About to brave a road trip with toddlers?
As a family that loves to travel, we have taken our fair share of road trips with babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and now school-aged children.
Truth be told, my husband hates road trips, so we fly whenever possible.
But it is not always possible, practical, or even ideal to fly with kids.
Multiple plane tickets can make a family trip expensive.
Going to the beach with kids? Unless you plan to buy beach toys, boogie boards, towels at your destination, might as well plan on car travel.
And sometimes driving is part of the experience, like when we drove through the rolling hills of Tuscany.
No matter the reason, I am excited to answer your questions and share helpful tips for taking a road trip with toddlers.
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How To Plan a Road Trip with a Toddler
I love planning a trip. Makes me feel like vacation has already begun!
When it comes to family road trips, there are a few things that are worthwhile to plan ahead of time.
Whether you love lists and details or you plan only the travel essentials, these tips will help make your road trip with toddlers not only tolerable, but full of fun and happy memories.
1. Drive While Your Toddler Sleeps
Timing is EVERYTHING!
Seriously, this is the most important piece of advice I can give you for surviving a road trip with a toddler in-tow.
Sleep is one of my favorite topics (after travel, of course), so I get pretty excited about this right here.
The thought of spending hours trapped in a car with a toddler (or in my case, two toddlers) calling my name like a broken record ("mommy, Mommy, MOMMY!"), whining ("I dropped my crackkeerrss"), and crying ("She took my toyyy!") makes me want to ditch our whole vacation.
Now, imagine driving down a country road in blissful silence. You turn on your favorite podcast and actually listen to it without interruption. Then, you have an adult conversation with your spouse about the podcast. You smile and think to yourself, this week away is going to be just what we've needed.
I want blissful silence! And adult conversations! But how?
The difference is timing.
When it comes to road trips with toddlers, timing truly is everything.
The trick, plan to drive as much of your trip as possible during your child's sleeping hours.
Your schedule will vary depending on the length of your trip.
Check out tip #2 for sample road trip schedules depending on the length of your trip.
2. How to Drive While Your Toddler Sleeps
If your drive can be done in one sitting, I say, go for it.
My favorite way to get a road trip with a toddler done in one sitting is to leave at bedtime.
If you leave around bedtime, the kids sleep most of the time. It's a little more annoying for the adults to drive at nighttime. But is it? If the kids are sleeping? Way worth it to me.
Leave at Bedtime - less than 6-hour Road Trip with a Toddler
Put PJs on
Leave in the evening around 6PM. Depending on what time your toddler normally goes to sleep, he/she should sleep for the majority of the trip.
Drive until you reach your destination! Driving at night and staying awake a few hours past your bedtime will be totally worth it when your toddler wakes up at your final destination the next morning. If you get sleepy, switch drivers or pull over to stretch. Safety first!
Leave at Naptime - less than 6-hour Road Trip with a Toddler
This works best for:
kids who still take long naps
kids who nap well in the car
if you can't drive at night
Leave an hour before nap time. Your toddler may be awake for the beginning part of the trip but should sleep for a good chunk of it.
Drive until you reach your destination! Driving during the day may require at least a short stop at a gas station to shake some sillies out. Check out my tips on short stops.
Longer road trips with toddlers get a bit trickier. You can, however, still plan your drive around your toddler sleeping.
Make A Day of It - more than 6-hour Road Trip with a Toddler
Leave around nap time
Drive for about 3 hours. Hopefully your kiddo gets a decent nap.
Stop for a planned break (see Take Long Breaks in Cool Towns/Cities Along Your Route).
Get back in the car between 6-7PM to finish your drive. Keep PJs easily accessible so the kids can get changed before getting in the car for the night.
If your drive is more than a one-day trip:
pick a destination to end at on night one.
You will spend the next morning at this destination so, if possible, find a spot that has some fun things to do the next morning
I recommend breakfast on the go rather than at a sit-down restaurant to avoid extra siting. Play at the hotel pool, local park, or check out Plan For 1-2 Hour Breaks for more ideas.
On day 2, repeat the above steps (leave around nap time, etc.).
