Family Road Trips 1,650 Miles With 8 Kids
A family completed an epic 1,650-mile road trip in just two days with eight kids packed into the adventure. The candid travelogue details the logistical triumphs and mishaps of such a massive journey, showcasing the resilience and creativity required for large-family travel. The account offers insights into managing crowds, supplies, and sanity on extended drives.
A 1,650-mile journey is no small feat, roughly equivalent to driving the entire Pacific Coast Highway from San Diego to Olympia, Washington. To cover that distance in two days, a family would need to average over 800 miles a day, translating to more than 12 hours of driving each day, not including stops for gas, food, and bathroom breaks. Accommodating a family of ten requires a vehicle with significant capacity. Options include large SUVs like the Chevrolet Suburban or Ford Expedition EL, which can seat up to 10 people, or passenger vans like the Ford Transit and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, which can hold 12 to 15 passengers. The fuel cost alone for a 1,650-mile trip can be substantial. In a larger vehicle that might get 15-20 miles per gallon, the family would have needed between 82 and 110 gallons of gas. Depending on gas prices, this could range from over $200 to well over $400. Keeping eight children entertained in a confined space for such a long duration is a significant challenge. Successful strategies often involve a mix of screen time, audiobooks, and classic road trip games like "I Spy" or the alphabet game. Many parents also pack special "road trip only" activities to maintain novelty and excitement. Frequent and strategic stops are crucial for managing a large group of children on a long trip. Experts suggest stopping every 2-3 hours to allow kids to run around and expend energy. Planning stops at parks or interesting roadside attractions rather than just gas stations can also help break up the monotony of the drive.
