We just got back from a fun trip to Northern California! We have family that lives up there so a few times a year we hit the highway to visit them. Including stops, our ride is just over 6 hours. Road tripping with a baby and toddler may sound overwhelming, but we’ve figured out a few key details that make for a smooth trip.

1. Check Your Ride

Make sure that your car has received all proper maintenance. You obviously need gas, but check other big things like oil, tire pressure, and coolant. You’ll have much more peace of mind knowing your vehicle is as safe as can be.

Another option is to rent a car. This is awesome if you want to prevent wear and tear on your personal car or if you want to test out a new vehicle (spacious minivan perhaps?).

Be sure that car seats are properly installed and that you have mirrors adjusted to keep an eye on rear-facing kiddos.

2. Drive During Sleep Times

We have the most success road tripping when the kids are asleep. You literally have to do nothing if they’re knocked out.

Night is the only time we can be sure both kids will sleep. We’ll feed them dinner, go through our bedtime routine, and then just tuck them in the car instead of their beds.

If you don’t mind waking up super early, leaving in the middle of the night works, too. Our kids see that it’s still dark out and they go back to sleep once the car starts moving.

3. Snacks

In case your kids wake up or you decide to travel during the day, have plenty of snacks within reach. Our favorite road trip snacks are trail mix, raisins, apple slices, clementines, string cheese, and goldfish crackers.

You can definitely pack your own meals or use that as an excuse to stop and stretch your legs.

Don’t worry about crumbs and messes. They’re bound to happen. Just clean and vacuum your car when you get home!

4. Entertainment

If we end up traveling during a time when the kids are awake, we’re sure to have a few toys, books, and coloring supplies to keep them occupied. Magnetic toys or things with flaps and latches are great for playing in the car.

My family does a lot of “caraoke” (car karaoke) and talking about things we see out of the window. It’s mostly cows and windmills so, as you can imagine, our conversations are super thrilling.

As a last resort, I’ll bust out the iPad and let them watch Netflix. I always download movies or episodes before we leave so there are never streaming issues.

5. Stop as Needed

We aim to only get out of the car once during our 6-hour trip. This is to use the restroom, feed and change the baby, and possibly grab something to eat. But the beautiful thing about driving is that you can stop anytime you need to.

There are rest stops every 30-40 minutes on our route. We determine when we need to stop by our hunger and how much time we have until our toddler will need to use the potty. You can kind of feel when everyone is restless and it’s time to pull over.

It’s okay if your breaks are more frequent than expected. Just focus on making sure everyone’s needs are met.

6. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Your goals are to a) Arrive safely to your destination and b) Maintain your sanity.

I hate to burst your bubble, but there’s about a 50/50 chance that your child(ren) will have a meltdown at some point during your ride. It’s just what they do. Road trips seem especially long for babies and toddlers because they have no concept of time or distance. They literally feel like they’re being strapped in FOREVER.

Get plenty of rest before leaving and prepare with your partner as much as you can. But also be realistic, flexible, and patient. Regardless of what happens, you guys are going to create some fun, new family memories!

Do you have any travel secrets you use on your road trips? Tell me about them in the comments!

If you’re looking for more ways to enhance time with your family, read my tips for surviving family outings! And see how we conquer dirt and germs when we’re out and about!

Talk to you soon!