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• Do I need to book hotels ahead or can I book hotels as I travel?
• Should I rent an RV to save money on a road trip?
• Route 66 - how long do I need and where should I stop?
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I've spent 300 hours on road trips across the US. Here are 8 things I always pack for a long-haul drive.

• Americans are opting for road trips over air travel this summer, according to recent studies.
• After 300 hours of US road trips, I know exactly what to pack to make your drive easier.
• Wear your comfiest shoes, and don't forget to bring trash bags, wipes, and a camera.

Americans are tired of flying .

According to a recent study by Advance Auto Parts , 70% of the US population is more likely to take road trips this year than last to avoid air travel stress.

Another recent study by the Vacationer found that 196 million Americans plan to drive to their destinations this summer.

When it comes to American road trips , I'm no newbie. From the Southwest to the Northeast, I've traveled more than 20,000 miles to destinations around the US.

When it comes to packing up the car , I've certainly made some mistakes. I've forgotten important items and longed for essentials that I didn't even think of.

But 300 hours and more than a dozen trips later, I think I've mastered the art of packing for a road trip . Here are the things I'll always bring with me, no matter the destination.

I often forget to pack motion sickness medicine on road trips and stop for some on the way.

I've always been prone to motion sickness , but even if you're not, driving through the mountains could make you feel queasy.

I hate that I need caffeine to stay alert, but that's where I'm at.

On a road trip, I prefer Mio Energy, a flavorful boost to add to water, because it keeps me hydrated.

I download playlists and podcasts to keep myself entertained.

When you're driving on open roads, you never know when you'll lose service.

I've always road-tripped with other people. And as someone who values alone time, packing headphones is the only way to get it in a cramped car.

For introverts like me, using headphones allows me to take breaks from socializing. 

Especially when road-tripping with others, comfy shoes feel essential to sustaining my good mood.

I typically wear cozy shoes that slip on and off easily. 

Another mood booster for me is a clean car.

From empty food containers to candy wrappers, a road trip can quickly make a car messy. So don't forget to bring a small trash can or bag to keep things tidy.

Don't forget wipes — especially when eating in the car.

When something spills or your hands are sticky, you'll be glad you packed them.

And lastly, don't forget a camera to capture those stellar American landscapes.

Of course, there are other essentials for road trips , like emergency gear, sunglasses, and a  reusable water bottle . But the items on this list have helped me make a long, bumpy ride go smoothly.

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• Suggestions for a 'Deep South' road trip
• What are safety concerns and precautions when experiencing nature in North America?
• What should I pack for a road trip in the USA.?
• Do I need to book hotels ahead or can I book hotels as I travel?
• Should I rent an RV to save money on a road trip?
• Route 66 - how long do I need and where should I stop?
• Planning a road trip- lodging in the national parks
• Thinking of a long, family road trip in the west? Read this trip report for ideas
• Road trip ideas from Memphis down thru MS to New Orleans
• ***Visiting Canada From the USA***
• Cannabis - Entering Canada
• Campervan Tips for a Road Trip

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East coast or Central road trip - Australia Forum

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East coast or Central road trip

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We dont mind doing the driving but are also conscious of not wanting to feel rushed and be able to enjoy our time away, too.

I am more interested in going up the centre, and my partner is more interested in the east coast.

I will share the two rough itineraries I have made for both trips below.

What do you guys think would be a more enjoyable road trip do to in 3 weeks?

Melbourne to Mildura (1day)

Mildura to Finders Ranges (3 days)

Finders Ranges to William Creek (2 days)

William Creek to Uluru (4 days)

Uluru to Coober Pedy (3 days)

Coober Pedy to Adelaide (2 days)

Adelaide to Port Fairy (2 days)

Port Fairy to Lorne (3 days)

Loren to Melbourne (1 day)

EAST COAST:

Melbourne to Blue Mountainans (3 days)

Blue Mountains to Byron (3 days)

Byron to Rainbow Beach (2 days)

Rainbow beach to Airline Beach (4 days)

Airline beach to bundaberg (1 day - overnight stop)

Bundaberg to Sunshine coast (3 days)

Sunshine coast to Coffs harbour (2 days)

Coffs Harbour to Jervis Bay (2 days)

Jervis Bay to Melbourne (1 day)

6 replies to this topic

Ha! When you said the central route I thought you meant country NSW! You really mean centre centre!

