Before you start the journey, always check the route and make sure its safe to travel from that route specially if you are planning to travel during night.
In case your family members have not got adjacent seats during automatic seat assignment then make a humble request to other travellers and try for seat exchange so that all of you can sit together.
Bus journey gets more comfortable in large groups because you spend your time in talking to your known ones. Hence if possible try to get people along with you during bus journey.