Family Road Trip Tips: Essential Advice for Traveling with Kids
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Planning a family road trip can be an exciting yet challenging undertaking.
Whether you’re headed to a nearby destination or embarking on a longer journey, being prepared is key to a smooth and enjoyable trip.
In this guide, I’ll share some of the best family road trip tips to ensure your travels with kids are stress-free and memorable.
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1. Plan Kid-Friendly Stops
As soon as we know that we are going on a specific road trip, I make my plan right away.
Having a solid route, kid-friendly stops, and family-friendly accommodations makes a big difference in keeping the trip smooth and enjoyable.
How to Plan Your Road Trip Stops and Overnight Stays
1. Choose Your Destination & Map Your Route
The first step in planning any road trip is deciding where we’re going. 🛣
For example, on our road trip to Niagara Falls, ON, I started by putting our starting and ending points into Google Maps. 📍
Typically, I choose the shortest route Google suggests, but if there’s something special along a slightly longer route, I’ll consider the detour—especially if it adds a fun stop without extending our drive time too much. 🚗
2. Research Cities & Family-Friendly Attractions Along the Way
Once I’ve chosen the route, I research the towns and cities along the way. I look at:
- What each town is known for ✨
- Kid-friendly attractions or landmarks 🗽
- Local restaurants worth trying 🍴
This helps me identify potential stopping points—whether for a meal, a quick break, a longer break (an hour or more), or an overnight stay.
3. Decide on Your Family’s Driving Limits & Overnight Stops
Since I know how much driving time our kids can handle in a day, that plays a big role in determining where we stop.
I balance driving time with fun breaks to keep everyone happy.
If we need a longer stop, I prioritize towns with parks, playgrounds, or interesting attractions to break up the drive.
4. Book Family-Friendly Accommodations
Once I’ve mapped out our stopping points, I look at hotels in those areas, considering:
- Kid-friendly amenities (pool, free breakfast, suite options)
- Hotel price & reviews
- Location—I prefer hotels near fun attractions or restaurants
If a town doesn’t have a great hotel option, I adjust our driving plan—either stopping sooner or pushing a little farther to find a better overnight stay. 🛏
5. Build in Flexibility
Even with a solid plan, things don’t always go as expected.
Kids get restless, weather changes, or we might discover a fun stop along the way.
I always leave room in our schedule for spontaneous breaks or adjustments to keep the trip stress-free.
2. Pack Smart for Your Road Trip
Packing for a road trip is all about organization. Having everything easily accessible makes the trip easier and less stressful for everyone.
Luggage Organization Tips
- Packing cubes – I use labeled cubes for each hotel stop so I only bring in what’s needed.
- Smaller overnight bags – Instead of hauling a big suitcase into every hotel, I pack a smaller bag with essentials for that night.
- Laundry bag – Keeping dirty clothes separate is a lifesaver on long trips.
👉 Need more packing help? Find out my top stress-free packing tips for families! 🧳
Essential Items to Pack
- Extra outfits in the car – Accidents and spills happen, so I keep extra clothes handy. (I cannot tell you how many times I have used these extra outfits.)
- Travel pillows & blankets – Keeps kids cozy for naps and comfortable during the long car ride.
- First aid kit – Band-aids, medicine, motion sickness relief, and fever reducers.
✨If you are looking for some great packing cubes for your road trip, I have linked some of my favorites below. 👇
SHACKE PAK 5-SET PACKING CUBES
👉 For more packing advice, check out my 5 Must Have Travel Essentials for traveling with kids
Want a stress-free packing experience? Grab my FREE Packing Tips Guide to help you stay organized and ensure you don’t forget a thing. Click below to download!
3. Road Trip Snack Hacks
Snacks are a must-have for any road trip.
Packing your own snacks saves money, keeps kids happy, and reduces the need for extra stops.
Why Bring Your Own Snacks?
- Saves money – Buying snacks at gas stations adds up fast.
- Healthier options – Bringing your own snacks means fewer sugary, processed foods.
- Fewer stops – Snacks on hand mean fewer unplanned breaks.
- Bottled water saves money too – Bringing a case of water is cheaper than buying individual bottles at gas stations. We also like to have water bottles on hand for overnight hotel stays.
Best Road Trip Snacks for Families
- Fresh fruit (bananas, grapes, apples, blueberries) 🍌 🍇 🍎 🫐
- Crackers and cheese cubes 🧀
- Granola bars
- Goldfish
- Pirate Booty
- Applesauce pouches
- Yogurt tubes (store in a small cooler)
- DIY snack mix with nuts, pretzels, and dried fruit 🥜 🥨
Snack Organization Tip
I keep all snacks separated in a plastic bin for easy access and store perishable snacks in my Hydro Flask soft cooler.
4. Keeping Kids Entertained on the Road
Keeping kids entertained during a long travel day makes the journey more enjoyable for everyone.
A mix of screen-free activities and tech-based entertainment helps break up the hours.
If you’re traveling with multiple kids, especially different age groups, check out my Top Tips for Traveling with Kids of Different Ages for ideas on keeping everyone happy and engaged.
Screen-Free Activities
- Printable road trip activity binder – Includes coloring pages, iSpy games, word searches, and tic-tac-toe. (Download my complimentary road trip activities printable below)
- Notebooks for each child – My kids love having their own mini journals to doodle or write in.
- Surprise toys or games – Small surprises help break up long stretches of driving.
Tech Entertainment
- Download movies/shows ahead of time – Each child picks a couple of favorites.
- Audiobooks or podcasts – Great for the whole family to enjoy together.
- Road trip playlist – Fun music lifts moods and makes the drive more enjoyable.
✨ Don’t forget headphones, power banks, and charging cords.
5. Smart Road Trip Tips for Parents
A little preparation and flexibility go a long way in making the road trip experience smoother for parents.
Stay Organized & Stress-Free
- Make a checklist – A week before the trip, I list everything we need to avoid last-minute stress
- Label bins and bags – Helps keep everything in order and easy to find.
- Clean out the car at each gas stop – Trash piles up fast, so we do quick clean-ups along the way. (An organized and clean car keeps me stress-free!)
Have a ‘Break in Case of Meltdown’ Plan
- Special snack or treat – A surprise snack can shift the mood instantly.
- New small toy or book – Something new is always a good distraction.
- Stretch & movement breaks – Plan short stops to let kids run around.
Stay Flexible and Embrace the Journey
- Things won’t always go as planned, and that’s okay! The best road trips happen when you stay open to new adventures.
- If something unexpected pops up (a cool roadside attraction, a great local diner), embrace it!
Final Tip: Make It Fun! 🤩
A road trip isn’t just about getting to the destination—it’s about making memories along the way. Take pictures, laugh at the crazy moments, and enjoy the adventure. 📸 🤣 ❤️
Embark on Your Family Road Trip with Confidence
With the right planning and essentials, a family road trip can be an incredible experience rather than a stressful one.
From packing efficiently to keeping kids entertained, these tips will help you enjoy the journey just as much as the destination.
Remember, road trips are about making memories—so embrace the adventure, roll with the unexpected, and have fun along the way!
Plan Your Perfect Road Trip!
Grab my FREE Travel Itinerary Planner to make organizing your trip a breeze. Click below to download and start planning today! 👇
May you LOVE your adventure! KW
