Imagine driving down an empty road in the middle of nowhere, your spouse asleep in the passenger seat, kids fighting in the back, two more hours to the next hotel you hope has a vacancy, you're struggling to keep your eyes open, and you can't remember the last time you ate. Just thinking about this would make even the most resilient parents second-guess the idea of taking their children on a long road trip. Is it really worth the trouble?

The truth is, any family can take a long road trip. All it takes is preparation, time behind the wheel, and determination to keep your family's spirits up, no matter the situation. In "Road Tripping: A Parent's Guide to Planning and Surviving the Annual Car Trip," authors Loralee Leavitt and Rick Walton take you step-by-step through what you need to know to survive any situation as a family on the road. Not only do they help you decide what to pack, but they also provide resources on where to go, what to do, and how to get the best discounts. They even give tips for single parents who want to spend some quality time with their children, but aren't sure if they could do it alone.

So don't let that open road scare you. Take time to prepare, pack up the kids, and start out on your next, fun-filled adventure.
About the Author: A popular freelance writer for both parents and children, Loralee Leavitt has been featured in "Family Fun, Parents, Mothering, ParentMap, Highlights, "and "Cricket." She is also the author of" Candy Experiments," a book of spectacular science experiments with candy. An experienced road-tripper, Loralee Leavitt loves to listen to audiobooks, take photos, and sing with her children on long family drives.
Rick Walton first thought of writing for children when his high school English teacher, Joyce Nelson, told him that a story he had written for the class would make a good children's book. But it wasn't until after he had dabbled in business, law, teaching, software design, and almost every other career in the book, that he finally realized that writing for kids was one of the few things that he both enjoyed and was good at. Since then Rick has had over ninety books published. His works include picture books, riddle books, activity books, mini-mysteries, a collection of poetry, and educational and game software. His books have been featured on the IRA Children's Choice list, Reading Rainbow, and on CBS This Morning. Rick teaches university courses on picture book writing and on the children's book publishing industry.