Whether you are driving across the country or just taking a short trip close to home, proper planning will make your family journey much more enjoyable. Here are 10 common travel mistakes you should try to avoid:

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  1. Create a Travel File – Keep all your travel plans within reach by using a simple file. Your reservations, any tickets, confirmation emails, important phone numbers, directions and more can all go in here. Staple the papers to the inside of the file, and you’ll never lose them.
  2. Leave Your Travel Plans with Family Members – Always let a trusted friend, neighbor or family member know where you are going, and leave them your hotel information. Someone should always have a key to get into your home in an emergency.
  3. Get Your Car Checked – Take your car to your mechanic and have him check it out. If it is almost time to change the oil, just do it now. Most important – check the brakes and tire pressure and wear. You don’t want to have safety problems due to worn brakes or tires!
  4. Check Your Route – Not only should you plan your route carefully, but you should also do your best to check if there is major construction on any of the highways you’ll be taking. Check your state’s Department of Transportation website.
  5. Pack Healthy Snacks for the Car – If you do not keep the kids happy with enough snacks, you’ll find yourself stopping more than you should, thus making travel less bearable. Don’t even think about junk food and sugar, which will likely make young children restless. Keep in mind here too that you do not want the kids to drink excessive amounts – too many bathroom stops.
  6. Pack enough Toys and Books – You want to keep the little ones occupied. Be creative with games you can all play. Make each child a small box with games and craft that will be easy to access and also put away. Books on CD can really make the time pass swiftly.
  7. Make Hotel Reservations for the Road – I’ve failed to do this before and have had trouble finding an available room. My family was exhausted by the time we were able to find a place to stay. By pre booking a room, it will also ensure that you travel a good distance each day, by planning out the trip to take as long as you’d reasonably like it to take.
  8. Don’t Pack too Much Stuff – You don’t want the car loaded down so much that you do not have enough room to sit comfortably. Unfortunately I know about this one firsthand as well.
  9. Pack the Right Stuff – Jackets, enough socks, hats, sunscreen, insect repellent, rain gear, thermometer, medicine. Check the weather before you go to get an idea what you can expect. No matter how hot you think it might be, pack light jackets for rain or evening temps.
  10. Go with the Flow – Even though you plan well, you need to expect the unexpected. If it rains when you were planning outdoor activities, make the most of it and do something indoors. If traffic slows you down, so what!? Have fun anyway.

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