3. Play Hard Before You Leave for Your Road Trip with Your Toddler
No matter what time you leave, the hours before getting into the car should be spent moving.
Running, jumping, riding bikes, swinging, or whatever other activities your kids want to do that will wear their little butts out.
Since you will likely be trying to pack the car during this time, you and your spouse may want to divide and conqueror.
One spouse can be tasked with tiring out the kids while the other can be tasked with packing.
Which parent gets to do which task... I'll leave that up to you!
4. Tips for Driving at Nighttime with a Sleeping Toddler
If your kids are anything like mine, they will fall asleep in the car, but wake up with the car stops.
Or, even worse, with the bright lights of the gas station.
If your kids don't wake so easily, yay.
But if they do, here are some things that work for us.
Fill up on gas, drinks, and snacks before bedtime - one less reason to need to stop
Go potty (adults included) before bedtime - two less reasons to stop
If you do need to stop for food/drink/potty
park far away from the bright lights if possible (gas station lights are so bright!)
have one parent keep driving while the other goes inside
5. How to Prevent Your Kids from Waking When You Arrive Late
There is one challenge that occurs when you arrive at your final destination in the middle of the night, after your kids are already asleep.
Let me set the scene for you.
The kids are asleep. You arrive at your hotel. You unload the bags and the kids, check in, go to your room.
By this time the kids are awake. A few hours into sleep, reenergized and ready to explore the room, jump on beds, ask questions. You are exhausted and ready to crash.
Some obvious, but helpful tips to help prevent a middle of the night party. Because believe, me, I have been there.
One parent stays in the car - drive around if your kids are sensitive to waking when the car stops or park far away from lights if you are stopped
The other parent checks in - take the bags up to the room, brush teeth, go to the bathroom, prepare the room, set up the pack n play, turn off the lights
Then bring the kids in. If they are still asleep when you take them out of the car, put a blanket over their head to keep out the lights, carry them straight to the room and tuck them right into bed.
6. What to Do in The Car on a Road Trip with Kids
I do everything in my power to road trip while my kids are sleeping. Travel during toddler sleep means less road trip games to coordinate and less travel toys to pack.
Unfortunately, life, logistics, and the length of the trip can get in the way of that idyllic plan.
I have a whole blog post dedicated to my favorite road trip travel toys and essentials to keep toddlers entertained during a family road trip. Or check out the short list below.
In-The-Car Toddler Road Trip Activities
My favorite ways to entertain a toddler strapped into a car seat on a long car trip include:
Backpack of Toys - Lots of small toys to rotate through.
Sing and Dance - Be prepared for lots of singing, dancing, and kid's songs on repeat.
Screen Time - Bring a fully charged iPad, prepared with downloaded movies, shows, games, the whole bit.
Kid Podcasts/Audiobooks - A great option for all kids, but especially those who get car sickness when looking at screens in the car.
Books - Have your kids pick a few books to include in their "backpack of toys."
7. Ultimate Packing List for a Road Trip with a Toddler
Packing isn't my favorite thing, but what can you do.
If you like lists, here is my ultimate packing list for taking a road trip with a toddler.
And a few helpful tips...
If you are planning an overnight stop, pack an overnight bag. An overnight bag saves you from unpacking the entire car at midnight for a quick stop at a hotel just to repack it the next morning. Be sure to include toiletries and clothes for the next day!
Lay a pair of your toddler's PJs and favorite lovey/blanket on top of suitcases. Makes it super easy to transition to bedtime in the car. Here is how I like to do it...
If we are leaving the house after dinner/before bedtime - I have the kids change into their PJs at home and take their stuffed animals and blankets to the car with them. Before getting on the road, I tuck them in with their blankets, make sure they are comfy, and say goodnight.
If we are driving, stopping for dinner, and getting back on the road for bedtime - kids change into PJs just before getting back on the road. To make this easy, I put PJs, pull ups, blankets and loveys on top of the suitcases in the trunk. No digging. Can easily grab them when ready.
Bedtime clothes and comfort items will help set the expectation that you are transitioning from daytime travel in the car to nighttime travel in the car.
On a day where your toddler is spending the entire day sitting in the car, the cue to transition to sleep time to can be helpful.
