Your Road Trip with Kids Survival Guide: Must-Know Tips
Thinking about taking a road trip with kids? Buckle up—it’s going to be an adventure. Road trips can be an incredible way to explore new places, make lasting memories, and even save money. But let’s be honest, they can also test your patience if you’re not prepared.
The good news? With a little planning, you can keep the chaos to a minimum and actually enjoy the ride. From smart scheduling to road trip activities for kids, these tried-and-true tips will help you keep the kids happy, the whining to a minimum, and your sanity intact. Let’s hit the road!
How Often Should You Stop on a Road Trip?
How often you plan to stop and how often you actually stop when traveling with kids are two very different things. A good rule of thumb? Stop every 2-3 hours. Kids need to stretch, use the bathroom, and burn off some energy.
If you think you can power through a solid six-hour stretch with a toddler, a six-year-old, and a ten-year-old in the car—think again. That’s a recipe for disaster. Instead, embrace the reality and plan for stops. Choose interesting rest areas, playgrounds, or quick sightseeing spots to make breaks more enjoyable.
You can also turn it into a game: “Let’s see if we can make it to the next stop without needing a break.” A little motivation can go a long way on your next road trip in the backseat!
Are Road Trips Good for Families?
Absolutely! Road trips are an incredible way for families to bond. Whether it's singing along to favorite songs, playing goofy car games, or stopping at ridiculously awful roadside attractions, it’s all about creating lasting memories. Plus, kids pick up a lot along the way—geography, history, and even different cultures.
There’s something especially exciting about road-tripping somewhere completely new. It’s a whole different experience from loading up the minivan and heading south to Florida like every other spring breaker in America. Exploring the rugged landscapes of Colorado, driving along the East Coast to Acadia National Park, or taking in the towering cacti of Arizona makes those extra hours in the car worth it. When families experience something new together, they grow closer together. If you are looking for a new road trip destination, check out our top 15 road trip ideas for your next trip!
How Do I Keep My Kids Entertained on a Road Trip?
Let’s be real—no matter how breathtaking the destination, spending 8 hours in the car with bored kids feels like a nightmare. The key? Be prepared. Think like a teacher with a solid lesson plan—have a lineup of road trip activities for kids that go beyond their usual go-to’s. A little planning goes a long way in making the journey smoother (and way more enjoyable for everyone).
Top Road Trip Activities for Kids:
Portable Creativity: A cookie sheet makes a surprisingly awesome lap desk for coloring, magnets, and small crafts. Some families swear by travel trays with compartments to keep everything organized—perfect for snacks, small toys, and keeping markers from rolling into the abyss between the seats. This travel tray is great because it folds for easy storage, has a dry erase surface for coloring and can prop up a tablet for movie time!
Travel Journals: Have kids draw or write about their favorite moments. This is great for older kids, especially if they’re missing school and you want to sneak in a little learning. Pick up brochures from rest stops, museums, national parks and visitor centers along the way so they can collect fun facts and feel like little travel reporters.
DIY Documentary: Hand over a disposable camera or let the kids take videos to create their own “road trip movie.” Not only does it keep them busy, but you’ll get some hilarious footage to look back on—because you know they’ll capture things you never even noticed.
Yoto Player: This screen-free audio device is a total game-changer. My 5-year-old loves his. Instead of swiping through a phone, he picks a card and pops it into the player—there are stories, music, bedtime tales, even Harry Potter for the older kids. You can also record your own playlists onto blank cards (which means you can sneak in their favorite songs or even an “I love you, now please stop kicking my seat” message). We use it in the car, at his older brothers’ soccer practices, and pretty much anytime we want a screen-free option.
My son has the Yoto Mini, which has proven perfect for our needs and how we use it so much in the car. I do think we will be getting him the main Yoto Player at his next birthday. He will still use the Yoto Mini in the car, but the larger Yoto Player has a night light, so it is perfect next to his bed at night for stories. It also has a better sound system and a longer battery life.
Postcard Challenge: Let the kids pick a postcard at every major stop to send to a friend or keep as a souvenir. In a world where everything is digital, introducing them to the old-school charm of snail mail is pretty cool. Plus, it keeps them engaged and gives them something to look forward to at each stop. Of all the road trip activities for kids, this one needs to make a big comeback!