Your choice will depend on the timing of your trip. If you are talking about now and the immediate future then do the central route. Good time for that. If you are talking about future planning and maybe towards summer months then definitely the coastal route.

Of course, you need to fine tune the itinerary once you decide the preferred loop.

Only you and your partner can choose the route, but I question some of your time allocations.

East - Byron Bay and Airlie Beach are very-well marketed and popular with backpackers. Are these places you've researched yourself or just places you've heard are must-sees? Melbourne to the Blue Mountains is a long drive but is mostly on major highway. Rainbow Beach to Airlie Beach is too far in one day imo, again, risky re kangaroos. Jervis Bay to Melbourne - long day if using the Hume, too far if taking the Princes Hwy.

This might be useful in your planning.

3 weeks is not enough time to do either of your planned itineraries, especially if you don't want to feel rushed.

I feel like the Centre will be a more unique trip, ut timing of drives is concerning.

Also, try to fit in the Waterfall Way coming from Blue Mountsins via Lithgow, Scone, Armidale, then Ebor, Dorrigo and Bellingen before hitting the coast again.

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Lake Charles Louisiana Knows How To Party

G iven a limited budget, an unlimited appetite and an interest in local culture, you can’t go wrong with a weekend road trip based in Lake Charles Louisiana. 

I recently spent three days at a Lake Charles casino resort and discovered the glitz, cuisine and the nightlife that people love about Las Vegas plus real Southern hospitality.

I met many parents and grandparents who enjoyed (or maybe just tolerated) the booze, slot machines and the party ambiance. This is a super affordable destination to show kids a great time.

Add in a regional road trip to see Southwest Louisiana’s unusual bayou environment and coastal habitats — not to mention gators aplenty — and it’s a great family vacation for the right family.

About and Around Lake Charles

If you want a nice lunch or are devoted foodies, do your research on the Boudin Trail . You’ll have to leave Lake Charles Louisiana. Driving through the nearby towns of Dequincy, Sulphur, Vinton, Iowa, Westlake, Moss Bluff , and Cameron Parish in search of this Louisiana gourmet specialty will give you a sense of the region.

Pick out one of the Boudin Trail’s recommended restaurants. Up and down Interstate 10 and Highway 90, places sell the spiced meat and rice sausage. Stop for a snack or a full meal — it’s very filling stuff. Ask at the register and they may let you watch how they’re made. Boudin sausage or boudin balls (fried meatball-like versions of the same recipe) are made of beef, pork, crawfish, shrimp and even alligator — an acquired taste… but one that may thrill your crew.

Before your late afternoon meal, cool off at Sulphur Parks Waterpark, known locally at SPAR Waterpark . Hours vary by day during the season, which runs late May to early August. Check their schedule online because some days are reserved for certain school districts. We know the kids will enjoy the tall waterslides or just chilling with Grammy and Gramps on the Lazy River. Even toddlers have a pirate play zone and splash park.

Road Trip around the Southwestern Louisiana Outback

Did you know there are an estimated 1 million American alligators in the state? The Creole Nature Trail All-American Road winds through 180 miles of marshland. Bird sanctuaries along the drive support 400 different species and some Gulf Coast beaches. It makes a beautiful one-state road trip.

Many families take a day trip down to the Cameron Prairie Wildlife Refuge . Walk the beachfront boardwalk, stick together and keep your eyes open for alligator-packed bayous.

Of course, in the summer heat, don’t forget your beach towels for a stop at Holly Beach , known for its shelling, or one of the other scenic Gulf Coast beaches. There are also convenient stops for fishing, hunting and crabbing if you bring the right gear. Mid-June brings on the Holly Beach Crab Festival weekend. Stop by to sample local crab cuisine, play some crab bingo or try sandcastle building with expert local instructors. ( Note : You may see some alligators emerge from the canal right here by the side of road.)

Alternatively, go boating. Ask at your hotel about local marinas and rentals. The weather’s fair enough year-round to rent kayaks, canoes, power boats and jet skis to explore the area. Plus, there are plenty of quiet roads for family biking.

