Road Trips and Keeping Kids Occupied in the Car

Road trips across the United States can be fun for the whole family. There is much to see and to do that will keep children and adults fascinated for most of the trip. However, there are times in between these exciting attractions in which kids tend to become bored. The links that follow provide some of the most scenic roads in the United States, as well as some of the best landmarks to see along the way. There are also many suggestions for fun car games and activities. Finally, if your child does happen to experience motion sickness during the trip, links included here will help you to deal with this occurrence, as well as to prevent it from happening during your family’s next road trip.

Scenic Roads

• Pacific Coast Highway- Also known as Route 1 in California, the Pacific Coast Highway runs for 655.8 miles, as the name implies, along the pacific coast of California. It is one of the longest highways in the United States. Travelers witness not only the beautiful beaches of the Pacific Coast but also the mountains and redwood forests.

• Montana to Mexico (US-93) – Highway 93 is a north-south route that stretches 1457 miles from Eureka, Montana to Wickenburg, Arizona, not far from the Mexican border. Scenery that travelers may enjoy along the way include the Joshua Trees Forest in Arizona; Las Vegas, Nevada; the Big Lost River Valley in Idaho; the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana; and Glacier National Park in Montana.

• The Road to Nowhere (US-83) – At a length of 1894 miles, U.S. Route 83 is one of the longest north-south routes in the United States. Running from North Dakota to Texas, it was termed the “road to nowhere” because it is one of the most rural routes in the United States, rarely intersecting with other interstates. Travelers who are interested in seeing vast agricultural lands, lakes, railroads, and countless numbers of small towns.

• The Great River Road – Actually an amalgamation of state, federal and local roads, the Great River Road runs for 2340 miles from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico It follows the route of the Mississippi River through ten states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Chief among the scenery to be found along this route is the great Mississippi River.

• The Appalachian Trail – A hiking trail that runs for 2179 miles along the Appalachian Mountains, the Appalachian Trail cannot be traversed by automobile. If you have a chance, however, it is one of the wonders of the United States that should not be missed. The Appalachian Trail runs from Maine to Georgia. Bear, snakes, deer, elk and moose are some of the inhabitants of the area of whom you might catch a glimpse during your hike.

• The Atlantic Coast – Consisting of 2000 miles of country roads, the Atlantic Coast route will take travelers along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, from New York’s Statue of Liberty to Key West in Florida. Travelers are always within sight or shouting distance of the Atlantic Ocean along this route. Some sights not to be missed along the way include Cape May, New Jersey; Assateague Island, Virginia; Cape Hatteras, North Carolina; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

• The Great Northern (US-2) – This highway runs west to east for 2579 miles across the United States, from Washington to Maine. Parts of Route 2 are connected by Canadian routes. Because this highway spans such a vast area of the country, scenery differs wildly from the western end to the eastern end. Highlights of the western part of Route 2 include the Cascade Mountains in Washington, Glacier National Park in Montana, and the geographical center of the United States at Rugby, North Dakota. Eastern highlights include Lake Champlain into Vermont, White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire, and the Houlton International Airport in Maine, close to where the road ends.

• Portland to Provincetown (US-20) – Route 20 runs west to east from U.S. Highway 101 in Oregon to Commercial Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts. Also known as the Old Yellowstone Highway, this route spans 3365 miles, and is the longest route in the United States. Sights to see along the way include the Oregon High Desert, Cat Creek Summit in Idaho, Yellowstone National Park in Montana and Wyoming, the Mississippi River in Iowa and Illinois, and the Berkshire Hills in Massachusetts.

• The Longest Road (US-50) – Spanning 3008 miles east to west from Ocean City, Maryland to West Sacramento, California, Route 50 was the way to get across the United States prior to the construction of the interstate system. Today, it is a great way to see diverse parts of the country from east to west. It crosses desert and mountains in the western part of the United States, rural farmland in the Midwest, the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia, ending at the beach in Ocean City, Maryland.

• Southern Pacific (US-80) – Running east to west for 1032 miles, the Southern Pacific Highway, also known as Route 80, was once referred to as the Dixie Overland Highway. Beginning in Georgia, the route runs west through Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana before ending near Dallas, Texas. Originally, this route spanned all the way to San Diego, California, going through Arizona. That part of the route is now closed to automobiles.

• The Mother Road (Route 66) – Travelers can get their kicks on the famous Route 66 which runs for 2451 miles from Missouri to California. Parts of the route running through Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico and Arizona have been designated as a National Scenic Byway and named Historic Route 66. It has also been called the Mother Road and the Will Rogers Highway. Although it has not been a major east-west route since the construction of the interstate highway system in 1956, there is still much to be seen along Route 66, including Buckingham Fountain in Chicago, the Wigwam Motel in Arizona, and the Will Rogers Monument in California.
  

Famous Landmarks

• The Gateway Arch – Also known as the Gateway to the West, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri is the tallest man-made monument in the United States. Three million visitors view the Arch each year, some taking the elevator 630 feet to the top. From the observation area at the top of the arch, one can see the Mississippi River and Illinois.

