Is "Are We There Yet?" Worth It?
Absolutely. I'm so glad my parents said yes.
I appreciate the extra time it took to pack. I appreciate that they let me bring a stack of Nancy Drew books and multiple stuffed animals because I didn't want any of them to feel left out. I appreciate that they listened to the Annie soundtrack over and over again. I am thankful that they put up with the bickering between Eric, Liana, and me whenever someone crossed the invisible line in the back seat.
Most of all, I'm forever grateful they endured the cries of "I'm bored!" so we could eventually get to "Wow!”
Fortunately, they decided it was worth it.
And as a parent myself now, I couldn't agree more.
I completed visiting all 50 states when I was 43 years old, but my journey began when I was eight.
Our family drove from Arizona to Florida to visit my grandparents. The five of us—and all of our stuff —were packed into our bright yellow-and-maroon extended minivan. We came up with nouns and verbs for Mad Libs, we played twenty questions, and kept track of what state license plates we saw. Somewhere along the way, I drew an outline map of the United States and began coloring in the states as we traveled.
That map shaped the rest of my life! Thirty-five years later, I went to my 50th state and it led me to found the All Fifty Club – a club for travelers who have or want to visit all 50 states. As President of the All Fifty Club, I've had the privilege of hearing thousands of stories from people who have visited all 50 states. So many began the same way as mine.
"It all started with childhood road trips."
Some families take cross-country vacations every summer. Others drive the same route every Christmas to visit grandparents. Some explore a new destination each year. But regardless of where they traveled, those early adventures planted a seed. They developed an understanding and appreciation of our country, created curiosity, built character traits like resilience, perseverance, and confidence, and made family memories to last a lifetime.
If you're wondering whether traveling with kids is worth the extra effort, here are a few reasons to say yes.
Take Them Where History Happened
There is something powerful about standing where history actually unfolded. No documentary, photograph, or video can replace standing in Independence Hall, traveling along the Oregon Trail, or following in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark. One clear, impactful memory I have is wandering through the Gettysburg National Battlefield in disbelief of how many lives were lost.
Teach Them to Appreciate the Diversity of America
America is incredibly diverse. Kids who only experience their hometown may assume everywhere is the same. Road trips show them otherwise. Deserts, mountains, forests, beaches. Crowded cities, rural communities. Growing up in Arizona, just seeing naturally growing green grass everywhere was a surprise to me! As they travel, they are exposed to different foods, accents, traditions, industries, and ways of life. I remember realizing the fact that the stock traders I walked amongst on Wall Street are as American as the ranchers I saw in rural New Mexico.
Experience the Beauty of Nature
Hearing the rush of Niagara Falls, standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, and driving through the Rocky Mountains are experiences that can literally take your breath away. We can be awestruck and consumed by the beauty of the moment. Our family shared a special moment in Utah when we were at an overlook, and it began to snow. Someone nearby squealed with excitement at seeing snow for the first time. It was special for us to witness!
Spend Time Together
Road trips create something that is hard to find—uninterrupted family time. Traveling with children requires more effort, but taking them sends a powerful message "I want you with me."
Those hours in the car become opportunities to laugh, tell stories, solve problems, sing favorite songs, and simply enjoy each other's company. One of our favorite road trip activities was going through a question box that started thought-provoking conversations – like what time period would you have liked to live in, would you live on another planet? Years later, your children may not remember everywhere they went and what they saw, but they will remember that you wanted to spend time with them.
Model a Love of Learning
A great gift parents can give their kids is showing that learning never ends. Read historical markers. Go to museums. Ask questions. Wonder out loud. When children see adults genuinely curious about the world, they learn that education isn’t just in school. I remember my mom talking about how interesting it would be to be a historical interpreter and learn the daily life routine of colonial women. I remember my dad asking questions about preservation techniques as we toured historic properties.
