1. Little to no time restraints

Flexibility is the key to sanity on road trips! Personally, I start to have a mild panic attack inside when I feel like we’re on a time crunch or racing the clock. Although having a set schedule can feel like you’re trying to motivate yourself to get your shit together and get out the door, it really just puts extra strain on everyone if you’re rushing and barking orders after you slept through your alarm, your spouse forgot to set the coffee maker, and your kids can’t find their shoes or their favorite stuffed animal. Having an ETD and/or ETA is great to keep your family on track to hit the road asap, but sticking to self-imposed deadlines causes unnecessary stress during what’s supposed to be a fun-filled family trip. The “whenever” approaches takes a lot of pre-planning (ie. packing the car up as much as possible the night before) and avoiding making same-day commitments that are timed events whenever possible (no one wants to miss grandma’s birthday dinner after all).  Of course, there are occasions when you don’t have the luxury of extra time, just try to give yourself as much of a buffer as you can to cut everyone some slack to keep the peace.

2. Organization = Happiness

Step one, clean the car out before you put a single item in it for your trip. No need for excess clutter in tight quarters. Next, consider how much you are packing. For some reason packing for a road trip is way different than packing for air travel. Maybe it’s the perception that you have the whole car instead of a single suitcase. But when the entire family has this perspective you will soon find yourself crammed in a car filled to the brim with kids fighting in the backseat over limited territory. To help maximize space and harmony, limit each individual to 1 suitcase. In some cases, you may even be able to pack for 2 in a single bag (although, it’s much easier for summer trips). You’ll also want to limit each person to a single activity bag no larger than a backpack, that way you don’t end up with 15 of little Emily’s stuffed animals and 4 novels you most definitely won’t read.

3. Keep a small emergency bag within reach

Your car is packed up and you’ve made your way partially down the road when you suddenly realize you need something that is packed at the bottom of the pile. #facepalm. In an attempt to avoid this scenario, pack a small bag or backpack of essential items that you can place at your feet or on top of the other luggage. Some items to consider: cell phone and tablet chargers, sunscreen, Tylenol (children’s and adult) and prescription medications, tissues, hand sanitizer, bandaids, and a change of clothes for little ones in case of accidents or spills. Having some baby wipes handy is also a great idea, for little (and sometimes big!) oopses. You may also want to pack a few trash bags and definitely don’t want to forget the dog poop bags if Rover is coming along for the ride.

4. Plan major stops ahead of time

As we all know “the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” However, having a rough idea of where you plan to stop along the way will help to break up the trip into smaller segments so the trip doesn’t seem never-ending and it will take the guesswork out of the best place to take a bio break, stretch your legs, and refuel your family and your vehicle. The last thing you want is to be in need of gasoline and a good meal with nowhere (safe) to stop. This is obviously much easier when traveling along a familiar route and may take a bit of research if it’s not a path you’ve taken before. I promise that a few minutes of planning ahead will be well worth it! If you are looking for dog-friendly pit stops, I recommend checking out Bring Fido to help you find restaurants, parks, and hotels where the whole family is welcome. They also have an app for iOS and Android for on the go convenience.

5. Healthy snacks

Everyone eats worse when they are on the road, it’s just a fact of life. Even though you and I both know you will likely have at least one burger and fries on the trek, it’s always helpful to have healthy snacks readily available so you and the kiddos don’t automatically gravitate to the candy and chip aisle at your next pit stop. Having a few things on hand aids in minimizing hangriness and unnecessary stops. I usually pack a large insulated bag (with an ice pack or 2) with a few water bottles, hummus and carrot sticks, applesauce or yogurt packs, z bars, nuts, and some fruit.  Apples and clementines are usually a hit and require minimal cleanup. And don’t forget napkins! Lots and lots of napkins to stash in the center console, the glove compartment, and a stack in the back seat for easy access.

Do you have any road trip tips to add? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

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Lavender 

One of my all-time favorite scents! The aroma is known to help promote a sense of calmness and relieves tension to help you relax during the day and sleep well throughout the night. If you are suffering from insomnia due to jet lag, you will be able to unwind with ease by simply adding a drop or two to your wrists or feet or to a nice warm bath before bed. You can also add a few drops mixed with water in a spray bottle to spritz your pillow and sheets and make your room smell like a peaceful spa. Lavender is also excellent for skin irritations and can be used to soothe a sunburn if you have a little too much fun in the sun.

