A study of 1,500 regular road-tripping parents of kids under 16 found the question ‘Are we there yet?’ is asked five times on a typical journey which lasts more than 50 miles
New research has found that constant crying, frequent loo breaks, and terrible mobile signal are ranked among the top annoyances on family road trips. A survey of 1,500 parents who often hit the road with their under-16s uncovered a relentless struggle to fend off their children’s boredom and keep them entertained during longer trips.
In the digital age, more contemporary concerns such as no internet connection and inaccurate sat nav instructions also emerged in the list of top irritants in car journeys. The frustration also peaks when unexpected road closures lead to dreaded traffic jams, and when all the snacks run dry.
The study, conducted in conjunction with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE, revealed that the classic question “Are we there yet?” is asked an average of five times during a typical trip spanning over 50 miles.
It appears over a tenth of parents can expect to hear the question upwards of 10 times, with 17% identifying it as the single most exasperating thing to be asked, closely tailed by “I need the toilet” and “I’m bored”.
West Midlands families appear to have the least patience, with 20% wondering ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ within 30 minutes, and 44% asking within an hour into their journey. In contrast, those travelling in the East of England are the most likely to endure the repetitive questioning over 10 times on an average drive.
Diversity’s Jordan Banjo, a father of three, shared: “As a dad of three, ‘Are we there yet?’ is a familiar soundtrack in my car. It’s not about keeping the kids quiet; it’s about making those long drives fun for everyone.”
A whopping 90% of respondents said having WiFi or mobile data at their fingertips was key to a smooth journey, with loading up a tablet with films, TV shows, and games being the top tactic to fend off boredom and frustration on lengthy trips.
Over half of families named tablets as their must-have travel tech, with 48% admitting that gadgets help keep the kids quiet so they can focus on driving, while 27% believe it brings the whole family together in a shared activity.
Annika Bizon, spokesperson for the phone brand, chimed in: “Working out how to keep your children entertained in the car can be as stressful as planning a family trip itself.
“Parents often need technology like tablets to be an additional travel companion for long journeys, helping the entire family to beat both boredom and frustration. It’s not about filling the time; it’s about enriching the journey for everyone in the car.”
Other tricks parents have up their sleeves include packing healthy snacks (34%), playing classic car games (32%), and setting challenges like spotting certain coloured cars or road signs (28%).
For a drive to qualify as a “road trip”, it needs to clock in at least two hours behind the wheel and cover more than 150 miles, with the longest trips with the kiddos in tow averaging a hefty 362 miles.
According to the data from OnePoll.com, an average journey would involve two stops and three instances of arguments or disagreements.
TOP 20 MOST COMMON FAMILY ROAD TRIP FRUSTRATIONS
- Unexpected road closures or heavy traffic
- Complaints of boredom
- Kids repeatedly asking, “Are we there yet?”
- Struggling to keep younger children entertained
- Sibling arguments and bickering
- Motion sickness and travel sickness complaints
- Frequent toilet stops
- Poor mobile signal or no internet for entertainment
- Snacks running out too soon or making a mess
- Difficulty finding a suitable place to stop for food or breaks
- Unexpected tantrums or mood swings
- Forgotten items causing stress (e.g. favourite toy, charger)
- Lack of comfortable sleeping positions leading to crankiness
- Complaints about the route being too long or not scenic enough
- Children kicking the back of seats
- Car temperature disagreements (too hot/too cold)
- Loud music or conflicting music tastes
- Unreliable or confusing satnav directions
- Backseat drivers offering unwanted advice
- Pets in the car causing distractions or discomfort