Imagine going on a family trip to the breathtaking European campsites. The greenery around soothes your soul, while the proximity to the beach and water parks keeps everyone excited about the activities. However, many families may encounter challenges such as high fuel costs, noisy children, and overspending on food.
This makes the family road trip more of a nuisance than a breather. On top of this, the lack of power sources can further exacerbate the situation. So if you wonder how to spend less and enjoy more on your family trip, and why take a solar power station with you, keep reading!
What Needs to Be Planned Before Departure?
Have you been dreaming and planning about your family road trip for months now? Is it finally going to be a reality? Congratulations! Here are some tips that you should be mindful of to have a great experience throughout without overspending:
1. Create a Flexible Budget
Start by creating a flexible budget for the trip. You need to include the travel expenses, food, and any other possible emergencies that might happen on the way. Other than the road trip itself, you should consider the money you'll be spending on different activities.
For instance, if you want to spend time in a swimming area with your family, you should put it down along with the expected expense. This helps you keep track of where your money is going and how to manage it.
However, one important piece of advice that you shouldn't skip is to always have an upper limit for each part. Let's say the expected cost of the trip is €1,000; you should still keep aside €1,200 as a cushion in case anything goes wrong.
2. Save on Accommodation
Well, most of the budget on a road trip is taken up by accommodation. But don't stress out, as there are different ways you can save up on it. For example, if you plan to go on a family trip during the peak season, don't make your booking at that time.
Rather, contact hotels and book in advance during the off-peak season to enjoy lower charges.
A study by NerdWallet shows that hotel rooms are nearly 13% cheaper when booked in advance. [1] In case a hotel seems an expensive option, you can explore campsites and other huts around the location that offer great views but at a low cost.
3. Packing List
When packing for the much-awaited family road trip, it's natural to feel overwhelmed. Well, here's an amazing list of items that make packing a breeze:
1) Mobile Kitchen
- A portable stove for quickly cooking meals and saving money on expensive dine-ins.
- Nesting pans and pots that don't take up much space.
- Utensils like plates, tongs, a spatula, a whisk, and a sharp knife with its protective cover.
- A cooler to keep food items fresh and tasty for a long time.
2) Emergency Kit
- Spare tyre and lug wrench to tackle a burst tyre on the way to the destination.
- First-aid kit with bandages, painkillers, antiseptic wipes, and gauze to address health emergencies quickly when no help is around.
- Flashlight with extra batteries to navigate the dense forests and rocky terrains without falling.
Suggestions for Expenses During the Trip
Whether you are heading to a nearby lake or a long-distance route to see the mountain top, there are some simple ways you can rely on to save money during the road trip, such as:
1. Save on Transportation
Start by choosing cars for road trips that are big enough to accommodate your family but consume minimal fuel. You can use any fuel economy calculator to get an idea of the gas consumption. This is especially helpful if you are opting to rent a car for the trip.
Practice good driving habits and maintain a normal speed, as high speeds can often lead to increased fuel waste. Inspect the vehicle carefully for any signs of wear or damage before you take the road trip by car.
Otherwise, the car may break down in an unknown area where you might be charged more than expected. Most importantly, compare fuel prices in different locations and get it filled where it fits within your budget.
2. Control Food Expenses
To control your food expenses on the trip, you can:
- Set a very realistic budget for your food expenses to help you stay in control of your spending.
- Quickly prepare one-pot yet yummy meals, including pastas and casseroles that can be easily reheated and cherished by everyone.
- Pack non-perishable items like nuts, dried fruit, pretzels, crackers, and some pre-made sandwiches so everyone can have a good munching session and don't tend to over-expensive restaurants every now and then.
- When choosing your accommodation, pick hotels that offer complimentary or free food. Other times, you can use the mobile kitchen to cook quick meals and save on dine-ins.
3. Tickets and Activities
Planning tickets and activities in advance can really save you money and stress during the trip. However, don't forget to compare prices before making a decision and follow these things:
- Family Discounts: Many tourist attractions, such as theme parks and museums, offer discounts for groups and families. So rather than buying a single ticket for each member, you should get a bundle discounted offer to lower trip costs but not the fun.
- Free Options: While it's a good idea to try some rides, don't overlook the importance of things that cost nothing but give you lasting memories. For instance, you can hike trails, go to public beaches, or just do sightseeing to soothe your inner soul.
- Trade-offs in Quantity: It's indeed tempting to try out each activity in your road trip. But that's not the right approach. You should pick fewer activities and spend quality time at each spot to have more fun and spend less.
How to Enhance the Experience?
Now that you are aware of all the budgeting and money-saving tricks for a road trip caravan, let's discuss the different ways you can enhance the overall experience:
1. Arrange Family-Friendly Activities
When you are going on a family road trip with people of all ages, keeping everyone engaged can be a real challenge. Here are some tips that can help you in this regard:
- Theme Parks: If you really want to get a 'Wow' reaction from your kids, take them to the theme park. You can take them to Disney Land or a nearby natural park that brings their sensory nerves to life and gives them a maximum fun and excitement experience.