Road Trip Survival Kits: Take all of your favorite road trip activities for kids and make a survival kit. It’s all about the presentation, parents! Pack a bag with puzzles, coloring books, and small toys, but here’s the trick—don’t give them everything at once. Surprise them with new items along the way to keep things fresh. Letting them help pack their own kits in advance also makes them feel like they have some control over their entertainment (and hopefully reduces the number of times you hear "I'm bored!"). The key is including things they don’t usually get on a regular day—otherwise, it’s just another Tuesday in the backseat.
Let’s be real—long car rides with kids can be brutal, but a little planning makes all the difference. With the right distractions, road trips can actually be fun... or at least survivable.
Is 10 Hours of Driving in One Day Too Much?
10 hours in the car sounds brutal, but honestly? It’s better than dragging it out over two days, getting caught in traffic both times, and somehow making the trip even longer. Sometimes, the best move is to just rip off the Band-Aid—wake up early, avoid as much traffic as possible, and power through.
We’ve done it both ways. We’ve left at a normal time, only to sit in morning traffic, afternoon traffic, beach traffic, all the traffic. Stopped for the night, woke up, and did it all over again—only to finally arrive completely brain-dead, exhausted, and questioning every life choice.
The alternative? Set the alarm for 4 a.m., drink an absurd amount of coffee, and hit the road before most people even think about waking up. Sure, you’ll still hit some traffic, but you’ll dodge a lot of it and actually make it to your destination in one day. And honestly? The kids will probably surprise you with how well they handle it. Giving up one full day to driving is a whole lot better than losing two.
Road Trip Must-Knows for Parents
So, you’ve decided to take on a road trip with children in the back seat? Smart move! Road trips can save money, open the door to incredible experiences, and create unforgettable memories—but only if you set yourself up for success. A little planning can go a long way in keeping everyone happy (and keeping your sanity intact). Here are the top tips to make your trip smoother, more enjoyable, and way less stressful!
Motion Sickness Kit: Pack ginger chews, wristbands, wet wipes, vomit bags, and a change of clothes—just in case. You think you don’t have a kid who gets carsick… until you’re halfway through a road trip and suddenly, you do. (Ahem- been there.)
Smart Start: Get an early start to beat traffic and enjoy some peaceful driving while the kids sleep. Trust me, it’s way better than sitting in a backup and dragging the trip out even longer. Just make sure you prepare a list of road trip activities for kids to make the ride enjoyable for everyone!
Preplanned Stops: Map out your breaks ahead of time to stay on track and avoid constant, unnecessary stops. It also helps kids stay focused—when they know exactly when the next break is coming, they’re less likely to ask every five minutes if you’re almost there. Even better if some of these stops are fun places, like a park or a fun restaurant!
Tech in Stages: Don’t start with screens right away! Stretch out the entertainment with an hour-by-hour plan—coloring in hour one, Yoto Player in hour two, nap in hour three, then finally a movie. If you go all-in too soon, you’ll run out of tricks before lunch.
Snack Strategy: Keep snacks and drinks within easy reach. When you’re finally making good time, the last thing you want to do is stop for a snack emergency!
Single Overnight Bag: If stopping at a hotel, pack a single easy-access bag with PJs and toiletries instead of lugging in multiple suitcases.
Toddler Potty: Essential for unexpected traffic jams or when a clean restroom is nowhere in sight.
Order Groceries on the Go: While sitting in the car, order groceries for pickup or delivery at your destination to save time and money.
Extra Tips for a Long Road Trip With Kids
Plan Laundry Stops: If your trip is longer than a week, schedule a stop where you can do laundry. This also will help with lighter packing so you can fill the car with more activities for the kids.
Hatcher Garden is a great place to stop if you’re traveling through Spartanburg on your way to the South Carolina coast.
Keep the Vacation Vibes Going: If your trip involves multiple driving days, moving from one campsite or hotel to another, break up the routine with a fun stop. We have stopped at nature preserves or gardens, parks, cool downtowns with riverwalks and even the Corn Palace. (Have you ever heard of this place? Can’t say I recommend it, but I also don’t NOT recommend it). The goal is to make the journey feel like part of the adventure rather than a long, draining stretch that takes everyone out of vacation mode.
Tackle the Longest Drive First: If possible, get the longest stretch of driving out of the way early in the trip. By the end of vacation, everyone’s tired and just ready to be home—making a long drive feel even longer. Knocking out the big miles upfront keeps the trip feeling more enjoyable all the way through.
A little planning goes a long way in making traveling with children a fun and stress-free experience. With the right mix of entertainment, smart timing, and essential supplies, you’ll create an adventure your family will never forget. We can’t wait to hear how your adventure went!
