long car trip with 4 month old

Road Trip with a 4 Month Old: Is It Possible?

• Date: July 18, 2022
• Time to read: 6 min.

Some babies love riding in the car and they fall asleep every time while some babies may cry. Planning a trip with a baby can be difficult, but road trips are one of the most flexible ways to travel. 

Four month old babies can be great road trip buddies. Plan to stop more frequently, about every 2 hours when traveling with a 4 month old. An adult should ride next to the baby to be sure that they are comfortable and breathing well. Pack plenty of clothes to keep the baby dry and be sure to grab diaper rash cream and a white noise machine.

It is important to stop every two hours and get your sweet baby out of the car seat. The main concern is positional asphyxia . 

Babies can slip down into their car seats into a position that makes it difficult to breathe.  Babies at 4 months may not be able to reposition themselves and it can cause trouble breathing. 

This is why it is important to have an adult ride next to the baby and to be sure to take them out of the car seat at least every 2 hours. 

If your baby was born prematurely or has other health issues, run this by your pediatrician . Ask them how long your baby can be in their car seat on a road trip. 

I recommend limiting overall car seat time to 6-8 hours a day. We take a lot of road trips and all my kids are pretty fried by the 6 hour mark. 

I will tell you the truth, 4 months is a tough time. They are no longer newborns, but they are not the curious 6 month old that can be distracted with toys. 

If I have a baby that cries in the car, do your best to schedule driving during baby’s nap or sleep times.

I do not recommend driving through the night because then when you arrive the baby is wide awake and the parents need a nap! This is a recipe for grumpy parents. 

There are a few tips that can make the trip easier on everyone. Here are all my best tips for a stress free road trip with a  baby. 

How long can a 4 month old travel in the car?

A four month old should not be in their car seat for more than 2 hours at a time. This is the recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is recommended to avoid positional asphyxia, or trouble breathing due to their position in the car seat.  

If your baby is sleeping and there is an adult sitting next to them to monitor their breathing, you may choose to drive for longer than 2 hours. Use your best judgment and be sure to monitor the baby closely. 

I recommend that you plan to drive 6 hours or less in a 24 hour period , with breaks every two hours. This is just my opinion. 

While some families push to 8 -10 hours in a day, in my experience this is too much for young kids and babies. 

There are no strict rules for how many hours a day is safe, so keep a close eye on your amazing baby and stop when they are no longer consolable in the car seat. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics Travel Safety page has a few tips that you may want to check out before you hit the road. 

How To Plan A Road Trip With A 4 Month Old

Now you have to plan a trip with stops every 2 hours! How will you find places to stop that often?!

I think the best way to travel with young kids is to:

• Leave early in the morning
• Plan a long lunch stop
• Put in a few more miles before bedtime

If you travel 4 hours in the morning and then 2-4 more after lunch you will have a much more pleasant trip. It is also easier to plan one big stop. 

I have a one page road trip planner that you can print on the linked post. There are also some great tools that will help you divide up the trip easily. 

If you need ideas for places to stop check out the linked post, there are some creative ideas in that post. 

What to Pack for a 4 Month Old

When you are taking a road trip with a baby don’t feel guilty for overpacking, but if you forget something you can always stop.  

These are the must haves that I have found super helpful on road trips with a baby:

1. Blankets

Baby blankets are really helpful on a road trip as you can use them for:

Blocking bright sun

Wiping up spills

Covering a diaper changing table

A clean space for tummy time

An emergency diaper

I like to pack 2-3 a day for each day of the trip (or until I have access to laundry). It may seem like a lot, but I have never regretted packing this number. 

2. White Noise

Many babies like the car because the road noise provides that soothing white noise, but I have found that some of my kids need SUPER white noise, especially at this age. 

The noise of the road plus a portable white noise machine has been good for my irritable babies. 

We have had this portable white noise machine for over 4 years and it is still serving us well. Be sure to hold down the power button to turn it on (I tried to return it and the cashier showed me how it worked…oops). 

3. Extra Clothes for Mama

Be sure that you have a change of clothes that you can get to easily. Between car diaper changes, bottles or nursing and potential car sickness, a new outfit can make the trip much more comfortable for mama. 

An extra outfit or two for baby should also be in the baby bag. Keep baby dry to avoid any uncomfortable rashes. 

4. Your Regular Diaper Rash Cream

Be generous with diaper rash cream or other wetness barriers during diaper changes. Since your baby will be sitting in the car they may be more prone to painful rashes. 

I like to pack the cream that we use at home. It is not a good idea to try a new product while away from home. Even a mild reaction can be painful in the diaper area. 

5. Manual Breast Pump

Breastfeeding moms I think the manual breast pump is a necessity on a long trip. Four month old babies are often still feeding very regularly, but the car may make them too sleepy to nurse. 

This can make the ride uncomfortable with engorged breasts, and could lead to a clogged duct or painful mastitis. 

Pumping while you are driving allows you to relieve the pressure, maintain supply and possibly make bottles to use at stops if your baby enjoys bottles. 

Bringing bottles on a road trip can be a big hassle as there is no place to wash them. You can use pump cleaning wipes or wait to get to a sink. 

Short term I have used the pump to just pump and dump and wash the parts as soon as I can. A microwave sterilization kit can make it all cleaner. 

Expectations for Road Trips with a Four Month Old

Traveling with a baby is very different from traveling kid-free, but it can still be a memorable adventure. 

Keep an open mind and get excited about making frequent stops. You will enjoy the journey and get to see more than when you push through long travel days. 

Babies often make you think differently about the important things in life, slow down and enjoy the journey. 

• What Is a Good Budget For A Family Road Trip?
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Who says you cannot travel with a baby? Yes, it is different, but it is totally doable! One of the best ways to start traveling as a new family is by going on a road trip with a baby.

After one year of road trips with our son, we have learned a lot. From short 2-hour road trips to a 2-week long road trip – we have experienced the best and the worst parts of road tripping with a baby. 

Through personal tried and true experience, I have created this guide of “How to Road Trip with a Baby” to help new parents navigate their way as easily as possible. My guide includes product recommendations, expectations at different months of age, and 12 essential tips for road tripping with a baby.  

Full disclaimer: I am not a children’s practitioner, nurse, or expert. This guide and tips are purely from personal experience and fellow traveling parents. If you have any medical or health concerns, please seek advice from your pediatrician. 

Furthermore, This post may contain affiliate links. When you click on the link you will have the option to purchase a product at no extra cost to you, but I would receive a small commission. I want to thank everyone for following and supporting us on all of “Our Sweet Adventures.” 

Table of Contents

12 Essential Tips for Road Tripping with a Baby

First and foremost, EVERY BABY IS DIFFERENT!

Yes, I believe my guide can help first-time parents navigate their way to a successful road trip with a baby. However, what has worked for other parents and us, may not always work for you. Some tips may work, some may not – you will not know until you hit the road and go through trial and error.

We have found these 12 essential tips to be the most helpful during our road trips with a baby. Whether you are taking a road trip with a newborn, a 12-month-old, or any age in between – these tips can be helpful for any stage.

The Trifecta Checklist

Of all the tips for road tripping with a baby, this one is KEY! We call it the “trifecta checklist.” So what does that mean? Sleep, diaper, food.

If our son was crying, the first thing that helped us was to check for a diaper, see if he was hungry, and find out the last time he slept.

Nine times out of ten (especially before our son was 6-months-old), he would cry for one of those three reasons. He would immediately stop crying once we figured out if he needed a diaper change, a bottle, or sleep.

Moreover, the “trifecta checklist” is a great tip for traveling with a baby , period.

Plan For Several Stops

This brings me to my next tip – you will need to plan for several stops when road tripping with a baby. This is important and inevitable. Depending on your baby and their stage in life, you may need to plan a stop every 1 -3 hours.

Why? Because you need to give your baby breaks. The best way to take breaks is by incorporating fun activities, tours, or stops at cute little towns. As a family who loves to hike, we plan our stops around hiking places.

You also want to be prepared to carve out a couple of hours on your road trip for diaper changes, breastfeeding, and walks. Honestly, these stops are so healthy because a nice break is beneficial for both the parents and child when the baby gets fussy.

Plan for Itinerary Changes

With that said, you can also expect to change your itinerary. Going on a road trip with a baby is not always easy. You may get behind schedule. That is OKAY!

I recommend setting a goal for Plan A, knowing you most likely will end up with Plan B. This could mean taking an activity (or two) out of the day, going to a drive-thru instead of dining inside, taking the highway instead of a more scenic route, etc.

If planning road trips is daunting for you. Do not worry! There are awesome apps for road tripping planning that can help you.

Find Patience!

I am probably one of the most impatient people in the universe, but I had to find the patience to succeed when road tripping with a baby.

As you may have already gathered from my previous tips, a typical 2-hour road trip may take up to 4 hours. So take deep breaths, and remember it’s about the journey and the memories you create with your family. It is not a race to the finish line or, in this case, the destination.

Once you can find patience, your road trip with a baby will be so much more enjoyable.

Plan Driving Around Naps

If possible, plan the driving around your baby’s sleep schedule. We always try our best to drive 30 minutes before our son’s scheduled nap.

If you do not already keep track of your baby’s sleep schedule, now would be the time to start. Our favorite baby app is Huckleberry because it keeps track of sleep, feedings, medicine, and more.

Another tip for road tripping with a baby and their naps – pack a swaddle blanket with patterns and keep it in the car. We use swaddle blankets for three things. Of course, we use it to wrap our son, but we also use it for two road trip tips.

We place the swaddle blanket over the car seat to help provide more shade and a quiet space for our son to sleep while on the road. We also use it to keep our son calm and engaged by looking at the patterns. He would always stare and try to touch the patterns on the swaddle blanket.

Be Prepared to Pack MORE Than Ever!

My goodness, I think we had a full-sized suitcase packed to the top just for our son. From the 2 – 3 clothes per day to diapers, baby wipes, towels, and everything else – our son had more stuff than the two of us combined.

Not to mention, the car seat, the stroller, the pack-n-play… everything will quickly add up. So if you are renting a vehicle for the road trip, I suggest an SUV.

Pack the Car with Easy Access 

What is a road trip without snacks, right? I think this tip works for any road trip – make the snack bag easily accessible. More importantly, when road tripping with a baby, you want to make sure all the essentials are also easily accessible.

Whether that means a cooler with baby bottles, a bag of toys, or a diaper bag, you want to make sure you can easily reach these items.

Pack Extra Batteries

Today, so many of the best ways to keep a baby happy and calm require batteries. Therefore, you do not want to forget to pack extra batteries.

Before your road trip, check all electronics that require batteries and either replace them with new batteries or pack extra batteries for them.

Stretch and Massage Baby

Just like adults, a baby’s body and muscles will get stiff and sore after sitting in a car seat for long periods of time. So it is recommended to massage and stretch your baby when you take breaks or at night in your accommodations.

The benefits of massaging and stretching your baby are significant. It can help calm a fussy baby, ease tummy troubles, boost muscle development, and most importantly, soothe babies to sleep.

Baby Wipes are like Gold 

One of the most important things I have learned as a parent is that baby wipes are gold! We use baby wipes for EVERYTHING!

We use baby wipes to change diapers, clean spills in the car, wipe dirty hands, clean hard surfaces or utensils, and more. With that said, at least two stacks of baby wipes are essential when road tripping with a baby.

New Toys or Rotate Toys

Something we learned from the Montesorri Method is rotating toys. We do this at home and find it useful for road tripping with a baby.

Before a road trip, we will remove a few of our son’s favorite toys. Then when we are on the road trip, we reintroduce the toys (one at a time) so that the toys are “new,” exciting, and engaging. Of course, you can also buy new toys for a road trip.

It is essential to give the baby only one toy to focus on at a time. This way, when they get bored with one toy, there is a new one to play with because, let’s be honest, babies LOVE NEW things!

Music Matters!

Okay, this tip is from personal experience. I am not sure of any scientific research to prove this works, but it does for us – and I hope it does for you too.

During my pregnancy, I listened to this one trance album that I found calming and peaceful while I worked. Adam read that the music I listened to during pregnancy is what the baby would find relaxing after birth. It turns out it worked at least 80% of the time for us.

On our road trips, we would listen to this one trance album on repeat until our son was fast asleep. I swear it made our son calm and fall asleep almost every time.

Now, fast forward to when our son was 9 – 12 months old – things changed. Children’s music that we listened to at home helped our son stay calm during road trips. It was not music to our ears like our favorite trance album, but it kept our son happy, relaxed, and quiet – and that IS music to our ears.

So , music that is familiar with the baby at home will most certainly help put the baby at ease during road trips. You can also use a portable sound machine or play white noise from the car speakers.

How to Feed a Baby on a Road Trip

Whether you breastfeed your baby, bottle feed your baby, or are in the stage of providing snacks/solid foods – here are a few simple tips for feeding a baby on a road trip.

Breastfeeding a Baby on a Road Trip

First and foremost, do not breastfeed your baby in a moving car. This is very dangerous in the event of a car accident. Therefore, allow extra time to stop the vehicle and breastfeed your baby. If possible, utilize this time for restroom breaks, to get gas, food, etc.

If you pump, pack a breast pump car charger , breastmilk storage bags , spare parts, and a cooler to store pumped breastmilk. Moreover, continue to practice good nursing hygiene and habits as if you were at home.

Bottle Feeding a Baby on a Road Trip

Whether it’s breastmilk or formula, you want to pack a cooler to bottle feed your baby on the road.

Make sure you pack enough bottled water and formula powder (if you use formula). To help with space, I recommend pouring a small amount of water into the baby bottles and adding the formula when needed.

Furthermore, a formula dispenser can come in handy in the car. Then store a large container of formula in a suitcase.

Feeding Snacks to a Baby on a Road Trip

Once your baby can eat solid foods and/or pureed food, it can make feeding on the road a lot easier. I recommend packing snacks/food that your baby is familiar with, will enjoy, and is easy to eat on the go.

A few snacks that are easy to eat on the road are the squeezable veggie and fruit pouches , yogurt pouches , and Cheerios.

How to Change a Baby on a Road Trip

Honestly, sometimes there is no easy or right way to change a baby on the road. Through trial and error, find what works best for you!

For us, we have stopped at gas stations, rest stops, and have even needed to pull over on the side of the road to change our son. If a changing table in a bathroom is not available, we utilize our car. Moreover, a travel changing mat has been the key to our success because we can use it on any hard surface.

What to Pack for a Road Trip with a Baby

Believe me when I say you will probably pack your entire nursery when you road trip with a baby. Babies need soooo much! So do not feel like you packed “too much” because you will probably use everything.

Here are a few essential items to pack when road tripping with a baby.

• A car seat, obviously
• Pack n Play for sleeping
• Stroller (if you find you will need/use it)
• Plenty of diapers (if you run out, you can always buy more at a store)
• Plenty of baby wipes (again, if you run out, you can always buy more at a store)
• Portable changing mat
• First aid kit
• Baby Tyenol and Benadryl (approved by your pediatrician)
• 3 sets of clothes per day
• Swaddle blankets and/or sleep sacks
• Batteries for any toys
• Portable white noise machine
• Baby bottles
• Travel sterlizing bags for bottles
• Bottle soap and brushes
• Travel high chair

How Long Can You Go on a Road Trip with a Baby?

There is no exact number of hours that you can road trip with a baby, but it is highly recommended to give your baby plenty of breaks. Just like adults, our bodies can only take sitting in a car for so long. So imagine how a baby feels.

From personal experience, when our son was 2 – 4 months old, we could only go on 3-hour road trips. From 5 to 12 months old, we have only been able to drive up 8 hours a day. When we would drive 8 hours, the day would get divided into several stops at different cities. So really, it was two, 4-hour drives in one day and even then we had to break that up at times.

To figure out what is best for you and your family, I would practice around your city first, especially if you have been nesting for the first few weeks/months. Start with a short 30 minute to one-hour drive.

Then gradually work towards a 2 – 3 hour day trip. Eventually, you will learn your baby’s road trip habits to plan for a weekend getaway with a 4-5 hour road trip.

Road Trip with a Baby ( 1 – 4 Months)

The first few months of going on a road trip with a baby are the easiest and the toughest because everyone is still learning their roles. On one hand, a baby sleeps the most at this stage, so driving through naps is easier. On the other hand, this might be the most challenging stage because, as first-time parents, we are all just trying to survive, right?

Moreover, I recommend waiting at least two weeks before going on a road trip with a baby because the first few weeks as a parent are the hardest!

Additionally, I went with my pediatrician’s recommendation and waited for our son to receive his vaccines at 2 months before we traveled outside of our city. I would always consult with your pediatrician and do what is best for you and your family.

After we figured out the amount of time we could drive without stopping, this was the easiest and best time to road trip with a baby. Our son would sleep for the majority of the time. We would engage him with black and white toys and books when he wasn’t sleeping.

Here are a few products that I highly recommend for road tripping with a baby between 1 – 4 months old.

Road Trip with a Baby ( 5 – 8 Months)

At this stage in life, if your baby is becoming mobile, independent, and napping less – road tripping with a baby might become a little more complicated. Mainly because you may need to help entertain your baby.

In our experience, once our son became mobile and napped less, we had to entertain him more on road trips. It would require one person to always sit in the backseat to play with him. It also meant stopping more frequently to keep him active and happy.

Furthermore, rotating toys will become essential during this stage because of the developmental leaps. A baby will want to be constantly engaged and challenged. At 5 months, a baby should also start seeing colors well.

Therefore, I recommend these colorful toys for road tripping with a baby between 5 – 8 months old.

Road Trip with a Baby ( 9 – 12 Months)

Road tripping with a baby at 9 – 12 months old may or may not be the most challenging time. It could be the hardest if your baby is mobile, enjoys being active, and just doesn’t like car rides – period. If you’ve been road tripping with your baby for several months, it might just go as smoothly as one could hope.

For us, it was hard, but not that bad. Our son had grown used to traveling and taking road trips. So he would be okay for 3 – 4 hours at a time. Granted, we made an epic 2-week road trip through West Texas and New Mexico. Therefore, we had plenty of overnight stays in fun towns such as Fort Davis and San Angelo with fun activities to keep everyone entertained.

The best way to road trip with a baby between 9 – 12 months old is to keep the baby active and entertained by exciting roadside attractions and pit stop destinations. Let your baby be mobile, and your road trip just might be the most enjoyable family vacation you could ever imagine!

We mostly entertained our son with activities at different destinations along our journey, but here are a few products that I also recommend for road tripping with a baby between 9 – 12 months old.