Stop at a rest stop, go potty, get into PJs, bonus points for reading a quick book on the curb if that's part of your normal bedtime routine, tuck your toddler into the car seat with their lovey, say good night.
Don't forget shoes! We have, on more than one occasion, discovered that our child got into the car bare foot and didn't bring any shoes. Or that the only shoes we had were packed in a suitcase 3 layers deep in the trunk. Throw some sandals or crocks in the back seat that are easy to slip on at a rest stop.
For suggestions what to bring to entertain the kids, check out 9 Things to Do in the Car on a Road Trip With Toddlers
Don't forget snacks and drinks for the road.
8. Road Trip Food
Nothing worse than a hangry toddler on a road trip. Am I right?
Bring lots of travel snacks. And a sippy cup or reusable water bottle.
And don't forget to keep a pack of wipes in the front seat for messy hands and accidental spills
Check out 30 Yummy and Practice Road Trip Snacks for Kids for lots of suggestions.
9. How to Travel with a Toddler Who Is Potty Training
Doing anything with a toddler who is potty training requires planning and patience. Am I right?
I think you will find my tips on taking a road trip with a toddler who is potty training to be pretty intuitive.
Favorite Travel with a Potty Training Toddler Tips
Delay Until After the Trip - If you have an upcoming road trip (or any travel really) and are planning to begin potty training soon, consider delaying full blown potty training until after the trip.
IMO, it is easier to drag diapers and wipes along on your trip than manage a newly potty-trained toddler.
You want to set your toddler up for success with potty training. Being out and about on vacation or on a long car ride often puts your toddler in situations where they can't be successful. This can lead to frustration and disappointment.
Frequent Mandatory Potty Breaks - Plan for frequent potty break stops, about every hour.
Instead of asking your toddler if he/she needs to go potty every hour, just make it a thing that everyone does. Get out, sit on the potty, get back in the car.
Otherwise, if you ask, your toddler will deny needing to go until about 1 minute after you passed the exit.
Diapers/Pull Ups During Sleep - If there is a chance your toddler will fall asleep on the next leg of your car ride, go ahead and put them in a pull up. Don't take the chance.
Travel Potty - Truth be told, I am not a huge fan of the travel potty. However, there are many toddlers who are afraid of the big potty, and so a travel potty is a life saver. Go ahead and take the travel potty on your road trip if:
your toddler uses a travel potty at home,
your drive has limited rest stops,
you don't want to deal with icky gas station bathrooms for a toddler who touches everything.
If you bring the travel potty, don't forget wipes!
Check out my favorite travel potty - folds up, throw the bag of waste away so no cleaning
Change of Clothes - Bring lots of changes of clothes. Keep them easily accessible in the car in case of accidents.
Pee Pad - Consider putting a pee pad under your toddler in the car seat in case of an accident. If you don't need it, great. If you do, you will never be happier.
Options:
disposable pad under your toddler
Be patient. Praise often. Set yourselves up for success. Have fun!
Taking a road trip with potty trained toddler is adventurous! I love the challenge.
10. Car Sickness in Toddlers
I feel this struggle personally. I still remember the first time my son got car sick. Thought it was a fluke. Turns out it wasn't. Huge bummer.
So, here I am, sharing a few parenting tips I have from experience on managing car sickness in toddlers.
Avoid Screens - This is a big trigger for car sickness. It's a bummer on long car rides, but it is better than feeling sick for the entire drive.
If you are going to use screens (desperate times), put it far away. So rather than holding the screen, put it on the center console between front seat drivers or hang on the back of the seat in front of child.
Toddler Road Trip Activities to Avoid Car Sickness - Kids Podcasts, audiobooks, sing/dance, play with toys
Frequent Stops - Getting out of the car, breathing fresh air, moving around helps
Puke Cup - Keep an empty disposable cup (think solo cup or foam/plastic cup from gas station) in your kiddos cup holder, easily accessible. Don't leave home without it. It will save your trip. And your car.
Small/Healthy Snacks - Give your toddler small/frequent meals to help prevent or treat nausea. An empty tummy can get nauseated. A full tummy can also get nauseated. So, keep your toddler's tummy somewhere in between.
