Long weekends and holidays have always been synonymous with family vacations. In fact, according to the AAA, over 100 million Americans travel during the holiday season alone, with over 90% traveling by road.

Planning a road trip with your family members can be stressful, especially if you’re traveling with kids. Whether you’re planning to visit family across the country or create a new holiday tradition, here’s everything you need to know to plan a memorable holiday road trip.

Learn Details How to Make Holiday Memorable

Rent an RV.

If you’re planning a cross-country or interstate road trip, consider renting an RV—especially if you’re traveling with friends or family. Around the holiday season, renting an RV can help you ensure that your group has a place to sleep and relax during your journey, whether you end up in a remote town that lacks adequate lodging or a big city with fully-booked hotels.

Before leaving for your trip, it’s a good idea to invest in an RV warranty. When your RV breaks down, repairs can be expensive. Fortunately, America’s RV Warranty plans help protect RVers from unexpected repair costs. Whether you’re having problems with your air conditioner, accessories, or engine, insuring your RV with an ARW warranty plan can give you peace of mind during your holiday road trip.

Have a loose plan.

If you’re planning to drive a significant distance, count on delays. Between holiday traffic, pit stops, and unpredictable weather patterns, it’s important to keep in mind that things aren’t always going to go according to schedule. If you attempt to schedule your trip down to the hour, you’re almost guaranteed to find yourself driving late into the night or trying to cancel hotel reservations last minute.

To avoid long delays, do your best to anticipate potential trouble spots. It’s not hard to find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time—like trying to cross the Hudson River on a Sunday. You’ll want to plan ahead so you cross the Hudson by, say, 8 a.m., or plan to beat weekend travelers by traveling the next day.

Choose the scenic route.

When you’re mapping out your trip, it can be tempting to choose the route that gets you from point A to point B as quickly as possible. After all, exploring the world outside of the RV is the whole point of your road trip. However, if there’s an alternate route that doesn’t require significantly more time, it’s often worth it to take the more scenic route. You’ll spend a lot of time in the RV regardless, and taking the time to appreciate your journey—and create a memorable trip with your family—is key.

For instance, if you’re planning to drive from Oregon to California, consider driving through The Mill Casino Hotel & RV Park on the way. Often called a “site for shore eyes,” the Oregon coast features countless scenic stops, from Shore Acres State Park to Lighthouse Beach.

Take extra precautions.

There might be times during your trip when the scene just doesn’t feel right. Maybe the attraction you want to see seems questionable, or your GPS tries to lead you to the middle of nowhere. It’s essential to take extra precautions to ensure your trip goes smoothly, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you find yourself around others, be sure to wear a face mask. Additionally, washing your hands is just as important. It won’t be easy to find open public restrooms on your trip, so make sure to pack plenty of water in reusable bottles, as well as a few bottles of hand sanitizer.

Whether you’ve been experiencing cabin fever or you’re planning to spend the holiday with family, embarking on a holiday road trip is a great way to spend quality time with your loved ones.