And that’s a wrap! I hope you have found my guide on road tripping with a baby helpful and insightful. Like all parents, I wish I had all the answers, but my knowledge and experience are all I have. I hope it is enough to help you and your family have successful road trips for many years to come!

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Friday 15th of December 2023

Mind blowing article! I have a 1+ years old baby boy.So this blog will be very helpful for us and every guide is very important for newly parents. Thanks for sharing.

oursweetadventures

Tuesday 26th of December 2023

Aww thank you so much for your kind words. I'm glad to hear you found my guide helpful! :)

Katherine Hurt

Sunday 19th of March 2023

Since my baby is 8 months old and we live in San Diego, I appreciate all of your advice. We are preparing to drive to San Francisco so that our baby can meet the family. Many people advised us to travel after the baby has gone to sleep. Then I came across your essay, which has been a huge assistance to us with all of our issues. Many thanks

Aww thank you. I’m glad my post has been helpful to you. I know some say to drive at night when the baby is sleeping, but that never appealed to us. And every baby is different! If you can, I would try a day trip to get some experience. We now have twin babies and the same has applied with them. We drive an hourish before nap and they are out for at least 2 hrs. And have learned that they really can’t do more than 5 hours without getting out of the car for a break. If you have questions, feel free to ask.

Tuesday 7th of June 2022

Thank you for all the tips; my baby is 9 months we live in San Diego and are planning to drive to San Francisco so our baby can meet the family. A lot of people told us drive at night when the baby is sleeping. Then I found your article and help us a lot with all our concerns. Thank you

Wednesday 8th of June 2022

Hi Emma, thank you for your comment. That makes me so happy to hear you found my guide helpful. I hope my tips help you for your family road trip!

Road Trip with Baby: How to Survive Long Car Rides

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Our oldest child logged more miles in the car his first few months of life than I can even begin to count.  I’ll thank our family and friends all over the eastern part of the United States for that! A road trip with baby requires a lot flexibility, especially given that the car ride can change so much during each stage of your baby’s life. A road trip with a newborn is MUCH different than a road trip with an 8 month old baby, for example.

With some advanced planning and trial and error, road trips with babies do get easier! Below is a rundown of our best tips and products for surviving long car rides with baby.

Disclaimer: Toddling Traveler participates in the Amazon Affiliate program and other affiliate programs. That means we may earn a commission qualifying purchases through our links, at no cost to you.

Road Trip Tips for Long Car Rides with a Baby

We learned a lot about drives with a baby after all the miles we logged in that first year. (And some things were definitely learned the hard way!) Below are a handful of our best tips for road trips with a baby after many long drives with two kids.

1. Accept that a road trip with a baby is going to take you longer

I typically estimate about a 30 minute stop for every 2.5 hours of driving.  There have been times, however, that I stopped every 2 hours (or even more.) Given the differences in mobility and sleep, a road trip with a 6 week old baby is going to be very different than a road trip with a 6 month old baby. When my son was in that 6-12 month stage, road trips were a little more difficult and often required more stops to allow him to stretch out.

Bottom line, give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination safely and comfortably!

2. Pack as much of the car as you can the night before your road trip with baby

Whether you’re leaving at 5am or 5pm, try to pack the car ahead of time to minimize stress the day you’re leaving for your trip. Ideally, I try to have everything in the car but the diaper bag and cooler well before our departure time. That usually means packing the car the night before for early departures.

The last thing you want to do is to have to jam a week’s worth of stuff into your car while trying to hold the baby or wrangle older siblings. (Especially since there will be times when just walking out the door is a feat in itself.)

3. Try to sync up long drives with your baby’s sleeping schedule

When my oldest was only a few months old, it worked best for us to leave early in the morning. He was taking several naps and would fall back asleep in the car, making road trips with a 1 month old baby and up to about 4 months pretty easy. As he got a little older and was more mobile, he was the most active early in the morning. That meant we had to adjust our approach and leave a little later to coordinate drives with his nap schedule. (Or just be super effective at keeping him entertained first thing in the morning!) This was also the case for our second child.

For really long drives, splitting the drive up also works well. That doesn’t necessarily mean you need to stay overnight. Just stopping for an hour or two to stretch and get a change of scenery works well too. Especially when babies start to become mobile and need to get those wiggles out.

For those moms or dads to-be, I don’t want to give you a false impression that every single baby sleeps well in a car. We were lucky with our son in that he always slept in the car at some point during the drive, but you might need try out different approaches to get this right.

4. Pack extra snacks and meals for road trips

Once babies are starting to get into the solids phase, you’re likely going to be bringing a lot of their food from home. For snacks that travel well, we love teething wafers or puffs . We also loved snack catching cups as our son got older and started eating snacks more independently. They’re a lifesaver with preventing snacks from getting dumped all over the keep your car by your little ones!

While we like fruit and veggie pouches for easy on-the-go nutrition, I don’t recommend them for car rides. Speaking from experience, they can make a mess unless you have someone in the backseat to help.

Be sure to also have more food and milk/formula on hand than you think you need. You never know when you’ll get stuck in traffic or your drive will take longer than planned.

5. Bring different forms of entertainment for the car

Babies can easily get bored looking at the same thing for ours on end. (And so can adults, for that matter!) Regardless of their age, proactively keeping your baby entertained in the car definitely helps minimize the fussing.

Screen time is one form of entertainment many parents use in the car with babies or toddlers. We don’t typically use iPads or Kindles at home, so they’ve always been a special treat for long drives or flights. Our favorite device for kids is the Kindle Fire along with a Kindle Fire tablet case for kids . We also have this tablet holder for car that hooks onto the headrest and can be used for a rear or front facing car seat. If you’re planning to use screen time in the car with baby, I recommend using other forms of entertainment first and keep the tablet for playing learning shows like Miss Rachel when they get really restless.

A few of our favorite toys for a road trip with baby are below.

• A sensory   toy that’s multifaceted like  this one .   It also has rings, a teether, a mirror, a rattle as well as multiple sounds and textures.  
• The  Wubbanub Pacifier is great, even if your baby doesn’t take a pacifier. It was a lifesaver on our road trip home from Omaha with a newborn when we weren’t able to stop and feed our son right away.  
• A stuffed animal or lovey is great to give them comfort and something to grasp.
• When your baby starts teething, bring several teether options. Both for back up when they drop them and to switch it up with something new. Some of our favorite tethers are Nubby Chewy Rings , the Chicken Wing Appeteether and the Banana Toothbrush Teether .
• If another adult is able to be in the backseat, you can bring books to read to them. Check out our page on travel books for children for more ideas.
• As your baby gets closer to 1 year old, sticker books are a great toddler road trip activity with adult assistance.

Related Post: 10 Baby and Toddler Toys for Travel Under $10

6. Make sure you can access an open seat in the car

When driving for long periods of time, I’ve found that the car often becomes ground zero for anything you need to do to take care of the baby.   For this reason, it definitely helps if you leave the backseat next to your baby open.  (This gets a little tougher when you have other kids in the car, but it’s helpful for new parents trying to navigate everything.) Whether you need to go back and check on the baby or quickly change a dirty diaper, that extra space is key!

As a breastfeeding mom, I also felt more comfortable nursing from my car with it parked in the corner of the parking lot versus trying to manage it inside a rest stop.  This is totally a matter of personal preference, and I admire anyone who can breastfeed anywhere!

7. Know where the rest stops are for those frequent stops

If you have a navigation or app that shows where the rest stops are, use it! Knowing how many miles away the rest stops are is super helpful when trying to time out feedings and diaper changes in the car.  

Have to stop when there’s no rest stop near you? Many toll roads and major highways have emergency rest stops.  I found these to be especially helpful when I was driving by myself. There were quite a few times that my son became hysterical, and I had to stop either comfort him, feed him or change his diaper. (Hence, why the prior tip on leaving an open car seat comes in handy!)

If your child is just starting to become more mobile, try to use rest stops to help them stretch out and move around as well. Sitting in a car that long is hard enough for adults, much less babies who just want to move and don’t understand why they can’t.

8. Try to bring reinforcements when you’re tackling a long car ride with baby

I’ve probably done as many road trips with my son solo as I have with someone else in the car. For obvious reasons, it’s much easier to get through the long drive with a baby when you have someone to help you. You can actually check on the baby without hanging to pull over. And rest stops are easier to tackle since you can split up getting guess, using the restroom and taking care of the baby.

9. Ziplock bags are your friend

I never leave the house without Ziplock bags when traveling with a baby, whether I’m road tripping or not. You can use Ziplock bags for dirty clothes and diapers, snacks, other trash that you don’t want to stink up the car. We usually have some in the diaper bag, and they’re small enough that you can keep a few large Ziplock bags in the glove compartment or other car storage just in case.

10. Stay focused on the road when you have a baby on board

This one may seem obvious, but it’s easy to get distracted when driving with a baby. As a multi-tasker at heart, it’s tough for me not to feel like I’m super woman and can focus on the road while simultaneously singing to my son and picking up that sippy cup I swear he tried to throw at me.

I’m constantly having to remind myself of this and will often stop to pull over in a safe spot if I need to check on something for peace of mind. It’s much better and safer than trying to do it all from the driver’s seat.

5 Must Have Products for a Car Ride with a Baby

In addition to the above-mentioned items, below are some things we swear by for your road trip with baby packing list. For any moms-to-be out there, I definitely recommend planning ahead and considering these items for your baby registry.  

1. Baby Mirror

A baby car mirror was critical for us for both safety and peace of mind for car rides of any length. We relied pretty heavily on these to see our son when he was rear facing. The mirror especially comes in handy if you’re doing a solo road trip with a baby. It makes it much easier to check if they’re sleeping, crying or throwing their toy for the millionth time when you don’t have a co-pilot to help.  

We have this backseat car mirror . I love that it’s big enough to see the baby’s entire body, and it’s easy to install and adjust when needed.

2. Car Sunshades 

Our son HATES the sun in his eyes, especially in the car. While our newer car came with sunshades, our prior car when we first had our son did not. These white-hot car safety shades are perfect. Not only do they have an indicator that shows if the car is too hot, but they also retract easily. Every car is different, so make sure you measure your car windows to ensure you’re getting adequate coverage for your window size. I’d recommend avoiding the stick-on car shades that fold up, since they easily fall off.

As your little one gets older, baby sunglasses are a great option if they’ll keep them on for the car. You can find the best baby sunglasses here .

3. Small Cooler

A cooler is critical for any road trip, but especially with a baby when you can’t easily get drinks and snacks for them at a rest stop.

We bought this freezable lunch bag cooler after it was recommended by a friend.  The bag itself freezes, and it can keep the contents cold without a separate freezer pack It also easily folds up when you’re not using it.  It’s the perfect size to keep a couple bottles and snacks cold for that long car ride. And it’s also great for milk on a plane ride with a baby or traveling without baby while breastfeeding .

Looking for a larger cooler for car rides? This soft-sided cooler is large enough for several drinks and food. Plus, it’s foldable and easy to pack away when not using it.

4. Hands-free diaper bag

This probably seems too obvious, but the hands-free part is key when making those pit stops while juggling a baby. I have this diaper bag that I wear like a cross body diaper bag. (Although sadly the champagne color I have is discontinued.) I also have this diaper bag backpack that we use periodically.

In addition to the multiple pockets, a changing pad that comes out separately and velcros shut is also a necessity. You will definitely want something that can easily be washed after multiple uses on those dirty roadside changing tables.

5. Light blanket

Whether in the car or just pushing the stroller, we almost always had a thin muslin blanket on our son’s lap. Not only does it help make sure baby is warm enough in the car, but it also gives them something to grab onto for comfort. We love muslin baby blankets because they serve a number of purposes and are light, breathable and easy to pack.  

Target also sells a similar, less expensive set of muslin baby blankets that we’ve used as well.

Do you have any additional tips for long car rides with a baby? Please share in the comments!

Related Posts:

• 9 Baby Travel Essentials + Packing List
• 6 Toddler Road Trip Tips
• 12 Reasons to Travel with a Baby or Toddler

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19 thoughts on “Road Trip with Baby: How to Survive Long Car Rides”

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I love you tips.Thanks for putting this together I will pin for later to have it handy then I travel next time.

You’re welcome! I’m so glad to hear it was helpful.

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Such brilliant tips, which take me back to many years ago – am sure these will be useful for so many parents. Also, the photos are adorable!

Thanks so much!

oh dear. we did not get a car until my son was about 15 months old so on the rare times he was in one as a baby, OMG he hated it! We did a road trip from Raleigh to the outer banks when he was 5months old and he screamed the whole time!!!!!! def takes longer, driver has to stay focused. plastic bags, extra clothes, prepare for it all!

That’s quite the drive! It’s definitely tougher when they get more mobile!!

I agree with you that it was easier when the baby was between 0-4 month old. The baby mirror and car sun shades also helped us a lot. Now our baby is 13 years old. 🙂

Time flies! We’re about to start doing this all over again so I’m hoping these baby road trip tips stick for baby #2!

You always have the best insight for traveling with our youngest travelers! Great tips as always…!

Thanks so much Jen!

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15 HELPFUL TIPS TO ENJOY A ROAD TRIP WITH A TODDLER

Post Summary: 15 tips from full-time road trippers on how to survive, and actually enjoy, a road trip with a toddler or baby. Plus everything you need to bring on the road.

Planning on taking a road trip with a toddler or baby and wondering if it’s an awful idea? I get it. Our first road trip with our baby was when he was five months old and what was supposed to be a six hour drive to visit the grandparents turned into a ten hour drive with five hours of him crying nonstop.

Listening to a crying baby is hard no matter where you are. In your car, when all you want is to desperately arrive at your destination…it’s agony.

Cut to two years later and our little family left our life in California and decided to travel full time from state to state in our car. Are we professionals now at this whole long road trips with toddlers thing or just gluttons for punishment? I like to think a little bit of both.

We are so into road tripping we managed to do a four month cross country road trip with our toddler!

Along the way, we’ve learned a lot about what works and what does not work when going on a road trip with a toddler or baby. Traveling with kids of any age always provides some challenges, but doing a long road trip with a toddler is definitely a step up and requires a good dose of preparation and finesse.

Whether you’re on a road trip with a 4-month-old or a road trip with a two-year-old, this post is perfect for anyone who wants to know what to bring on a road trip with toddlers and simple, actionable tips on how to road trip with a toddler .

NEED MORE ROAD TRIP TIPS? CHECK OUT OUR OTHER POSTS BELOW 160 Fun, Deep, And Sometimes Silly Road Trip Questions The Ultimate Road Trip Food List 40 Road Trip Essentials You Need To Pack 80+ Road Trip Trivia Questions To Cure Boredom 17 Things To Do On A Road Trip To Pass The Time

This post about road tripping with a toddler may contain affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission if you purchase from them. This is at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we truly think are helpful.

FAVORITES FOR A ROAD TRIP WITH TODDLERS

Favorite Podcast : Kids Short Stories: A Bedtime Show By Mr. Jim Favorite Audible : The Gruffalo Favorite Educational App : Homer

TIPS FOR HOW TO ROAD TRIP WITH A TODDLER

1. KEEP THE ROAD TRIP SHORT

To the best of your ability, try to keep the total driving time 4-6 hours a day. I know that’s not always possible. Sometimes you have a set plan and need to arrive somewhere and don’t have the luxury of taking your time to get there. But if it’s something you can do, we highly suggest it.

For instance, if you are going somewhere that’s 8 hours away, can you break it up into two days and find an interesting midway point to stop at for a night? Perhaps even spend an entire day there and add it to the itinerary? During a two-week road trip from Los Angeles, CA to Sandpoint, ID we were able to fit in interesting cities like Santa Rosa, CA, and Bend, Oregon.

If you’re trying to plan a road trip with a baby and have no set destination in mind, a good idea is to see what’s 4-8 hours away from you within driving distance. Maybe plan a family road trip around that and opt to arrive in two days, rather than one long haul.

We have found that slow travel is the best way to travel with toddlers or babies. It allows for everyone to be less stressed and puts the focus on spending time together rather than accomplishing a lot in a short window of time.

If that’s not something you are able to do due to timing and finances, don’t worry, we have plenty of other road trip with toddler tips up our sleeves.

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2. TIMING IS EVERYTHING

We have a very set schedule for how we do long car rides with toddlers. We either:

• Fit in about one hour of driving in the late morning and stop for a long lunch at a rest stop or playground. We’ll make sure to play around and get a lot of physical activity before getting in the car at about 30-45 minutes before he typically naps. Thankfully, we have a toddler who sleeps pretty well in his car seat. We can often get 2-3 hours of uninterrupted driving.
• We play really hard with our son in the morning and make sure to get in a lot of physical activity. Then we load him up with carbs (our go-to is always spaghetti) for lunch, do a diaper change, and get him in the car seat about an hour before his regular nap time. When we do this, he usually sleeps for longer, and we can sometimes get 3 hours of napping in.

Many parents swear by nighttime driving when making a road trip with toddlers. The idea is that your toddler will sleep the whole way, and you can potentially avoid all the troubles of driving all day with them.

We’re kind of split on if this is a good idea. Neither of us are too keen on nighttime driving or the idea of arriving super late to our destination. Also, being tired the next day never seemed that appealing to us. Not to mention the genuine fear of falling asleep at the wheel.

Ultimately, the choice is up to each parent and the needs of each family. If your baby doesn’t sleep well in the car, perhaps driving at night would be better when their physical need to sleep is much stronger.

3. ROAD TRIP SNACKS

Snacks are the answer to everything. Are you upset? Have a cracker. Are you bored? Have some cheese. You’re angry that the car seat is too tight? Here’s a pretzel.

I joke. Except…I’m not.

Keeping your little one and their blood sugar at bay is key to keeping a happy road-tripping kid, so come prepared with all the snacks. For babies who are still getting used to solid foods, pre-made baby pouches like these are the best. While eating healthy is a wonderful thing, when going on a road trip with your toddler, we find it’s best to be lenient and let them have some of their favorite snacks.

If you want even more inspiration for road trip snacks, check out our post about the best snacks and meals for a road trip.

4. ROAD TRIP GAMES

Road trips with your kids are a great opportunity to create lifelong memories that you’ll talk about forever. A fun way to create those memories? Road trip games. Keeping everyone entertained and laughing is paramount to making the experience a happy memory.

Admittedly, road trip games with babies aren’t as complex and will be one-sided, but it never hurts to engage with them and get them excited about the journey. Simple games include pointing out the colors of things, counting how many times you see a red car or a game of I spy. It’s more about engaging with them to keep them stimulated and a part of the journey.