On Guard 

Everyone could use an immunity boost when traveling. On Guard provides just that as a blend of orange, clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary known to promote overall health. My favorite On Guard products are the are the beadlets, which you can keep in your purse/backpack and can double as hand sanitizer, and the throat drops. The throat drops are great for kiddos because the flavor is not as intense as the oil. I always use On Guard as a precautionary measure during or after a flight, when I’m feeling exhausted and like my normal defenses are down, and especially if I start to have symptoms like a tickle in my throat. I recommend keeping both the beadlets and a few throat drops in your carry-on and your day back while you are out and about.

Citrus 

Staying hydrated is a must! Most people get bored with drinking plain ol’ water and resort to sodas and other sugary drinks that can actually dehydrate you even more. By adding a drop or two of your favorite citrus oil, such as grapefruit, lemon, lime, or orange, to your water you can add a little flavor to your zero cal beverage and put some pep in your step. (Just be sure you are using a glass container). Each oil has its own benefits. For example, I’ve found that Grapefruit does wonders for a hangover

Deep Blue 

My go-to fix for aches and pains. I prefer the topical cream that is infused with doTERRA Deep Blue Soothing Blend (which is also available as an oil!) of Wintergreen, Camphor, Peppermint, Ylang Ylang, Helichrysum, Blue Tansy, Blue Chamomile, and Osmanthus essential oils that soothes aching muscles. Think of it as an all-natural Icy Hot. You can use it on your back after sitting on an airplane or in a car for hours on end and massage into your feet after a long day sightseeing. Trust me, it makes all the difference in the world! Take note though, a little goes a long way! Start off with a small amount to test it out each time you apply, you can always add more as needed. Also, there are sample packets available that are perfect for when you are on the go.

Melaleuca

Better known as Tea Tree oil, this versatile oil can help cleanse, rejuvenate the skin, as well as treat skin irritation. This oil is especially important if you will be spending time in the great outdoors. It can be used on bug bites or scraps and is also great to clear up the occasional blemish. However, please use caution if you are traveling with your family dog and do not allow them to lick the area you applied the oil to because melaleuca is poisonous to pups if ingested.

DigestZen 

From new and rich foods to one too many cocktails, upset stomachs can be an unfortunate byproduct of your travel experience. DigestZen is a blend of Ginger, Fennel, Coriander, Tarragon, Anise, Caraway, and Peppermint which helps to ease some of the discomfort you may experience so that you don’t have to suffer while you’re on vacay. Prone to motion sickness? DigestZen can help you there too. You can add a few drops to your water, however, I’d advise against it unless you like the taste of black licorice (coriander) mixed with ginger. I’m personally not a fan so I rub a drop (a little goes a long way) on my stomach. If you have sensitive skin, make sure to dilute with some coconut oil first. I also take it in a veggie capsule and doTERRA offers a softgel for daily or as needed use as well.

Purify

Speaking of stomach aches, no one likes to have a stinky bathroom while in tight quarters with loved ones. Never fear, Purify will help you clear the air and provide a refreshing chemical-free scent to take care of any unwanted or funky odors. The blend includes lemon, lime, Siberian Fir, Citronella Grass, Melaleuca and Cilantro to give a clean, herbal fragrance to any room. You can put a few drops in the toilet, add to a spray bottle to spritz around the room or even in your shoes to freshen things up a bit. Strange smells of fast food lingering in your car from your road trip? Place a few drops on a cotton ball or paper towel in front of the air vent for a more pleasant aroma.

Frankincense 

When in doubt, use Frankincense! It’s known as the king of oils for a reason.  Frankincense has such a wide variety of uses there’s no possible way I could address them all in this post. From skin rejuvenation to cellular health, Frankie’s got you covered.  If you’re like me, I have really sensitive skin and traveling can have a real impact on it. I use this oil (or Melaleuca) to help promote clear skin and combat other unknown skin irritants. Just add a drop or two to your moisturizer to hydrate and revitalize your skin. It also helps with inflammation so you can rub it on your joints or sore muscles. Canker Sore? Apply directly to it. (Fair warning, it’s not the best taste so try to avoid your tongue unless absolutely necessary). Feeling overwhelmed at the airport? Just smelling Frankincense from the bottle can help calm your nerves. You can also apply a drop to your wrists to stay balanced and have a little more Zen amidst the chaos that may be around you. It can also act as a sleep aid! Really and truly, if you only have room for one bottle, this is it!

And there you have it, a few must-have essential oils for your next adventure. Have questions or a favorite oil you’d like to add to the list? Drop me a line in the comments below.

Click here to order essential oils for your trip and home!  

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