5 Ways To Combine Faith and Your Family Road Trip

Thanks to my health, my travelling days are over, but I've visited Churches and Shrines all over North America, from Mexico to Canada.

From Aleteia

By Rose Bryan

Both your own ancestors and our brothers and sisters in the Communion of Saints can give "family" a deeper meaning, one that your kids will treasure for years.

Road trips have a special magic about them, especially when family, friendship, and faith travel together. While big attractions and theme parks have their place, the most cherished memories often come from the unexpected stops along the way — quiet moments that draw hearts closer to God and to one another. Here are five simple, low-cost ideas to make your next family vacation a pilgrimage of joy and discovery.

1Research the route through the lens of faith and family heritage

Before you pack the car, take time to explore the Catholic and family story of the regions you’ll cross. Look into the settlers, missionaries, and Catholic communities who shaped the towns along your path. If your own ancestors lived in or passed through the area, trace their footsteps. 

My family visited an old historic home once owned by our forebears. The children learned how our ancestors farmed, prayed, and built a life from the land. Years later, they still speak of it with awe. Discovering shared heritage — whether through food, traditions, or local stories — creates powerful bonds. Stop at a small-town restaurant serving authentic recipes from the cultures that settled there, and let the meal become a living lesson in gratitude for those who came before us.

2Make every long drive an opportunity to visit local parishes

Catholic churches are natural waypoints on any road trip. Plan stops at parishes along your route for Mass or even a brief visit. Children are often fascinated by new buildings, statues, and stained-glass windows. Even if their attention seems to wander, they absorb the atmosphere and begin to notice what unites every Catholic church with their own home parish — and what makes each one unique. These visits quietly deepen their sense of belonging to something much larger than themselves.

If your family has Catholic roots in the area, seek out the churches your ancestors may have attended. Visit the oldest parish and step into the same sacred space where generations before you offered prayers. Light a candle there to pray for those holy souls in purgatory who were members of the parish. You could even visit the local Catholic cemetery. Saying a prayer for the souls buried there is a beautiful way to reconnect with your spiritual ancestry.

3Seek out monasteries, convents, and religious communities

You may be surprised how many monasteries, convents, and shrines lie just off the interstate. These houses of prayer often welcome pilgrims and frequently house beautiful relics, devotional art, or exhibits about local Catholic history. The religious who live there are usually delighted to see families and will gladly pray for your safe journey.

A short visit can become one of the spiritual highlights of the trip, offering a taste of contemplative life and a powerful witness of vocation to young hearts.

4Bring the saints to life by visiting places they touched

Many regions in the United States and beyond are marked by the footsteps of saints, blesseds, heroic missionaries, and even a few popes. A little research before you leave can uncover shrines, missions, or simple historical spots marked by a plaque or road sign, where these holy men and women lived, worked, or passed through on their missions. Standing where a saint once stood makes their stories vivid and real for children in a way no textbook can.

Religious communities that maintain these sites are often eager to share their knowledge and love for the saints with visiting families.

5Discover Catholic history through roadside markers and hidden gems

Keep an eye out for state historical markers — especially those honoring Catholic contributions to American life. You’ll be amazed at what you find. For instance, I just learned today there’s a marker with a 38-foot concrete cross just a few hours from my home along a US highway that acknowledges a Mass held on June 29th, 1541, just 49 years after Columbus discovered the New World. The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Juan de Padilla, one of the first martyrs in America.

These unassuming stops turn ordinary highways into roads of remembrance. Parks, battlefields, missions, and simple plaques can become powerful reminders that faith has been part of this land’s story from the very beginning.

Catholic road trip resources

For more inspiration, explore these excellent guides:

A Catholic Summer Vacation: A Visit in Every Region
Catholic Road Trips: Summer’s Not Over Yet
5 of the Most Beautiful Catholic Churches in America

This summer, let your road trip become something more than miles on the odometer. Let it be a journey that draws your family closer to Christ, to the Communion of Saints, and to one another — one meaningful stop at a time. Safe travels!