With toddlers, there’s an opportunity for more back and forth. Our favorite road trip games to play with toddlers include I spy, would you rather prompts, 20 questions, and a round of fun and silly road trip questions.

For more road trip inspiration here’s our list of 57 road trip questions for families.

5. ROAD TRIP MUSIC

Music is a great tool to keep your “road trip baby” happy. While playing your child’s favorite kids’ music is always a winner, don’t be afraid to try out music that you’ll actually enjoy too! On our road trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park , we played a continuous selection of bluegrass music and Johnny Cash to help get us in the spirit of our surroundings. He loved it! We’d get in the car and I’d ask him, “What do you want to listen to?’ Without fail, my two-year-old would say, “Johnny Cash!”

So while it’s good to have a selection of upbeat kids music, you can also use it as a time to introduce them to other types of music. Pop music is always a great option because it tends to have simple melodies and repetitive hooks.

You can stream from a music service like Amazon Music or Spotify.

6. LISTEN TO AUDIOBOOKS AND PODCASTS

Audiobooks or podcasts are GREAT road trip activities for toddlers. It’s also a great way to lull them into sleep. Before you leave you can peruse through podcasts made for little kids on iTunes or Spotify to see what your kids might like. Make sure to download them before you leave so you don’t have to rely on a strong signal.

Some podcasts your toddlers might like:

• Kids Short Stories: A Bedtime Show By Mr. Jim (Our son loves this one!)
• Deep Blue Sea (Learn about sea creatures, perfect if they enjoy the show Octonauts)
• Story Pirates
• Stories Podcast: A bedtime show for kids of all ages
• Little Stories for Tiny People

You can also opt to do audiobooks through Audible. Audible is Amazon’s audiobook service and like Prime Music, you can do a free trial of the service. Click here to learn more about Audible. Some popular books for toddlers and babies are:

• Where The Wild Things Are
• The Gruffalo
• Dragons Love Tacos
• My Magic Breath

TIP: If the option is available, make sure to download everything on to your phone before you leave so you don’t have to rely on a good signal.

7. ROAD TRIP TOYS

When going on a road trip with a toddler or a baby, bringing old standby toys is always a great option. Even better, bring some new toys they’ve never used. I’m not suggesting you have to spend a lot of money on expensive toys. An easy option is to go to a dollar store or a used children’s store. Another option is to borrow some toys from a fellow parent who doesn’t mind you using them for a week or so.

We suggest keeping the travel toys in a bag with you upfront and doling them out one by one when your child starts to fuss and needs something to focus on. Think of it as your secret tool bag that you dip into only when you need it.

Here are some of our favorite travel toys for babies and toddlers.

• Water Wow Toys are mess-free and inexpensive. This toy is better suited for babies and younger toddlers as it might not hold the attention of an older toddler.
• Reusable stickers from Melissa and Doug are always a great standby. You don’t have to worry about them putting stickers all over the windows and car seat because they’re super easy to peel off.
• Our son LOVED his magnetic doodle board and was one of the only things that kept his attention for more than 5 minutes.
• Links from Manhattan Toy are great simple toys for babies that some young toddlers might enjoy as well. They double as teething toys so they may provide relief if you have the fortune of having a teething baby on your road trip.
• Lacing cards for toddlers give their hands something to fiddle with and helps them to develop their fine motor skills. Plus, if you’ve been reading to them the Hungry Caterpillar book, they’ll love seeing one of their favorite characters in a toy. Check here for prices.
• A travel busy board is a great car seat toy that can keep their little fingers busy trying to latch and unlatch different compartments.

8. FIRST AID KIT

While this won’t help you keep your kid calm, it’s always a good thing to have a fully prepared first aid kit when you’re doing any kind of car travel with toddlers and babies. I prepared a medical kit in preparation for when we left for our year of full-time travel and within 5 months I had already used every item in our bag. There’s always something that comes up. You can buy a fully prepared first aid kit or you can opt to make your own. Some things to include would be:

• Bee Sting Relief
• Antibiotic Ointment
• Kids Tylenol and/or Ibuprofen
• Kids Dramamine
• Thermometer
• Instant Ice Pack
• Antiseptic Cleansing Wipes
• First Aid Tape

9. PACK THE ESSENTIALS

Now that you’ve got your toys and packed your first aid kit, there are a few other things that will make your toddler road trip a success:

• Antibacterial wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• Sunglasses (we love these for toddlers and babies )
• Sunblock (even though you’re inside, the sun can be just as powerful shining through the window.)
• Diaper changing mat (we like to use this one for babies, but in a jam, a swaddle or towel can work as well)
• Travel potty for the potty training toddlers
• Blanket and/or comfort stuffed animal
• Headsets (Perfect for when you want them to listen to music or watch a show and you don’t want to hear the noise. We love these for babies and toddlers since they’re small and kids can easily fall asleep wearing them.)
• Having an organization system will help to create order amongst all the road trip supplies. We like this  back seat organizer  with SO MANY pockets for all your gadgets, notebooks, and snacks. We particularly like that it has a tablet holder. You can put a movie on without them having to hold the device the entire time.

For a thorough list of road trip essentials check out our post on the ultimate Road Trip Packing List.

10. COMFY CLOTHES

This may feel obvious, but make sure to dress your child comfortably for the car ride. Loose-fitting breathable tops and pants so their bodies can be as relaxed as possible. I can’t imagine sitting in a constricted car seat is comfortable, especially for agile toddlers who need to move around as much as possible. You can even dress them in their pajamas to help coax them towards sleeping in the car.

11. FOLLOW THEIR LEAD

When going on road trips with toddlers and babies, we have found it’s best if we follow their lead to maintain a calm car ride. If he’s getting fussy, instead of forcing another hour of driving, we know to stop and do what he needs to keep his mood stable. Perhaps that’s eating lunch, doing another round of diaper changes, or running around to get his body moving. We’ve learned that keeping him in an even state, keeps everyone happy. Road tripping with a baby means you might have to let go of the strict agenda. Be open to taking lots of breaks when needed and everyone will be happier!

12. GET IN THE BACK SEAT

A great idea when driving long distances with toddlers and babies is to get in the back seat with them. Since their car seats face away from the front of the car, your baby might be soothed by visually seeing you. I did it on my first road trip with my five-month-old baby and it was helpful….until it wasn’t and he cried for five hours. But it might work for you!

Reading books to them or just being able to see you could go a long way toward keeping them content.

13. YOUR ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING

Keeping a sunny attitude will go a long way towards keeping morale up in the car. If something happens, say a tire blows out or a baby has a blowout, keeping a calm steady demeanor will help to keep everyone in a good mood. Our child is such a sponge for the energy around him that if we let our hot-headed ways (and yes, we are both hot-headed) get the best of us, then it isn’t long until our little one starts going off the deep end with us.

The last thing I want my kid to feel is that road trips are NOT fun. So we try to make it fun by channeling our best ability to “go with the flow.”

14. LET GO OF THE RULES

Whenever you’re traveling with young kids and especially when doing a road trip with toddlers, it’s okay to let go of rules a little. You’re on vacation, so if you have to give them extra snacks or let them stay up later than usual…it’s okay.

For us, the main goal of car trips with toddlers is to ensure the most easeful and stress-free journey. If that means giving him a bag of gummy worms, so be it. At home, he gets plenty of structure and healthy food, so a few allowances aren’t going to ruin all the well-laid rules we’ve set down. This leads me to my final tip for traveling with toddlers by car.

15 ALL HAIL THE TABLET

Use a tablet.

I promise you it’s okay. I know we’re all trying to reduce screen time, but on a road trip where you want to stop a meltdown, don’t be afraid to use it. If it works, it works. I believe that parenting isn’t defined by one singular moment in time but rather by the values and habits you consistently uphold. If all your toddler does is play on an iPad, yeah…you might want to consider reducing it, but a few times on a road trip…it’s fine you guys.

I would suggest using the iPad as a final tactic. If the above tips don’t work, then hand it over and call it a day.

You can preload it with educational toddler apps and already downloaded movies from Netflix. Our favorite App to use is Homer . I used to do free apps because I didn’t want to dish out the money, but they were always glitchy and bombarded with ads. Plus, they make those apps so that the kids are continually led into wanting to buy the paid version. I found it’s better to buy a high quality app that offers fantastic content that is continually being updated. I like that Homer has animated popular books and teaches them in a fun and engaging way. My son loves it! You can try out the free trial for 30 days here.

I also like to use a thick toddler-proof cover like this to keep the iPad safe. Also, if it’s any consolation I grew up in the ’80s when every parent’s idea of a babysitter was plopping their kids in front of a TV screen. And we all managed to turn out okay! Right? Right?

I hope you use all these tips on how to road trip with a toddler and have the ultimate family adventure! Let us know if you have any great tips in the comments below.

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Hi, we’re Christina and Brad, Idaho based writers and photographers who live to explore. We did a short stint of traveling full time with our two year old and discovered we're much happier as part time nomads. What does that mean? We travel a lot! And then we go home. We love helping fellow parents and everyday adventurers discover new places and experiences.

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Tips for a Road Trip With a Baby: How to Survive the Long Drive

Setting off on a road trip with your little one? I know – it sounds like a mission. Trying to figure out nap times, packing enough but not too many toys, dealing with sudden mood swings (and that’s just from the parents!) – it’s enough to give anyone a slight headache. “Will my baby be okay? How on earth am I going to keep them calm? Did I pack enough diapers?” These questions whirling around in your head are perfectly normal, and I’m here to help with my tips for a road trip with a baby.

Over the years, I’ve taken my kids on so many road trips, I’ve lost count. Short weekend jaunts, epic cross-country adventures, you name it. And you know what? Every single one was a learning curve. Sometimes, it felt more like a rollercoaster than a curve, but that’s parenting for you. I’ve had my share of forgotten essentials and messy surprises, but each hiccup has helped me perfect my road trip routine.

Don’t worry – by the end of this blog post, you’ll be a lot more confident about hitting the road with your little partner in crime. You’ll know what to expect, what to pack, and how to handle those inevitable bumps along the way. I’ve done all the hard yards, the late-night packing, and the frantic roadside diaper changes. Now, you get to benefit from my road-tested wisdom and plan a trip that’s all about the fun stuff.

Table of Contents

Road Tripping With an Infant FAQs

I know how different it is to take your kids with you on a long drive compared to a fun and spontaneous road trip as a couple . Especially if you’re taking a baby with you. And if it’s your first trip as a family, you’d be forgiven for feeling overwhelmed and nervous . 

Jumping in the car to explore the country can be such a fantastic memory-making experience. Plus, showing your kids (even the teeny tiny ones) magical places is part of what all parents dream of doing. 

So to calm your worries and help you plan a fabulous vacation, I’ve gathered some of the most frequently asked questions and answered them as best I could. 

Have another question? Or a tip for new parents about to hit the road? Let us all know in the comments, and keep the support going!

What to Expect When Traveling With a Baby

The question most parents would love to be able to answer with a crystal ball; I promise, even if you have a few hiccups on the road, at the end of the day, the memories will be worth it. 

A road trip with a baby under 12 months isn’t the nightmare that some may make it seem, as long as you prep properly . Your baby has their usual routine, space, and expectations in their daily life—all of which go away once you put them in the car for an extended period of time. 

You definitely should expect them to be a little fussy , possibly get bored, and very likely make a bit of a mess . With a few important steps, you can ensure the ride is pleasant for the baby and parents. You want to make fun family memories , which means enjoying the journey just as much as the destination .

I’ve been using Roadtrippers for years to help me plan out my trips and find fun stops along the way. Use my code “BTR5QTP” for $5 off when you sign up!

What is The Best Age to Road Trip With a Baby?

This depends on your baby, of course. Generally, it’s best to start planning your family road trip only once your baby is about three months old. Between three and six months , babies are in their developmental stage and will begin to gain more head and neck control. 

This means they can sit in a car seat and be comfortable for slightly extended periods. They’re also typically on better sleeping schedules at this age, allowing you to plan accordingly. 

You can entertain your baby between three and six months with bright, colorful, and noisy toys. They’re interested in the world around them but not yet crawling or walking , so they won’t be too antsy to get out of their seat for the whole ride.

Also taking Fido? Here are some tips for a road trip with a dog .

How Often Do You Have to Stop With a Baby on a Road Trip?

When you’re planning a road trip with a baby, your stops will need to be planned around their routine . You’ll likely need to stop for feeding, diaper changes, and as they get fussy . You may find that a stop is needed as they wake up from a nap or before they fall asleep. 

On average, I would say plan for a stop every two to four hours . Try not to go longer than this, for the whole family’s sake. Although, if you’re driving overnight and your baby sleeps through, you may be able to extend this a bit. 

The shorter driving times when you’re traveling with a baby may just give you the perfect excuse to stay over in more small towns. Driving four hours and then retiring for the night at a quaint hotel or BnB only adds to the entire road-tripping experience is one of my best tips for a road trip with a baby.

How Do You Occupy a Baby in a Car?

Unlike older kids, babies are not going to be interested in games of I Spy or a traveling trivia quiz . So how do you keep them busy for the ±four hour stretches of driving?

One way is to play music in the car — not the latest pop songs, but nursery rhymes and calming tunes. Sing along and make it a fun time for the baby. Give them a rattle to play with as well, as this will help stimulate them. This is ideal when on a road trip with a baby and toddler, as it can entertain both of them at the same time (I used this trick many times on drives).

You can also set up a sort of mobile in the car, with animals and colorful toys for them to look at and grab. If their heads can’t reach the windows, give them a plastic handheld mirror or position a mirror to help them see the fun sights outside. 

If all else fails, chatting with your baby is normally always a winner. Play peek-a-boo , describe your journey, and tell them where you’re going. Even if they don’t seem to understand it all, your attention and the sound of your voice are often enough to keep them engaged. 

Make sure to reserve your rental car ahead of time! I love using Discover Cars for my trips.

Can You Give a Baby a Bottle While Driving?

The short answer is no. 

It might be perfectly fine to have your older kids snacking while driving, but the risks are too high for an infant. You shouldn’t have a baby drinking from a bottle without your attention being fully focused on both the baby and the bottle . 

Even if you are breastfeeding, it’s not safe to do so while the car is moving . So it’s best to plan your stops according to the baby’s feeding schedule . 

How Do You Calm a Crying Baby on a Road Trip?

There’s always a reason why your baby is crying. First, check that they’re not uncomfortably hot, cold, or perhaps have a dirty diaper . It’s also good to check that they’re not hungry . 

If their basic needs are met, and they are still crying, they may just not be enjoying the drive as much. Try playing soothing music, talking to them, or giving them a toy to distract them . If none of that works, then it may be best for everyone to stop the car at the next safe spot, get out, and cuddle the baby until they are calm again . 

Are Car Seats Uncomfortable for Babies?

As long as your car seat is properly installed and has all of the right cushioning, it should be comfortable enough for your baby to sit in during a drive. Sitting in one for too long for a more extended, cross-country drive with a baby can become uncomfortable . 

Staying in one position for extended periods of time will agitate anyone, and babies are no different. There are a few ways you can ease this discomfort until you stop, though:

• Keep the car’s temperature pleasant. 
• Give the baby a little extra cushioning where you can. 
• Distract them with toys and excitement. 

How Long Should a Baby Be in a Car Seat on a Trip?

Even though babies can’t walk around yet, they still need to stretch during road trips . If you’re doing longer newborn travel by car, you should aim to take them out of the car seat every two hours or so (a very important tip for a road trip with a baby). 

If your perfectly planned road trip falls within the three- to six-month sweet spot, then two to four hours is fine . Be sure that when you’re stopping, you’re taking the baby out of their car seat and letting their bodies stretch in different positions for a bit. 

What Do I Do If My Baby Hates the Car Seat?

So, your baby cannot stand when you put them in a car seat — are your dreams of a family road trip over? Not necessarily. 

First, I would check with a doctor if anything makes the baby hate sitting in the car seat. If there are no medical concerns, then it may just be personal preference. You can slowly introduce long road trips with a baby and make the experience more pleasant. Both my kids hated drives at first, but they got used to it the more I traveled with them.

Don’t begin right off the bat with a 15-hour trip from LA to Lake Tahoe ; begin with an hour-long drive and gradually increase the time and distance . Doing this will allow you to test out a few soothing options and hopefully find one that works. Driving while the baby sleeps is also an option. 

What Should I Pack for a Baby on a Road Trip?

You can read my full family road trip packing list for a more detailed list , but here are a few essential items to include that are important road trip with baby tips: 

• Extra diapers — Pack a little more than you think you’ll need. It’s better to be overprepared with a little one than scramble to find a grocery store while on the road. 
• Wipes and rash cream — These should be with your diapers, but again, pack a little more than you think you need in case of emergencies. 
• Extra sets of clothing — This is standard when going anywhere with kids and babies. Make sure you have extra clothes for messes as well as enough clothing for all kinds of weather. 
• Their favorite blanket — Keep babies comfy and soothed with whatever blankie they would use at home. This will help them sleep better in the car and may keep the tears away on the drive. 
• A few fun toys — There isn’t much space in the car, so you want to make sure that the toys you bring along will entertain the baby for long periods. Choose colorful toys, squishy ones, and even ones that make a bit of noise — just remember, you don’t want to have a distracted driver. 
• Bibs and utensils — Quick meals on the side of the road or at a gas station may be necessary. Pack in any mealtime essentials so you’re not left in the lurch if you need to make an emergency dinner stop. 
• Sippy cups and bottles — Ensure you have enough of these with you so that even if you can’t wash them out for a few hours, there’s still a clean one to use until you reach your hotel. 
• First aid kit — Always keep a car first aid kit on you. Include things like pain syrup for little ones, bandaids, and any medication your baby usually takes. Also, bring sanitizer, mosquito repellant, and a thermometer. 
• Baby car rier — Pit stops and impromptu hikes will be much easier and more enjoyable if you can comfortably carry the baby around. 
• Milk and snacks — While you can find food along your route, you definitely want to pack some easy-to-eat snacks and enough milk to avoid a hangry baby. 
• Bin bags — You’re going to want to keep the car clutter-free and as clean as possible. This will eliminate frustration, help you quickly find what you need, and make the drive more enjoyable. Keep plastic bags to throw trash in and discard them as soon as possible once you’ve stopped. 

What Food to Carry for Babies While Traveling?

