{"id":3089,"date":"2019-11-05T16:07:45","date_gmt":"2019-11-05T16:07:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/?p=3089"},"modified":"2021-07-21T01:33:28","modified_gmt":"2021-07-21T01:33:28","slug":"road-trip-with-toddler-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/road-trip-with-toddler-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"17 Practical Tips for a Road Trip with a Toddler (From a Mom of 6)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NOTE*** The content on this page may contain affiliate links, we may make a commission. And, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0More information: disclosure page<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planning a road trip with a toddler might seem like a daunting mission. Let us give you some of our best road trip with toddler tips – from years of experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I’ll admit with our first baby, we rarely went more than an hour from home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I mean, what if the child starts crying? Or will you be able to keep your child contented while on the road? A little planning (and practice) goes a long way. These are our best road trip with toddler tips – from packing to what to do in the car. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are now seasoned road trippers, having gone more than 40 hours at a time with five kids in the car. We have been through all ages and stages – baby, toddler, preschooler, grade-school kids, tweens and teens. (Our oldest is grown up now). So yeah, we’ve been through the toddler stage a couple of times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Here are 17 tips for a road trip with a toddler, which will ensure a smoother ride for everyone.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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1. Prepare Your Car for the Road Trip<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Photo by Ezra Jeffrey-Comeau<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Since you will be spending lots of your time in the car, and driving many miles, it is essential to have it in the best shape possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are various things that can occur on the road. We have had breakdowns, flat tires, freak snowstorms, vomiting kids, and more! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always ensure everything is functioning well in the car. Schedule<\/g> to have your car checked by a mechanic and regular maintenance before you leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are traveling during cold weather follow our detailed instructions and tips for driving in winter weather. <\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you feel your car is not capable of going for a long road trip, renting a car or borrowing one is an option too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you thought about renting an RV for your road trip? This is a hugely popular thing to do and you can reserve an RV on so many sites. Follow along with our series on renting and RV by starting with “Should I rent and RV (is it even a good idea?”<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Have Road Side Assistance <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Usually, roadside assistance seems like an unnecessary expense, until you require it. I have been so thankful to have someone to call when we are stuck on the side of the highway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always confirm if you are covered before purchasing a standalone plan. We have had plans that came for free with a new car purchase or along with car insurance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other times, I have relied solely on my AAA membership. I have not found a plan for roadside assistance that is better than AAA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are some clubs that offer their members roadside benefits such as Sam\u2019s and Costco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should always ensure that your plan covers as many of the road trip problems as you can foresee. Also, if you are driving a motorhome, towing an RV or boat you will need additional coverage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Know Your Driving Route<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Google Maps Road Trip – Denver to Chicago<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

It is important that you know the route to your destination. While at home map out your travel route, download the digital maps and make sure to have written copies of directions and maps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although you might be headed for the beach in California, you could drive over high mountain passes in the snow<\/a>. Knowing this will help you to pack the essential items that you will require to carry during the road trip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I always keep a duffel bag of snow clothes in the car just in case we get caught in the snow. Also, I take along swimwear if I think we will stop at a hotel with a pool or at a lake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, because rules can change by state, check the driving laws, speed limits and car seat laws in each state<\/a> that you drive through. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4. Fill your Gas Tank<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Another comfort and safety tip that seems obvious is to always ensure that your gas tank is full. Of course for safety reasons, you do not want to run out of gas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s the other reason. Once your toddler falls asleep you will experience a good hour or more of driving … if you can keep driving. It never fails for us that the kids fall asleep and we have to stop for gas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you can keep everyone asleep, by the time they wake up, all of you will be ready for a stop where you will refill your car. (During this time, ensure that the kids take a potty break too.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pro tip for gas station stops:<\/strong> They can drag on forever, at least ours can. I now set a timer for 15 minutes and everyone has to race the clock. We all pile back in before the timer goes off. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5. Car Seat Safety <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Road trips with toddlers mean car seats. I love car seats for safety but lo<\/g>athe the inconvenience of properly strapping kids in every time we stop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having your toddler\u2019s car seat inspected is essential for your child\u2019s safety. If you haven’t already, you should have a certified child passenger safety technician to assess the seat and check if it is correctly installed. We usually get this done at the local fire station. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The American Academy of Pediatrics<\/a> recommends having your child’s car seat rear-facing as long as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, 11 states<\/a> (California, Connecticut, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia)<\/strong> now require children under 2 to be in a 5 point harness and rear-facing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related content: We talk more about taking a RV trip with a toddler and car seats in an RV here <\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6. Stock Your First Aid Kit <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During a road trip with your toddler, you should always be ready for sunburns, allergic reactions, bites, bruises, bumps, and splinters, among other minor accidents. Since accidents occur on the road, it is advisable to be prepared for anything that comes your way, whether big or small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are like our family, we go through a plethora of bandaids. My first aid kit is perpetually low on band-aides and some other necessities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before beginning your road trip, it is essential to equip your first aid kit with necessary supplies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I keep a small first aid bag accessible upfront with me so I can grab a band-aide or eye drops quickly. Then, I keep a larger well-stocked bag stored in the back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are a couple of the basics that I include in my first aide bag – <\/p>\n\n\n\n