Could you use some road trip hacks for your summer travels?
Summer is almost here, and for many of us, that means one thing: family road trips.
Whether you’re planning a full-blown vacation or simply driving a few hours to visit family or attend a weekend event, road trips with kids can feel… well, a little daunting. The logistics, the snacks, the boredom, the sibling squabbles—it’s a lot to manage.
That’s why I was so excited to sit down with Brittney Hanks, the mom of four and creator behind Home & Kind, who has truly mastered the road trip routine. After years of long drives (we’re talking 20+ hours!) with her kids, Brittney has developed systems and hacks that help make family travel smoother, more manageable, and even fun.
Here are three of her best tips to help you head into summer road trips with a little more peace and a lot more confidence:
3 Road Trip Hacks for Families from Brittney Hanks:
1. Keep Snacks Fuss-Free and Fun
It’s amazing how much of a road trip revolves around food. Hungry kids are grumpy kids—and hungry moms don’t do so well either! Brittany recommends prepping a variety of resealable snack bags ahead of time. This allows you to portion things out (no giant bag of goldfish spilling in the backseat!) and hand them out easily as needed.
You can also give each child their own snack bag to manage independently—something older kids especially love. Letting them help prep their own snacks and water bottles before the trip gives them ownership and eases your mental load on the road.
And don’t forget the fun factor. Consider throwing in a few novelty treats your kids don’t usually get at home to keep the mood upbeat and special. Brittney’s genius tip? Use fast food drink trays as mini food organizers for eating in the car. Each compartment holds a different part of the meal—nuggets, fries, fruit, a drink, even dipping sauce in the center slot. It’s tidy, kid-friendly, and one of my favorite mom hacks ever.
2. Plan for Play: Creative Entertainment Rotations
When you’re in the car for hours, screens can definitely help. But Brittney encourages moms to think about rotating different types of entertainment—so that screen time is one of many options, not the only one.
She suggests creating simple “stations” or activities:
- An iPad or device station for media time
- A coloring or sticker book station
- Books or audiobooks for quiet time
- Family-friendly music games, like “Name That Disney Tune” from a Spotify playlist
Set a timer and switch every 30–60 minutes so kids know what to expect and look forward to. (This also helps prevent constant requests for screen time.) These small routines add structure and novelty—making the time pass more quickly and reducing sibling tension along the way.
3. Turn the Journey Into Part of the Adventure
Young kids don’t always understand the concept of time. So when you tell them “just three more hours,” it might as well be three days. That’s why Brittney loves using sticky notes to create a visual countdown.
Write the hours or mileage on sticky notes and pull one down as each hour passes or milestone is reached. You can even pair it with a small treat or surprise to keep spirits high. It’s a simple way to make time feel tangible—and turns the countdown into something exciting rather than frustrating.
And when you stop for bathroom or gas breaks, Brittney recommends turning those moments into quick family relay races! Run around a picnic table, do jumping jacks, race to the tree and back—anything to get out the wiggles and boost the mood before piling back in the car.
Road Trips Might Not Be Easy—But They Can Be Meaningful
We all know that family travel isn’t without its challenges. There will be meltdowns, messes, and there might even be a flat tire (ask me how I know 😉). But with a little bit of forethought and a few smart strategies, road trips can become an opportunity for connection, fun, and family memories that last. I’m so grateful to Brittney for reminding us that the journey matters too—not just the destination.
If you’re gearing up for summer travel, I hope you’ll take a few of these ideas and make them your own. Whether it’s a snack bag, a Disney playlist, or a quick obstacle course at a rest stop, your effort to make it meaningful will ripple through your entire family.
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Are these road trip hacks from Brittney Hanks useful? What hacks do you use? Share in the comments below!
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About Our Guest:
Brittney is the founder of Home In Kind, a company that is dedicated to creating practical solutions to help busy moms better manage their home and family life. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is a mom of four children ranging in age from eight to 15. Brittney shares brilliant mom hacks via her wildly popular Instagram account that I love to follow for all of the practical tips.
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- Instagram: @homeandkind
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