Planning a summer road trip? If the thought of spending hours in the car with your kids has you nervously eyeing your snack stash and Googling ‘Are we there yet survival tips?’ — don’t worry, you’re not alone! These outstanding hacks for road trips with kids will ease the bumps along the way!
Hacks for Road Trips with Kids
Leave in the Dark
Lots of seasoned parents swear by getting on the road at dawn … even earlier. This way the kids will sleep a good bit before you even stop for breakfast. It’s great to get a good chunk of miles out of the way early and before traffic can bog you down.
Keep It Moving (But Not Too Much):
When planning your epic road trip, aim for a sweet spot of 6 to 8 hours of drive time per day. It might not sound like a full day’s adventure, but your sanity (and your kids’ patience) will thank you. Little ones need to stretch, squirm, and occasionally roll around like puppies on a lawn. Bonus: If you stay at a motel with a pool the kids will really enjoy splashing around with you and it will be a total win. But! Know your limits, set realistic goals, and remember: no one wins when the whole car melts down before lunchtime.
Bathroom Breaks = Sanity Savers:
Seasoned road trip moms swear by the bathroom schedule. Breaks are non-negotiable and always planned. Try stopping 60 minutes after meals and every two hours otherwise. And make it a family affair where everyone goes, no matter what. Plan the next stop before pulling out, so you’re not scrambling for a random gas station in the middle of nowhere. (Pro tip: Nothing tests your road trip mojo like a “shortcut” that leads to zero restrooms.)
Make Stops Feel Like a Mini Party:
Turn pit stops into little moments. Keep pre-packed snack bags handy and hand them out after every stop. Pack them full of snacks the kids don’t normally eat, so it feels special. Think: ‘road trip magic in a Ziplock.’ The novelty helps reset moods, break up the monotony, and makes the next stretch feel totally doable.
Point Things Out to the Kids
Point things out to the kids along your route to show them sites they’ve never seen and things they enjoy like things with wheels and animals. “Train!” “Cow!” “Horse!” It turns into a game where you get a point for being the first to spot a certain item.
Make Mornings Work for You (and Your Hungry Gremlins):
Let’s be real — no one’s at their best before breakfast, especially not kids (or, honestly, parents). Mornings on road trip days can be chaotic, so having a breakfast game plan is a lifesaver.
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Short driving days? They take their time and hit the hotel breakfast buffet right when it opens.
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Big mileage days? Breakfast happens in the car — easy, portable, no-fuss.
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Monster driving days? They’re wheels-up by 5 a.m., with the goal of reaching the destination by dinnertime. (Coffee = essential. Pajamas in the car = acceptable.)
Screen Time Is a Road Trip Superpower:
Sure, we didn’t grow up with movie marathons in the backseat — but let’s not pretend we wouldn’t have loved it. In-car entertainment is your secret weapon. But keep it simple:
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Stock up on cheap flicks from the $5 bin at Walmart and introduce a new one after each stop — like a cinematic reward system.
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A snack bag + a fresh movie = instant reset button.
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Give each kid their own tote bag of activities strapped to the seat in front of them — think coloring books, fidget toys, sticker books, etc.
Essentials to pack for long road trips with your child
- Healthy snacks
- Milk, formula, water (Reminder: Keep breastmilk and prepared formula on ice)
- Hand sanitizing gel, spray, or wipes
- Baby-safe wipes (e.g., to clean surfaces, to clean the child)
- Medication
- First Aid Kit
- Thermometer
- Extra change of clothes
- Diapering and toileting needs (e.g., diapers, underwear, diaper cream, travel potty, changing pad, disposable bags for soiled diapers)
- Sunscreen (for children 6 months and older)
- Petroleum jelly
- Pacifier, lovey, soothing toy, transitional item
- Portable play yard
- A box of fun, interactive toys (e.g., stickers, pipe cleaners, counting objects, coloring books, crayons, dough)
