Before GPS, smartphones, and in-car entertainment systems, family road trips were a full-on experience. Whether you were headed to Grandma’s house, a national park, or a beachside motel, the journey was just as important as the destination. Parents packed the snacks, kids piled into the backseat, and everyone settled in for hours—or even days—on the open road. These traditions made those long drives unforgettable, turning even the most ordinary trip into a grand adventure.
1. Playing the License Plate Game
One of the best ways to pass the time on a long road trip was spotting license plates from different states. Kids would scan the highways and parking lots, trying to check off all 50 states before the trip was over. The real excitement came when someone spotted a rare plate, like Alaska or Hawaii, sending the whole car into a frenzy. EN World remembers another variation that’s like an even more hectic version of Scrabble to consider playing.
Some families kept a notepad to track their finds, while others just shouted them out as they appeared. The game was an easy way to stay entertained without any gadgets—just good eyesight and a little friendly competition. Even today, catching an out-of-state plate can bring back memories of staring out the window, eagerly searching for that next big find.
2. Packing a Special Snack Bag
No road trip was complete without a bag full of carefully selected snacks. Whether it was homemade peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, a bag of chips, or a sleeve of crackers, every family had their go-to favorites. Parents packed a cooler with sodas or juice boxes, and if you were lucky, there might even be a stash of candy for later in the trip. The Lean Green Bean has some advice on healthy snack ideas for a long trip, for the next adventure.
Of course, the best part was when someone reached into the bag and pulled out a surprise treat. Maybe it was a fresh pack of gum, some beef jerky, or a long-awaited candy bar that made the whole car cheer. Eating in the car felt like part of the adventure, and the snack bag was as essential as the luggage.
3. Listening to AM Radio and Tapes
Before satellite radio and streaming services, the car’s AM radio was the main source of entertainment. Families would twist the dial, searching for a station that wasn’t pure static, sometimes picking up strange broadcasts from faraway places. If you found a good song, you held your breath, hoping the station wouldn’t fade before it finished. PBS shares the history of the radio and its many evolutions, and its place in the world.
Some families brought cassette tapes along, playing favorite albums or homemade mixtapes recorded straight from the radio. The same handful of songs played over and over, becoming the unofficial soundtrack of the trip. Even today, hearing a certain song can bring back memories of being packed in the backseat, watching the scenery fly by.
4. Stopping at Roadside Diners and Drive-Ins
One of the best parts of a road trip was pulling off the highway for a meal at a local diner or drive-in. Whether it was a Howard Johnson’s, a Stuckey’s, or a mom-and-pop café, these stops felt like little adventures in themselves. Kids would race to the counter to check out the candy display, while parents enjoyed a much-needed coffee break. As outlined by Metro Diner, the diner experience and history is a cultural experience as much as it is a culinary one.
The menus were usually filled with classic comfort food—burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese, and milkshakes thick enough to clog a straw. And if you were really lucky, the place might even have a jukebox or a souvenir shop with postcards and tiny license plates with kids’ names on them. These roadside stops weren’t just about food—they were part of the magic of the journey.
5. Stretching Your Legs at Rest Stops
After hours in the car, pulling into a rest stop was like reaching an oasis in the desert. Kids spilled out of the backseat, running in circles to burn off energy, while parents stretched and took a deep breath of fresh air. Some rest areas had picnic tables, where families would spread out a packed lunch instead of eating in the car.
The best rest stops had vending machines, giving kids the thrill of pressing buttons and watching a candy bar drop down. If there were maps or brochures inside, someone always grabbed a handful, even if you weren’t going to those places. Rest stops weren’t just a necessity—they were a chance to regroup, recharge, and get ready for the next leg of the trip.
6. Arguing Over Who Got the “Way Back” Seat
For families with station wagons or big cars, the “way back” seat was prime real estate. Facing the opposite direction, it gave kids a whole new view of the road, letting them make faces at cars behind them. It felt like having your own private clubhouse, separate from the grown-ups in the front.
