anyone driven from New England?

[Grumpy]

Any tips and tricks?

[LuvDisney]

We did it once, but it was like 15 years ago. We stopped somewhere near Washington and slept in the truck for a few hours, then stopped in Georgia because it was pouring out. We actually drove to Bradenton, took us about 22 hours. Don't really have any tips and tricks because we were young and stupid and I vowed to never drive again! LOL

[TravelinGal]

When we'd take long car rides when I was a kid, my parents would make up these little kits I'd get every so often. I don't remember if it was every 2 hours or what...

They'd have things like comic books, car appropriate snacks, coloring books, a new book (I loved Nancy Drew and Little House on the Prarie - I remember those specifically being in some of the kits) oh - and I LOVED those books with the pens that made answers appear... I think they still make them, but I don't remmeber what they are called.

We played games -- I Spy -- watching for different License Plates -- Spelling games (one person would say a letter the next person would say the next letter on and on... everyone would try to guess the word before it was spelled. Or figure out if someone was bluffing and it wasn't a real word)

A new long desired game for a portable game system.

A travel desk that folds down from the front seat so they have a place to draw, write etc. KidCase (http://www.theactivechild.com/catalog.php?category=1) -- or -- Rear Seatback Mounted Tray (http://www.a2zsolutions.com/desks/seat/rear_seat_tray.htm)

OMGosh! You can make your car a WiFi hot spot! Not cheap, but a cool idea! http://www.autonetmobile.com/about/news/today-survive-the-drive-great-gear-for-kids-and-you/

Portable DVD player -- favorite movies and new movies

Here are some sites I have saved:

http://www.momsminivan.com/

http://stayathomeparents.suite101.com/article.cfm/car_trips_with_kids

[Snow White]

My family drove down to florida every may to daytona. The best tip is book you hotel rooms in advance if you are going to stop. My father would drive to Virginia the first night and then south of the border( between north and south carolina) we did take our time. As a kid I use to love driving down because I got to see different states and eat different food. My Fav was the waffle house Best waffles ever! Plus north carolina was pretty flat but you see a hundred bill boards of south of the border. That was pure entertainment for me and my brother. At that time we had madlibs and read books or listened to music now a days we have hand held games and dvd players. The reason being for booking your hotel is alot of times the nice ones are booked up and when your tired after driving you want a place to stay right now! believe me that wasn't fun. So my dad knew how long he could drive before he became batty and booked the hotel acouple months in advance. It's about 22 hours but by breaking it up it's alot less stressful on the family. Coming home was a different story because we all wanted to get home so we drove longer and stayed one night.