We’ve mentioned packing in food and snacks, but what else can you take that won’t make too much mess or require any prepping? Some great options to keep in the car for emergency snacking include:

• Extra milk and/or water – I always warn parents against packing juices for road trips because they’re sticky and can get everywhere if spilled. Pack milk for the ride if your baby is too young for water. 
• Sipping yogurt – Driving may take away the baby’s appetite. Sipping yogurt is easy to eat in the car, will fill them up a bit, and often tastes good enough to entice them to eat. 
• Finger foo ds – Beef jerky, cheese puffs, finger sandwiches. These are all ideal for packing into a lunchbox in the car and handing over if your little one starts to complain about tummy grumbles. 
• Pre-packaged & single-serve baby food pouches – What you don’t want to do is try and handle large amounts of anything to dish anything out in the car. It might be a little more work, but getting pre-packaged snacks before you set off makes eating and sharing easier on the drive. 
• Pre-cut fruit – Cut up apple slices, pears, or oranges, as these will be a fun, sweet (but healthy) snack to keep the little mouths busy for a while. 

Read more in my post with 101 road trip snacks for kids .

How Do You Pack Baby Milk for Travel?

If the baby is still exclusively on milk or only just starting on solids, you’ll want to bring quite a bit of this with you on your road trip with an infant. Keeping it fresh is important; no one wants to drive for hours with a car smelling like spoiled milk. 

If you’re pumping breastmilk to take with you, keep it frozen before you leave . Then when you pack the car, put the milk into a well-insulated cooler box to stay cool and frozen during the drive. If you’re packing formula , pre-pack servings in either bottles or secure containers/bags is an easy way to do it. Then have a flask or bottled water to mix it up.

Sterilize your bottles before you pack them and again when you stop at your nightly accommodation. 

My Top Tips for Long-Distance Driving With a Baby

If this is your very first road trip with a baby, just remember that it can only get easier from here. I’ve found that getting the kids used to traveling and being on the road from an early age means it becomes a splendid experience as they get older. 

Besides keeping the car organized (and booking any accommodations you’re going to need well in advance), here are some other things I’ve found helpful when taking a 0- to 12-month-old on a road trip. 

Check the Car Seat Before You Go

Most importantly, ensure that your car seat is safe , follows regulati ons , and is properly installed. 

A car window safety shade is another must-add for a baby’s comfort and safety. Having the sun pelting down on their faces is a sure way to end up with a miserable baby. 

Plan Your Route Carefully

Know where you’re going (as well as possible detours in case of roadworks, etc.) and how long you have between each possible stop. Know where you can stop to walk, where you can get gas, and where there are shops to top up on essentials . 

This will give you a bit more control over how long to keep baby busy, when nap time should be, and where you can get out and stretch your legs if needed. You can also plan any activities along the way. 

Make a Note of Doctors and Hospitals Along Your Route

While planning your trip, keep a log of hospitals, emergency doctors, and medical care units in each town and city you’ll be passing through . Hopefully, you won’t need to use this list when going on a long drive with a baby, but if you have a feverish kid or an unfortunate accident, it’s better to know where to go. 

And on that note, be sure to keep important medical records on you while driving . From vaccination cards to allergies, bring anything that may be important in the event of an emergency. 

Keep Essential Travel Items Packed in The Front of The Car

You don’t want to take up too much leg room, but you also don’t want to have to stop the car just to reach a pacifier. Before you pack the car, separate items for the drive from things you’ll only need when you stop or reach your destination . 

On the other hand, don’t put items that you won’t need while driving in the front of the car. Keep extra clothes, bulky toys, and similar non-essentials in the boot instead. 

Stick to Routine as Much as Possible

This may seem harder once you’re actually on the road, but if you can keep to regular nap times and feeding times , it will help your baby stay regulated and feel secure. Similarly, taking some of their personal items with you to put into hotel rooms can help them feel at home. 

Get your free road trip packing list here!

Have Someone in the Back Seat

If you can, have one adult in the back seat with the baby if there’s a need for snacks or a quick drink. If you’re stopping often enough for food and drink, having an adult sitting at the back might still be helpful to talk to and entertain the baby . 

Of course, if older siblings take up space in the back seat, try to get them to play nicely with and speak to the baby. 

Look After Yourself Too

Just as it’s important to remember everything needed for the baby, it’s equally important for parents to stay happy and comfortable on long drives . Not only is it good for the parent driving, but it’ll also help keep the car’s atmosphere pleasant and calm . 

Stop when you are feeling uncomfortable, too. Pack in a few of your own favorite snacks. If the baby is fast asleep, take the time to play some of the music you used to play on long drives. You can’t take adequate care of your baby unless you also care for yourself.

Again, these tips for a road trip with a baby are from my real-life experiences, so I hope you feel more confident to plan that drive you’ve been putting off!

Marissa Pedersen

Marissa is a passionate road trip enthusiast who has traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada via car and continues to go on new trips every year to explore more of the country. Her love of road tripping has given her a unique perspective on the best routes, hidden gems, and must-see attractions along the way.

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10 Tips for Road Tripping With an Infant

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Road trips with an infant can be stressful, but they don’t have to be, and the truth is a car ride with a baby is often less stressful than getting on a plane. You can stop your own vehicle for an emergency bathroom break or to move around a restless toddler. And if your baby does throw a tantrum, you can focus your attention on their needs instead of worrying about other passengers.

Whether you're hitting the road to visit the grandparents or heading to a vacation destination geared toward families with infants , you may be surprised at some of the simple things you can do to keep your little one calm and quiet during your trip. Whether you’ll be on the road for five hours or five days, these 10 tips will help your vacation go as smoothly as possible.

While one person is driving, have another sit in the back with the baby. Having that caretaker in the back seat can help address issues as they arise—preparing bottles, wiping up, curing boredom with some old-fashioned “peek-a-boo”—which can help minimize stops and avoid total meltdowns.

It's an old bit of wisdom, but "sleep when the baby sleeps" is solid advice during a road trip with kids . When the baby is sleeping, the person in the back should try to rest, too, so they can be refreshed enough to take over driving when the driver gets fatigued.

Manage Expectations

Any number of things can go wrong on a road trip—a flat tire, bad weather, food poisoning—but those hiccups become exponentially more stressful with a young (likely screaming) infant in tow. Accepting that going in and maintaining a sense of humor about the situation can go a long way to help ease the tension. After all, the difference between a fiasco and an adventure can be as simple as your state of mind.

One way to make light of unpleasant situations is to make a game out of them. For example, put together Baby Road Trip BINGO cards where spaces are filled in with any and all potential disasters—think "blow out in the car seat" or tiny victories like "finished a whole podcast." That way, even bad situations turn into wins.  

Drive at Night

It’s a bit uncomfortable for the parents, but then again, so is a screaming child with no exit in sight. Driving at night means your baby will spend more time sleeping and less time awake and hungry, bored, or needing changes. You’ll be able to drive for longer stretches without needing breaks. 

A great way to maximize drive time is to schedule your departure so that it coincides with bedtime. Go through your whole routine (bath, pajamas, bedtime song—whatever your nightly ritual entails), but put the baby down to sleep in the car seat instead of the crib or bassinet. Drive as long as you're comfortable—or for as long as the baby is sleeping—but be sure to switch drivers, caffeinate, and rest when needed to avoid driving drowsy. 

Plan Frequent Breaks

You might be able to go six hours without using the bathroom or needing to eat, but the baby likely can't. Plan for stops every one to three hours during the day and three to six hours at night to change diapers, stretch legs, eat, and change sweaty or spit-up clothes as needed.

To avoid unnecessary stops, make a checklist of items that you go through during every break so you don’t forget anything, such as changing the baby’s diaper or clothes, using the restroom (for those not in diapers), and refreshing essential supplies. 

Skip the Scenic Route

While scenic overlooks and long stretches of the open road might seem like the very things that make a road trip worthwhile, they can also make it difficult to find help or reprieve when you need it. Choose a route in advance that has frequent access to food, 24-hour gas stations, restrooms, and service areas.

Even better, plot out some pit-stops in advance —including some potential hotels if you think you might need a real rest—so you can pull over when necessary.

Keep Supplies Nearby

You might have a giant suitcase with everything you need to survive traveling with an infant for an extended period of time, but that's not what you want to be digging through at 65 mph while a baby is screaming in your ear, or while parked at a dodgy rest stop in the middle of the night.

Keep a kit within easy reach so you don’t have to unbuckle your seat belt to retrieve any critical items, and fill the bag with small amounts of necessities (you can always refill as you go). You could pack all of these items into a medium-sized backpack or tote bag:

• A portable changing pad with two or three diapers
• A packet of wipes
• Pre-portioned bottles of formula or breast milk in a small cooler bag
• Two or three small but versatile toys
• Infant Tylenol or ibuprofen
• A baby forehead thermometer
• A small portable sound machine
• An extra blanket

In addition to the baby kit, be sure there's one for the adults, too. That could include mobile chargers for your electronic devices, a tablet or e-reader, high-protein/easy-to-eat snacks, sleep aids, sleep mask, a small pillow, earphones, and earplugs. You might also want to bring along a car sun shade to help your little one nap.

Brush up on Baby Massage Techniques

Babies can get stiff and uncomfortable after sitting for hours in their seats, just like adults. Read up on some infant massage techniques that you can modify to use either while driving (if you’re on backseat duty) and during stops. Gently massaging legs and feet, in particular, can often help calm a fussy baby long enough to get you to a good stopping place where they can stretch out their legs in earnest.

Sing Simple Camp Songs

When it comes to fussy infants stuck in car seats, be prepared with a variety of tools at your disposal. Singing songs can often be more effective than the radio at helping to put a baby to sleep, calming them when they’re fussy, and entertaining them when they’re bored. Try to pick songs with simple melodies, but where verses can be added or improvised as with many nursery rhymes or typical camp songs. Taking turns inventing new lyrics can help break up the monotony for parents, too.

Take Precautions

With or without an infant, standard prep and safety precautions should be followed. Make sure you have a spare tire, car jack, and tire iron that are ready to go, especially if you're driving through sparsely populated areas where the nearest mechanic could be several miles away. It's not fun waiting hours for a tow truck to arrive and even less so when you have a baby on board.

While packing the car, be sure not to obstruct the driver’s view, including in the rearview mirror. And always take steps to pull over to well-lit areas when stopping at night.

Admit Defeat

If you’re tired, if you’re frustrated, if everyone in the car (including and especially your baby) can’t take another second on the road, then stop. It’s okay.

Find a place to rest and give yourself a few minutes or hours to regroup. Most hotels will take bookings any time of day and many provide cribs in the room upon request. Take a nap in a real bed or freshen up with a hot shower and a meal at a sit-down restaurant. Giving yourself and your baby a chance to reset can help make the rest of the ride go more smoothly.  

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8 Ways to Keep Your Baby Calm and Content on a Road Trip

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Any road trip comes with challenges, but a road trip with a baby is its own special sort of tough. While some little ones conk out as soon as the engine starts, others have a difficult time being in the car for hours—or any time at all. If you and your family are hitting the road for the holidays, keeping your baby calm, safe, and content throughout the trip is important for everyone involved. Before you strap in for a long car ride with your baby, first be sure to read through the travel recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics . They advise creating a travelers’ kit that includes child-safe hand wipes, diaper rash ointment, and water. You’ll also want to read through their car seat safety guide to make sure your little one is safe and secure. 

As for tips on how to keep your baby happy and (relatively) chill, we asked other parents who have been there, done that for their advice. Here’s what might help:

1. Invest in sun shades.

If you can, Elizabeth C., 30, recommends buying—and remembering to use—high-quality sun shades for your backseat windows and rear windshield. They’ll prevent sunburns on long rides and also keep the light from getting in your baby’s eyes. Plus, it makes the car more conducive for sleep.

2. Drive during their sleep time.

Every parent we spoke to said something similar: Planning long car rides around your baby’s sleep schedule is a great way to avoid fussiness. Corinne N., 31, started a 12-hour road trip after her 11-month-old went to sleep. “She did a normal feeding and bedtime routine, but instead of being placed in the crib, she was placed into the car seat,” Corinne explains. “She slept the whole way while we drove throughout the night. She was well-rested when we returned home.” (Quick note here: Drowsy driving is really dangerous. If you’re not used to being up for long stretches into the wee hours of the morning, this may not be the safest tactic for you.)

3. Drop-proof all of the things.

Caitlyn S., 34, puts a lot of toys in a basket next to her son so he can play with them as he pleases. But the key is that she also creates a barrier—using something as simple as a towel—between the car seat and the door “so if he does drop the toys, they won’t fall past where he can reach.”

4. Be prepared for when hunger strikes.

When her twins were babies, Lindsey H., 35, says she swore by taking Mixie bottles on long car rides. “It’s a bottle that allows you to keep the water and the formula separated until you are ready to use it,” she explains. Then, just push a button to release the powder formula into the water and shake to mix. “Totally a lifesaver in the car when our twins would get restless,” Lindsey says.

5. Get out of the car.

“Some kids and babies just need a leg stretch or car break to make it the rest of the trip,” says Lauren. If traveling for more than two to three hours, Lindsey says she stops every couple of hours to get out, walk around, and let the babies out of their car seats. 

“When we stop to use the restroom, we make sure to find a nearby park or field so he can run around,” says Caitlyn.

6. Play music.

Look for songs, playlists, or even toys that play music that your baby gravitates toward, Lauren suggests. Ideally, you’ll find something you can stand listening to as well. Disney film soundtracks, Raffi , and Caspar Babypants are good options. Or you can download this calming playlist developed by a musical therapist for Montefiore Medical Center. Even if the music grates on your nerves, if it keeps your baby calm and content, it might be worth grinning and bearing it. 

7. Travel with a portable sound machine.

Elizabeth always brings a portable white noise machine when planning a road trip around her baby’s sleep time. “Our sound machine has a good battery life, so we play it along the way and plug it in when we get there.” If you don’t have a sound machine, Caitlyn suggests playing white noise over the car speakers—just find a playlist on your music streaming app of choice. You’ll want to be careful of the volume if you use this strategy. The American Academy of Pediatrics says babies shouldn’t be around sustained noises louder than 50 decibels. Download a decibel-measuring app like Sound Meter to test the volumes on your machine at home before using it in your car. 

8. Keep them busy.

Any interactive toys that keep your baby engaged and occupied can help. Of course, the specific toys you use will depend on the baby’s age, but try a few things and see what sticks. If all else fails, try putting one adult in the backseat next to the baby to keep them entertained throughout the drive. In some cases, just having someone back there with them can be calming on its own.

This article is presented by Volvo.

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11 Smart Tips For A Road Trip With A Baby

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Planning to take a road trip with your baby or toddler in tow? You can do it! Learn all the best tips and hacks  for surviving a long drive with your young child from our parenting experts.

Over the river and through the woods, to Grandma’s house we go!

Only problem is: Grandma’s house is an 8-hour car ride away, and you’ve got a baby or toddler, plus maybe a few big kids, to cart along with you. But don’t let that stop you from embarking on that road trip – with some smart planning and preparation, you can make it to your destination relatively unscathed.

We’ve teamed up with our friends at Stonyfield, to bring you the absolute best tips and advice to make it through a marathon car journey with your baby. So buckle up and read on to learn how to make some road trip memories that will last a lifetime.

PIN for when you’re planning your next road trip:

1.  CHECK YOUR EXPECTATIONS AT THE DOOR

First things first, it’s critical to not set your expectations too high. Remember that babies and toddlers don’t have the patience that you do (or that you might hope!). With this in mind, don’t expect to drive straight to your destination without stopping…multiple times.

Depending on the age of your child, you may have to stop every hour or two to feed, change, or give them a break from their car seat. If you go into the trip with this in mind, you’ll have a much better, less-stress experience.

2.  PLAN WISELY

Keeping #1 in mind, plan your trip so you avoid driving too far in a single day. Map out your journey with the help of an online tool so you can get a sense of how long the trip will take. An app like  Waze  will even take into consideration what day and time you’ll be leaving and factor in the consistent travel patterns like rush hour.

Plan a few potential pit stops along your route so if baby is getting fussy, you’ll already have done your research. Depending on your child’s age and stage, you may want to find a park or playground for them to explore, or somewhere to go for a short walk to stretch your own legs. Pack some bubbles and a ball for some fun, interactive play during your stop.

Inevitably you’ll need to find a clean bathroom at some point, so we suggest downloading the  SitOrSquat app  before you leave so you can view public restrooms based on your current location. It also includes an interactive map with how long it will take to reach each stall, can filter those with baby changing tables and even gives a cleanliness rating. Major high five to that!

3.  TIME IT RIGHT

The most successful road trips are timed right.

If your baby sleeps well in the car, plan your trip to coincide with a time where you know your baby will sleep – either over naptime, or at bedtime. This way you’ll be able to get in a good chunk of quiet, peaceful driving that can recharge everyone’s batteries.

If your baby isn’t a great car sleeper, plan to leave shortly after they wake up in the morning, or right after a nap. Then at least you’ll start the journey with a well-rested, happy baby.

Either way, make sure that baby has a full tummy and a clean diaper before you leave!

4.  PACK/ORGANIZE YOUR CAR LIKE A PRO

We suggest packing your car the day/night before you leave, and while you pack, really think about what you’ll need to keep at arm’s reach vs. what you can stow away.

Keep your suitcases and large baby items like a travel crib at the back of your trunk, as you likely won’t need to access these until you reach your destination. Pack a separate “necessity bag” with all of the essentials you’ll want en route like toys, pacifiers, burp clothes, and bottles.

We like to pack a separate “Changing Station” that includes a changing pad, plenty of diapers, wipes, diaper cream, small trash baggies and an extra set of clothes for any spit-ups, spills or worse! Stick everything into a plastic zipper bag, or buy one of  these handy dandy organizers . You could even just grab the pre-stocked caddy you use in your home.

If you can, leave a free space in the back of your car for a make-shift Changing Table (especially if you have an SUV where the trunk is flat and the perfect height for diaper changing). This makes it super easy for quick changes during pit stops, and you don’t have to worry about finding a clean gas station bathroom.

Create an easy place to throw your trash – we love  this amazing car trash bin , but a trash bag around the front seat headrest can work just as well.

These back-of-the-seat organizers  are also great for keeping toys, books and other necessities close at hand.

 5.  BE STRATEGIC WITH NURSING/BOTTLE FEEDS

Your baby will need to eat during your travels, and whether nursing or formula feeding, make sure you have all of your supplies close at hand. If nursing, a comfy pillow for feeds in the car while filling up with gas can make a huge difference. For bottle fed babes, pack a thermos 1/3 full with hot water so you’ll have room to place your bottle inside to warm it up. Do this just before you arrive at your next pit stop, so the bottle will be ready and your baby won’t have to wait.

