Since summer vacation is right around the corner, I thought I'd bump this up for anyone brave enough for road trips this summer.

BTW, the hiding the van thing was hilarious. Good for quite a few laughs and I highly recommend the Worst Case Scenario and Battle of the Sexes cards. They kept us in stitches:-D

Just thought I'd throw in our current entertainment... my 6 and 4 year old are facinated with the Johnny Cash song, "I've been everywhere,Man" and so we've decided to memorize it! I'll let you know how it goes! Their other current favorite is Lyle Lovett's 'Your Not from Texas!"The baby just dances and claps...:)

*save*

:)

GoTravel, what a hoot to have this compiled for my seattle-victoria road trip with 14 and 10 year old this july. i am freaked about trip being ruined by cranky kids when all i want to do is enjoy the pacific northwest nature!!!

thanks to you and other fodorites, i feel good about everything i've taken under advisement so far, including things like: 1) scale back list of go-sees for time you've alloted, 2) ocean resort info at la push for best priced lodging and most scenic, 3) go to western side on peninsula with time you have and save eastern for return trip, and 4) do all sight seeing on way to victoria, not on way back 'cause you'll need all time you have to get to sea-tac on time. this list will top it off beautifully. we'll review the rules together before departing. i'll give each child their own laminated copy!
i am so grateful.
corwin

ttt

Be careful who is designated "pilot" and "rule-maker" for the trip.

TTT for anyone road tripping with their family over the Labor Day Holiday!:-D

Oh, this is hilarious!!:-D

I think a lot of you must have been traveling in our car while we were raising our kids to have come up with most of these rules! ;-)

Thanks so much for topping GoT! :)

This is a true treasure, for sure! :D

GoT, this is awesome! I am printing to share with DH and kids! :)

My Cajun husband used to constantly remind the kids about going to the bathroom at every stop, watching fluid intake, etc. Now that he's aged, he has to make more bathroom break stops than any of us ever did! :)

Funny true story:
When DS played college football, we'd drive to the games if within reason. One weekend the game was in Gainsville, FL, and 2 of 3 daughters were able to come with us. We left home that Friday evening when I got off work and planned to drive most of the night. As it grew later in the night, less and less in the way of gas stations was open along the interstate. Eventually we hit a long section with NOTHING open, and of course, we ALL had to go.

Finally, when we were considering going on the side of the road, up pops an exit with an open gas station. DH starts the gas pumping and us girls all go inside to the restrooms. There was a long line at the women's (naturally!). So we stand there, and after a few minutes, I am next and waiting anxiously. The door opens, a woman is coming out, and this man literally runs into the women's bathroom, quickly slamming the door. I am flabbergasted. I'd never experienced such rude behavior.

So I wait again, wanting to do the pee pee dance you see little kids doing, but I refrained. I watched the door, wanting to glare at this guy. Finally, the knob turns on the girl's bathroom door, the door opens, and out walks my dear husband!!!! He pretty much kept his head down and kept walking. I had to go so bad, I decided to postpone that conversation.

When we get back to the car, he starts telling me about something that happened that never had before. How suddenly it hit him hard and he couldn't hold it anymore. When he ran to the bathroom, the men's was occupied and just then the women's opened and he had to dash inside. One DD asked him if he saw the line of women waiting. He said, no, but there was a line when he came out.

Us girls had a lot of fun going on and on about the long line, we were in line, and especially about the fact that I was next in line and I was the woman he cut in front of. When he heard that his response was, at least I didn't cut in front of some woman I didn't know. (MEN! :-D )

That's when he realized he was aging, and could not afford to try to "hold it" like he did in his younger years. Needless to say, I still give him a hard time about this and it's still good for a laugh.

We like to play Mad Libs. It can be pretty funny when everyone plays along.

1) Every time we make a pit stop EVERONE goes, whether they have to or not.
2) The Driver controls the radio unless I'm driving (meaning DH is a radio hog)
3) The dog lays on the floor under the youngest's feet. This really started to suck for him by the time he was 16.

When we were kids we took very long road trips. Often over 2000 miles. Six kids and two adults in a station wagon pulling a travel trailer.
My dad drove with a 14" long, 1" wide strip of rubber tire on the dashboard. All he had to say was "Don't make me stop this car."

We'd probably get arrested if we did that now.

Rule 387449894: Driver chooses music.

How about music rules? One person gets to pick the music for 1 hr, and no one else can complain.

This works wonders with me and my sister!

Yes indeed, a timely topper..

In regard to the recent bicycle controversy(and I'm on both sides of the handlebars on this one), I'd suggest alerting the riders who are two abreast with a firm yet friendly "On your right", (or left), depending..

Adding the soulful blast of an ah-ooga horn from a safe distance away also helps assure the lifespan of both parties.. whereby they can come here and safely post their trip reports;)

Oh the bike path we do a similar mode, jetset- we yell at the top of our lungs- LEFT- if they (runners in the middle alone or two abreast runners/skaters going in the same direction). They spread out ACROSS the entire path, and just don't get that there is no way a distant bike rider can slow to their pace- and will have to pass- eventually.

Last roadrule added since 2005:

Grandma can not sit in the middle everywhere- regardless if there are two sides to her that way. She gets to have a window once in awhile too.