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C'mon kids, hop in the car!

Long drives with the kids can be hellish... or heavenly, depending on your perspective (and your children's attitudes). It's the latter for Al Roker, who says family drives are one of his favorite weekend activities.

TODAY's weatherman called the trips an "underrated pastime" and a great way to spend time with his kids. After all, he says, it worked for his parents when he was a kid. Sometimes the simple family activities are the best.

But even if there's no time for daylong jaunts, the father of three said short drives are beneficial, too.

"The other day I was driving my daughter and some of her friends to an event, and it was fun because you become invisible," he said in an interview with Parade magazine. "You get to hear a bit of their world."

Parents become the "ultimate fly on the wall," TODAY Moms writer Kavita Varma-White agreed in a previous post about carpools. (Though she admits it does sometimes create a quandary: Should you share your overheard info with other parents?)

Readers: Are family drives a joy ride, or a bad trip? What's your favorite go-to weekend activity to spend free time with your kids?

Steve Veres is an editor for TODAY.com. When growing up his family took annual road trips from Massachusetts to Georgia to visit the grandparents. Hence, he's a master at license plate Bingo.  

More on TODAY Moms:
When carpool becomes a goldmine of information
Al Roker’s toughest parenting moment
Child’s toy freaks out Al Roker

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