We know several mamas who nurse but also bring a pump and bottle so that they can pump while their partner drives, and feed with a bottle from the backseat if need be.

6.  BRING A FULLY STOCKED COOLER WITH SNACKS OR MEALS

For babies who are eating solids, make sure to bring a cooler stocked with healthy, nutritious options for pit-stops or eating on-the-go.

To save room in the cooler, we love to use  Stonyfield Organic Whole Milk Yogurt Pouches  as ice packs. Simply stash a few in your freezer 24 hours+ before you depart, and then line your cooler with the pouches. Not only will they keep your food and drinks icy cold, but once they thaw, they can turn into a great snack for the whole family. We especially love that they contain real fruits and veggies and have 35% less sugar than the leading kids’ yogurt.

We also like to travel with our favorite  Stonyfield YoBaby yogurt  so we have plenty of them for meal time and snack time once we arrive at our destination. If your baby is at least six months old, YoBaby is a great choice as it’s made with only Certified Organic ingredients and supports digestive health with its blend of live and active cultures and the probiotic BB-12. We love that the  YoBaby Veggie  and  YoBaby Plain  have no added sweeteners, and they’re thicker than other baby yogurts which makes it much easier for them to eat. That being said, remember to bring pack some napkins/wipes, spoons and a bib.

And although it’s important that you pack foods that baby will enjoy, don’t forget about yourself! Even if you plan to stop along the way for your meals, if your baby is content or asleep, you may want to keep driving. So throw a few healthy snacks in the cooler for yourself as well.

7.  RECREATE THEIR SLEEPING ENVIRONMENT

As we mentioned earlier, having your baby sleep for a portion of your trip is essential for everyone’s happiness. So do whatever it takes to recreate their ideal sleeping environment: bring any comfort items like a blanket, lovey or pacifier and if they’re used to white noise, download an app to play on your phone/iPad or use a  portable white noise machine .  These window shades  can also help protect your baby from the sun and create a darker, nap-inducing environment.

8.  KEEP BABY ENTERTAINED

After baby has awoken from their nap, they’ll be ready to play, so be sure to bring a vast selection of age-appropriate toys for them to explore. We find that new toys often hold their attention for the longest spans. Pick up a few new ones at your local discount store, or plan a toy-swap with a friend. You could even stash away a selection of toys a week or two before your trip so they will be forgotten and feel new.

Or try your hand at these DIY ideas to keep baby engaged:

Make your own “baby garland” by taping a piece of string across the back of the seat where they sit, and attach photos of other babies or family members to it. Babies are fascinating by studying people’s faces, so this can keep them surprisingly occupied.

Alternatively, fill an empty tissue box with long scraps of fabric or smaller mouthing-friendly toys – baby will love reaching in and pulling out each new surprise.

9.  WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, JUMP IN THE BACKSEAT

If you are traveling with another adult, it helps if one of you can ride in the backseat next to your baby for at least a portion of the trip. Think of it as free time to bond with your baby – read them books (interactive ones with lift-the-flaps or things to touch/feel are extra engaging), sing nursery rhymes and play peekaboo. Switch off with your travel partner every half hour so baby gets a new face and fresh entertainment!

10.  MAKE A PLAYLIST

Listening to music both you and your kids will enjoy can make your road trip so much more fun for everyone. If you’re able to sync your phone or device to your car’s speakers, make a playlist of your family’s favorite songs. If it’s just you and your baby, listening to podcasts or books on tape can make the time go quickly, and the sound of voices often helps a baby relax.

You can even try listening to music in another language – exposing your kids to new sounds and cultures.

11.  BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING

Although we hope with fingers tightly crossed that your road trip will be a smooth one, with no unforeseen circumstances, we always suggest to be prepared for the worse!

We’ve learned the hard way, that it’s always helpful to have a bucket (or small garbage pail) and towel within an arm’s reach. You may learn that your baby (or even yourself) gets car sick, or comes down with a sudden stomach bug.

Having a First Aid kit with band-aids, bug spray, sunblock, prescriptions, and over-the-counter drugs like Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen, could stop your trip from taking a disastrous turn.

And make sure that your vehicle has emergency supplies like jumper cables, flares, a spare tire and jack, and if applicable to your location, a small snow shovel and brush.

Believe it or not, traveling with a baby can actually be a pleasant experience. After all, they aren’t old enough to ask “are we there yet?” over and over again!

Plan carefully and use our tips and you’ll be at Grandma’s house in no time. Safe travels!

Thank you to our sponsor, Stonyfield, for making delicious yogurts that are better for our children, families, and our planet. We’re grateful for their dedication to this mission.

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Tips & Tools

Is it safe for my baby to travel in a car seat for hours at a time.

Dina DiMaggio, MD, FAAP

If you need to travel with young infant, a road trip may seem like a good option. After all, packed planes can expose babies to more germs.

If you're considering a longer car ride with your baby, here are some tips to help keep them safe and comfortable.

Check the car safety seat

If you plan to hit the road, it is important to make sure that your infant's car seat is properly installed. Be sure to read the instructions that came with the seat. The car seat needs to be rear-facing and installed at the correct angle.

Following the manufacturer's instructions for installation angle helps prevent your baby's head from slumping down in the seat. You want to avoid a chin-to-chest position that blocks their airway. Also, be sure the five-point harness system is correctly adjusted and pulled snug to your baby at all times while riding in the car.

While on the move, babies can sleep in a properly installed car seat in the car. Car seats are designed not only to protect a baby in a crash, but are also tested to keep babies in safe sleep positions if they doze off.

Still, car seats are not ideal for very extended periods when the baby is not being closely watched while sleeping. And they should not be considered a safe place to sleep for the baby outside of the car.

Ride in the backseat with your baby

It is always best to have an adult or responsible older child in the backseat with your baby to easily take care of their needs during the trip. This can help your baby stay on a schedule as much as possible. It allows you to feed them at their usual times (if bottle feeding), play with them, keep an eye out for issues such as car sickness and know when to stop for a diaper change. Being right by their side to sing, read or even massage them, will help avoid tears and make for a smoother journey.

Take regular breaks

It is important for you and your baby to get out of the car every few hours and take a stretch to avoid restlessness. Try to take a break every 2 to 3 hours for a day trip and every 4 to 6 hours at night to change diapers or soiled clothes, or to feed your baby. Never attempt to breastfeed in a moving car.

Before hitting the road, be prepared and know where gas stations and rest stops are on the way. In case you decide you need a longer break, it's a good idea to know where baby friendly hotels are located. If you aren't sure there will be a safe sleep space at your destination, bring a bassinet or portable play yard with you, since it's not safe for your baby to sleep in the car seat once you arrive.

Have essentials close by

Pack a diaper bag or cooler for the back seat to have handy essentials at your fingertips. This may include:

extra diapers, wipes, diaper cream, changing pad, clothes, garbage bags to dispose of diapers, and hand sanitizer

formula or breast milk kept on ice or in a cooling bag, and bibs

pacifiers, a favorite soothing toy, books, and a device to play music for entertainment

a thermometer

Have snacks and water readily available for yourself, too! If you need to stop for a coffee to go, remember not to leave your baby unattended in the car even briefly. Children can suffer heat stroke very quickly in hot cars.

Consider traveling when it best fits your infant's schedule

If you are traveling for a few hours, consider an early morning trip when your baby may still be sleeping, or during longer nap times. For longer trips, consider driving at night when your baby is normally asleep for the night.

Plan on things not going according to plan

Traveling with an infant can be stressful. It's important to take little bumps in stride and not get too stressed out when things don't go exactly according to plan. Focus on the positives: traveling in a car allows you to take as many stops as needed and to follow your own schedule.

Talk with your pediatrician if you have any questions about traveling with your infant.

More Information

• Ask the Pediatrician: When can children get the COVID-19 vaccine?
• Car Seats: Information for Families
• Preventing Child Deaths in Hot Cars
• Road Trip Play Ideas for Backseat Fun

​Dina DiMaggio, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician at Pediatric Associates of NYC and at NYU Langone Health. She is the co-author of ​ The Pediatrician's Guide to Feeding Babies and Toddlers , a comprehensive manual written by a team of medical, nutrition, and culinary experts. She also serves as an AAP spokesperson. Follow her on Instagram @Pediatriciansguide .​

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Driving with your baby or toddler long distance: tips for road trips

Read time 6 minutes

If you’re taking the car to your holiday destination or heading off on a road trip, here’s how to make your drive go smoothly

Car seats: the important part

Before you go anywhere in a car with your baby, the car seat needs to be fitted correctly. Most shops will make sure your car seat is properly fitted when you buy it. Follow all the safety instructions and make sure it’s right for your child’s height and weight.

Your child’s straps should be pulled tight so you can only fit one finger’s width between the strap and their body. Apart from being safe, this will also ensure your baby is comfortable enough in their car seat (Parents, 2012) .

If you’re hiring a car seat, make sure that it fits all of the same criteria. For full instructions, head to the government’s website (GOV.UK 2018) .

Be prepared…for everything

If your child suffers from travel sickness , talk to your GP or pharmacist about suggestions. You can then make sure you have whatever you need for the journey.

If your baby likes a dummy, keep some spare in the front of the car. You’ll be ready to pass one over every time they (inevitably) drop them on the floor (Baby routes, 2012) .

It can be handy to keep some first aid essentials too. This could include any prescription medicines that your baby might need, plasters or travel sickness pills (Parents, 2012) .

If it’s going to be sunny, bring shades for the window. These window shades can protect from lights at night time as well (Child Development Institute, 2003) .

In case you get stuck in traffic, make sure you’ve got snacks and drinks for yourself (Telegraph 2008; Child Development Institute 2018) .

Should I let my child have snacks in the car?

While having some snacks to chomp on can be a handy distraction for a toddler on a car journey, choking is a concern (Consumer Reports, 2018) . The general advice is to avoid giving your child snacks on a journey for two main reasons. First, the risk of choking and being able to deal with it quickly (Consumer Reports, 2018) . Second, the risk of accidents happening if you’re craning round to offer your child a snack (Consumer Reports, 2018) .

Instead, it’s safer to allow time for snacks before the journey and to pull over if you have to during the journey (Consumer Reports, 2018) .

If you’re breastfeeding or bottle feeding, always pull over too. It’s risky to take a child out of their car seat and feed en route (even if you’re sitting in the back seat).

Make the car fun

If they’re having fun, most babies and toddlers will enjoy a car journey. They might be interested enough in a lorry you pass or the child waving from the car in the next lane on the motorway. But toys attached to the overhead bar of the car seat or a book clipped to the seat can also help distract younger babies.

For toddlers, go for sticker books or a child-friendly tablet where they can catch a few episodes of Peppa Pig. Don’t forget music and nursery rhyme CDs on car journeys (Which?, 2018) . You could borrow some books from your library for your child to read or look at during the journey too (Child Development Institute, 2018) .

Having one person in the back seat to comfort or entertain can make journeys easier. Someone singing or playing games can help distract a baby or toddler a little while longer. Babies often prefer face-to-face time with their family than spending playing with their toys (Baby Can Travel, 2017) .

Schedule in breaks and nap times

It’s easiest to accept that with babies or toddlers, your journey is likely to take a lot longer than it would if it were just you (Child Development Institute, 2018) . The best thing to do is schedule your drive around the time that your child would normally sleep.

If it’s a long journey, allow plenty of time for breaks so they can stretch their legs and get a break from the car seat. It’s important not to keep them in their car seat for too long anyway (Baby Routes, 2012; Baby Can Travel, 2017) .

Don’t let your baby sleep too long in their car seat

Experts have warned not to use car seats as a general place for your baby to sleep in  (The Lullaby Trust, 2016, 2021) . It's okay if they do fall asleep for a short time when you're driving, but once you’re home, always move them into their cot, even if it means waking them up (The Lullaby Trust, 2021) .

If you have to travel a long way with your baby, make sure you take regular breaks where you take your baby out of the seat to stretch and move around. Ideally, an adult would travel in the back seat with your baby to keep an eye on them (The Lullaby Trust, 2021) . If that's not possible, keep checking them in your mirror.

For pre-term and young babies, the advice is to avoid travelling long distances. A study found they may be at risk of breathing difficulties if they're sitting in a car seat for too long (The Lullaby Trust, 2021) .

Safety first

Never leave your baby alone in the car, even for a minute (Child Development Institute, 2018) .

We know how a stressful and distracting a crying baby in the car can be. Rather than keep going, take time to stop and calm your baby before continuing with the journey (Child Development Institute, 2018) .

It’s illegal to smoke in the car with anyone under 18 because second-hand smoke in such an enclosed space is dangerous (GOV.UK, 2015) .

This page was last reviewed in May 2019, updated February 2024.

Further information

Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.

You might find attending one of our NCT New Baby courses helpful as they give you the opportunity to explore different approaches to important parenting issues with a qualified group leader and other new parents in your area.

Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what  NCT activities  are happening nearby.

Parents. (2012) How to travel with baby in the car. Available at: https://www.parents.com/baby/care/american-baby-how-tos/how-to-travel-with-baby-in-the-car/ [Accessed 12th June 2018]

Child Development Institute. (2003) Taking a road trip with your baby. Available at: https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/ages-stages/baby-infant-development-parenting/road-trip-with-babies/#.W9f3ytX7TIU [Accessed 12th June 2018]

Consumer Reports. (2018) Distracted driving: Why kids’ snacks and mom’s driving don’t mix. Available at https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2010/06/distracted-driving-why-kids-snacks-and-mom-s-driving-don-t-mix/index.htm [Accessed 12th June 2018]

Family Off Duty. (2018) Tips for road trip with toddlers and babies. Available at: https://familyoffduty.com/tips-for-road-trip-with-toddlers-and-babies/ [Accessed 12th June 2018]

GOV.UK. (2018) Child car seats: the law. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules [Accessed 12th June 2018]

The Lullaby Trust. (2016) The Lullaby Trust's statement regarding new research on car seats. Available at: https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/the-lullaby-trusts-statement-regarding-new-research-on-car-seats/ [Accessed 12th June 2018]

The Lullaby Trust Car seats and SIDS (2021)  https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/car-seats-and-sids/

Which? Top 10 baby and child travel tips. Available at: https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/travelling-with-children/article/travelling-with-children/top-10-baby-and-child-travel-tips [Accessed 12th June 2018]

Baby routes. (2012) Ten top tips for long car journeys with babies and young children. Available at: https://babyroutes.co.uk/ten-tips-long-car-journeys-children-babies/ [Accessed 12th June 2018]

Baby can travel. (2017) Road trip with a baby: 7 essential tips. Available at: https://www.babycantravel.com/2015/09/14/road-trip-with-a-baby-7-essential-tips/ [Accessed 12th June 2018]

Telegraph. (2008) Twenty tips: Travelling in a car with children. Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/familyholidays/2433320/Twenty-tips-Travelling-in-a-car-with-children.html [Accessed 12th June 2018]

GOV.UK. (2015) Smoking in cars with children banned from today. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/smoking-in-cars-with-children-banned-from-today [Accessed 12th June 2018]

Information you can trust from NCT

When it comes to content, our aim is simple: every parent should have access to information they can trust.

All of our articles have been thoroughly researched and are based on the latest evidence from reputable and robust sources. We create our articles with NCT antenatal teachers, postnatal leaders and breastfeeding counsellors, as well as academics and representatives from relevant organisations and charities.

Read more about our editorial review process .

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Road Trip With A Toddler: 15+ Tips After 50,000 Miles On The Road

Family road trips can be either amazing or super stressful. This is especially true with younger kiddos who have a harder time sitting still and entertaining themselves. But clocking in over 50,000 on the road in the last few years with our 5 young kids has taught us some tips to road trip with a toddler.

Here are some of our favorite toddler road trip tips, road trip hacks, and family road trip essentials. I hope they help make your journey a little smoother and more enjoyable!

1) Road Trips With Toddlers: Start Small

My first tip to successfully road trip with a toddler is to start small. A full 8 hour road trip with kids is probably not the best way to start out. Kids take time to adjust to new situations, and if you haven’t road tripped before, that’s a lot – even for an adult! Instead, start small. Start with a 1-3 hour ride. Get acclimated and make sure everything is comfortable and in working order. Once you have a few of those under your belt, you can slowly start to increase your hours in the car. You will be a road tripping family in no time!

2) Pack Clean Snacks

One of my favorite tips for road trips with toddlers! If your kids are anything like mine, they like to be eating practically nonstop when in the car or RV. But we’ve definitely made the mistake of choosing snacks that cause a giant mess and we regret it forever after. We also don’t like giving them tons of junk – that just makes them even more wiggly and unsettled. It works better for all of us if they have regular meals and healthy snacks. Definitely our most important family road trip essential!

Here are 50+ of our favorite healthy (and non-messy) road trip snacks for kids !

3) Use Stops To Get Out Wiggles

When we first started road tripping, we’d treat stops like we did when it was just adults – to sit and eat food. But we quickly figured out that road trip stops with kids are a different animal. Instead, with kids, we like to use these stops almost exclusively for movement.

It’s hard for young kiddos to sit still for long periods of time in a vehicle. Their bodies are designed to be moving frequently! So whenever we paused for gas or for a break, we make sure to take this time to get out wiggles. This might mean pulling over near a big field or playground where they can run around. Or it may mean doing jumping jacks on the grassy area of a gas station. Either way, we try to get out as many wiggles as possible.

Plus, movement often takes less time than sitting and eating. Kids often get antsy sitting down for full meals, anyway, so there’s no reason to make them sit in a restaurant and then sit even more in their seats. Instead, we like to pack easy-to-eat road trip meals that they can have while we’re on the road.

Of course, be very cautious about food that you give to young children and make sure they are supervised, and avoid choking hazards.

4) Always Use The Proper Child Restraint

This is at the top of the list as far as importance goes for road trip tips for toddlers. It can sometimes be tempting to allow a young child to slide under a shoulder belt to sleep while the car is moving. This could be super dangerous in the event of a crash. Instead, if you have a child who is likely to fall asleep in the car at some point, avoid using a low-back booster that requires them to keep their bodies upright.

Instead, a 5-point harness is a safer option when road tripping with toddlers. If your child has outgrown a 5-point harness, a high-back booster or this booster Ride Safer Vest are great options that keep them in better positioning. (Here are our favorite travel car seats .)

