Summer vacation road trips are a staple for any family and Airport Van Rental wants to help plan your next one. Flying isn’t a very safe option at the moment and good old fashioned road trips are proven to improve family bonding. Kids remember the journey more than the destination. That is why AVR is all about making the journey just as fun as the destination. Below you will see some choice stops along the way that we have selected to make your family trip the best and most memorable one.

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Dallas, Texas (977 miles from Badlands) Barbecue Haven and Sights to See

3 hours 31 minutes, 240 miles from downtown Houston via I-35N

They say everything is bigger in Texas, so there is no need to rush out of this big state on the way to your destination. Dallas has a plethora of attractions and cuisine that can be sampled before moving on to another stop. No one in the family gets the short end of the stick with this stop, and it makes a great overnight stop to break up the drive. Tourist blogs and past visitors call Dallas a must see city. If barbecue is your thing, be sure to check out Slow Bone, which offers takeout and delivery options. They also have some killer fried chicken. Dallas is also home to some cheap gas prices, so be sure to refuel and restock before heading out. A family road trip is much more than just speeding to the destination, and AVR is here to help with some great stops.

 

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (775 miles from Badlands) Zoo, Botanical Garden, and an Entertainment District

6 hours 38 minutes, 446 miles from downtown Houston via I-35N and I-40N

3 hours and 7 minutes, 206 miles from Dallas, our previous suggested stop

Oklahoma City is home to some amazing attractions, and that makes it a stop you can’t miss on your family journey. With one of the top 10 zoos in the country, a gorgeous botanical garden, and an entire entertainment district to explore, there is something for the whole family. Fishing is also extremely popular here. In fact, Oklahoma is home to some of the best fishing in the country. Do not take our word for it, expert fishermen and fly fishers alike, rejoice in how amazing Oklahoma is for fishing. Checkout that fishing article and be sure to bring your tackle box for a grand fishing experience.  Be sure to sample some of the best local cuisine Oklahoma has to offer, via delivery or takeout. Oklahoma City has been called a can’t miss stop when traveling through cowboy country. With some of the cheapest gas prices you have ever seen, this is the perfect place to restock and refuel, before setting back out on the road. If you plan to spend the night, check out some of the best lodging the city has to offer. This isn’t your normal city, and that is why we added it as one of the recommended stops. A journey should be fun at all stages, and Oklahoma City is bursting with fun.

Wichita, Kansas (616 miles from Badlands) Smoked Meats and The Birthplace of Aviation

9 hours 5 minutes, 607 miles from downtown Houston via I-35N

2 hours 27 minutes, 161 miles from Oklahoma City, our previous suggested stop

Wichita is home to some amazing museums and is the birthplace of both Pizza Hut and White Castle. Tourist blogs praise Wichita for its small town vibes, but big attractions that have something for everyone in the family. This is the perfect location to spend the night and sample some of the best Kansas barbecue. Aviation was practically born here with a historical museum dedicated to aviation to prove it. Your family or crew will be able to relax and refuel before heading back out on the road towards Hot Springs National Park. Gas prices are extremely low here, so refueling here won’t break the bank. AVR knows how important the journey is to the family trip experience, and this stop won’t disappoint.

Omaha, Nebraska (452 miles from Badlands) Crown Jewel with a Historic Past

13 hours 7 minutes, 909 miles from downtown Houston via I-35N

4 hours 42 minutes, 302 miles from Wichita, our previous suggested stop

This stop adds a bit to the overall travel time, but Omaha has some amazing places that should not go overlooked. Known for its historic past of The Lewis and Clarke Expedition and so much more, Omaha will be a hard stop to leave with how much fun the family will be having. There is an old market district, a gorgeous zoo teeming with wildlife, and various museums showcasing the historic past. If you want to make this an overnight stop, some great lodging options are available for any budget. Gas prices are low, so be sure to refuel and restock before heading back on the road.

There is no right way to do a road trip and the above stops are just our recommended stops to make the overall journey, one to remember. If you want to add a stop in-between Omaha and Badlands, you could stop for the night or a day visit in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. AVR’s new journey program is all about the total experience being one to remember. The journey should be just as fun as the destination, and AVR is here to help that happen. If you would like to follow the exact trip above, you can see a full list of directions here. Thank you for choosing AVR and allowing us to help plan your perfect journey.