Ever since my brother and I were infants, my family would always DRIVE to New Jersey to visit family. That's right...starting from home in Georgia to New Jersey was a solid 14 hours. Wait, that's without breaks so once you add in restroom stops and meals...you've got yourself a 16-17 hour trip. Regardless, it was always worth it. Through the years, my brother and I have learned the tips and tricks on surviving a long car ride. If you follow the list below, you are guarenteed a fun, comfortable ride.

*This list is specific to family car ride rather than solo or two people**

1. Pillows

This is one of the top necessities for a road trip. The pillows that go around your neck never worked for me so I always took my own. Especially when we left early for trips, I could not wait to get back to my pillow. The key is that you take two per person: for head and buckle (one flat one for the buckle) and one plump one for your head. I always took a flat one and would lay it on top of the buckle so that I could lay down without being stabbed. My parents never let us take off our seatbelts (and they were right) so my seatbelt was always on but sometimes i would just use the bottom band to lay down and the top band to fasten my top pillow. There really is a science to the whole car "bed" and after 18 years, I've finally figured it out.

2. Games

If you've finished your movie,your laptop died, or you just can't watch anything one more time...these are the games to play: llicense plate, list the states, 20 questions. I know it may seem too easy, simple, or not fun but I cannot tell you how much fun my brother and I had playing these. License plate game: This one is pretty cool because you think you've had a long drive until you see Maine or Florida's license plate...yeah, we defintely felt bad for that guy. List the States: As easy as it seems, you are likely to leave one out or write one twice. Remember the Friends episode where Ross tries to list all the states? It's a classic. Lastly, 20 questions is the game that we either played just the two of us or the four of us, and my parents could join in which was fun. You can just do a theme like animals or food, or you can do everything!

3. Music Playlist

This one is pretty self-explanatory but the only tip I have is: BRING HEADPHONES because for someone reason everyone else doesn't want to hear your entire Keith Urban playlist.

4. TV Shows

Let this be the one time this year that you spend a little extra money and buy the season or series set of a show...and let the binge-watching begin. Let me tell you, it is totally worth it because I have the series of Friends on CD, and have rewatched it every year.

5. Loose Clothing

Ladies, wear running shorts....I am telling you this is the best, most comfortable piece of clothing to have paired with a large t-shirt. If it is winter, I always do leggings and a large t-shirt w a oversized sweatshirt. Leggings is the only thing you want tight...everything else is so much easier and comofrtable if it is loose when you are trying to get comfortable. Plus, the layers is key because you may be the only one hot or cold. The front seat passengers aren't touching the air just because you drank a freezing slushie and now want the heat on....yup, I've learned that one too :)

6. Favorite Blanket

7. Finger-Food Snacks

When you are the only one who is hungry, and "we are not stopping right now". My favorites that are easy to eat in the car are: pretzels, peanut butter crackers, grapes, and granola bars. Perfect finger foods that are not messy. These are easy, filling, and they don't stink up the whole car (trying to be respectful unlike the men in my family who eat beef jerky the whole ride up....thanks).

8. Sleep Mask

If you are like me and need complete darkness to go to sleep, then this is a neccesity. With my experience, sunglasses will push up against your head and won't stay in place when you're trying to fall asleep. It can be a dollar tree item, you do not need a fancy one.