How to Plan a Road Trip with Children

Learn how to plan a successful family road trip with practical tips for entertainment, safety, and keeping kids happy on the road.

1. Choose Your Route and Timing. Pick a destination that's realistic for your family's travel tolerance. For first-time road trippers, aim for 2-4 hours of driving per day with young children, or 4-6 hours with older kids. Plan your departure time around your children's natural rhythms - early morning often works well since kids are fresh and you'll arrive with daylight to spare. Use mapping apps to identify rest stops, gas stations, and family-friendly restaurants along your route. Consider scenic routes or interesting stops that can break up the drive and give everyone a chance to stretch.
2. Pack Smart for the Car. Create individual travel bags for each child with snacks, activities, and comfort items within easy reach. Pack a cooler with plenty of water, healthy snacks like cut fruit, crackers, and string cheese, plus some special treats for motivation. Bring wet wipes, tissues, hand sanitizer, and plastic bags for trash or motion sickness. Pack a change of clothes for each child in an easily accessible bag. Don't forget phone chargers, and consider a car adapter or portable battery pack for devices.
3. Plan Entertainment and Activities. Prepare a mix of screen-free and digital entertainment options. For non-screen activities, pack coloring books, stickers, small toys, audiobooks, and travel-sized games. Create 'surprise bags' with new small toys or activities to reveal when kids get restless. Download movies, shows, or games onto tablets before you leave, and bring headphones to keep the peace. Plan car games like 'I Spy,' license plate bingo, or 20 questions that the whole family can play together. Rotate activities every 30-60 minutes to keep kids engaged.
4. Schedule Strategic Stops. Plan to stop every 1-2 hours, even if it's just for 10-15 minutes. Look for rest stops with playgrounds, parks, or open spaces where kids can run around. Research family-friendly attractions along your route that can serve as longer breaks - even a quick museum visit or ice cream stop can re-energize everyone. Build in extra time for these stops rather than rushing. Consider timing longer breaks around meal times to combine eating with stretching legs.
5. Prepare for Common Challenges. Motion sickness is common in children, so keep windows slightly cracked for fresh air and avoid heavy meals before driving. Pack motion sickness bags and consider asking your pediatrician about preventive options if your child is prone to car sickness. For bathroom emergencies, keep a portable potty in the car for toddlers and know that even potty-trained kids might need more frequent stops than usual. If children get cranky, stay calm and try changing activities, offering a snack, or taking an unplanned break. Having a co-pilot who can tend to kids while you drive makes everything easier.
6. Make Overnight Stops Comfortable. If your trip requires overnight stays, book family-friendly hotels with pools or play areas when possible. Pack familiar comfort items like favorite stuffed animals, blankets, or pillows to help kids sleep in new places. Bring nightlights and consider keeping room temperature slightly cooler since travel can make kids restless. Plan for an early, simple dinner and stick to bedtime routines as much as possible. Pack extra pajamas and any special bedtime items your children need.