Nothing brings a family together (or conversely is more character-building) quite like a family road trip. Being contained in a small space for hours on end means that it’s best to plan the journey carefully to keep things running smoothly. From checking your vehicle before you hit the highway to packing games, snacks and drinks for the kids, the most successful road trips with the whole family come down to preparation. Mapping your route out beforehand and having an emergency kit ready just in case are all things you’ll need to also consider, so here’s our checklist of essential tips to make sure your journey is one to remember for all the right reasons.

Know where you’re going

While it’s great to live in the moment and discover new places by simply getting ‘a little bit lost’, it is no fun for the wider group when you end up miles from your destination. Not to mention, if you’ve got children with you, then the adventure will soon start to wear a little bit thin.

Our top tip is that when you hire your Hertz Car Rental vehicle, make sure it comes specifically with onboard navigation. Simply programme your start and finish points into the system, and let the sat-nav take you straight to your destination, without any hiccups. The benefit of this is that you’ll also save money by keeping your mileage down!

If you’re hiring a car in Europe, you can get your hands on a Hertz Connect WiFi device – complete with maps, city guides and international calls – to keep you on track. It’s complimentary for Gold Plus Rewards members when you spend $250.

Hiring a car? Get the right size

At Hertz Car Rental, we’ve got a huge selection of vehicles for you to choose from. If you’re planning a family road trip then make sure you pick a vehicle that’s got plenty of room for the whole family, plus luggage and a few road trip games. A 5-door sedan is a great option, or if you have a larger family then why not go for a 7-seater SUV?

Make a checklist

On a long road trip, it’s so easy to get 50 miles down the road and then realise that you’ve left your wallet on the table! With excited children anxious to get underway, and so much to think about as you try to get the trip organised, it’s all too easy to forget something. Make a checklist when you’re calm and unhurried and tick everything off as it goes in the car, your luggage, or your pockets. That way, you won’t end up stranded at a petrol station with no credit cards to pay for your petrol.

Don’t forget the games

The children may be looking forward to getting to the destination, but a long journey can be tedious and boring for them. Make sure you pack some entertainment, whether that’s a book, a tablet loaded with their favourite films, shows or cartoons, some hand-held games or load up an MP3 player with their favourite tunes. If the older members of the group aren’t up for listening to ‘The Wheels on the Bus’ a hundred times, though, consider teaming that MP3 player up with a pair of headphones!

Snacks and drinks

Everyone loves a few good snacks on a long family road trip, so pack a picnic of food that can be easily eaten without too much mess. Sandwiches are ideal as they don’t drop too many crumbs on the seats, but try to avoid anything too ‘sticky’!

Plan your route

We’ve already mentioned an onboard navigation system, but remember that the journey can be as important as the destination. So plan your route to take in interesting sites along the way or places where the whole family can stop, stretch their legs, and have a little fun at the same time. From theme parks to attractions, beach stops to overnight camping, a well-planned route is at the heart of a successful road trip.

Give yourself plenty of time

If you have children, you’ll already know that everything takes five times as you planned, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination. Not only will it make the journey more enjoyable if you don’t have to rush, but it’ll also mean you don’t take unnecessary risks such as driving when you’re tired.

Share the driving

If two members of the group can drive, then sharing the driving duty is a great idea. When you book your car from Hertz Car Rental you can add more than one driver to the rental agreement – members of our Gold Plus Rewards loyalty program can do this at no extra cost – so you can split the journey between you. This means you both have a chance to relax with the family along the way, and take a break from the driving.

Enjoy the adventure!

At Hertz Car Rental, we understand just how much enjoyment you can get from a family road trip, so we’ll do everything we can to help you get the most out of every mile. Enjoy the adventure and the opportunity to spend some quality family time together as you hit the road. Book your car for your next family trip today!