• Mt. Rushmore – Located in South Dakota, Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a carving of four former presidents – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln – into granite standing 5275 feet above sea level. Two million people visit Mt. Rushmore each year.

• Death Valley – The hottest and driest area in the United States, Death Valley is in the Mojave Desert in California. Death Valley National Park is situated within Death Valley. Famous areas to visit within Death Valley include Furnace Creek, Hells Gate and Tecopa Hot Springs.

• Independence Rock – Sitting along the Oregon Trail in Natrona County, Wyoming, Independence Rock is a 1900 ft long, 700 ft wide granite rock resembling a whale. Pioneers along the Oregon Trail inscribed their names on the granite. Independence Rock is now part of the National Register of Historic Places.

• Mammoth Cave – Located in Kentucky, Mammoth Cave National Park houses the longest cave system in the world, Mammoth Cave. Mammoth Cave is a World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve. Famous parts of the cave that visitors see during tours include Frozen Niagara, Fat Man’s Misery and Grand Avenue.

• The Alamo – Formerly a mission and fortress, The Alamo in San Antonio, Texas is most famous for 1836’s Battle of the Alamo. The Alamo is now a museum that welcomes 4 million tourists each year. Visitors come to the Alamo because of its historical significance and also to see weapons, paintings and other artifacts housed there.

• Old Faithful Geyser – Located in Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park, the Old Faithful geyser erupts every half hour to two hours with each eruption lasting up to five minutes. The geyser’s eruption can climb to 184 feet, making it easily visible.

• Mt. McKinley/Denali – The highest mountain in North America, Mount McKinley, now referred to as Denali, stands 20,320 feet high in Alaska. The state of Alaska calls it Denali while the national government of the United States calls it Mount McKinley, after President William McKinley. It may take up to four weeks to climb to the top of the mountain.

• The Grand Canyon – Arizona’s Grand Canyon is a mile deep, 277 miles long and 18 miles wide. It was carved out by the Colorado River, and now sits within Grand Canyon National Park. Five million tourists visit the Grand Canyon yearly, to engage in sightseeing, rafting, hiking, and flying via helicopter over the canyon.

• Niagara Falls- Bordering Canada and New York, Niagara Falls is today a source of hydroelectric power. Those who visit Niagara Falls may choose to visit the American Falls side in New York or the Horseshoe Falls side in Canada. More than 28 million tourists visit the Falls each year.

• South of the Border – A popular roadside attraction in the southern part of the United States, South of the Border in Dillon, South Carolina may be reached via Interstate 95 or U.S. Route 301/501. It is an amalgam of Mexican and Southern shops, food, a campground and motel. One sight not to be missed here is Sombrero Tower, where visitors can take an elevator to the top.

• Lincoln Memorial – Located in Washington, D.C., the Lincoln Memorial was built between 1914 and 1922 to honor President Abraham Lincoln. It provides a spectacular view of other notable D.C. attractions including the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument. Among things that the Lincoln Memorial is famous for hosting is Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963.

• National Baseball Hall Of Fame – The National Baseball Hall of Fame is in Cooperstown, New York. It was built in 1939 to honor the history of baseball in the United States. Many baseball artifacts and tributes to great players, including Frank Robinson, Nolan Ryan and Reggie Jackson, are on display here.

• The Paul Revere House – The actual home of Paul Revere, the Paul Revere House is situated in Boston, Massachusetts. This small house was built in 1680 and today is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors may tour the house (which today is a museum) and shop at the museum shop located inside.

• Everglades National Park- This national park, located in southern Florida, contains the biggest subtropical wilderness to be found in the United States. The park, which covers 1.5 million acres, has been designated a World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve and a Wetland of International Importance. Its purpose is to protect the unique ecosystem of the Everglades.

• Bunker Hill Monument – Located in Charlestown, Massachusetts, Bunker Hill Monument stands as a granite commemoration of the Battle of Bunker Hill, the first major battle of the Revolutionary War. It is 221 feet high with 294 steps that visitors may climb to the top for a magnificent view.

• The USS Constitution – The oldest commissioned warship in the world that’s still afloat, the U.S.S. Constitution is in Charlestown Navy Yard in Massachusetts. Also known as “Old Ironsides,” the ship stands as a museum that visitors can board to learn more about the navy and its role in wartime.

• The Liberty Bell – Standing as a symbol of America’s independence in Philadelphia, the Liberty Bell was originally rung to mark the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Today the National Park Service owns the bell, which is visited by millions of tourists each year.

• Golden Gate Bridge – Serving as part of U.S. Route 101 and the California Route 1, the Golden Gate Bridge crosses the San Francisco Bay, connecting San Francisco to Marin County. It is one of the most beautiful and most visited bridges in the world, and was the longest bridge at the time of its construction in 1937.

• The White House – At 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., the White House is where the President of the United States lives with his family and works. Built between 1792 and 1800, the White House has been home to every American president since John Adams. Visitors may schedule a tour of the White House by request through their Congressman or Congresswoman only.

