5 Tips for Road Tripping with Kids

We took an impromptu road trip to California.

We haven’t traveled this far since before covid. It was just the adventure we needed to get ready for more travels this summer.

It was also the furthest we’ve ever traveled with all four kids and the youngest being a toddler. Aurora was only three months old the last time we road tripped for more than a couple of days. We had to pull out some of our best practices.

There are so many great reasons to take a road trip. You save money. You get more control of the itinerary. And you interact with less people, which is a huge plus since covid is still a thing.

Here are some of my best tips for road trips with kids.

Have a plan.
Matt and I have taken 30+ road trips together, and this is my biggest piece of advice. Know where you want to go and where you want to stop. Here are some questions to help you plan out your itinerary:

• How many hours are you going to drive a day?
  It’s important to decide if you’re going to drive at night or only do day driving, and how many hours can you drive before you start getting cranky and tired. Our average is about 7-8 hours a day. This will also give you an idea of how long you’ll travel to and from your destination versus how long you’ll actually spend at your destination.
• When and where are you going to sleep?
  Rest stops, hotels, etc. Have a general idea of which cities you’re going to sleep in? And what you require for sleep accommodations. After a day of driving, we love splurging on a hotel, preferably 4-5 stars. But we’ve also slept at rest stops and 3 star hotels to save money or because there was nothing else available.
• Where are you going to let the kids play?
  Kids need breaks from being in the car. Typically, between 2-5 are the hardest ages for road trips. Plan to stop at least every 4-5 hours. I like to map out playgrounds, parks, and libraries for quick stops. Museums can be fun for longer stops.

Be flexible.
Okay, I just told you to have a plan and now I’m telling you some things on that plan just ain’t going to happen. Ha! So be flexible. If your three year old is crying at the top of their lungs for 30 minutes, pull over and get some exercise and fresh air. If you’re tired, stop and get some sleep. Some places you may have to skip. And some places you may not know you want to visit until you’re passing it. Leave room on your trip for self care like extra sleep and spontaneous fun, like a national park. That’s what really makes a road trip a real adventure.

Buy more snacks than you need.
With kids, a snack is therapeutic during a road trip. Food cures crankiness, boredom, restlessness, and of course, hunger! The last thing you want is a bunch of hungry people in the car for a long time together. We always eat more than I plan. And you never know if you’re going to be driving through a dessert with nowhere to stop when the hunger pangs hit. Stock up on food!

I love to pack everyone’s favorite things during a road trip. It helps keep everyone in a good mood. That might mean brownies for hubby or cupcakes for the kids – but not too much sugar because you don’t want a car full of hyper kids.

Have a loose budget.
Know what you want to spend on food, hotels, and excursions. Also keep a misc. category for unexpected activities or meals. If we are on google and find a restaurant in Santa Barbara that Oprah visited frequently, we’re going.

Another good budget tip is to take a credit card with a few hundred to a few thousand dollars on it for unexpected car repairs. On our last trip from Colorado to San Francisco, we had to replace a battery and a tire. On that note, check in with your insurance company and ensure you have the right coverage. Also, signing up for AAA can give you some extra security.

Plan car entertainment.
What are you going to do in the car? Screen time, games, books, and movies are a few ideas of how to keep the kids entertained in the car. I love to get a bunch of stuff from Micheal’s or the $1-$5 section at target that the kids can do. Also, try to do part of the driving during a time when the kids are usually sleeping. Sometimes we’ll leave early in the morning or a little later in the evening to get in a few hours while the kids are sleeping. This is some of our favorite driving time because it’s just Matt, me, and the open road.

I could go on and on. Maybe I will in a youtube video soon. But for now, this is a solid list of things to think about and decide before taking your road trip.

Remember, the whole point of a road trip is to make the journey as fun as the destination. So if you focus on how to make it a fun experience, you’re in for an epic trip. This could be a trip you and the kids remember for the rest of your lives. Enjoy it.