Of course, there were always arguments about who got to sit back there. Some families had strict rules—taking turns, calling dibs, or basing it on seniority. No matter how it was decided, the “way back” seat was one of the most coveted spots in the car, and riding in it felt like the ultimate road trip privilege.
7. Collecting Souvenirs from Every Stop
Every stop along the way was an opportunity to pick up a little piece of the journey. Gas stations, diners, and gift shops sold everything from snow globes to state-themed keychains, and kids loved building their collection. Some people grabbed postcards, while others collected tiny spoons, magnets, or patches to sew onto a jacket.
Even the cheapest trinkets felt special because they marked where you had been. And when the trip was over, looking at all those little souvenirs brought back memories of the places you’d seen. It wasn’t about the value—it was about carrying a piece of the adventure home.
8. Watching for Roadside Attractions
Nothing made a long drive more exciting than spotting a sign for a bizarre roadside attraction. Whether it was the World’s Largest Ball of Twine, a dinosaur park, or a mysterious roadside mystery spot, these stops turned an ordinary road trip into something unforgettable. Parents would debate whether to pull over, while kids begged from the backseat.
Sometimes the attraction was worth it—other times, it was just a strange gift shop with overpriced knick-knacks. But either way, stopping at one of these places made the trip feel like an adventure. Even if you never actually went in, just reading the signs and imagining what was inside was part of the fun.
9. Playing “I Spy” and Other Car Games
When boredom started creeping in, car games were the best way to pass the time. “I Spy” was a favorite, with one person spotting something and giving clues while the others tried to guess. Other classics included counting cows, spotting punch buggy cars, and seeing who could hold their breath the longest in a tunnel.
For families with a creative streak, homemade games were even better. One kid might make up a story about a car passing by, or everyone in the car could take turns adding to a silly tale. These simple games made hours on the road fly by and gave the whole family something to laugh about.
10. The Excitement of Seeing the First Road Sign for Your Destination
No matter how long the trip was, the moment you saw that first road sign with your destination on it, the excitement skyrocketed. “Only 50 miles to go!” suddenly felt like a huge accomplishment, even if it meant another hour in the car. Kids sat up straighter, energy levels returned, and suddenly, even the most tired passengers were buzzing with anticipation.
As the signs got closer, everyone started watching for landmarks—familiar billboards, specific exit numbers, or that first glimpse of the ocean or mountains. The closer you got, the more real the trip felt, until finally, the car pulled into the hotel, campsite, or family member’s driveway. That moment of arrival was the best feeling in the world, signaling that the real adventure was about to begin.
11. Singing Along to the Radio (Whether You Wanted To or Not)
Before personal headphones and individual playlists, the entire car had to agree on one radio station or cassette tape. Once a favorite song came on, it was time for a full-blown family singalong—whether everyone wanted to participate or not. Parents belted out oldies, kids shouted the words to whatever was playing, and sometimes, there was even clapping or drumming on the car seats.
Of course, not everyone had the same taste in music, which led to a few battles over the dial. Someone always groaned when Dad put on country music or Mom played her favorite easy-listening station. But no matter what was playing, those singalongs became part of the trip’s soundtrack, turning even the dullest stretches of highway into a concert on wheels.
12. The Race to Be the First One Out of the Car
After hours—or even days—on the road, nothing was more exciting than finally pulling into the driveway of your destination. But before the car even came to a full stop, kids were unbuckling seatbelts, grabbing their bags, and gearing up for the ultimate competition: who could be the first one out of the car? The moment the doors unlocked, it was a mad scramble, with siblings pushing, shoving, and sometimes even tripping over each other to make it to the front door first.
Parents, exhausted from the drive, could only shake their heads as kids scattered like they had just been released from captivity. If you were visiting family, there was an added bonus—whoever got out first got the first hug from Grandma. It was a silly little tradition, but after being cooped up for so long, that first breath of fresh air and the rush of excitement made it feel like the journey had truly come to an end.
Family road trips were never just about the miles traveled—they were about the memories made along the way. Whether it was playing games, eating snacks, or arguing over the best seat, these traditions turned long car rides into some of the best adventures of childhood. And even though times have changed, those road trip memories still bring a smile every time we think about them.