ABU DHABI MALL Voco Hotel - Trade Centre Dubai Head Office, Al Rashidiya Dubai Airport Terminal 1 Dubai Airport Terminal 3 Dubai Motor City Dubai Marina Dubai Festival City Abu Dhabi Airport Al Reem, Abu Dhabi Al Reef, Abu Dhabi Sharjah Airport Al Hamra Mall, RAK

ABU DHABI MALL

Address

AK07 Al Mayaani Street, Al Zahiyah, AUH Mall,
Abu Dhabi ,
United Arab Emirates

Phone

026315320

Opening Hours

Sunday to Thursday - 10:00 am to 10:00 pm Friday to Saturday - 10:00 am to 11:00 pm

Voco Hotel – Trade Centre

Address

VOCO HOTEL Nassima Tower - Trade Centre Trade Centre 1 – Dubai,
Dubai ,
United Arab Emirates

Phone

04-5510287

Opening Hours

Monday - Sunday: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Dubai Head Office, Al Rashidiya

Address

Um Ramool, Rashidiya,
Dubai ,
United Arab Emirates 36800

Phone

971 4 2060206

Opening Hours

Monday-Sunday; 07:00-22:00

Dubai Airport Terminal 1

Address

Terminal 1 Arrivals Hall, Dubai International Airport,
Dubai ,
United Arab Emirates 36800

Phone

971 4 2245222

Opening Hours

Monday-Sunday; 24 hours

Dubai Airport Terminal 3

Address

Terminal 3 Arrivals Hall, Dubai International Airport,
Dubai ,
United Arab Emirates 36800

Phone

971 4 2203013

Opening Hours

Monday-Sunday; 24 hours

Dubai Motor City

Address

Shop 8, Ground Floor, Foxhill 8, Motor City,
Dubai ,
United Arab Emirates 36800

Phone

971 4 4273200

Opening Hours

Sunday-Friday; 08:00-20:00 Saturday; Closed Sun 15th Sep 2024; Closed

Dubai Marina

Address

Hertz - Dubai Marina City Premiere Marina Deluxe Hotel Apartment ,
Dubai ,
United Arab Emirates 36800

Phone

971 4 4226775

Opening Hours

Sunday-Friday; 08:00-20:00 Saturday Closed Sun 15th Sep 2024; Closed

Dubai Festival City

Address

InterContinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City,
Dubai ,
United Arab Emirates 36800

Phone

971 4 7011239

Opening Hours

Sunday-Friday; 08:00 - 17:00 Saturday; Closed Sun 15th Sep 2024; Closed

Abu Dhabi Airport

Address

AUH Terminal A Rental Returns, short term park 2nd level,
Abu Dhabi ,
United Arab Emirates 36800

Phone

971 2805 8090 971 2805 8089

Opening Hours

Monday-Sunday; 24 hours

Al Reem, Abu Dhabi

Address

Marina Square, Al Reem Island,
Abu Dhabi ,
United Arab Emirates 36800

Phone

971 2 6320494

Opening Hours

Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 18:00 Saturday : CLOSED Sunday: 09:00 - 18:00 Sun 15th Sep 2024; Closed

Al Reef, Abu Dhabi

Address

Al Reef Downtown, ,
Abu Dhabi ,
United Arab Emirates 36800

Phone

971 2 645 8488

Opening Hours

Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 18:00 Saturday : CLOSED Sunday: 09:00 - 18:00 Sun 15th Sep 2024; Closed

Sharjah Airport

Address

Inside Arrivals Terminal, Kiosk 2, Outside baggage claim area, Sharjah Airport,
Sharjah ,
United Arab Emirates 36800

Phone

971 6 5528290

Opening Hours

Monday-Sunday; 08:00-20:00

Al Hamra Mall, RAK

Address

Unit 52, First Floor, Al Hamra Mall, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Salem Rd,
Ras Al Khaimah ,
United Arab Emirates 36800

Phone

971 7 2434386

Opening Hours

Monday - Sunday: 10:00 to 16:00, 19:00 to 22:00

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