How do you plan to spend your summer? Another 12 weeks of trying to figure out how to entertain your kids without losing your sanity? Where to go, and what to do? There are so many options for giving your family a wonderful summer without leaving home, but sometimes it does the whole family a lot of good to get out of the house and hit the road for a little road trip. Even if you don't have a lot of cash to spend on a vacation, road trips can be fun and affordable while giving you lots of time with your loved ones.

Here's how to pack for the ultimate summer road trip...

So, you've planned your trip and have your route settled. That's the first step to an unforgettable family road trip. Keeping it lighthearted and budget-friendly starts with packing if you can believe it! The number of things you bring along on the trip may cause slow-downs and headaches along the way, so be prepared to do a little pre-trip planning and organization to give you the optimum amount of travel room and make things easier on yourself.

Make sure you have the essentials

You absolutely do not want to set out on a road trip without the following items: registration, car manual, driver's license, insurance information and contacts, AAA information (if you have it), flashlight, emergency kit, device chargers, and GPS.

Limit the number of clothes, toys, books, etc.

This is a hard rule to follow, especially if you're like me, and love to bring along matching outfits, shoes, and accessories. Cut back to 2-3 pairs of shorts that can be worn with a variety of tops. Only bring 1-2 pairs of shoes, making sure that you have closed-toe shoes for any outdoor activities you might be planning on doing. Limit toys and books for the kids. They can bring along 2-3 small toys and a variety of thin books. Avoid anything with small pieces that might wind up lost in or out of the car. Share luggage if at all possible to save space. Rolling clothes instead of folding them works wonders for saving space in bags.

Bring zip plastic bags

You just never know when you might need them- be it for trash, treasures, or soiled/wet clothing. It's a good idea to travel with a variety of sizes.

Bring small snacks and reusable water bottles

Don't throw money away on buying food on the road. Sure, you'll need to have regular meals, but snacks can go a long way when you're on the road. Make little snack kits for each child, and have a couple of handy snacks like trail mix for the adults. Don't bring along anything that will quickly spoil in hot temperatures. Re-fill water bottles when you stop for breaks.

Other things to remember

Don't forget to bring along a First Aid kit, hand sanitizer, wet wipes (not baby wipes- Water Wipes are safer on all skin types), a couple of dry towels, a blanket for emergencies, and some good music. Nothing beats boredom in the car like a good family singalong!

Don't forget to keep your car in good shape and running smoothly, so you don't encounter any hiccups along the way!

Cheers to your summer & wishes for safe travels, wherever the road may take you!

This post brought to you by Redman-Toll Chevrolet of Springfield