Alligator Alert Outside Lake Charles, Louisiana

If the kids haven’t spotted any gators, our friends at Mindy Bianca Public Relations suggest you take the fork to  Pintail Wildlife Drive . The 3-mile route just south of the Cameron Prairie Visitors Center is an easy and scenic road. And, these PR folks claim they have seen up to 27 alligators in one day. Despite weighing up to 800 lbs. and eating their own young, alligators are pretty shy and will avoid you – unless provoked. Do let your teens know that if you go in April or May (especially around sunrise), you can hear them bellowing to each other in a mating call.

From November to February, Cameron Prairie Wildlife Refuge is also a birders’ paradise.

Locals Help with Lake Charles Louisiana Picnics and Sightseeing Tours

With plenty of picnic sites along the route, stopping at a local restaurant to pick up lunch is a must. For burgers and traditional Louisiana Cajun food, there’s  T-Boys Cajun Grill . If you’re looking for a po-boy to pack on your picnic, you’ll want to try  Anchors Up Grill . Both restaurants will give you that authentic Louisiana cuisine – and plenty of it – so you can fuel up for this adventurous trek.

Long the site of a popular wilderness lodge, Grosse Savanne Ecotours runs guided daytrips and swamp tours within their 50,000-acre property. Bring bug repellant! We hear the water’s clean enough to swim and the birdlife is wonderful to see — a testament to the cleanup after the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil well a decade ago.

For more ideas of what to do along the waterfront, from standup paddleboarding to fishing in Houma , staying in the charming historic Covington , or catching one of the wild Mardi Gras boat parades, do your research at CajunCoast.com . It’s also a good place to find licensed fishing guides.

Home at L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles

Lake Charles Louisiana boasts the highrise L’Auberge Casino Resort , whose golden glass façade is straight outta’ Las Vegas. Surrounded by more than 1,000 rooms and several banks of elevators, it certainly doesn’t feel like southwest Louisiana. Recreation facilities include the Contraband Bayou golf course designed by Tom Fazio, a bayou-facing beach and extensive lazy river and pool complex. There’s plenty of age-appropriate fun for every member of the family.

Just 30 miles from the Texas border, it is worlds apart. At our visit, grandparents and parents from Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Texas and Louisiana were in the house. We also met couples and bachelorette parties who flocked to the adults-only pool and cabanas. At night, hundreds more arrived for a poolside rock concert, complete with after-hours DJ and dancing.

Everyone was there to have a good time in a much more genteel way than we’ve seen at other casino resorts. Our kid-friendly tower room with two queen beds was spacious and elegant. Each room had a coffeemaker (something you never find in Vegas!) The staff — plenty of them — could not have been more accommodating.

One of the resort’s big attractions is the fine dining available at the Ember Grille & Wine Bar , a celebratory big steak kind of place. Families also enjoy Daiquiris and Dogs , where hot dogs from New Orleans’ trendy Lucky Dogs are paired with your favorite daiquiri (21+ please). From Asian cuisine including Vietnamese specialties, to a sportsbar, poolside cabana catering and Italian, there are several choices. (But, not all welcome kids, so inquire ahead.)

Trip Planning Details for a Lake Charles Getaway

If this sounds as fun to you as it was for us, go ahead and book your stay. Do it at least several weeks in advance if you’re planning a summer or holiday weekend. Being there for work, we didn’t have time to see and do everything in Lake Charles. However, we caught some local highlights of Cajun Country.

Check the L’Auberge Casino Resort site for current rate specials and seasonal packages. Special room rates on week nights start at just $159/night.

Try to time your visit for one of the dozens of festivals held in this party-hardy region. Come September, look for the Louisiana Food & Wine Festival . The largest local resorts: L’Auberge Casino Resort, Golden Nugget and the Horseshoe Casino Resort, typically support the charitable event.

You can also wait for the February Mardi Gras (there are several kid-friendly events too) or Calcasieu ’s two-week Contraband Days Pirate Festival honoring Jean Lafitte each May. Animal lovers will enjoy the Lousiana Fur & Wildlife Festival held over 10 days in January in Cameron Parish .

Or, come for the Black Heritage Festival , Juneteenth , the Iowa Rabbit Festival , Westlake Family Fun & Food Festival , Cajun Music & Food Festival , and the Southwest Louisiana Christmas Lighting Festival .

For current schedules and more lodging ideas, visit the helpful team and explore the Lake Charles CVB  online.

