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How to Plan a Summer Road Trip For Your Family

A side profile of the Kia GT-Line S EV6 in Wolf Grey, with a man sat in the passenger seat his legs out of the car. The EV is parked in an area with stones on the floor, and cylindrical cooper panelled building behind.

How to plan a road trip for summer



Family holidays by car are one of the easiest ways to explore the UK at your own pace. With the school breaks and summer staycations on the rise, more families are turning to road trips for the flexibility, freedom and fun.

But they’re not so easy to plan. A little preparation can help ensure things run smoothly, especially if you’re travelling with children or covering long distances in an electric vehicle.

In this article, we look at how to plan a stress-free road trip with practical tips on route planning, packing essentials, and preparing your car for the journey.

Planning your route



The key to any successful summer road trip is planning your route,
particularly if you’re travelling in an electric vehicle.

Knowing where you’re going, how long each leg of the journey will take, and where to stop along the way can help you avoid unnecessary stress.

The Kia App allows you to build and send detailed routes from your smartphone to the vehicle ahead of your trip. Navigation is displayed on the dashboard, showing real-time traffic updates and recommended public charging stations through its integration with Kia Charge.

This is important for electric car drivers who may feel anxious about their car’s battery range, making it easy to monitor battery consumption and plan charging stops.

What to pack for a family road trip this summer



Knowing what to pack for a family road trip can often be harder than planning the route itself.

The key is to think ahead by creating a holiday packing checklist to ensure you don’t forget anything important. Try to pack light to avoid taking up space in the car and keep your road trip essentials within reach on the journey.

• Entertainment – Audiobooks, movies, TV shows, and music playlists to tables, while playing classic car road trip games, such as I Spy, or trivia, can also keep boredom at bay.
• Snacks – Stock up on healthy snacks, like fruit, wraps, popcorn, and refillable water bottles to avoid getting too hungry between stops.
• Comfort – Don’t forget cushions, blankets, neck pillows and accessories like window shades for long drives.
• Emergency kit – Include a phone charger, torch, first aid kit, and cleaning wipes for spills and messes.

Another useful tip is to use soft bags rather than suitcases to maximise boot or frunk space, which is a unique feature in Kia models such as the EV3, EV6 and EV9. Kia’s folding seat configurations and flat-load floors also make it easy to manage your luggage without sacrificing comfort.

The rear of the Kia GT-Line S EV6 in Yacht Blue. The EV is parked outside close to a stone wall, and bricked floor.

How to prepare your car for a family road trip



Good preparation can help you avoid delays and potential breakdowns. Here’s how to get your car ready for a safe and stress-free summer road trip.

• Check your tyres – Inspect your tyres for wear, check the pressure and inspect the spare before you leave.
• Top up the fluids – Washer fluid, oil, coolant, and brake fluid should all be checked and replenished if they’re too low.
• Update in-car software – Make sure your infotainment system is up-to-date and carry out any updates.
• Tidy the interior – A clean car sets a calm tone from the start, which is especially important if you’re travelling with children.

Choose the right car for the journey



The car you drive can transform the road trip experience for you and your family. Space, comfort, efficiency, and entertainment all play a role in keeping everyone happy during the long hours on the road.

Kia’s award-winning range of electric cars offers features that make the journey comfortable for the entire family:

Kia EV9



Offering seven seats, a flat floor and second-row swivel seats on the GT-Line S, the EV9 is perfect for larger families or longer trips, with up to 349 miles* on a single charge.

Kia Sportage



A reliable and comfortable SUV with generous boot space and rear-seat USB charging, the Sportage is ideal for keeping devices powered on long drives.

Kia Sorento



A premium 7-seater with flexible interior layout, the Sorento has the space for all the family, including those needing room to stretch out.

All of Kia’s EVs are equipped with driving assistance technologies, which support safer, more relaxed driving. Safety features such as Smart Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, and Forward Collision Avoidance help to reduce fatigue and provide extra peace of mind behind the wheel.

Common FAQ

* The range was determined according to the standardised EU measurement procedure (WLTP) on EV9 Air Grade. The individual driving style and other factors, such as speed, outside temperature, topography and the use of electricity-consuming devices/units, have an influence on the real-life range and can possibly reduce it.

 

Images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be to full UK specification. Features shown are not standard across the Kia model range and availability will vary dependant on model. For further details please refer to the individual model specification sheets.

 

Product availability varies by models. To find out which products are available for your vehicle, please contact your Kia dealer.

 

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