5) Make Sure Everyone Packs An Activity Bag

I love having each of my kids pack their own travel backpack with essentials that they can easily access. This can be especially useful for long road trips with toddlers. This also tends to keep things better contained than a basket of stuff, which often gets stepped on or otherwise destroyed.

I love that having their own activity bag means they can choose what they’re interested in for a long family road trip. This makes it so they are much more likely to stay engaged with those activities. This is a great way to keep toddlers busy on long road trips.

Here’s everything they keep in their kids’ travel backpacks . They often bring more activities for a road trip than when flying, of course – more books and perhaps a few little toys to keep them occupied. And here are our favorite toddler road trip activities !

6) Give Everyone A Spillproof Water Bottle

When on a road trip with toddlers, spillproof water bottles are the very best way to make sure spills don’t ruin the car and its contents. We make sure everyone has their own so they can stay hydrated.

Insulated kids water bottles are my preferred oens so that drinks stay cold for a while (especially helpful if you need milk for younger kiddos). I like this  hard spout insulated sippy  for babies and young toddlers. The  Contigo Stainless Steel Water Bottle Autospout  and the  Thermos Funtainer 12oz. are great travel water bottles for younger kids. I also like  the Contigo Spill Proof Tumbler  (which is surprisingly spill-resistant, but the straw can get dirty since it doesn’t have a cover).

My older kids absolutely LOVE the  Takeya Actives Insulated Water Bottle  – it’s a great size, fits in a side pocket, and keeps drinks cold for sooo long. If we’re planning to hike quite a bit on our travels, my kids pack their amazing  kids hiking hydration backpacks  and generally just use those for water on the road trip (we don’t often fly with these).

For adults, we really love the  Contigo Autospout Water Bottle and Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Straw Lid .

7) Listen to Audiobooks & Music on Long Road Trips

Audiobooks are for sure our #1 favorite way to pass time on long road trips with kids. We almost always download them from the Libby app through our library, then play them via Bluetooth on our car’s speaker system. Everyone stays interested and engaged and QUIET, and the grown ups like them as much as the kids. You could also just read out loud to everyone if you prefer! Podcasts can also be great, especially for younger kiddos (Circle Round is wonderful even for toddlers!).

If kids want to listen to individual audiobooks, the Yoto player is perfect for that. These headphones are perfect in the car because they’re soft and don’t interfere with car seats. (My oldest prefers these .) Music on the Yoto is also really fun to listen to! (You can use this link to purchase, and the code PREETHI10 for 10% off the regular Yoto player.)

Here are some of our favorite USA road trip novels for kids .

8) Pack 8 Million Baby Wipes to Road Trip With a Toddler

Even if you don’t have kids in diapers. Even if you think you have enough. I promise, you will use them for everything. Cleaning faces and hands. Wiping down the car dash or seat. So many things on a road trip with a toddler or even big kids.

9) Keep Trash Bags Accessible

All those baby wipes need to go somewhere! A great long road trip tip is to hang trash bags where kiddos can reach them and immediately throw stuff away instead of letting it all accumulate. Of course, be very cautious about not having plastic bags too close to babies and young children.

10) Put On A Bib For Little Ones

We absolutely love full coverage bibs at home – they’re the only ones that actually work to keep kiddos relatively clean, it seems. And they work in the car, too! Since they go on from the front, we just put them on their arms on top of the car seat, and it keeps them a little bit cleaner during family road trips.

Ikea is the cheapest place to get them (and ours have held up perfectly for years and years), but if you don’t have one close by, you can also purchase the Ikea one on Amazon . There are also some similar ones available , as well.

11) Pack Extra Ziplock Bags

This is another item where I’m often shocked at how useful they are. Handing out snacks. Gathering up snacks. Or, in the event of a car sickness emergency, handing back as a sickness bag that can then reseal. They’re so helpful in so many instances when road tripping with kids.

12) There’s No Shame in Technology On Family Road Trips

There’s no shame in watching movies while on the road. We usually hold off on them because our kids tend to get grumpy when we watch too much. So we might have one at the end of a really long road trip driving day, but they’re rare. But if they work for you? Awesome. They might be absolutely worth it for your family and might be great with your kids. There’s zero shame in that. Use it if you need to. Use an iPad if you need to. It’ll be just fine.

We personally LOVE traveling with kids Kindles . They’re easy to pack, the battery lasts for forever, and they hold soooo many books. They keep our reading-on-their-own age kids occupied for hours especially on busy family road trips.

13) Use Sleep Cues to Successfully Road Trip With a Toddler

If we’re driving late on a long road trip, it’s often best if we can get our kids to fall asleep in the car. Neither Dan nor I is good at staying up through the night, so we never drive that long. We have gotten in well past kiddo bedtime many times before.

We find it’s really helpful to have their regular sleep cues handy while driving. As it gets closer to evening, we have them change into pajamas, get an animal (and pacifier for the baby), and sometimes a blanket or pillow (easier in the RV).

We also have one particular CD of peaceful religious music that we’ve had for years, and it always signals to our kids that it’s time to go to sleep. They’ve heard it during enough late-night drives that it cues to them to settle down. We’ve also been known to play white noise on an app on our phones that we play through Bluetooth on the car stereo, but this is obviously less pleasant for us to listen to. 😉

14) Carry Emergency Supplies for Family Road Trips

There’s nothing like having a vehicle break down while on a road trip with kids. We always like to carry a few emergency supplies just in case. Here are some family road trip essentials for emergencies:

• Portable car battery jump starter (can jump your vehicle without another one present)
• Car tire air compressor
• First aid kit
• Drinking water
• Portable phone charger

15) Practice

“Practice makes perfect” is true for road tripping with kids, too. My final tip to road trip with a toddler is to practice. Our kids have gotten really good at road tripping and occupying themselves on the road because they’ve done it a ton. And anytime we haven’t been on a long ride in a while, they get more antsy the first day, but then get the hang of it by the 2nd. If it doesn’t work out the first time, try again. Try different things that might work for your family. Stop frequently if you need to, or drive longer through the night if it works better. Figure out what is best for your family to successfully road trip, and do it.

IF YOU LIKED THIS POST ABOUT TIPS TO ROAD TRIP WITH A TODDLER, YOU MIGHT LIKE THESE POSTS TOO:

• Toddler Road Trip Activities
• 50+ Healthy Road Trip Snacks for Kids
• Tips for Travel with Baby or Toddler

DON’T NEED TIPS TO ROAD TRIP WITH A TODDLER QUITE YET? PIN THIS POST FOR LATER!

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11 responses.

Hey Preethi! Love this post:) we have almost 5 kiddos (#5 in June) and our eldest is 6. I want to be more comfortable with road trips and I found this really helpful. I can’t find a link for the bibs you recommend. Any chance you could share that with me?

Thanks you!

Congratulations on your baby!! I’m so glad this was helpful. And so sorry about that – I’ve updated the bibs info with links. Enjoy!

Love this! My parents live about 3hrs away, do kids are used to a longish drive. We are inbarking on our first big road trip this Spring.

Q – how many hours do you try to drive a day, if you’re going far from home? Especially without an RV? I(‘m anticipating that 6 hrs is the most we might do in a day, and am really only expecting 4 hrs at most before meltdowns begin.)

Hi Leticia – how fun!! It really depends on how far we drive based on our destination, how much we’re seeing along the way, etc. If we’re just trying to get to a destination, we’ve done up to 12-13 hours in a day before. I wouldn’t do that as a first big road trip, but it also totally depends on your kids. Have a great trip!!

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All the Gear That Helped Me Survive a 3,000-Mile Road Trip With a Baby

My husband and I recently completed a two-nation, eight-state, 3,000-mile road trip from Minneapolis to the East Coast and back via Canada. Because we’re masochists, we brought our 11-month-old son along for the ride.

Not that it was an entirely masochistic endeavor. Despite Julian’s first flight being a total disaster, we felt confident planning a cross-country journey because he’d joined us for shorter, several-day road trips since he was 6 weeks old. We kinda knew what worked: syncing long driving stretches to his morning and afternoon naps. And what didn’t: riding in the back seat with him, which just gave our budding Oscar nominee a captive audience. We mapped the route accordingly, building in enough overnight stays that we wouldn’t need to drive more than four to six hours per day and planning breaks every 90 minutes or so to eat, pee, and stretch our legs at curious roadside attractions like Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland , the world’s biggest and creepiest Christmas store.

Casual adherents to baby-led weaning, we fed Julian whenever he was hungry and kept the mood in our Mazda CX-5 upbeat with El Reino Infantil and Daddy Yankee’s “Rompe” on repeat. (Don’t knock it till you try it.) It’s absolutely worth noting that I don’t breastfeed or pump , which makes traveling with a small tyrant about 2,000 times easier. Furthermore, Julian doesn’t get carsick — I know from friends of puke-prone kids just how paralyzing that is for would-be road trippers. (FWIW, two out of two parents recommended Dramamine for Kids , which is safe for ages 2 and up; a third with an up-chucker under 1 vouched for the long-sleeved smocks from Bumkins, noting gravely, “I can’t stop her from projectile vomiting on the backseat, but at least I can keep her shirt clean.”)

Although we still made rookie mistakes in those 2.5 weeks — did you know babies hate idling in traffic? Never again will we drive through Chicago instead of around it — we also carried a few products that saved us serious grief. In addition to a trustworthy car seat (the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible is aces when paired with a piddle-proof liner ) and a good travel crib (we’re Camp Guava Lotus , despite having to YouTube instructions every time we fold it up), what follows are some of our less expected essentials for hitting the road with a BOB (that’s “baby on board” for those of you who still have lives).

Eating on the road

Before I discovered this stackable snack organizer, I was jamming random crumb-filled Ziplocs in Julian’s diaper bag. The snacks would get crushed beyond recognition, and I was wasting a ton of plastic. The modular design of this twist-off container keeps me in check: I replenish the snacks regularly, they hold their shape, and food — especially fruit — stays fresher longer. Each compartment holds up to eight ounces, and the hooked lid can be hung off strollers and totes. Julian hasn’t figured out how to open it himself yet, but he lights up whenever he glimpses his neon tower of treats — its mere existence makes it an antidote for backseat meltdowns.

Julian has been teething since he was 4 months old but didn’t pop his first tooth until two weeks ago. At home, he enjoys gumming these vaguely fruity styrofoam teething biscuits from Happy Baby, but we learned the hard way that they make an icky-sticky mess when ground into the fabric of a car seat. So somewhere between Philadelphia and Cleveland, we gave these tomato-flavored puffy sticks a whirl and haven’t looked back. They’re baked, not fried, and made with certified-organic corn meal, rice, quinoa, tomato, carrot, and rosemary, meaning they check all the feel-good boxes while still tasting awesome. (Not gonna lie, I eat a third of every bag I open for Julian.) More importantly: no gunk! The sticks are easy for Julian to hold, so he feeds himself, and they magically melt the second they touch his tongue.

It doesn’t matter how divey a roadside diner is, my husband and I would never leave a mess for a server to clean up. Julian, on the other hand, is at that unreasonable age when the only way he knows how to eat is Jackson Pollock style. We travel with a thousand million baby wipes for this reason, but this placemat came in handy when dining at restaurants on our road trip. Made of supple, food-safe silicone, it’s available in an array of cute prints (ramen, sushi, anthropomorphic avocados) and takes up minimal room in his baby bag. We park Julian in a high chair , spread out the placemat like a picnic blanket, and wait for the chaos to rain down. When he’s satisfied with his edible work of art, we roll it up like a taquito and take it to the bathroom for a quick rinse under the faucet. The mat doesn’t catch everything, but it’s that much less food we have to wipe up while apologizing profusely to the waitstaff.

Sometimes dining in a restaurant with a baby isn’t worth the hassle/public humiliation. When we needed to eat in a hotel room or Airbnb, we used this two-in-one, infant-feeding seat we found at the resale chain Kid to Kid . For babies 6 months and up, it works like a compact high chair with an attached tray. For toddlers up to 33 pounds, you remove the tray and it acts as a booster seat at a table. On our road trip, we used the safety straps to secure the seat to an array of chairs, making feeding time so much easier. At first, I worried that the hard plastic design would suck up too much space in the car, but it’s surprisingly compact when folded down, fitting on the floor behind the passenger seat. It’s also easier to clean than the fabric versions.

Changing on the road

When Julian was around 8 months old, I fell for some Instagram momfluencer clucking about her beloved Caraa baby tote . The bag is useful from an organizational standpoint, but it’s the size of a clown car and throws my back out of whack when fully loaded. And I certainly didn’t want to lug it around when I was bolting into a rest stop for a quick diaper change. That’s where this roll-up changing pad came in. It slips over my wrist like a clutch and fits everything we need and nothing we don’t to get our son cleaned up: baby wipes, disposable bags (see below), Aquaphor, and fresh diapers (truth: overnight swaddlers are the MVPs of long car trips). It also has a built-in memory-foam pillow, providing a clean, padded surface for nasty restroom counters and floors (or, in a pinch, the trunk of our car).

At home, we rely on an Ubbi steel diaper pail to keep our baby’s stank under control. On the road, there’s no such option. Considering many hotels did away with daily housekeeping services during the pandemic, it was even more important that we find an interim solution to soiled nappies. Enter this pocket-size, disposable diaper-bag dispenser from Munchkin. It comes with 72 baking-soda-infused bags from Arm & Hammer, and let me tell you: These bags are big enough to hold the heaviest pee-soaked diaper and deodorized enough to block noxious smells the minute they’re tied off. They even have a faint lavender scent, which is about as pleasant as a bag designed to hold baby poop gets. We now keep a roll tucked in our changing pad, another in the diaper bag, and a third in our glove compartment — just in case.

Bathing on the road

Bathing a baby in a hotel, motel, or Airbnb is always a dicey prospect. If the bathtub or shower isn’t immaculate enough to sit in while shaving my legs, I don’t want my kiddo splashing around in there — and no way am I schlepping a free-standing baby tub on a 3,000-mile road trip. By 11 months, however, Julian was too big-boned and squirmy for sink baths. Our road trip solution: micellar water, the same quick fix I use at home when I’m too lazy to wash my face. Mustela’s hypoallergenic avocado- and aloe vera–infused cleansing water is specifically formulated for babies. I put a few squirts on a cotton pad or washcloth and go to town, wiping down Baby Boy’s face, neck, body, and diaper area. It’s a fine stand-in for a bath because it requires no water and smells soapy-fresh with a hint of spring flowers. I use it on Julian’s hair, too, as it’s very good at taming a cowlick without matting down his baby-fine locks.

Sleeping on the road

For me, the most anxiety-inducing part of this road trip wasn’t the driving bit; it was the prospect of our melodramatic offspring having a nuclear meltdown in a hotel with whisper-thin walls. (At least when he screams bloody murder in a car, nobody suffers but us.) I know a lot of parents use SlumberPods to create blackout sleeping conditions for their babies, but those seem awfully bulky when packing space is at a premium. To emulate Julian’s nighttime routine on the road, we aimed to check in for the night by 7 p.m. Airbnb rentals were ideal because we could set up his Pack ’n’ Play in a separate room, but when we had to make do with a studio-style hotel room, we’d stick his travel crib in a dark closet or bathroom, switch on a white-noise app, and plug in his rotating night-light projector — the same kind we use in his nursery back home. The Moredig is small and portable and, depending on the filter you select, turns any ceiling into a galaxy of slow-churning moons and stars or a colorful aquarium teeming with fish. We still had to sneak around all mouselike behind closed doors, but the light show provided a familiar enough distraction that Julian usually drifted off to sleep after ten or 15 minutes.

Julian is a pretty good road tripper, all things considered. On the rare occasion that he acted a fool in a restaurant, hotel, or bumper-to-bumper traffic, and no amount of tomato sticks or Daddy Yankee jams could snap him out of a tantrum, we called into play our final line of defense: Infant+, a.k.a. hypnotherapy for babies. Despite the tsk-tsking of the anti-smartphone crowd, we’ve used this app since Julian was able to turn over. Its pleasant piano music and high-contrast black, white, and red animations of simple shapes like stars and circles grab a baby’s attention like André Leon Talley at an Amish barn raising. It’s repetitive but incredibly soothing — a Sandman for the 21st century.

Playing on the road

This stupid-simple rolling car meets all the demands of helicopter parents: no electronics, sustainably made with rubberwood and nontoxic paints, yada yada yada. But here’s what I really love about this toy : It’s quiet . No blinking, buzzing, drive-you-bananas, jibber-jabbering tomfoolery to disturb other hotel guests or make you contemplate a forever walk into the ocean. It rolls like Mario Andretti on hardwood floors, tile, and low-pile carpeting, and when Julian inevitably mic drops it, it doesn’t clatter quite as loudly as its plastic and metal brethren. Its diminutive size also makes it easy for Julian’s clumsy baby paws to grasp. Although his ability to play with this toy when strapped into a car seat is limited, he takes pleasure in simply holding it, bending its articulated body this way and that and spinning its wheels with his chubby little fingers. We’ve even brought the quiet car on plane rides, grateful for the brief diversion it provides during takeoff and landing.

Car trips are tough on a baby. They’re long and boring, and I’m sure it’s very lonely in the backseat when all your people are riding shotgun. One thing that alleviated some of Julian’s restlessness was this alpaca that we mistakenly named Llama. The important thing here is not what type of camelid Llama is, but that he’s a floppy, raglike creature that wears a placid expression on his face. Like every animal in the Slumberkins’ lineup , he’s designed to teach children how to cope with big feelings. Llama the Alpaca’s particular superpower is absorbing stress and anxiety, which seems apropos for a baby on a 3,000-mile road trip. Julian loves to chatter at his friend, squeeze and strangle him, gnaw his ears, chuck him across the backseat, and then cry until I undo my seatbelt and fish him back. Their relationship is a one-sided emotional rollercoaster, but every dumping session ends the same way — with Julian passed out in the car seat, his Llama slumped in his lap and us enjoying the silence.

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Meredith Adkisson

35 Things To Do On a Long Car Ride With Kids for a Happy Road Trip in 2024

Road trips can be a blast, but it could be another story if you’re traveling with the kids . We’ve learned that preparing for the drive is just as important as planning what to do when you get to your destination. That umpteen-hour drive to and from Disney World can have you cursing Cinderella before you even make it to the panhandle.

I mean, while we know we can’t expect joy-filled giggles or total peace and quiet the entire drive, I do have some great ideas to make the drive more enjoyable and to help keep the kids from declaring total mutiny in the backseat. If you’ve got a road trip planned, you’ll definitely want to keep reading for sanity-saving things to do on a long car ride with kids .