• Library of Congress – Located in Washington, D.C., the Library of Congress serves as the research library of the U.S. Congress. In addition to being the oldest federal institution in the United States, it is also the largest library in the world. It is open to the public, but only members of Congress and government officials may check out books.

• Statue Of Liberty – A gift of the people of France to the United States, the Statue of Liberty stands in New York Harbor as a symbol of freedom and independence. It has been designated a World Heritage Site and is open to the public for tours.

• Yellowstone National Park – Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho was the first national park in the world, established in 1872. Home to grizzly bears, bison, elk and wolves, the park covers 3468 square miles and features mountains, rivers and lakes. In 2010 the park received 3.6 million visitors, setting a new annual record.

• Yosemite Falls – The highest waterfall in North America, Yosemite Falls is in California’s Sierra Nevada in Yosemite National Park. The falls are fed by melting snow, so their volume may change from year to year and during different times in a year. They are visited by millions annually.

• Hoover Dam – Known as the dam that created Lake Mead, Hoover Dam between Arizona and Nevada was built between 1931 and 1936 above the Colorado River. It was built to prevent flooding and to produce hydroelectric energy. The dam is 35 miles from Las Vegas, Nevada and receives millions of visitors each year. More than 20,000 vehicles cross Hoover Dam each day.

• The Smithsonian – The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. is actually a collection of 19 museums, research and educational facilities, and a zoo. Affiliates of the Smithsonian exist in New York City, Panama, and Virginia. It is the largest museum system in the world and has something to interest visitors of all ages.

• Washington Monument – Standing as a tribute to George Washington, the first president of the United States, the Washington Monument is the tallest stone structure and the tallest obelisk in the world, at over 555 feet. It was built between the 1840s and the 1880s. Visitors may take the elevator to the top of the monument, which offers great views of Washington’s National Mall.

• Painted Desert – Consisting of 146 square miles of desert, the Painted Desert in the badlands of Northern Arizona spans the area from the Grand Canyon National Park to the Petrified Forest National Park. It has been home to Hopi and Navajo Indians for years. Much of the desert is only accessible by foot, as vehicular traffic is not allowed.

Fun Car Games and Activities

• Mom’s Minivan – Games, activities, and other ideas to keep kids occupied on car trips are included on this website. Activities include printable car bingo games, making string figures, and a car scavenger hunt.

• Car Bingo – Printable car bingo cards are featured on this site. They vary in sizes, with each containing pictures of items for kids to look for during their travels.

• Car Travel Games – A variety of car games are included here. Some of them include I Spy, License Plate Bingo and Who Am I?

• I Spy – This website provides an explanation of how to play I Spy in the car. It is designed more for younger children, to help them practice alphabet, number and color skills.

• License Plate Game – Two versions of the license plate game are featured here. In one game, players try to find as many different license plates as possible and mark them down on a printable sheet. In the other, players try to find one license plate from each state and keep track of them on a printable sheet.

• 27 Free Games to Keep Your Kids Entertained on a Road Trip – This website includes 27 free travel games for kids. They range from the Geography Game to a Family Spelling Bee.

• Fun Car Games for Kids – Ideas to keep kids occupied in the car are included here. Some of them include giving them a map to follow along during the trip, singing songs from a songbook, and counting cows.

• Activities for Kids – Car Games – A variety of car games are featured on this website. They include guessing the number, odd or even and A to Z.

• Car Activities – Printable car activities are featured on this site. These activities include road games such as Highway Alphabet Soup and coloring pages.

• Travel Scavenger Hunt – This website describes how to conduct a scavenger hunt while on a car trip. It includes ideas on what to search for and how to create a list for the hunt ahead of time.

• Best Car Games for Kids Ages 2 to 4 – A list and explanation of the best car games for younger children are featured here. The games mentioned include Counting Cows, Rock Paper Scissors, and Name That Tune.

Car Sickness 

• Take Steps to Prevent Car Sickness – An explanation of the causes of car sickness and ways to prevent it are featured here. Ideas include using over the counter medicines and providing ventilation.

• What’s Car Sickness? – This site from Nemours Kids Health is designed to explain to children what causes car sickness. It tells how each bodily system, from eyes to ears to brain, is involved.

• Motion Sickness – The University of Maryland Medical Center produced this comprehensive website. It describes the causes of motion sickness and what can be done to prevent or treat it.

• Avoid Car Sickness – Steps to avoid car sickness are outlined here. They include eating ginger biscuits to curb nausea and using rubbing alcohol wipes.

• Motion Sickness Medications for Kids – The various alternatives for motion sickness medications for children are included here. The safety of diphenhydramine and other antihistamines are discussed. 

• What Causes Motion Sickness? – Different causes of motion sickness, such as age and race, are discussed. Things to do before a trip to prevent motion sickness are also suggested.

• Motion Sickness: Medline Plus – The federal government provides this site to explain the concept of motion sickness. Its causes plus further links for more information are included.

• Should You Pull Over? Kids and Motion Sickness – This article explains causes of motion sickness in children. It also provides advice for parents on how to treat motion sickness and when stopping the car is the best option.