Try to avoid travelling through major bottlenecks like town centres during peak rush hour, as sitting in static traffic with hungry children can test anyone's patience. 

If your children still nap, consider timing your departure just before their usual sleep window so you can cover a solid stretch of motorway while the car is quiet. I always used to plan long journeys for the evenings, getting them washed, changed into pyjamas, and ready to sleep once we hit the road. 

If you are using a navigation app, it will provide live traffic updates if there are roadworks or accidents, but make sure you have a good idea of the route in case you lose reception or your battery runs out. 

Pack Smart Rather than Packing Everything

It can be tempting to pack everything “just in case”, but an overfilled car can create chaos when you need to find something quickly. Instead, keep a dedicated "grab bag" in the front passenger footwell contain essentials like baby wipes, snacks, medicines, a sick bag, tissues and hand sanitiser. 

Giving each child a small “journey bag” for can work well. If your children don't get travel sick you can include books, colouring pads, stickers, small toys, comfort items and perhaps a surprise activity for later in the trip. Avoid toys with lots of small pieces, as they are likely to be dropped and lost under the seats.

If you are break up a long journey with an overnight hotel stay, pack a separate small overnight bag. This stops you from having to unload the entire boot, and all the carefully packed bags, just to track down pyjamas and toothbrushes for one night. 

Keep Snacks Simple and Low Mess

Snacks are one of the most useful tools for a peaceful road trip, but choose items that are easy to eat in a moving vehicle. Good options include crackers, breadsticks, cheese cubes, dried fruit, rice cakes and dry cereal. These are all easy to vacuum up the crumbs when you get home. Avoid anything too sticky, crumbly or packed with artificial sugar to avoid sticky fingers, messy upholstery and sudden bursts of energy.

Distribute snacks gradually throughout the trip, rather than handing over a full bag at once. This helps keep children occupied throughout the journey and avoids tummy aches. Reusable water bottles are also helpful, but don't overdo drinks if toilet stops are limited.

Create Entertainment That Lasts

Young children can become bored quickly, so plan a mix of activities. Audiobooks, nursery rhyme albums, family playlists and child-friendly podcasts can help pass the time. Better still they all work for children that get car sickness. Simple games such as “I Spy”, spotting red cars or counting tractors can also help pass the time.

Screens can be useful on longer journeys, particularly when everyone needs a quiet break. Download programmes, films or games in advance so you aren't reliant on a mobile signal (or your data).  Remember to pack headphones, chargers and a portable powerbank and charge cable.

It is helpful to rotate activities rather than offering everything at once. A new activity every hour or so can make the journey feel shorter and more exciting.

Prepare for Mess and Mishaps

Even the best planned journey can involve spills, sickness or accidents. Keep a clean up kit in the car with wipes, kitchen roll, nappy bags, spare clothes (for them and you), a towel and a sealable bag for dirty items.  If your child is prone to travel sickness, speak to a pharmacist before the trip about suitable remedies, encourage them to look out of the window at the horizon and avoid heavy meals just before travelling.

Dress children in comfortable layers so they can adjust to changes in temperature. Shoes that are easy to slip on and off are also useful for breaks.

Build Extra Time Into Your Schedule

Perhaps the most important part of a successful family road trip is accepting that things may not go exactly to plan. Children might need extra stops (or be asleep when you get to a planned stop location) and the journey may take longer than your sat nav predicted.

Build extra time into your schedule so delays feel less stressful. Accept the slower pace, celebrate the smooth stretches, and remember that getting there is all part of the family holiday experience. With preparation, flexibility and a sense of humour, road trips with young children can become far easier, and even enjoyable.