This post may contain affiliate links to products that earn me a small commission. These come at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting my small business!

Kids’ Activities and Games for a Long Car Ride

Whether your long car ride is 2 hours or 20 hours, you’ll want to be prepared. Depending upon your kid’s age, stage, and ability to entertain themselves, you might need just a few fun ideas or an entire arsenal of activities that will help beat boredom without an overload of screen time. Be sure and add some of these items to your road trip packing list!

LCD Writing Tablet

I love these LCD writing tab lets! Kids can write, draw, and erase all day. The battery lasts about 12 months of use and is replaceable when it goes out, so you don’t have to worry about keeping it charged. Just toss it in a diaper bag or backpack and you have an instant creative outlet for the car ride.

Reusable Sticker Books

For little ones on a long car ride, I love these reusable sticker books ! They’re safe for the car because the stickers easily peel off a car window or seat back. Whoever created these deserves a medal, says every parent who has scraped old stickers from their door panels after a long car trip.

Sticker Activity Books

There are lots of options for sticker/activity books, but I especially love these beautifully illustrated travel-themed ones for older kids. This 50 States sticker book is fun and is a great geography lesson, especially if you’ll be crossing several state lines during your road trip. This National Park book is also a great idea if you’ll be road-tripping to any of these incredible parks.

Travel Activity Desk

If your kid prefers drawing on paper, then a travel activity desk is awesome. Find one that has pockets for all of their supplies and easily zips open and closed, so you’re not hunting for markers and loose crayons the entire road trip.

Magnetic Puzzles and Games

There are all kinds of magnetic puzzles and games available, from tangrams to chess. I love that the pieces stay attached, so there’s less chance of losing them. My kids love Minecraft , so I’m excited to pull out this puzzle for our next road trip!

Magnetic Drawing Board

The magnetic drawing board is similar to a writing tablet, but in this case, the stylus moves tiny magnetic beads to the surface of the board. When you want to “erase” it, simply push the beads back down. This is a great sensory, mess-free activity for kids for long car rides.

Play Travel “I Spy”

No road trip is complete without road trip games. Here’s a game you can play the old-school way or get a pack of travel cards to play this game with your family as a way to pass the time. It’s a great way to get the kids engaged in the world outside the car and sharpens their observation skills.

Lacing Toys

My girls loved these lacing toys when they were little. They felt like they were learning to sew, while at the same time strengthening their fine motor skills. They’re great for car rides since there are no small pieces, plus they’re easily packable for your road trip.

Busy Boards

A busy board is an engaging, sensory experience for your toddlers or preschoolers. Your little kids will be able to practice skills, such as zipping or buckling. They’ll love the textures and colors and learn basic skills that every school-age kid needs to know. These busy boards make it a fun way to pass the time on a road trip, as well as learn life skills in the car.

Play the Alphabet Game

Similar to “I Spy,” the alphabet game gets your kiddos looking for letters of the alphabet on road signs, billboards, and license plates on your long car ride. It’s a great way to get them reading without realizing they’re doing it on the long car ride. I love these free printable alphabet games from Military One Source.

You’re probably laughing right now, but seriously… This idea from MammaPapaBubba is genius. You can create your own travel Lego kit that will let your kiddos build in the car for hours without dropping dozens of tiny Legos in the bottomless pit of your back seat.

Play a License Plate Game

Here’s one of my favorite road trip games. I used to play the license plate game as a kid. Of course, we did it the old-school way with paper and pencil, but you can find some really neat games to bring along in the car, like this Melissa and Doug version or these License Plate Travel Bingo cards.

Surprise Bags

Packing some DIY blind bags with some figurines your kids would love is so much fun. They’ll be thrilled about the surprise as they pull out unexpected fun things. On our trip to Disney, I ordered a big pack of little Disney toys on eBay for WAY cheaper than I would have paid at the park. And because it was a surprise to my kids, they were over the moon excited.

Road Trip Bingo

There are tons of free, printable Bingo games your kids can play on your long car ride, like these from the Travel Channel or these for your Bluey fans .

Pro tip: Put them in page protectors in a binder, so you can continue to add to your travel Bingo collection over the years.

Game on a Nintendo Switch

If you don’t have one of these super popular handheld gaming devices, it might be worth investing in one or borrowing one if you’ll be in the car for hours. While we typically try to avoid excessive amounts of screen time, desperate times call for desperate measures. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to help the kids stay entertained. (The Switch is also available in a Lite version at a lower price point. )

Activities for Everyone for a Long Car Ride

The opportunity to spend hours together on a long car ride can be a great time to bond, plan, and enjoy some road trip entertainment. Here are some great ideas for family activities that little kids, teens , and adults can either enjoy together or separately when we need a break from each other.

Save the Trip Planning For the Car

If you have a flexible week ahead of you at your destination, take the time to plan on your car ride instead of nailing it all down before. Let the kids weigh in on meals, activities, etc. It will fill the time and let the kids have more buy-in on your road trip. This is especially important if you have older kids/teens who might be more reluctant about a family trip.

Listen to a Podcast

It seems there are endless podcast choices available. Depending upon the age and interests of your family, choose one to listen to together, or download podcasts on individual devices for some quiet listening time. There are even podcasts made for children as young as two years old, so there’s definitely something for everyone.

Listen To Your Own Music

If you have a music subscription, download music to your child’s tablet or phone ahead of time when you’re connected to Wi-Fi. We have a Spotify family account, and each of us can create our own library of music. Having control over music on the drive gives everyone a little sanity and control over their environment when everyone is in need of some personal space and time.

Learn a New Language

An extended amount of time in the car is a great time to work on your second language skills. You could choose a podcast to listen to or practice on a free language learning app, such as Duolingo . There are lots of options for practicing the language of your choice.

Listen to an Audiobook

I love that I can download audiobooks on the Libby app from my public library. Listening to a novel is one of the other best ways to pass the hours on long car rides. It’s free and there are tons of choices. You can also sign up for an Audible membership if your public library doesn’t offer this service.

Tip: if your local library doesn’t offer this or has many audiobooks available, check with a bigger city in your state. Some of them will allow residents of the state to create an account for free. If you’re in TX, you can get an online card from the Houston Public Library and get FREE access to tons of books and audiobooks!

Find an Interesting Gas Station

The south has its Bucees and the Northeast has its Wawa. If you’re into gas stations that seem to offer it all, you’ll find it at one of these locations.

There are also some incredibly unique gas stations across the US that are worth a stop and might even be worth going out of your way to visit.

Make Foodie Stops

If speed is your thing, then you might want to skip right over this. But if you love to try local food, then plan your drive around it. Some of our favorite stops have been at local spots that we’ve found on our drive. It’s much better than wolfing down some greasy fries while you’re driving, IMO.

Play “While You Were Sleeping”

This might be one of my favorites. ???? When someone in the car falls asleep, everyone else QUIETLY creates a story about what happened while the sleeping passenger was snoozing. The goal is to make them believe you, so depending upon the gullibility of your crew, you can go as big as you want with your story.

Forbidden Words

This is a hilarious game to get everyone involved in. At the beginning of the trip, you set some words that are forbidden from being spoken, like “bathroom” or “hungry.” If someone in the car says one of these words, they are either out of the game or you could have them complete a task like eating some BeanBoozled jelly beans . The rules are really up to you!

Play Decades

This is another favorite game of ours, and I don’t know if it has a real name, but that’s what we call it.

Someone in the car calls out a decade. Then everyone takes turns picking out a song from that decade. It’s sure to get some laughs and likely some groans. Spotify playlists make this an easy game to play.

Watch a Movie

One of my favorite features of Netflix is that I can download hours of movies onto my kids’ tablet or phone. This is great for airplane rides and really long car rides, especially if you don’t have cellular service or have limited data.

Take a Photo-Op

Break up the drive by finding some Insta-Worthy photo ops along the way. It’s a great way to document your trip while you stretch your legs.

Find a Park

Chances are, there are some fun parks or playgrounds along your travel route. If you’re traveling during the day, plan to stop and let the kids run off some steam. If they play hard enough, you might get some quiet nap time afterward.

Things to Do to Make it a Relaxing Long Car Ride

Sometimes after a few hours on a long car ride, you can start to feel trapped or overwhelmed, especially if you or your kids are highly sensitive or have special needs. This is a struggle for our family, so I have to be proactive at trying to create a calm environment in the car. To help prevent meltdowns and overwhelm, these items help to encourage rest and calm on our road trips.

Pack Snacks!

If we had to stop every time someone said, “I’m hungry,” we’d waste HOURS. But we’ll also do almost anything to avoid having “hangry” passengers.

Before your trip, it’s a great idea to go snack shopping. Let the kids pick out their faves, but make sure you also pack some healthy snacks. We love to bring a small cooler to toss in some string cheese, apple slices, and grapes.

Headphones or Earplugs

Having a pair of headphones or earplugs for every person is going to make your road trip so much easier when everyone is wanting to listen to their own music, show, etc. I love having wireless headphones, but it’s helpful to have a wired pair on hand in case you aren’t able to charge a set.

Sometimes, you don’t want to listen to anything but need some quiet. My daughter has misophonia and is very easily over-stimulated by sounds. On a road trip, she either uses her noise-canceling Airpod Pros with or without any music playing or will wear these Loop earplugs to help muffle sounds.

Invest in Travel Pillows

This is an essential part of your road trip. Finding a travel pillow that works to support your head and neck will make a huge difference on your road trip and help guarantee that you’ll get some good rest.

If you’re like me and have a hard time getting enough neck support, then you might love this unique neck pillow . I was skeptical at first, but it was a game changer on a 9-hour overnight flight.

Darken the Windows

If you’re traveling during the day, adding some removable window shades will help block out some of the sunlight and help your passengers get some rest during the drive, and cut down on glare.

These silk, adjustable eye masks should be part of your road trip essentials. If you or your crew have trouble sleeping during the day, these lightweight eye masks provide a black-out environment to help you rest on the road.

Aromatherapy

Traveling in a car together can result in some interesting…aromas. To help keep it fresh, you might enjoy one of these travel diffusers . It sits in your cup holder and plugs into a USB outlet. Bring along your favorite essential oil blends and create a relaxing environment.

Fidget with a Fidget

From toddlers to adults, a fidget can be a sanity saver on a long drive for your anxious or antsy travelers. For me, having something to do with my hands helps me stay off my phone. If you have older kids and teens, they’ll likely enjoy these Shape-Shifting Cubes . Younger kids will love these variety packs . You can pull a new one out every hour to change it up.

Wrapping Up

Family road trips, while exhausting, can be a lot of fun! If you plan well for your road trip ahead of time, you can actually make some really fun memories during the drive, as well as help keeps everyone entertained and well-rested.

If everyone is sick of each other and angry before you arrive, it can affect the rest of your trip and keep you from fully enjoying the fun things you planned the rest of the time. So next time you are planning to hit the open road, refer back to our list to get ideas for your road trip.

Let us know your best tips for surviving and enjoying long car rides with your family!

Meredith lives in Cowtown, aka Fort Worth, TX with her husband Brian, three daughters, and three kitty cats. She is obsessed with travel and coffee. When she isn't writing, you might find her relaxing on a patio with an iced coffee, dreaming up her next trip.

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25 Practical Tips for Long Road Trips

By Jason Barnette | Travel writer and photographer with 15+ years of road tripping experience

• Last Updated on May 25, 2024
• Published on July 7, 2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my Affiliate Disclosure here .

You’re finally ready to embark on that epic road trip that will take you across the country from sea to shining sea. The gas tank is full, you’ve checked off every item on the packing list, and you’re ready to hit the road. But are you actually ready for a long road trip?

The longer a road trip, the more complicated it can get. I didn’t say would get, but it certainly can get complicated. Have you packed enough clothing for the entire trip, or will you need to do laundry along the way? Are you ready for chilly nights, rain, and unexpected adventures? Unfortunately, these are the kinds of questions many people don’t consider until the road trip is underway – and it’s too late to make many changes.

These 25 practical tips for long road trips will help you get prepared long before you leave home, save money along the way, and help you spend more time enjoying the road trip and less time dealing with those pesky complications.

Buy food at grocery stores instead of gas stations

Road trip snacks are almost as necessary as gasoline for the car – they even perform similar functions. But one of the worst things a person can do on a road trip is to buy the snacks spontaneously at random gas stations along the way.

Save money and time with those snacks at grocery stores or bulk purchase stores. Stock up on all the snacks, drinks, and coffee at a fraction of the price of buying it along the way. The more you save, the longer you can drive.

Get your car inspected

Before leaving home, get your car inspected. Most national chain auto repair shops offer free inspections because they want your business when they find something wrong with the car.

But it’s an excellent way to get all the fluids topped off, tires rotated and balanced, and the hundreds of moving parts of a car inspected before you leave. Spur of the moment auto repairs during a road trip can be prohibitively expensive – not to mention you might have to shack up at a roadside motel for a few days while the work is done.

Keep your car maintained

Did you know properly inflated tires can lead to better gas mileage? Under-inflated tires cause a drop of 0.2% miles per gallon for every 1 PSI of all tires. That may not seem like much, but it can add up on long road trips.

Consider a 5,000-mile road trip in a vehicle that gets 30 miles per gallon. This would require 167 gallons of gas to complete the trip. However, if all four tires are underinflated by an average of 4 PSI, that means the vehicle is only achieving 27.6 miles per gallon. This would require 182 gallons to complete the trip – an increase of 15 gallons.

Beyond tire pressure, be sure to maintain fluids for the radiator, brakes, and engine oil to prevent damage to the engine. Replaced burned out headlights and taillights immediately. Keep up with oil changes and tire rotations for trips longer than 5,000 miles.

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Set a reasonable daily mileage goal

The point of a road trip is to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Driving 500 miles per day on the interstate highways doesn’t make for a very enjoyable road trip adventure. Driving that far on two-lane roads is incredibly tedious and exhausting.

By the time you stop at a couple roadside attractions, go for a hike in a state park, sit down for lunch, and take a short detour, the number of miles you’ll be able to cover in a single day will be limited at best. But that’s the point of the road trip! Set a limited number of miles to drive each day, giving yourself plenty of time to enjoy everything you’ll discover along the way.

Avoid rush hour traffic and peak dinner times

Sitting in congested traffic and waiting for food are two of the biggest examples of losing time on a long road trip. In fact, those are the biggest time wasters for just about any kind of travel. But there is a simple way to avoid losing time: avoid rush hour and peak dinner times.

Eat breakfast after 9 a.m., get lunch around 2 p.m., and consider dinner either early at 4 p.m. or wait until 7 p.m. During those time frames, you’ll get seated faster, and food served quicker. Also, when driving around town or between destinations, avoid the rush hours of 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.

As an added bonus, use a navigation app or dedicated GPS device in your car that includes traffic information – this information will help you spot potential traffic jams from congestion, construction, or accidents and usually includes optional detours. Using an app like OpenTable ( iOs | Android ) will allow you to make reservations at many restaurants – cutting down the time spent waiting for a table to open.

Road Trip to the 8 Presidential Sites Throughout Northern Ohio

A void Small Town Travel on Sundays and Mondays

Roll into almost any small town with a population of less than 20,000 on a Sunday or Monday, and you’re likely to find every restaurant, museum, and attraction closed. It’s not from the owners’ lack of business sense but rather because the owners often work in their businesses, and they want a couple of days off each week.

Sundays and Mondays tend to be the most common days these local businesses are closed. However, it may also include mid-weekdays like Tuesday and Wednesday. Instead of visiting the small towns, consider spending the night in state or national parks, driving scenic routes, or just taking a couple of days to relax.

Pack everything – including the kitchen sink

I own six rain jackets, four sets of trekking poles, and two pairs of Crocs Swiftwater shoes . It’s not because I want a particular color combination for each day of the week, but instead because I kept leaving the items behind, thinking I wouldn’t need them.

Pack everything you can possibly fit into your vehicle for a long road trip. Go beyond your tentative itinerary and think about things you enjoy doing that you might want to do along the way. Take those golf clubs or stunt kites, pack the fleece hoodie, and bring more than two pairs of shoes. Although it’s impossible to prepare for every eventuality, every little bit helps save money in the budget.

Fill the gas tank on Monday

GasBuddy ( iOS | Android ) conducted a survey a few years ago to determine the best and worst times for gas prices. Interestingly, Mondays were the cheapest day of the week to get gas on average, with the best time coming around 10 a.m.

Also, interesting – though not surprising – was that the worst day to get gas was Friday or the day before a major holiday. During those days, gas prices tended to spike first thing in the morning.

18 Essential Items That Belong on Every Road Trip Packing List

Don’t rely on cellular service

One universal constant of any long road trip is the eventuality of running into a cellular dead zone. Rural areas in the Midwest, rugged terrain in the Rockies, and sporadically throughout the Southeastern United States are areas in between cellular towers that will leave your cellphone or tablet as useful as screen doors for submarines.

Be prepared to eventually lose cellular service during your long road trip. Download Google Maps ( iOS | Android ) for offline use, make sure all your apps are up to date, and download movies for entertainment. Doing as much of this as possible while connected to WIFI will prevent you from breaching a monthly data limit.

Plan to do laundry on the road

Depending on the length of the road trip, the activities you plan to enjoy along the way, and your fashion style, it just might not be possible to pack a new outfit for every single day. So rather than pack five suitcases stuffed with every stitch of clothing you own, consider doing laundry somewhere along the way.

As a rule of thumb, pack at least five of each type of clothing. Shorts, pants, tees, polos or blouses, underwear, and socks. On top of that, pack something for chilly nights and rain. This will give you about a week of clothing – but you’ll need to get used to wearing those shorts and that shirt more than once in between washing.

Buy a laundry bag and take it with you on the road trip. However, do not buy laundry detergent ahead of time. The heat and humidity will ruin most detergents and leave your car with an overwhelming smell. When you finally decide to do laundry, be sure to take enough quarters to complete your load, never leave your laundry unattended, and always use a laundromat during daylight hours.

Get organized

Organizing all your clothing, gear, food, and accessories is a crucial and often overlooked aspect of any long road trip. But, after two, three, or four weeks of restacking bags, hunting for that small item, and shifting cargo around every curve of the road, you’ll be on the edge of losing it.

Buy stuff sacks or use gallon-sized Ziplock bags to organize smaller items. Buy midsized duffel bags or plastic totes for organizing smaller bags. Stackable totes that can lock together are best for keeping the totes from sliding around in the vehicle. Label everything and always leave the most frequently used items on top.

