Disclosure: I was given a 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander to test drive for a week in exchange for a review. No compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.
For New Years Eve weekend this year we continued our family tradition of heading up to Estes Park Colorado to the YMCA of the Rockies. This was our third year doing this and I can tell you that we will continue this tradition for years. This area of Colorado is simply perfect in the winter and we love staying at the YMCA of the Rockies in a cozy little cabin. Our trip was the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation as we rung in 2019!
For our trip we were able to test drive a beautiful 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander. This was the perfect car for our weekend getaway to the mountains. While the car certainly makes or breaks a good road trip it was clear that the Mitsubishi Outlander is a perfect road trip car for families. That being said, there are a lot of other things that can really help you have a great winter road trip with kids.
Tips For A Winter Road Trip With Kids
Snacks
I cannot tell you how many times we get into the car and the kids almost immediately ask for something to eat. Never fails. So, for our winter road trips I always pack a few of their favorite snacks and a water bottle or two for them. In addition to their own snacks I make sure to pack a box of granola bars and throw them in the back of the car. Winter weather can surprise you, it is always important to have non-perishable food items in the car just in case.
Entertainment
“Are we there yet!?!” On a road trip that is one of the most annoying things to hear from the backseat. To help your kids not annoy you the whole drive make sure you pack fun car friendly activities, electronics and books. Before heading on a road trip I stop at the craft store and pick up a few small activity books for each kiddo. I do not show this to them until we are on our way, it helps them see something brand new once they get into the car. If you do not have an in car entertainment center make sure game consoles and tablets are charged. My kids are lucky and can read in the car, not everyone can do that but since they can we always pack a few books for them to read.
Not TOO Cozy In The Car
During the winter we always think we need to dress for winter even while in the car and that is not the case. In fact, when you get the kids to the car, make sure they take their winter coats and sweatshirts off. This is the safe way to ride in a car seat properly and the kids will be more comfortable in the car for the whole trip. No more requests of turning on the A/C in the middle of winter because they are hot in the backseat!
Enjoy The Sites
Depending on where you are headed on your winter road trip you should take the time to enjoy the sites you might see. While driving to Estes Park there were many picture perfect areas for great scenery photos and family selfies. In addition to this we saw a ton of Elk and Deer along the way that made for some breathtaking photos. Do not be in such a hurry. Stop and smell the roses…
Check The Weather
Winter weather can be super surprising depending on where you are driving. We did get a little snow while we were visiting Estes Park which meant on the way home we were dealing with icy roads. Plan accordingly and drive safely.
Test Drive A Car
I love my car but I have to be honest, I LOVE test driving and renting cars too. For the week we were enjoying our time in Estes Park we were lucky enough to enjoy the new 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander. This car made our road trip even more enjoyable. If you are going a long way, it might be more cost efficient to rent a car for your trip so you are not putting your own car through the wear and tear. Plus who doesn’t love ziping into a new town in a nice car?
All About The 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander
We loved this car and like I said it really made our winter road trip even more enjoyable. From the moment I saw this car I knew it was a lot more of a sporty SUV than the SUV I drive every day. That being said, it was a bit smaller than my car but still provided us with enough seats for the family and plenty of space in the back for our luggage – even our sleds! If we needed the 3rd row that was also available.
This is a budget-friendly crossover, with a sleek and sporty look that will fit any family need. This car is beautiful on the inside and out. I absolutely loved the shape of this crossover and I have to say, that front grill is a grill that makes a statement! This 7-passenger Outlander sits everyone comfortably. For us we did not use the 3rd row and to be honest the 3rd row would be a very tight squeeze so I am not sure that it would work for 7 adults on a long trip but would be perfect for short trips.
I did love the space that we had for our luggage and mountain gear when we folded down the 3rd row. PLUS there was a hidden compartment that was perfect for hiding items when traveling. As we traveled I was happy knowing that the Mitsubishi Outlander is recognized by IIHS with its 2019 Top Safety Award. So many safety features that are important to us. The Mitsubishi Outlander did wonderfully on the mountain roads both dry and icy. The drive was smooth and we never had any issues while driving.
Cars are expensive and all of them come with a level of investment but the Mitsubishi Outlander is a perfect budget friendly family car. The starting price for 2019 Outlander SEL 2.4 S-AWC is $29,095.00 and with all the added equipment that this car had is $30,225.00. Fantastic deal! Plus it has great Fuel Economy – 26 MPG, 24 City and 29 Highway!
General Winter Travel Must Haves:
brushes and ice scrapers
flashlights
extra windshield washer fluid
a small shovel (think: kid-sized shovel, or a shovel with a retractable handle)
We actually do not drive that many places far away in winter. Honestly it is cold enough here we do not want to see snow anymore. I guess if we went anywhere it would be where there is no snow!
Karen Propessays
We usually go to North Carolina/Tennessee mountains all year long. But when we took a trip to Colorado, the mountains were breathtaking. We saw some mule deer in some of the neighborhoods that made us want to live there forever. I agree with what you are saying about renting a car, it is a great idea if you can afford it. When we are looking to buy a car we do that a lot (actually another excuse for a road trip). It’s funny when it’s winter you always wear your coat to the car and realize after a while, it’s not a good idea. We love our mountains in the winter but have experienced winter in the North, South East, and West. We really don’t have a regular place we travel in the winter. We feel like being explorers checking out different places in the U.S. Our Grandkids love going with us when we do travel, we make it like an explorer trip and learn about where we are going and map it out and plan little stops on the way there and back. Traveling in the winter really gives you another perception of areas. Thanks for your great tips, we will definitely be using them.
We actually do not drive that many places far away in winter. Honestly it is cold enough here we do not want to see snow anymore. I guess if we went anywhere it would be where there is no snow!
We usually go to North Carolina/Tennessee mountains all year long. But when we took a trip to Colorado, the mountains were breathtaking. We saw some mule deer in some of the neighborhoods that made us want to live there forever. I agree with what you are saying about renting a car, it is a great idea if you can afford it. When we are looking to buy a car we do that a lot (actually another excuse for a road trip). It’s funny when it’s winter you always wear your coat to the car and realize after a while, it’s not a good idea. We love our mountains in the winter but have experienced winter in the North, South East, and West. We really don’t have a regular place we travel in the winter. We feel like being explorers checking out different places in the U.S. Our Grandkids love going with us when we do travel, we make it like an explorer trip and learn about where we are going and map it out and plan little stops on the way there and back. Traveling in the winter really gives you another perception of areas. Thanks for your great tips, we will definitely be using them.