind of music to kill the miles. There were some interesting choices for in-car playlists:

@swhittle we have the most eclectic music choice! R n b, pop songs, kids, bollywood, Bhangra, Arabic songs! #familytravelhour

— Five Adventurers (@Fiveadventurers) March 22, 2016

Charly @The_Doves said her family has developed some adult tastes by default:

@Trips100 Great idea! We’ve trying to broaden 5yo’s tastes – seems to enjoy Stereophonics & Foo Fighters! @swhittle #familytravelhour

— Charly Dove (@The_Doves) March 22, 2016

Gemma from @busytravelmum confessed it is like the X Factor in her car on long journeys:

@swhittle my kids always love current music we usually have a car karaoke 😂 #FamilyTravelHour

— Gemma✈️ (@BusyTravelMum) March 22, 2016

Some bloggers tweeted of rules that have clearly developed over time:

@swhittle strictly radio these days. Otherwise get sucked into Gruffalo’s Child on repeat! We love Apple Music lists too #familytravelhour

— Helena (@tweetinghelena) March 22, 2016

Of course, there were lots of practical ideas for how to entertain the kids in those long and sometimes tricky hours:

@onetinyleap @swhittle I-spy is HILARIOUS when kids age 4&5. “W” for road, “ch” for traffic light… #familytravelhour

— Little Hotels (@Little_Hotels) March 22, 2016

And lots of talk about stuff. Travel bloggers on a road trip do not travel lightly it seems:

@NellHeshram @lpkids @swhittle bought a Volvo XC90 for all the stuff.summer have 7 ppl,4 suitcases, pushchair&hand luggage #FamilyTravelHour

— Five Adventurers (@Fiveadventurers) March 22, 2016

Then the inevitable questions about where to and how long. Many, like @sarahjforde said a substantial trip was better than a quick blast, especially for those classic American journeys:

@swhittle we r spending 3.5 weeks on a USA roadtrip this year. Think 3 weeks min to see/feel culture of places and move on #familytravelhour

— sarahjforde (@sarahjforde) March 22, 2016

America figured quite heavily in people’s dream road trip itineraries too. And not just route 66:

@swhittle Deep South USA, starting in our old home Savannah and taking in New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville;) #FamilyTravelHour

— Travel Loving Family (@travellovinfam) March 22, 2016

A8 Hands down the Pan-American highway! I’m smiling just thinking of it. @swhittle #familytravelhour

— Maria Belfort (@onetinyleap) March 22, 2016

And the ultimate road trip accessory? An ability to laugh about it all.

@swhittle GPS is a must! packs of cards for great family time, martmite, chargers!! Patience and a sense of humour! #familytravelhour

— sarahjforde (@sarahjforde) March 22, 2016

Of course there were many, many other suggestions, tips, ideas and bad music choices. Do look back over the #familytravelhour hashtag if you missed it. But for now, happy tripping this school holiday wherever you are going. Don’t forget your Peppa Pig CD and see you all for another #FamilyTravelHour in a couple of weeks time.