Going on vacation is already a difficult enough time to manage, but the hardest part remains to be done: the ROAD, especially by car and for long journeys.
- Leaving at night, during the day, in stages?
- Take breaks, yes, but when?
- And what about managing with children? Depending on their age, it’s a story with many chapters!
If you can, I know it’s hard, avoid orange, red, and especially black days! Or plan an alternative route. Not easy, I agree…
Going on holiday at night or during the day?
If possible, both for you and for your children (beware of fatigue) , leave at night or very early. On the one hand, you avoid the first traffic jams, but on the other hand, during a heatwave, you gain hours of freshness essential for the well-being of the whole family.
The downside is that once you arrive, you have to, in addition to your physical and mental fatigue, manage your children until bedtime. O_o
Leaving in the morning or during the day (to finish at night for example) is a completely different calculation. It’s up to you to decide depending on your destination and especially the time you collect the keys to your accommodation!
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Last advice, don’t leave after a day of work. Tired and stressed, you won’t be 100% available to drive.
A large percentage of accidents on holiday trips are due to fatigue.
Split your journey into several days
For the very long journey if you don’t feel able to do from top to bottom in one go, why not divide your journey into stages?
In this case, plan your drop-off points. It is also the time to say hello to family or close friends by making a slight detour.
Breaks, breaks, and more breaks!
Do not drive for more than 2 hours at a time without stopping, or even less if necessary. If possible, plan for rest areas with activities for children.
The break should last at least 15 minutes, it may seem long, but I assure you, if you have to take the children to the toilet, walk the dog, review the route and stretch your legs, it goes by quickly!
Unless there are strict time constraints, don’t get angry if the kids ask to sit on the grass for 5 more minutes and watch the clouds. It’s better to start on the right foot than to force the last one to buckle up because he didn’t pick daisies for his mom 2 meters away! You’ll be kicking yourself for the next few hours of travel!
Coach your children in advance by specifying that it is during breaks that they will be able to relieve themselves, let off steam, eat, and breathe. It is also the time to change the batteries in tablets and consoles, to plan the next cartoon on the car DVD player, etc.
Don’t forget to take your dog (or any other pet) out and give him or her something to drink if he or she is travelling with you. Just a reminder, it is forbidden to leave an animal alone in the car…
Listening to your body
Certain hours are conducive to drowsiness. The most dangerous time slots are from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and at night from 2:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. Between digestion and the call to sleep, your body could fail you. Ask your partner to take over if necessary or to keep an eye on you. If you are feeling more tired, take a break!
Leave in good shape : the driver must rest at least the day before, if not the day before that, by sleeping for at least 8 hours straight.
sharp! Otherwise…
Avoid the stress of the road and that of the family by setting yourself a fixed arrival time that is unwavering!
Instead, plan a fairly wide range with your place of residence to collect the keys.
According to the seasons
In summer, bring water, sun protection (cream, sun visor, sunglasses, etc.) and in winter, the necessary cold weather gear to defrost, break ice, clear snow, tire chains or food if you are stuck somewhere.