Build Confidence and Self-Belief
We can say “You can be or do anything” One of my favorite places to visit is the childhood homes of famous Americans.
Standing inside Abraham Lincoln's simple log cabin, seeing Bill Clinton's modest home, touring Martin Luther King Jr.'s birth home, or visiting the Muhammad Ali Museum sends an incredibly powerful message:
Some beliefs are better demonstrated by example. It's one thing to tell your kids, "You can be anything you want to." It's another to stand in the log cabin of President Lincoln and realize that he grew up there and went on to become one of America's greatest presidents. I remember touring President Clinton’s home and seeing pictures of him in the marching band and thinking he did things just like I did. It's one thing to say, "One person can make a difference." It's another to be in the home of Martin Luther King Jr. or Muhammad Ali and learn how one person's courage and actions changed history. Children begin to think, "If they could do it... maybe I can too."
Build Flexibility and Resilience
Every road trip includes surprises. Roads close. Flights get canceled. Weather changes. Plans fall apart. Someone gets sick. Someone forgets something. These inconveniences become valuable life lessons. These often are memories that stick with you longer! On a trip between Los Angeles and Phoenix, I begged my parents to stop so I could photograph the sunset near the Arizona state sign. They pulled over. I took the picture, then the van wouldn't start. We had to call a tow truck. I don't remember being upset or worried. I remember the beautiful sunset. I remember how fun it was to ride in the tow truck. My parents probably felt differently at the time, but they laugh about it now!
Travel teaches that things don't always go according to plan—but somehow, everything usually works out. Kids who experience this lesson firsthand become adaptable, resourceful, and resilient. Road trips also quietly teach perseverance. There can be long days, unexpected detours, and moments when everyone wants to go home, but families keep moving forward, and you eventually get where you are going. That lesson applies far beyond travel.
Give Them Stories to Tell
Travel gives children something meaningful to share. Encourage them to keep a journal. Ask them each evening what surprised them the most. One child may remember the museum. Another may remember the ice cream shop. Another may remember the funny gas station attendant. There is no wrong answer. Travel teaches children that different people can experience the same place in completely different ways.
They Will Remember More Than You Think
Will your five-year-old remember every hotel, restaurant, or national park?
Probably not. But they'll remember that you traveled. Some of my strongest childhood memories weren’t the famous landmarks - they are making up silly songs with my siblings, trying grits for the first time, and tasting sea salt on my lips. I remember how it made me feel, which made me want to keep traveling and exploring throughout my life.
Our Family Road Trips
The primary childhood road trips were:
Arizona to Florida visiting my grandparents, stopping at places like The Alamo, NASA, New Orleans, and the Florida beaches.
Washington, D.C., to Maine in a rented Cruise America RV, visiting the National Mall, the Statue of Liberty, and collecting postcards from every state on a giant binder ring.
My parents started my 50-state journey by taking me to 23 states - almost half!
Years later, my husband Matt and I wanted our own four children to experience that same sense of adventure. Together, we took more than 20 cross-country road trips, traveling by minivan, RV, travel trailer, Sprinter van, train, airplane, and just about every other way imaginable.
Parker, AZ to Nashville, TN – visiting grandparents, going to Hot Springs National Park, Grand Canyon, Palo Duro Canyon, Hot Air Balloon Museum, Cadillac Ranch, Route 66
Nashville to Yellowstone – seeing the St. Louis Arch, Corn Palace, Wall Drug, Mount Rushmore, Little Bighorn Battlefield, Yellowstone, Grand Teton
New York City to Maine – touring Ellis Island, Independence Hall, Freedom Trail, Cliff Walk, Covered Bridges
So... is "Are We There Yet?" Worth It?
The funny thing is that there it isn’t even the point – yes, there may be destinations, but it is the journey itself. Are we There Yet? Yes, we are, every minute of the journey!
Set a goal to join the All Fifty Club – every state has something great!
Visit AllFiftyClub.com for more inspiration!