- Nature Walks: Explore local beaches and trails to discover wildlife. You can also use a geocaching map to find hidden treasures and keep the excitement of the road trip high.
- Outdoor Picnic: You can take out your mobile kitchen and a picnic mat. Find a scenic location and start preparing your meals while absorbing the beauty of nature. If possible, involve your kids in small tasks as well, such as setting up the plates to create a cohesive environment.
- Sports and Activities: Well, you are never too old to play sports and get a glimpse of your youthful days. So pack basketball, volleyball, and even frisbee so you can have calorie-burning at rest stops.
2. In-car Comfort and Entertainment
To make the journey inside the car less noisy, you should have a list of in-car activities. For instance, you can play:
- Classic Games: Engage in games like License Plate, 20 questions, card games, and Bingo.
- Audiobooks and Podcasts: Download a family-friendly audiobook and podcast in advance that provides useful insights and also sparks healthy debate and discussion.
- Music: Of course, music can be your best buddy when you are going on a long distance. Create a playlist with everyone's favourite songs. For instance, if your daughter loves Taylor Swift or your son likes listening to Justin Bieber, make sure you've their songs as well to feel everyone involved. Throughout the trip, you can then sing your hearts out and make lasting memories.
- Electronics and Storybooks: Get some interesting storybooks and read them to the kids so they are hooked. Perhaps you can give them a drawing tablet or other electronics where they can learn something educational while also experimenting with their artistic skills.
3. Ensure Your Devices are Fully Charged
This is the most important thing: make sure all your devices, from portable fans to flashlights and electronics, are fully charged. Otherwise, it’s a challenge during hot summer or cold winter without fans or heaters. Not only this, but it creates a boring environment, which can spoil everyone's fun.
4. Avoid Setting a Strict Itinerary
We suggest not keeping a strict itinerary for a lot of things, such as you might not get to discover hidden gems and adjusting to unforeseen circumstances becomes hard. Rather:
- Always stay open to discovering local spots, breathtaking viewpoints, and charming cafes that aren't present in your guidebook but definitely pass the vibe check.
- Road trips are unpredictable; you might end up in heavy rain or get stuck at a tourist spot. Having a strict itinerary can disturb your mood and increase stress. Therefore, you should focus on resilience and try to roll with the punches.
User-friendly Power Generators for Family Road Trips
If you are going on a road trip, especially to a remote location, you won't have access to electricity. Without an adequate power source, your devices will run out of charge, leaving you digitally stranded.
That's where a power solar generator comes in. Solar energy provides you with reliable power anywhere, anytime. Looking for top-notch solar generators? Jackery has your back! Here are the top two picks:
1. Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2
The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 is an incredible solution featuring 1070Wh capacity and 1500W power output. Whether it's your portable electric stove or a heater, you can rely on this power solution to run them all. What truly makes it stand out among other options is its portability, as its portable power station is 18% smaller than the previous one with similar capacity.
Other Features
- Versatile charging options with solar, car, and wall options. It can be fully charged within 1 hour under the Emergency Super Charging mode.
- LiFePO4 cell chemistry and exclusive ChargeShield2.0™ technology ensure a service life up to 10 years.
- Whisper-quiet operation at 22dB ensures that your family members don't get disturbed by the generator.
- The fast switching time of less than 20ms makes it not only suitable for home travel, but also as a backup power source in case of power outages.
2. Jackery Solar Generator 2000 v2
However, if you are a large family and need something more powerful, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 v2 is what you need. It has a 2042Wh capacity and a 2200W output that can power everything from charging your flashlights and mobile phones to running kitchen appliances.
Don't mistake its high power for a large size, as it's 41% smaller and 35.6% lighter than traditional industry standards. In the charging mode, it operates at ≤ 30dB, which is very minimal and doesn't disturb the tranquillity of the surroundings.
Other Features
- ChargeShield 2.0 technology protects critical devices and the generator itself against damage.
- Emergency Super Charge Mode that can take the solar generator from 0% to 100% within 1.33 hours.
- Smart app control that enables you to track battery level, input, and output power, among others.
- Also adopts LiFePO4 cell chemistry that offers a 10-year lifespan.
Conclusion
Taking out cars for a family road trip can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you need some tips to enjoy more but spend less. Moreover, don't forget to carry a powerful generator along with you to ensure you don't end up in an unexpected situation. Visit the Jackery website now and get your hands on the latest green power solutions that make your trips smooth!
References
[1] Here's exactly when to book a hotel to get the best deal. Available at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/18/exactly-when-to-book-a-hotel-to-get-the-best-deal.html (Accessed: 25 September 2025)
