Here are five tips to keeping your journey peaceful and avoiding those family car fights.

-- Know your route before you leave. If you have a GPS, use it - and no matter what, don’t forget to have a written out paper copy of the directions just in case.

-- There isn’t any way to take a long car trip without making a stop, but the secret is to plan for them in advance. That way you avoid over-stopping.

-- Whether it’s a car game, music everyone can agree on, or a DVD it’s important to have something to help distract everyone in the car with you.

-- The old back seat mirror. Bring an extra mirror on the trip and fashion it to your dashboard to keep an eye on what’s happening in the back seat.

-- Be confident in the vehicle you drive - make sure you have a safe set of wheels on the road.