Three must-haves for your family road trip

(ARA) - The hassle of air travel and the pinch of tough economic times will inspire more families than ever to hit the road for vacations this summer. But is your car equipped to entertain passengers for the long haul? The right entertainment can make your road trip fly by as quickly as the scenery outside the car.

Just make sure you have the following necessities in place before you pull out of the driveway.

Something to watch

DVD players have become ubiquitous in-car entertainment for minivans and SUVs - and for good reason. This year, automobile and satellite television companies have paired together to bring even more exciting viewing options to families and kids, with a move toward live vehicular "infotainment." This means using technologies such as satellite TV to bring live television to your car, just as if you were watching from home.

What's the difference? Consumer testing has revealed that children and parents overwhelmingly prefer live television to any other form of visual entertainment, including DVDs and laptops. Live content provided by satellite television can include music channels, sports, news and dynamic information that are simply more engaging. Check with the leading satellite television providers in your area for information on pricing and installation.

Something to do

Gone are the days of kids cramming onto the bench seat of a five passenger station wagon, fighting over leg room and playing endless rounds of the license plate game. Still, even the most entertaining TV or DVD may not be enough to captivate the attention of the entire family for a long trip. Make sure you have something tactile to keep minds, and hands, busy in the back seat.

The average family vehicle looks a lot different than it did 10 years ago, and has the technology and space to handle loads of activities. Try bringing along a travel desk and books for coloring and doing puzzles. Or simply grab a deck of trivia cards from home. Reading and answering questions can be a great conversation starter and highly educational.

Something to eat

Eating on the road often becomes a who's who of national fast-food companies. Consider bringing a cooler filled with healthy munchies instead. Snacks such as sliced veggies, trail mix and string cheese all travel well and will help you save on calories and money.

Or, if you'd rather keep the crumbs out of the car altogether, pack picnic lunches and stop at landmarks for meals with a view. You can also visit sites like www.roadfood.com for tasty ways to support local businesses on the road.

In the rush to get from here to there, it's easy to forget the most important aspect of a road trip -- enjoying each other's company. The time you spend on the road doesn't have to be a hassle. With a little entertainment and some good food, you'll enjoy the journey just as much as the destination.

Courtesy of ARAcontent