Be flexible with your itinerary and prepare to change it. Car or road trips can often be monotonous and boring and a fertile ground for squabbles and sulks. Take along a portable tape player or CD player so each of your teenagers can listen to music of his or her choice. If a personal system per teen is too expensive, carry an assortment of music selected by the entire family. Allot an hour or so each day when each person can play music of his or her choice on the car stereo.
Books are an interesting pastime.
Ask your teens to select a few books, novels, or magazines they would like to carry for reading during the journey. However, if it is something your teens enjoy and will keep them from boredom, get one for the trip. As some parents suggest, you could restrict their use to road trips only and ban them from hotel rooms or during sightseeing tours. Some folks suggest that you take small outdoor breaks during long drives. Carrying a basketball or soccer ball for a quick game during a stop could help teens spend some energy and feel refreshed.