Get plenty of sleep

The first few days of a long road trip, you’ll likely feel energized by the excitement and tempted to stay up 18 hours a day. I can typically keep that level of stamina going for about the first three weeks of constant travel – but eventually, everyone slows down.

Getting plenty of sleep is important to maintaining your mental and physical health, not to mention keeping morale high. Spending too much time traveling and not enough sleeping will eventually lead to exhaustion, depression, and moodiness.

On a long road trip, plan to take one or two days a week off from travel. Find a nice roadside motel, splurge on a super nice hotel with a free hot breakfast, or settle into a campground for two nights. Avoid the temptation to go out and explore the area – just focus on rest and relaxation.

Road Trip Along the Scenic Route from Gatlinburg to Asheville

Keep the car clean (inside and out)

The day before any road trip begins, I always find one of those really nice car washes with the conveyor belt that pulls the vehicle through a wash cycle. Then, after getting the exterior cleaned – included RainX and a tire shine – I visit the vacuum cleaners. There is no greater feeling than starting a long road trip with a squeaky-clean vehicle.

On long road trips, it will probably be necessary to do a little cleaning along the way. Car washes are easy enough. Instead of relying on their vacuum cleaners – or paying for them – consider buying the THISWORX Car Vacuum Cleaner . It uses 12v power with a removable collection bin and comes with a nice travel bag.

For an added touch, the Little Trees Vent Wrap Car Air Freshner’s “new car smell” will make your vehicle smell brand new after getting it clean.

Join a roadside rescue plan

Most auto insurance companies and cellular providers offer some sort of roadside assistance rescue plan. If you don’t have the option for either of those, consider buying a AAA membership to access their roadside rescue plan.

At the very least, roadside rescue plans will unlock a vehicle, tow your vehicle to safety, and provide gas in case you run out. Better plans will include longer towing distances and more gas. It’s the one thing you never think about until you need it – so this time, plan ahead.

Road Trip on the Scenic North Carolina Waterfall Byway

Keep up with monthly bills

Only about 40% of Americans use auto pay for monthly bills like utilities and credit card payments – I’m not one of them. One of the biggest mistakes with long road trips that last more than a month is forgetting to take care of those bills before you hit the road or somewhere during the trip.

It’s easy to pay those bills with the home computer with your login information saved, but could you pay those bills on the road with a cellphone or tablet? Be sure to take your login information with you and keep it in a safe location like a locked glovebox or portable security case. Add the due date for any bills to your travel itinerary – and remember that cellular service is not a guarantee everywhere.

Life Pro Trip: Many credit card companies and certain utilities allow you to choose a due date for your monthly bill. Aligning all these bills for the same due date makes it easier to keep up with – especially while you’re traveling.  

Leave room for souvenirs

I know I said “pack everything – including the kitchen sink” earlier, but don’t go overboard and fill the entire vehicle before you hit the road. More than likely, you will want to buy some souvenirs along the way.

Smaller souvenirs like clothing, décor, and Christmas ornaments – my favorite type of souvenir to buy – are easy enough to pack into a bag or tote in the vehicle. But if you buy more oversized items like artwork, glassware, or large gift items, ask the retailer if they can ship them to your home or a relative’s home for safekeeping. Often, the shipping is included, especially in areas of high tourism where they expect the buyers to be non-locals.

Insider Tip: An easy way to keep up with souvenirs on a long road trip is to mail them to a friend or relative. The Flat Rate boxes at the United States Postal Service come in several sizes and are indeed a single flat rate – ranging from about $5-$15 per box – no matter where you ship it in the continental U.S.

Bring your favorite ___________

Do you have a favorite coffee mug? Slippers? Or what about a television series you love to watch? Just because you’re going on a road trip doesn’t mean you can’t bring some of those with you.

Bringing your favorite items with you on a long road trip can help you feel more at home and relaxed. Instead of missing that perfect coffee mug or comfortable slippers, you’ll feel much better having them with you.

Have an itinerary but leave room for spontaneity

It’s always good to have a travel itinerary. It’s essential to know the business hours of museums, restaurants, and attractions, so you don’t arrive too late or on a day when they are typically closed. Building an itinerary can help you avoid those frustrations.

However, leave room for spontaneous detours that will inevitably come along during a long road trip. Be prepared for entire destinations to change as your route progresses. Take advice from locals and be willing to give something new a try!

Road Trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Fill all prescriptions and bring extra

For three years, I worked as a certified pharmacy technician at CVS/Pharmacy in Emerald Isle, North Carolina. During the hectic – sometimes chaotic – summer months, we would sometimes fill thousands of prescriptions in a single day. The most common type of prescription was for someone who had left the medication at home.

If you have any kind of regular medication, be sure to pack that for your trip. But for long road trips that last more than 30 days, you might run out while on the road. Make sure your prescription has refills on file with your pharmacy or take a new prescription with you – as long as it is not a controlled substance. If your insurance allows, consider getting two or three months’ worth filled at one time for your long road trip.

Watch out for 140-degree heat in the car

On sunny days during the summer months, vehicles’ internal temperatures can rise 30-40 degrees higher than the outside temperature. When I was a kid, I remember going for a walk to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse during a family vacation. When we returned, my mom opened the back of the car to make snacks – only to discover the Cheese Whiz had exploded all over the car!

The high internal temperatures of vehicles can ruin more than just pressurized cans of food. Contact lenses, prescriptions, electronics, and coolers are all susceptible to damage from temperatures over 100 degrees.

You can reduce those internal temperatures by using a windshield sunshade. Close the sunshade on the moonroof. You may even consider buying curtains for the side windows – it’s not as silly as you might think.

Set a daily and final budget

My first road trip adventure of 2021 was a spontaneous, itinerary-free adventure along the Gulf Coast from Gulf Shores, Alabama, across Florida to Vero Beach. After a week exploring that area of Florida, I was considering heading south to Key West for what would have been my first visit. But when I looked at my bank account, my heart hit the floor when I realized my travel budget was at an end.

I’ve never been good at creating or keeping to a travel budget, and that resulted in a road trip cut short. So the better method is to create a daily budget and stick to it. But also give yourself leeway for those rare opportunities to do something awesome and set a final budget for the entire trip.

The advantage of a long road trip is that if you’re on the road long enough, you might just get an extra paycheck while you’re traveling. So how many vacation days do you have saved up for your long road trip?

Only travel by day

Some people only travel at night to avoid any traffic congestion at all – and that’s a good idea. But driving on unfamiliar roads at night poses some safety issues – not to mention what would happen if your vehicle broke down at 3 a.m.

The safest and surest way is to only travel by day. It will be much easier to keep aware of the unfamiliar road ahead, and you’re certain to get roadside assistance faster during normal business hours.

The Ultimate Road Trip on the Skyline Drive Through Shenandoah National Park

Choose the best road trip route

My #1 Rule for Road Trips is no interstate highways. There is just no reason to take a road trip route onto the interstate – you’ll miss everything along the way.

But what is the best road trip route? National scenic byways are a good start – there are dozens across the country. But sometimes, the most scenic or exciting road trip route is just a simple country road connecting interesting destinations. The best way to find those is to ask the locals – they always know the best route.

Document the trip

After returning home from an epic long road trip, it might be difficult to remember precisely where you found that amazing cheeseburger or savory salted caramel ice cream cone or watched that stunning sunset. It can be downright frustrating when you realize you don’t have a single photo to share or any clue where to find the name of that restaurant.

But what exactly does it mean to document the trip? I am not advocating for ten thousand photos plus an additional five thousand selfies from your long road trip. Don’t become one of those people who jump out of the car on the Blue Ridge Parkway just long enough for a selfie and then leave just as quickly.

It starts with the photos. Capture an exterior photo of every restaurant, museum, and attraction you visit – and be sure to include the name of the business. Capture an interior photo and then one or two photos of every meal or activity.

Take a journal. Jot down notes of the places you visit. Feelings. Smells. Sights. Take note of the business name, details of the food you eat, and reaction to museums. Draw pictures and maps, create word maps, put any word to paper that comes to mind. It will all be wonderful to see all the photos and notes again when your long road trip is finished.

Keep in touch with regular updates

One of the most important safety measures you can take during a long road trip is to let someone know where you are and where you are going by the end of the day. Particularly in places where cellular reception could be spotty, it’s good to tell someone that by nightfall, you should be at a particular destination and able to call them again.

That way, if your vehicle breaks down while in a cellular dead zone with little traffic, at least someone knows the route you were driving to send rescue your direction.

5 Responses

Great tips. Do you have a good app that we can use to track how our car is doing. So like we put in the mileage and it does the calculations for us of how many miles to gallon and stuff like that?

The best app I know about is called Mile IQ. It’s meant for contractors who have to keep up with their mileage for bookkeeping, but it works for road trippers as well. Give that a look and let me know if it works~!

Wrote down some of the tips that I want to remember before the trip. Changed the idea of minimizing clothing to being sure to cover (see what I did there) all bases. Like having a warm hoodie even though I am planning a trip, late June, to the South. Having something & not needing it is so much more logical that getting something I already have but not bringing it. Thank you for your tips.

Thank you very much for taking the time to put these tips together! Very helpful!

Great tips, thank you! My son is traveling the month of May on a solo road trip for the first time so wanted to pass these tips on to him!

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4 Month Old Sleep Schedule

Last updated August 21st, 2024 .

Article by:

Cara Dumaplin

RN, BSN, Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant

Just so you know, I do review everything I recommend. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission. Learn more about affiliate links

You and your baby have learned so much together in the last 4 months. And there are so many more fun things in store for the both of you! Let me share with you common questions I get from parents about four month old sleep schedules, wake windows, and milestones.

First Five Months Bundle

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Worried about the 4-month sleep regression? My eBook Navigating Months 3&4 will give you the tools you need to help your baby learn to fall asleep independently, reduce night wakings, and work towards longer stretches of sleep. (Navigating Months 3 & 4 can be purchased separately or as part of my First Five Months Bundle.)

4 Month Sleep Schedule Guidelines # anchor

Every baby is unique and your little one’s day will depend on when your baby wakes, how long your baby naps, and individual cues. During these early months, it’s okay and to be expected that naps will vary quite a bit each day. These age-appropriate guidelines are not intended to be a rigid schedule, simply a guide for setting up a flexible routine. 

Daytime Feedings: Every 2-3 hours

Goal Daytime Sleep: 3.5-4.5 hours

Sweet Spot Bedtime: 7-8 pm or 8-10 pm depending on your baby

Number of Naps: 3-5

Wake Windows: 90-120 minutes

For more details on these recommendations, keep reading. 

What is a sample sleep and feeding schedule for a 4 month old?  # anchor

Here is a sample schedule for four month olds:

Just remember, this is an example schedule for your four month old, so don’t try to follow it to the minute. As always, we need to stay flexible and follow our babies’ unique cues and wake windows for feeding times and naps.

What are wake windows for a 4 month old?  # anchor

A four month old’s wake window ranges from 1.5-2 hours. We typically see these wake windows start shorter in the morning and get longer as the day goes on.

Likewise, as babies get older, those wake windows will need to expand. At 17 weeks, not all babies will be ready for wake windows that last the full 120 minutes, even at the end of the day. On the other hand, at 21 weeks, a 90 minute wake window will be too short, even first thing in the morning.

Continue to watch your baby to help determine the best wake windows within this age-specific range. At around four months old, we really start to balance sleepy cues with the time on the clock to ensure we're setting our babies up for sleep success.

What are 4 month old milestones?  # anchor

Milestones are exciting moments for parents, and your four month old may have a few new ones to show you this month! Just keep in mind that milestones are based on age ranges, and every baby is unique. Speak with your pediatrician if you’re concerned about your baby not meeting milestones.

At four months old, here are some possible milestones you’ll see:

Your baby may now intentionally open and close their hands.

Your baby may put objects in their mouth now that hand-eye coordination is improving.

Your baby may roll from belly to back and start working on back-to-belly rolling!

Your baby may be able to sit with support, showing off their new core strength!

Your baby continues to coo and babble in response to interaction.

What are some activities for a 4 month old?  # anchor

At four months old, your baby is noticing more and more around them! Your baby is becoming a little explorer wanting to understand their world. Any activities that give your four month old a chance to explore their environment are great at this age. 

Here are a few activities you can try:

Read books and sing with your baby during tummy time.

Use a playmat or play gym for tummy time and practicing rolling (Playmats are also great for promoting independent play.)

Give your baby toys that are safe to explore with their mouth.

Give your baby crinkle books with high-contrast colors and patterns.

Use a mirror to look in and make faces with your baby.

I also have some favorite toys for your four month old here .

How long should a 4 month old nap?  # anchor

Naps can still be inconsistent at four months old and can range from 20 to 120 minutes. We do want to cap any one nap at 2 hours. (Yes, that means you may need to wake your baby.) Keeping any single nap at no more than 2 hours allows enough time in the day for your baby to get those good daytime calories and ensures they're not getting too much daytime sleep. At four months, we also want to keep total daytime sleep under about 4.5 hours. 

How many naps is best for a 4 month old?  # anchor

Typically, four month olds average about 4 naps a day, but taking 3-5 naps per day is normal, depending on the length of the naps. Short naps can still be common at this age. So if your baby is consistently taking short naps , your baby may need 5 naps.

As your baby approaches five months old, we do want to begin to aim for 3 naps a day by gently expanding wake windows and working on more solidified naps.

How much should a 4 month old sleep?  # anchor

Our goal at four months old is about 3.5-4.5 hours of daytime sleep and 10-12 hours of night sleep. As we think about how much sleep your baby should have at this age, you’ll want to remember that:

No nap should go longer than 2 hours.

Wake windows should be around 90 to 120 minutes.

Your baby’s night shouldn’t last longer than 12-12.5 hours.

When is bedtime for a 4 month old?  # anchor

I wish I had a universal answer for you. Here's what I know: By five months old, our goal bedtime is between 7:00 and 8:00 pm. Many four month olds do best with that 7:00 to 8:00 pm bedtime. However, some babies do hold on to a later bedtime just a bit longer. So please know, if your baby is thriving with a bedtime between 8:00 and 10:00 pm, there's no need to change anything yet. Keep in mind that if your baby is struggling with false start bedtimes , night wakings , or early morning wakings , it might be time to consider shifting bedtime to the 7 to 8 pm range.

When should the last nap be for a 4 month old? # anchor

If you're aiming for a 7:00 to 8:00 pm bedtime, we want the last nap to end between 5 and 6 pm. Ultimately, we’ll need 110-120 minutes of awake time before bed to make sure your baby is ready for sleep. Let that be your guide in determining when to start and end that last nap of the day. (See the schedule above for an example of how this might play out in a typical day.)

Is there a 4 month old sleep regression?  # anchor

Yes! Around four months old, there is a major change in sleep cycles that can disrupt sleep. We often refer to this change as the four month sleep regression . You may discover with these big changes what worked for your baby before doesn’t work now. Read my blog on the four month sleep regression to learn how to navigate it.

What do I do if my 4 month old needs a pacifier to sleep? # anchor

Pacifiers are a tool that can be helpful for baby sleep. If you’re using a pacifier and it’s not disrupting your baby’s sleep, there is no need to worry.

If you’re finding your baby is frequently waking because of their pacifier, my Navigating Months 3 & 4 guide can help you by decreasing the need for your baby’s pacifier during the night. You can also read this blog about pacifiers and baby sleep for more tips.

Should I swaddle my 4 month old?  # anchor

Swaddling all depends on your baby’s skills at four months old. The American Academy of Pediatrics says babies can remain swaddled until they show signs of rolling. If your baby is showing signs they’re ready to roll, it’s time to transition out of the swaddle .

One product that can help with the transition is Merlin’s Magic Sleep Suit (use code CARA15 for 15% off). 

Can a 4 month old sleep on their stomach?  # anchor

For the first 12 months, we are always going to lay a baby on their back to sleep. However, if your baby can roll independently from their back to their belly, most pediatricians say tummy sleep is safe. Talk with your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns.

Please keep in mind that it’s never safe for a swaddled baby to sleep on their stomach.

Why is my 4 month old baby fighting sleep?  # anchor

When a baby is overtired or undertired, it may be difficult for them to fall asleep and/or stay asleep. Following age-appropriate wake windows and maintaining a consistent bedtime routine can help prevent your four month old from fighting sleep. 

Sleep may also be disrupted or difficult when your baby is experiencing a new milestone or going through the four month sleep regression !

How do I sleep train my 4 month old?  # anchor

I recommend waiting until your baby is five months old to begin formal sleep training . At four months old, babies just aren’t developmentally ready. Why? Melatonin is still regulating, sleep cycles are still shifting, and so much new learning is happening in your baby's brain. This 4 month sleep regression makes sleep training much more difficult. In fact, those who attempt sleep training at 4 months, often experience more crying and less success.

When do babies start sleeping through the night?  # anchor

Every baby is unique, so there is no specific age when babies start sleeping through the night . But, at four months old, some babies can sleep 10-12 hours with no wakings or feedings. 

However, it is very normal for babies at four months to still need one feeding at night. For some babies, the dream feed is a good fit, while others may need a feeding a little later in the night. If you want more help working toward longer night stretches, I'm here for you. Start by reading more about the 4 month sleep regression to figure out which resource is developmentally appropriate for your baby.

Wherever you are on your baby’s sleep journey, I want to give you the tools to thrive! # anchor

I have lots of classes, tools, and resources to help your baby become a great little sleeper. Read my blogs on the 4 Month Sleep Regression and Which Class Should I Take? to understand where your baby is developmentally and what resources will work best for you and your family. 

Still have a 3 month old? Read my 3 month old sleep and feeding schedule. Already have a 5 month old? I've got you covered with my 5 month sleep schedules .

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2022). Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2022 Recommendations for Reducing Infant Deaths in the Sleep Environment

CDC. (2023). Important Milestones: Your Baby By Four Months

Futagi et. al. (2012). The Grasp Reflex and Moro Reflex in Infants: Hierarchy of Primitive Reflex Responses

Mindell et. al. (2008). Developmental aspects of sleep hygiene: Findings from the 2004 National Sleep Foundation Sleep in America Poll

Mindell and Williamson. (2017). Benefits of a bedtime routine in young children: Sleep, development, and beyond

Tham, Schneider, and Broekman. (2017). Infant sleep and its relation with cognition and growth: a narrative review

Wielek et. al. (2019). On the development of sleep states in the first weeks of life

If you're overwhelmed, exhausted, or just not sure where to start. I was there too. Let me show you everything you need to confidently handle sleep so your whole family can thrive!

Select your child's age to get started:

Are you ready to have a great little sleeper?

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