Road Trip Survival Guide
How to keep everyone entertained (and sane) on the drive.
Table of Contents
- The Drive
- Before You Leave
- Entertainment by Age Group
- Family Games That Actually Work
- Snack Strategy
- Stop Strategy
- Managing the “Are We There Yet?” Problem
- Arrival Protocol
- Backup Entertainment: Emergency Options
- The Tech-Free Challenge
The Drive
Most families will be driving to Eleven Mile State Park, likely from the Denver metro area, Colorado Springs, or beyond. Here’s what to expect:
| From | Distance | Drive Time | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | ~100 miles | 2–2.5 hours | US-285 S to Lake George |
| Colorado Springs | ~60 miles | 1.5 hours | US-24 W to Lake George |
| Pueblo | ~95 miles | 2 hours | CO-115 N to US-24 W |
Add 30–60 minutes for RV travel, stops, and mountain driving.
Before You Leave
Vehicle Prep (Day Before)
- Fill gas tanks completely
- Check tire pressure (including spare)
- Clean windshields (bug season)
- Test all lights
- Verify tow connections if applicable
- Load heavy items low and centered
Entertainment Prep
Download to devices:
- Podcasts (see recommendations below)
- Audiobooks
- Music playlists
- Movies (for tablets/phones)
- Offline games
Physical items in easy reach:
- Snack bag (not buried)
- Activity bags for kids
- Wet wipes
- Trash bag
- First-aid kit
- Sunglasses
Entertainment by Age Group
For Little Ones (Ages 3–7)
Before the trip, prepare:
- A “busy bag” with new small toys (dollar store finds work great)
- Coloring books and crayons (in a hard case to prevent rolling)
- Sticker books
- Magnetic drawing boards
- Window clings
Audio entertainment:
- Wow in the World podcast
- Story Pirates podcast
- Brains On! science podcast
- Raffi or other kid-friendly music
- Audiobooks: Magic Tree House, Mercy Watson
Games to play:
- “I Spy” (modified for moving vehicle)
- Color hunt: Who can find a red car first?
- Animal sounds: Make a sound, others guess the animal
- Counting games: Count cows, count trucks, count tunnels
Scheduled activities:
- Switch activities every 20–30 minutes
- Schedule snack breaks as activity transitions
- Quiet time with audiobooks when energy wanes
For Kids (Ages 8–12)
Technology-free options:
- Mad Libs (travel editions)
- Card games (Uno, Phase 10 work in cars)
- Magnetic chess/checkers
- Rubik’s cube
- Drawing and journaling supplies
- Puzzle books (crosswords, word searches, sudoku)
Audio entertainment:
- Smash Boom Best podcast (debate show for kids)
- But Why podcast (answers kids’ questions)
- Book Club for Kids podcast
- Audiobooks: Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Games to play:
- 20 Questions
- License Plate Game (find all 50 states)
- Alphabet Game (find letters A–Z on signs)
- Story Building (one person starts, each adds a sentence)
- Would You Rather
Educational activities:
- Map reading (give them an actual paper map)
- Mileage calculations (“How far until we get there?”)
- Elevation tracking (watch it climb as you head into mountains)
- Cloud identification
For Teens (Ages 13–19)
Independent entertainment:
- Downloaded music playlists
- Podcasts: Stuff You Should Know, Radiolab, Serial
- Audiobooks: Whatever they’re into (let them choose)
- E-books/Kindle
- Sketch/art supplies
- Journal for trip documentation
Engagement strategies:
- Put them in charge of navigation (actual responsibility)
- Let them DJ for 30-minute shifts
- Assign them the trip photographer role
- Give them the audiobook selection for a segment
- Let them plan one meal at camp
Games that don’t feel childish:
- Two Truths and a Lie
- “Name That Tune” with playlists
- Deep conversation starters (see below)
- Trivia (Trivial Pursuit cards, trivia apps)
The Phone Discussion: Let’s be real: teens want their phones. Consider:
- Allowing reasonable screen time during the drive
- Setting “phones away” periods for family games
- Reminding them that cell service ends soon (use it or lose it)
- Downloading content before leaving home
For Parents (The Drivers)
Stay alert and engaged:
- Podcasts that interest you
- Audiobooks you’ve wanted to read
- Music from your own teenage years
- Switching drivers regularly (every 1–2 hours)
Podcast recommendations for adults:
- 99% Invisible (design and architecture)
- Freakonomics (economics and behavior)
- This American Life (storytelling)
- Criminal (true crime, family-appropriate)
- The Moth (live storytelling)
Keeping peace:
- You’re the vibe-setter; stay calm
- Don’t over-plan; let boredom exist sometimes
- Hunger causes crankiness (schedule snacks before meltdowns)
- Temperature matters (not too hot, not too cold)
For Grandparents
Comfort items:
- Neck pillow
- Comfortable seating position
- Medication schedule maintained
- Frequent stretch breaks
- Audiobooks at comfortable volume
Entertainment options:
- Audiobooks (library apps like Libby are free)
- Podcasts: Fresh Air, Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!, A Way with Words
- Music from their era
- Looking out the window (sometimes that’s enough)
- Napping (underrated)
Engagement ideas:
- Story time: Ask them about their own childhood road trips
- Family history: “What was Grandma’s house like?”
