Rising gas prices and tightening budgets make a car trip painful enough, but surviving the road with toddlers and teens doesn’t have to be.  When I was a kid, my parents threw my brothers and I in the back of the station wagon where inspired games of pretend ensued.  Now that we have strict laws on the highway to keep us safe, kids are strapped down and desperately looking for an outlet. And when your kid is feeling trapped and depressed at the thought of an entire day wasted in the car, they’re going make sure their parents understand exactly how much their sacrificing.

So instead of bracing for an endless barrage of “Are we there yet?” and “How much longer?” or the dreaded “I don’t want to go!” plan for a successful car trip that might just be one of their favorite parts of the trip.

1) Making good time is every parent’s dream on a road trip.  Who doesn’t want to get out of the car as quickly as possible? But keep in mind kids need frequent breaks to stretch and run and reboot their batteries.  Try stopping at rest areas with room to run, restaurants with playgrounds, or state parks.  Start a game of tag or sprints to shed some of their excess energy.

2) Instead of wishing your family spent more time together, make the most of a long road trip. Swap stories, play the alphabet game, talk about the latest movies, and make the kids turn off their iPods to get the conversation going. You might even consider having a contest for the funniest story and letting the winner choose where to stop for lunch.

3) Go to your local library or bookstore and pick-up a selection of special books for your kids to enjoy, but only for the car. This will keep the books feeling new and special instead of discarded next to “old” toys that pile up in their rooms. Try edu-tainment books on history, math, language, and more to get them learning on the road.

4) Remember that kids who get carsick from reading will probably also suffer while watching a DVD.  And instead of letting the veg out on an endless stream of movies, try books on tape, their favorite CD’s, or start a game of pop trivia.

5) A week before the trip, get your kids involved in the planning process and start talking about the sites you’ll pass, history of the area, and how to have fun in the car.  The more involved they are, the less they’ll feel like a passive prisoner in the back seat.  And if all else fails, a little bribe never hurt. Reward your kids with a special treat, extra vacation allowance, or an extended bedtime for sparkling behavior.   

Remember that time spent in the car is quality time.  And your kids will follow the example you set. If you’re stressed and withdrawn dealing with trouble on the road, they’ll respond by acting out in frustration. Make a decision to have a blast from the driver’s seat and show your kids that creating your own fun isn’t limited by where you’re sitting.