The post Lake Charles Louisiana Knows How To Party appeared first on My Family Travels .

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5 most interesting routes for a road trip in Russia

1. The ‘Golden Ring’

One of the most famous and popular tourist routes among foreigners was created back in the 1960s by journalist Yuri Bychkov. He was first to come up with the idea that a journey through ancient cities to the northeast of Moscow could be looped. Thus the ‘Golden Ring’ appeared. The original route included eight cities: 

• Sergiev Posad
• Pereslavl-Zalessky
• Rostov the Great

Each of the cities has preserved its historic center, ancient churches (starting from the 12th century) and the incredible authentic charm of old Russia. 

Today, the ‘Golden Ring of Russia’ has become so popular that many cities strive to join it and become part of the main cultural heritage of the middle zone. Among the worthy ones, we will mention Plyos, Rybinsk, Kalyazin, Murom and Myshkin. In any case, in the dozens of settlements along the way, you will see stunning temples and museums of folk crafts and, of course, great restaurants with Russian cuisine. 

Read our full guide to Russia’s ‘Golden Ring’ here .

You can start the trip from St. Petersburg and drive around Lake Ladoga to the town of Sortavala. After spending the night there, early in the morning, go to the Ruskeala Nature Park to enjoy all the variety of Karelian nature (and traditional cuisine) at once (read more about Ruskeala here ). 

Ruskeala park

After that, go to Petrozavodsk, the capital of the republic, which is on Lake Onega. Straight from there, you can take a boat or a ferry to Kizhi Island, where the unique wooden churches of the 18th century are located (or you can take a small detour by car, approaching as close as possible, but you still have to take a boat to the island). Petrozavodsk is roughly five hours drive from  St. Petersburg.

Find out about other beautiful places worth visiting in Karelia here . 

3. The Russian North

Right from Karelia, intrepid travelers can go even farther, to the “true north”. Having driven all over the country, Andrey Artyukhov, president of Russia’s League of Caravaners, advises to choose one of two routes, both very beautiful and informative, from the point of view of nature and cultural heritage.

The first route runs through all of Karelia and up to the Kola Peninsula and Murmansk Region. “The way from Murmansk to Zapolyarny is the most beautiful road through our northern Arctic tundra,” Andrey says and also advises visiting the famous Teriberka, a village on the White Sea where Andrey Zvyagintsev filmed the movie ‘Leviathan’. “The route turns out to be circular and, on the way back, you can see Karelia from the other side.”

The second route is going to Arkhangelsk. “This is a completely different direction, although it’s also the Arctic zone, but it is the place to enjoy the true ‘Russian North’,” Artyukhov explains. The route runs through ancient cities such as Vologda, Vytegra and Medvezhyegorsk. Along the way, you may see ancient churches and monasteries and also village houses with carved platbands and, of course, the most beautiful northern nature - coniferous forests and lakes. 

4. The Altai

A place of the Chuya and Katun rivers confluence

The Altai Mountains are a real place of strength and the ‘Chuisky Tract’ highway is considered to be, perhaps, the most scenic road in Russia. You can start your journey from another region, the very heart of Siberia - Novosibirsk - and end up driving almost a thousand kilometers to the border with Mongolia. On the way, you will pass such major cities as Barnaul (the capital of the Altai Territory), beautiful Biysk and, finally, Gorno-Altaisk, the capital of the Altai Republic.

This historic trade road, also called the ‘Siberian Silk Road’, begins in the steppe, runs along the banks of the Ob River and the mountainous Katun River and then crosses the Cherginsky Ridge, leading right into the Altai Mountains.

Watch our adventure on the Chuisky Tract here .

5. To the sea! 

Balaklava, Crimea

Thousands of caravans with Russians travel south every summer, enjoying the sun and the warm sea (mostly the Black Sea, but also the Azov and Caspian seas). For avid travelers, this road already seems well traveled, but, for the first time, the way to the south leaves an indelible impression. Behind the window, the scenery changes: rivers, forests and steppes, rye fields and sunflower plantations. 

And then, right on the Black Sea coast, you can turn in the direction of Sochi and the Caucasus or, vice versa, rush to the Taman Peninsula and enter Crimea via the newly built bridge. Snaking along its southern coast will give tourists stunning views - mountain and sea landscapes, as well as royal palaces and villas of artists and writers.