Drive To Florida Stress Free!
If you’ve found your way here you’re probably contemplating a spring break or vacation that involves driving to Florida. Being a grizzled veteran here and having conquered the drive many times in the past, I thought I would share some of my tips and tricks to help make the drive more enjoyable for you and your family!
Driving to Florida can be extremely fun, enjoyable and stressful all at the same time. There are some easy tips that most would think of and then there are more creative ideas you should be aware of. Here’s my top 10!
#1 – Directions – This is the thing most people think of first. Google is great starting point, but GPS without a doubt is the easiest way to go. Try picking one up cheap one on sale over the holiday’s and if you subscribe to CAA as I do, take advantage of Triptik’s. Make sure if you’re using GPS that all routes have been updates. I noticed on my last trip a number of roads were not found on the GPS creating some chaotic moments!
#2 – Money & Credit Cards – Always a good idea to store some cash and a spare card in a separate location you can access outside your car. A magnet box works great for this and you can typically hide them underneath your vehicle in an inconspicuous spot. You never know what can happen and when your thousands of miles away, a backup plan never hurts!
#3 – CAA – Yes it’s an extra cost, but it does feel more secure knowing you have additional resources if something goes wrong driving to Florida. Get your membership in advance though as some registrations require a waiting period.
#4 – Food – Bring lots of food with you. McDonald’s and fast food can get boring and hard on the stomach. We typically bring a refrigerated cooler that does a great job with meats, cheese and condiments. Pickup some bread and you’re all set!
#5 – Roaming Charges – If you’re traveling from Canada call your cell provider and let them know you’ll be away and out of the country. They can typically change your account to ensure you’re not paying full price when calling home. if you do forget to change, you can always call and complain and in most cases they reverse the charges.
#6 – Prepare for the Weather – If you’re driving to Florida and know that bad weather is possible, make sure you’re prepared. Blankets, food and warm clothes are a must. There are plenty of stretches of highway with less populated areas, so having matches or a lighter, some tools or a hatchet doesn’t hurt either. Better to be safe than sorry, no matter how sill you may look to others!
#7 – Vehicle Tune Up – Make sure you take your car in before you leave, this goes without saying. Last thing you want is your oil or battery light coming on halfway through your trip to Florida.
#8 – Rest Stops – While some can be sketchy, most along they way provide clean bathrooms, information on local activities and places to stay. Great too if you have young children and babies. Low cost – free – and you can really stay as long as you need!
#9 – In car entertainment – This one goes without saying, DVD, games, etc for the kids. One thing we did on a recent drive to Florida was bring along a plastic lap table for our 3 year old. Worked out great and fit over his car seat so he could draw, eat off it and more.
#10 – Timing your departure – Driving to Florida with kids can be a challenge. If you want to reduce your stress, drive through the night. Depending on your travel time, leaving around bed time is a great way to travel in peace with your kids sleeping through the night. This can be dangerous too, so spend a couple nights before if possible staying up late to get your body used to it and ALWAYS pull over for sleep if you feel tired. It’s not worth risking anyone’s life for the sake of reducing your trip time.
#11 – Yes one more tip… Have fun! – If you’re looking for ways to spice up your trip, incorporate off the beaten path activities. One idea we’re considering for our next trip is to pin point many of the Diner’s, Drive-Ins and Dives restaurant locations featured on food network and stop along the way.
Good luck, enjoy your trip and plan ahead. Many things to consider beside packing your bags. Being prepared will ensure a satisfying trip overall and a fun time driving to Florida.
