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Love it or loathe it, one of the most popular family activities is still the good old car trip. Since the very early days of motorised transport people have made the most of the ability to pack up, hit the road and discover new places. And although today’s cars are more comfortable and reliable for such trips, boredom and arguments in the car still arise. We recently went to Devon for Easter bank holiday but it took us 7 hours to get there and with two children in the back of the car, it was definately  a challenge at times. As we are part of the Sainsbury's blogger network, we were therefore more than happy to host this guest post from Sainsbury's to ensure your family car trip goes as smoothly as possible.

The top tip has to be take time to plan your journey. It may seem more like organising a military operation at this stage, but your efforts can be rewarded with a more peaceful day out.

Where to go?

Start by deciding where to go. Each member of the family will have their own preferences and it can be tough to find somewhere that pleases everyone. Try to focus on places that offer all sorts of different activities. A day at the beach means sun-seekers can sit back and relax with a good book, kids can swim and play to their hearts’ content and walkers can explore the seaside town.

And don’t forget that you will pass other places on the way to your main destination, so you can arrange various stop-offs too. 

Map or GPS?

The tatty-edged road map has become something of a relic, as many families now use GPS technology to find their way around. Whichever option you go for, be sure to assess the optimum route before setting off so that you are aware of the nearest rest stops and potential detours in the event of a traffic jam.

Keep the troops happy

Keeping the kids happy and entertained while on a long car journey can be challenging.

Again, the key to a happy car trip is in the preparation.

Ask the kids to get a selection of their favourite books and toys together before heading off. Make sure any electronic gadgets they have are fully charged and bring extra supplies of paper, crayons and batteries, etc. 

At some point in the trip, a 'cargument' might emerge - and not necessarily between the kids! Try to keep calm and be objective about what it is you disagree on. Have a time-out plan of a silly word you all shout to relieve tension. You’d be amazed at how this trick works. 

The must-haves

Before any long car trip, you should check your vehicle is ready for the journey. This means checking tyre pressure, oil level and ensuring there is enough washer fluid. Of course, it goes without saying that you must have adequate car insurance cover in place from a reputable company such as Sainsbury's, breakdown cover, a valid MOT and tax disc. 

This guest post was written on behalf of the Sainsbury's Bank blog. It offers handy tips, not professional financial advice and should not be used as a basis for any financial decisions. Sainsbury's Bank accepts no responsibility for the opinions of external contributors and the content of external websites included within this post. All information provided was correct at date of publication. No compensation or payment has been received for this post.