Holiday Travel Tips: National Survey Finds 8 in 10 Americans Plan to Drive for Next Family Vacation

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 30, 2007 -- Nearly eight in 10 Americans (77%) plan to drive for their next family vacation -- according to a Dodge brand national survey. Dodge commissioned the survey to provide insight into how Americans deal with family road trips and to help prepare families for upcoming holiday travel.

The survey revealed comfort, convenience and fun are important to families when they hit the road together so Susan Foster, recognized travel expert and author, teamed with Dodge to offer these simple tips families can follow to avoid potential road trip disasters and focus on quality family time when traveling this holiday season:

   -- Taking it on the Road. According to the survey, 77 percent of
      Americans say they plan to drive for their next family vacation,
      compared to 8 percent who plan to fly.

        Part of the appeal of driving is the extra luggage and gear you can
        bring on your trip. Many of today's vehicles, such as the all-new
        2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, have innovative storage areas that give
        travelers more packing flexibility than ever before. When packing
        the vehicle, gather everything in one area and edit to fit. Soft-
        sided bags often squish in more easily than rigid rectangular
        suitcases.

   -- Pack it Up. One in four Americans (25%) have experienced stress on a
      family road trip related to packing the car.

        Eliminate packing stress by working in advance of the trip to prep
        your vehicle.

        Decide where things should go based on when they are needed -- last
        in, first out. Use storage bins inside the vehicle to pack the
        clothes you're going to travel home in, but don't include items you
        need access to first while driving, such as the kids' stuffed
        animals they may want on the drive or the book you want to start.

   -- Stressed to the Max. However fun a road trip may be, nearly six in 10
      (59%) Americans have experienced stress before or during an extended
      family car trip. The most common stress inducers are boredom or lack
      of entertainment (30%).

        Minimize the "Are we there yet?" question. The best way to combat
        boredom is having a combination of activities at your fingertips.
        Entertainment features such as DVD players, satellite radio and
        SIRIUS Backseat TV(TM) have changed the modern American road trip.
        Classic family games also are great ways to supplement -- playing
        cards or travel board games, looking for license plates from
        different states, telling jokes or counting cars of a specific
        color.

   -- Control Craze. One in three Americans (33%) say that his/her reason to
      drive rather than fly this holiday season is to maintain control of
      the trip, including to have the ability to decide when to stop or to
      go sightseeing.  When on the road, three-quarters of Americans (75%)
      say they enjoy being able to see different parts of the country.

        Enjoying the journey -- not just the destination -- is a definite
        advantage of car travel. Choosing a vehicle that has a navigation
        system is an easy way to chart your itinerary, including stops at
        places of interest, instead of just rest stops.  History and
        geography become real when kids see the country for themselves.
        Choosing a different route for the return home keeps interest for
        the entire trip.

"Today's families are on the move, and the all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan is purpose-built to serve their everyday needs," said Ralph Gilles, Vice President -- Jeep(R)/Truck, Advance Interior and Component Design, Chrysler. "With new features such as the Swivel 'n Go(TM) seating system, dual DVD entertainment system and SIRIUS Backseat TV, the Grand Caravan brings the comforts of home on the road."