- Share the scenery: Point out views they might enjoy
- Let them control the temperature in their area if possible
Family Games That Actually Work
The Question Game
Take turns asking questions. No question is too weird. Examples:
- “If you could have dinner with anyone from history, who?”
- “What’s your earliest memory?”
- “If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you’d buy?”
- “What job would you do if money didn’t matter?”
This works surprisingly well across all ages.
Story Building
One person starts a story with one sentence. Each person adds one sentence going around the vehicle. See how absurd it gets.
Variation: Set a theme (mystery, adventure, comedy) or include a required element (a talking dog, a mountain, someone named Bob).
Desert Island
“If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have three _____, what would you choose?”
- Books
- Foods
- People
- Tools
- Albums
Debate the answers. Defend your choices.
Name Game
Pick a category (movies, animals, foods, etc.). First person names something starting with A, next with B, and so on. Skip a letter, you’re out.
Harder version: Each item must start with the last letter of the previous item.
Two Truths and a Lie
Each person shares three “facts” about themselves—two true, one false. Others guess the lie. Grandparents often win this one.
Snack Strategy
The Snack Bin: Create a dedicated, reachable container with:
- Individual portions (no communal bags that lead to fighting)
- Variety (salty, sweet, crunchy, soft)
- Minimal mess (nothing that melts or crumbles excessively)
- Nothing new (car trips aren’t for trying foods that might upset stomachs)
Good road trip snacks:
- Trail mix (pre-portioned)
- Cheese sticks
- Apple slices
- Granola bars
- Goldfish/crackers
- Dried fruit
- Pretzels
Snacks to avoid:
- Chocolate (melts)
- Anything with strong smells (you’re trapped together)
- Messy things (Cheetos fingers)
- High sugar only (leads to crash)
- Unfamiliar foods
Hydration:
- Water bottles for everyone
- Limit sugary drinks (bathroom stops increase)
- Electrolyte packets for later in the trip
Stop Strategy
Planned Stops (Add to Drive Time)
Build in at least 2–3 stops for a 2-hour drive:
- First stop (30–45 min in): Bathroom, stretch, driver switch
- Midpoint stop (if needed): Bathroom, snack restock, longer stretch
- Pre-park stop: Gas up, last bathroom, last-minute supplies
Good Stopping Points (Denver Route via US-285)
| Location | What’s There | Good For |
|---|---|---|
| Conifer | Gas, fast food, restrooms | First stretch break |
| Bailey | Small town, fuel, snacks | Midpoint |
| Fairplay | Historic town, restaurants | Longer break, lunch |
| Lake George | Gas, general store | Last stop before park |
Good Stopping Points (Colorado Springs Route)
| Location | What’s There | Good For |
|---|---|---|
| Woodland Park | Full services, restaurants | Main stop |
| Divide | Gas, snacks | Quick stop |
| Lake George | Gas, general store | Last stop before park |
Managing the “Are We There Yet?” Problem
For Young Kids
- Don’t give time estimates (“We’ll be there soon” = meaningless)
- Use tangible markers (“After two more songs”)
- Make it visual (printed route with stickers to mark progress)
- Avoid “we’ll be there in X minutes” (they’ll ask every minute)
For Everyone
- Announce milestones (“We just entered Park County!”)
- Point out scenery changes (grasslands, mountains appearing)
- Share interesting facts about places you’re passing
- Countdown snack breaks, not arrival
Arrival Protocol
Last 30 Minutes
- Start putting away games and devices
- Discuss the plan for arrival
- Remind everyone of first tasks (setting up camp, etc.)
- Build excitement: “Look for the reservoir!”
When You Arrive
- Stop at entrance station, get vehicle pass checked
- Drive to campsite, do NOT unload immediately
- Walk the site together, orient everyone
- Assign setup tasks
- Get parked, leveled, hooked up
- THEN explore
Backup Entertainment: Emergency Options
Keep these in reserve for meltdowns:
For young kids:
- A special new toy (kept hidden until needed)
- A video call with someone at home (if still in service)
- A special treat (candy or favorite snack)
For everyone:
- Impromptu pit stop at something interesting
- A surprise game with a prize
- Pulling over to look at an animal or view
- “Next person to complain picks the restaurant” (reverse psychology)
The Tech-Free Challenge
Consider a family agreement:
- No phones during designated family game time
- All passengers participate in at least one group activity
- Drivers decide when music/podcast changes happen
- Respect others’ need for quiet time too
This isn’t about banning technology—it’s about being present together in a metal box hurtling through beautiful mountain scenery that you’re literally driving past to go be in nature.
The Real Goal: The drive isn’t just transportation—it’s the transition. Use it to shift everyone’s mindset from daily life to adventure mode. By the time you arrive, you want the family feeling connected and excited, not frazzled and fighting.