A successful family road trip requires choosing the right vehicle. Ideally, you want something that is spacious and comfortable with plenty of cargo space. Below are a few different options to consider.

SUV

SUVs offer an elevated ride height and more space than your average car without being too big. They are the most popular type of car for families and are often a great option for road trips.

Current top-rated SUVs include the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade and Toyota Grand Highlander. 

When choosing an SUV for a road trip, it could be worth considering the MPG – some modern SUVs are very fuel efficient while others guzzle gas. Make sure to also look at the safety rating. 

Minivan

Minivans have more space and more seats than your average SUV, making them a good option for larger families. 

The likes of Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna are both equipped with top-end entertainment systems to keep the kids occupied and also have sliding doors that allow you to easily access all rows of seats.

As with an SUV, fuel efficiency and safety ratings can vary between minivans, so it’s worth doing your research to find one that is economical and safe in an accident. 

Motorhome

A motorhome is a vacation home on wheels. Such vehicles are very spacious and have facilities in them including kitchen appliances, cupboards and a bathroom. Being able to sleep in a motorhome also saves money on hotels. Parking up in an RV park is recommended so that you can get access to an electrical hook-up, but you can also park up in a rest area or a truck stop if you desire.

Some of the best motorhomes for families include the Forest River Forester and Thor Freedom Elite, while the Winnebago Solis remains a more classic and compact choice.

Motorhomes can cost a lot of money to buy, but you can also hire them. Make sure that there is enough space for all of you to comfortably sleep, while also ensuring that the vehicle isn’t too big that you cannot comfortably drive it.

Car with camping trailer

Another RV option is to stick with a car (such as an SUV), but pull along a trailer. This gives you an extra space to sleep in. Camping trailers also often come with kitchen and bathroom facilities. Just be wary that they can be more tricky to steer than a motorhome.

Brands like Forest River and Greywolf provide some great camping trailers for families that are spacious and robust. Airstream Basecamp models are also very popular and typically come with an array of features. 

The cost of camping trailers can vary, but they typically cost less than a motorhome. Try to find a camping trailer that is spacious but not too heavy for your vehicle to pull. You will need to make sure that your car has a tow bar installed and it could be worth buying towing mirrors too. You will also need tow lights fitted to the back of your trailer.