Planning a road trip with kids? Buckle up, mama—these family travel tips will help you avoid meltdowns, maximize fun, and actually enjoy the ride.
As a mom of three, I’ve learned that family road trips can either be magical memory-makers or long, exhausting marathons of snack-passing and bathroom breaks. The good news? A little preparation goes a long way.
If you’re gearing up for a road trip with kids, here are 15 tried-and-true family travel tips that’ll save your sanity and keep everyone (mostly) happy from Point A to Point B.
1. Plan Around Their Sleep Schedule
If you have younger kids, try to drive during nap times or even leave super early in the morning. There’s something magical about the quiet hum of the car and the soft sound of snoring toddlers in the backseat. You can knock out a few hours of drive time in peace before the snack requests and “Are we there yet?” chants begin.
For evening drives, consider changing the kids into pajamas before hitting the road. Bring a blanket and their favorite lovey—it sets the tone for sleep, even on the go.
2. Pack a “Survival Bin” for the Car
This is your mom-life MVP. Fill a small plastic bin or tote with essentials: baby wipes (even if you’re out of the diaper stage), hand sanitizer, paper towels, ziplock bags, plastic grocery bags (for trash or accidents), and at least one change of clothes per kid. Don’t forget motion sickness supplies—chewable Dramamine or Sea-Bands can be a total game-changer.
I also keep a few pull-ups in the bin just in case we hit a stretch of road with no rest stops. Better safe than sorry.
3. Snacks: Pack More Than You Think You’ll Need
I’m convinced that 60% of road trip parenting is just snack management. Stock up on a mix of healthy options (grapes, cheese sticks, crackers) and a few fun, treat-style snacks for morale. We usually grab an official “snack box” from Costco or Amazon—it lasts the whole trip and feels like a treasure chest to the kids.
Tip: Pack snacks in individual containers or small bento boxes to cut down on mess and arguments over who gets what.
4. Use a Backseat Organizer
These things are a sanity-saver. Load them up with crayons, coloring books, sticker pads, small toys, and tablets. When everything has a place, it’s way easier for kids to stay entertained—and for you to avoid the endless requests to “get my marker!” while driving 70 mph.
5. Download Everything in Advance
Download movies, audiobooks, playlists, and games before you leave the driveway—especially if you’ll be driving through areas with poor signal, nothing ruins road trips rides like a buffering episode of Bluey.
Bonus tip: Load up a couple of kid-friendly podcasts or rent a kid friendly e-book from your local library.
6. Set Realistic Expectations
Be honest with yourself. You’re not going to drive 12 hours with only one bathroom break and a peaceful playlist. Build in time for stops. Stretch your legs, let the kids run around at a playground or rest area, and accept that the journey is part of the adventure.
We try to stop every 2-3 hours, even if just for 10 minutes of fresh air.
7. Let the Kids Help Plan
Giving kids a little say in the trip goes a long way. Let them choose a snack, help make the playlist, or vote on which roadside attraction to stop at. It gives them a sense of ownership and makes them more likely to go with the flow when things don’t go exactly as planned.
8. Create a Road Trip Countdown or Map
Print a map and let your kids color in each town or highway milestone you pass. It helps them visualize the journey and makes the “Are we there yet?” question less frequent.
You could even use a dollar store cookie sheet and magnets to create a DIY magnetic road trip tracker!
9. Pack a Small Toy Bag for Each Child
Let each kid fill a small backpack with books, toys, puzzles, and stuffed animals. Bonus tip: sneak in a new toy or surprise activity they don’t know about—perfect for when morale dips mid-drive.
Rotating toys throughout the drive helps keep things fresh and keeps boredom at bay.
10. Plan Surprise Stops
Look for quirky roadside attractions, playgrounds, or ice cream spots along your route. Surprise breaks give everyone something to look forward to and break up long stretches of driving.
11. Don’t Forget Headphones
Seriously. If each kid has their own screen or audio book, everyone needs headphones. Your nerves (and your sanity) will thank you. Get the kid-safe kind with volume limits to protect little ears.
Pro tip: bring a splitter if two kids want to watch the same thing at once.
12. Bring a Potty (Yes, Really)
If you have littles who are potty training (or even recently trained), a portable potty in the trunk can be a lifesaver on remote stretches of highway.
13. Have a “First Aid & Just-in-Case” Kit
Beyond band-aids and kids’ Tylenol, pack kids’ allergy meds, sunscreen, bug spray, and a thermometer. I also throw in an extra phone charger, a flashlight, batteries, and a spare power bank.
It may seem overboard—until you’re halfway to your destination and someone spikes a fever.
14. Use a Cooler for Easy Meals on the Go
Packing sandwiches, fruit, yogurt, and drinks in a cooler saves money and avoids the fast-food burnout. A couple of frozen water bottles double as ice packs and cold drinks later on.
Add some reusable utensils, napkins, and a mini trash bag and you’ve got a mobile picnic ready to roll.
15. Give Yourself Grace
Something will go wrong—someone will spill juice, get cranky, or cry because their sock feels weird or they don’t like the music. Take a deep breath and remember: the memories you’re making outweigh the chaos.
Final Thoughts: Road Trips With Kids Can Be Fun (Really!)
Family road trips don’t have to feel like survival missions. With a little planning and the right attitude (and a LOT of snacks), you can turn even the longest car ride into a fun adventure.
Whether you’re heading to grandma’s, a national park, or just exploring somewhere new, these family road trip hacks will help you arrive with your sanity (mostly) intact.