Avoid intense smells and fatty foods (sorry, McDonalds will have to wait).
Suggestions include cold foods, fresh fruit, crackers, carb + protein combos like cheese and crackers, PBJ sandwiches.
Acupressure Bracelets - Acupressure bracelets are wrist bands made to press on the P6, or Nei-Kuan, pressure point that relieves nausea and vomiting. The P6 pressure point is located in the center of the inner wrist, between the two tendons, approximately the length of three fingers down from your hand. Worth a try!
11. Be Flexible - Take a Quick Stop If Needed
There will be times when you are no longer able to entertain or distract your kids in the car.
Be flexible! Don't be afraid to take a quick, otherwise unnecessary stop. Even a 10-minute break can rejuvenate everyone and buy you a few more solid hours of driving.
Whether your stop is planned or not, road trips with toddlers require you to make use of every pit stop you make.
Making a short stop at the gas station? Get out and lead your toddler in some fun quick games.
Activities To Do with Toddlers on a Road Trip When Taking a Short Break
Fast food restaurant with a playground - Good chance to go potty, grab a quick bite to eat, and give the kids the opportunity to run around. Even if the restaurant doesn't have a playground, let one parent out of the car while the other goes through the drive through, find a strip of grass nearby, and let the kids shake their sillies out.
Playground - If your kids are going stir crazy, find a playground and let them have at it
Rest Area (on the interstate) - Rest stops usually have a grassy area which are perfect for running around. Play a fun game or two to ensure everyone makes the most of the break.
Gas station - Re-fuel the car, relieve your bladder, and stretch your legs. Sometimes this is all your kids need.
Games to Play - Tag, Simon Says, Red Light Green Light, have a dance party, make an obstacle course with things from nature, count how many times your kids can run laps, songs with movement (google this for ideas), bring a ball to kick around/pass
12. Plan For 1-2 Hour Breaks on Long Road Trips with Kids
Trying to break up your long road trip? Be sure to plan a rest stop (or two) to allow both you and kids a chance to shake your sillies out.
If you are in need of a solid hour or two out of the car, look ahead to the next big town and do a search on your phone for kid-friendly attractions in that area.
If you have taken a road trip with kids before, you may even anticipate the need for a stop like this based on how long they typically last on a car trip.
Activities To Do with Toddlers on a Road Trip When Taking a 1-2 Hour Break
Trampoline Park
Bounce House/Play Center
Bowling Alley
Playground
Walk around town - Take a walk around the town, get some ice cream, talk to the locals, get fresh air
13. Stop in Fun Cities/Towns Along Your Route
Although everyone will be excited to get to the final destination, longer stops along the way can end up being a fun and memorable part of your trip.
I think it's pretty cool to treat your car trip as part of your family vacation and have fun along the way!
If you plan on stopping for a long break (for example, in-between naptime and bedtime) do some research ahead of time and plan an afternoon in a city or town along your route.
You may want to note a few things to do so you can choose your activities the day-of based on everyone's mood and the weather.
Activities To Do with Toddlers on a Road Trip When Taking Long Breaks
Breweries - A winning pick for both adults and children. Many breweries have games (life sized Jenga, ping-pong, playing cards) which can provide fun for the kids and allow adults enough time to enjoy a drink. Bonus points if the brewery has an outdoor space!
Local Events - Check the local town's website for events that may be going on that day. You may get lucky enough to be there during a fair, live-music event, or sports game!
Parks - Perfect for running around, playgrounds, or playing a game. Throw a baseball/glove or soccer ball in the car if you have space.
Children's Museums/Zoo - Is there a local train museum, petting zoo, aquarium, children's science center? Check out the local attractions for something fun and different to do.
Trampoline Park/Bounce House/Bowling Alley - Anything to allow your kiddos the opportunity to move around and release some energy after spending all day in the car
Restaurants - Try to choose a place that will be fun for the kids. You can be sure they won't want to sit too long during their time out of the car. I love restaurants with outdoor seating and a space for kids to run around while in sight of parents who need a moment of peace and quiet.
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