A Family Drive to Awaji Island in the Panamera

On January 5, we suddenly decided to take a family road trip to Awaji Island the following day. Since we were booking at the last minute, most places were already full, but we managed to find a hotel that could accommodate us with the kids. Before setting off, we filled up with premium gas at a service station,

(We’ve had the car for less than three months,and it’s already done 4,500 km!)

And we’re off!

But when you’re taking a road trip with a four-year-old and a one-year-old, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

What Parents Want vs. What Kids Want

On a road trip with adults only, it doesn’t really matter how many kilometers you cover, how many hours you drive, or whether lunch gets pushed back. But traveling with two young kids is a different story. Since this was a chance to enjoy some time behind the wheel of our Porsche, my husband and I were hoping to:

1　Pick up the pace a little on the highway
2　Enjoy a winding back road with some nice curves
3　Stop for photos if we found a good spot

The kids, of course, couldn’t care less. Their top concerns were:

1　I’m hungry!(And thirsty!)
2　I’m bored!
3　I feel carsick!(I don’t feel well.)

So what does it take to keep the kids fed, entertained, and feeling well, while still giving the grown-ups a chance to enjoy the Porsche drive? Here are a few things we learned.

Five Things to Plan for on a Road Trip with Kids

① Keep the drive to three hours or less

Even if a Porsche road trip is a treat for the adults, kids can get bored along the way. Our one-year-old, in particular, would cry, “I want to nurse!” and try to wriggle out of the child seat. Sitting still for a long time is tough for little ones, so I’d say three hours—including a lunch break—is about the limit.

② Let them burn off energy after lunch

The best plan is to make sure they eat well, let them run around and play until they’re tired, and then hope they fall asleep in the car. On our Awaji Island trip, we had lunch at Awaji Service Area, where the Ferris wheel is hard to miss. Afterwards, the kids played on the playground equipment and got excited about riding the Ferris wheel, which helped them use up plenty of energy.

③ Save the best driving for day two

If you prioritize detours and driving on the first day, the kids may get restless. It’s better to check in early and take it easy. After a good rest, you can head out for a drive on day two—and the kids are much less likely to get cranky. On this trip, we checked in at 3 p.m., then explored the hotel and relaxed.

④ Take car photos at the kids’ pace

If the kids are asleep when you find a good spot for car photos, leave them to sleep and take your pictures. If they want to get out, bring them along. Look closely at this photo and you’ll spot our older daughter asleep in the front passenger seat. (You can only see the top of her head, though.)

From a photography standpoint, it’s usually better not to have people in the car. But forcing a sleepy child to get out—or making a child who wants to stretch their legs stay inside—won’t go well. Be flexible and follow the kids’ cues.

⑤ Save long-distance drives for when the kids are with someone else

If you really want to go on a long drive, leave the kids with someone you trust and make it an adults-only trip. Then you can enjoy the freedom of driving on mountain roads or highways. That said, we still had plenty of fun on our Awaji Island trip, using the boost function on the highway and enjoying some lovely back roads.

See the Trip from the Kids’ Point of View

When you get home, if the kids say, “That was fun! Let’s go again!” you can gradually increase the distance as they grow. By planning your drive around the kids—not just yourselves—you’ll ultimately make it more enjoyable for the whole family.

Then again, here I am sounding like an expert. What if the kids are actually fed up with road trips? They seem to be having fun so far, so I’ll take that as a win! Haha.