Whether you enjoy being in the car or not, we think that your first family road trip of the summer is a right of passage for all. Planning your stops, packing your snacks and loading up the car are just the first steps in making your next road trip one for the books. With these five road trip tips, we have no doubt that it will be a success so let’s go hit the road!

Tip One: Create a rough itinerary

It’s important to have an idea of where you want to go but it’s also important to not be too strict with your daily itinerary. Road trips are meant to allow yourself to go where the wind takes you. We suggest choosing a general destination as an endpoint and map out your stops from there. Be sure to decide where you plan to sleep and plan your days around how long it takes you to get from point A to point B to point C.

Tip Two: Do your research ahead of time

We highly suggest doing a little bit of research before you head out on the road. Be sure the estimate how much fuel will cost and where you can safely stop to stretch your legs. Decide what type of cuisine you want and do a quick Google search for restaurants you may want to check out. Don’t forget to ask the locals if you’ve made a good choice or if there’s somewhere else they recommend. We also think it’s not a bad idea to research some of the local culture and traditions so you know what makes your destination unique.

Tip Three: Stop at quirky roadside attractions

World’s largest ball of yarn? Sign us up! There’s no better selfie backdrop than quirky discoveries you make along the way to your destination. If you see one, stop. Make sure the whole family takes advantage of witnessing such a sight! A few that we find to be the most fascinating are: Flintstones Bedrock City in Coconino County, Spoonbridge and Cherry in Minneapolis, World’s largest brick in Montgomery and Dinosaur World in Cave City.

Tip Four: Be sure to include a visit to one of the US National Parks

Our country is filled with the most beautiful scenery and no better way to see it than by visiting one of our many national parks. There are 419 national park sites in the US alone and we know you’ll be able to find one near you. Some of the lesser-visited parks that we think deserve a visit are: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado, Isle Royale National Park in Michigan and Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.

Tip Five: Take a cooler with you

Seems like a no-brainer but you’d be surprised at how many people forget their coolers! We’re not talking about an insulated lunchbox, here, we’re talking full-on cooler with wheels and a handle. Not only will this allow you to keep your water cold for your hikes through the National Parks, but it also allows you to stock up on grab and go breakfast and lunch items. Keeping breakfast and lunches low-key not only saves you money but saves you time from having to stop along your route.

Where will you go for your next family road trip?