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Road Trip Rules

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Last year we geared up for a 20-hour, straight-through drive with our two children. I was convinced it was going to be a disaster. Surprisingly, it went really well. The kids did great—better than I did!  Here are some tips that worked for our family:

Clothing

Dress your children in soft, comfortable clothes that can be slept in but are not necessarily pajamas (sweats, track pants, long-sleeved t-shirts, etc.). Lightweight clothes that cover arms and legs are the best, because everyone’s internal thermostat is different. An extra sweater or sweatshirt for cool evening stops is a good addition. Long road trips are the one time I will allow “socks and Crocs.” No, it is not pretty, but it is much faster than tying tennis shoes on a sleepy kid. The socks will keep their feet warm, and they can just slip on the Crocs to go inside.

 

If you are planning to stop and spend the night, pack one separate, small overnight bag with the clothing, toothbrushes and overnight essentials for everyone (include your child’s favorite sleep friend). This way you don’t have to unpack your car entirely and you can get up and get back on the road quickly.

 

Food and Beverages

Even if you are planning to stop frequently for meals and snacks, a well-stocked car pantry can help keep down both costs and tempers. I like to pack the very small (6- to 8-oz.) servings of beverages and bottled water, even for adults. This keeps your drink from getting warm before you finish it and helps reduce the number of pit stops while keeping everyone hydrated.

Step up your snack game. The same old things that you send for lunch will not cut it. Get or make everyone’s favorites. Splurge a little on snacks from the fancy grocery store. They will still be less expensive than a convenience store or fast food. Use heavy duty plastic containers rather than baggies. Assume the food will get squished. Wash, cut and individually package fruit and veggies.

Try to stop for at least one meal that is a local favorite and not a national chain. Use a travel website for recommendations or, better yet, ask a local.

Entertainment

The key to a successful car journey is providing at least twice the number of hours of entertainment as the number of anticipated hours in the car.

I take DVDs and CDs out of their cases and put them in a multi-pocketed holder for travel. Get fun books, DVDs and CDs from your local library or buy some from the discount bin at the store and don’t show the kids until they are in the car. Novelty is a key factor in road trip entertainment. When choosing books and DVDs, don’t forget non-fiction titles (such as learning a new language, drawing, crafts or sports.)  Bring a clip-on reading lamp if it will not distract the driver.

Protect your electronics. If you are going to allow your children to use your devices for the trip, invest in a protective case. If you use a car charger, make sure you get one that can reach the backseat (if you don’t have extra outlets) or get one that is battery operated instead. If you want to limit electronics on the trip or need to for discipline purposes, take away the charger rather than the device. Kids can play/watch as long as the charge lasts, then they are done.

Keep a few prime items hidden until the return journey to keep the entertainment fresh. 

Miscellaneous Stuff

Prepare the car for a long journey with kids. It may seem counterintuitive, but clean and vacuum the car before your journey. Wash the car seat covers.  If you are going to spend hours in a confined space, it might as well start off clean. I like to take two beach towels and lay one down over the backseat bottom cushion and one over the backseat floor mats. Spills happen. I use two open shoebox-sized plastic containers in the backseat. These containers not only provide a sort of physical barrier between the children, they stow items the children may need, saving the front seat passenger from constantly having to turn around to provide tissues, snacks, etc.

 A trash receptacle for the car is a must. One with a lid is nice in case it tips over, or you can look for one that attaches to a seat back. Store extra trash bags or plastic grocery bags inside so that it can be emptied often.

Even if your child has outgrown a booster seat, you might consider one for a long trip. If your youngster can still fit in one safely, a high-backed booster can make a long journey more comfortable, especially for sleeping.

If you have a passenger with a tiny bladder or a child who is potty training, consider various back-up options, such as a travel potty, Pull-ups or even portable urinals specifically made for travel, such as Travel John Jr.

And just keep telling yourself, “Getting there is half the fun…”

Laura Miller McEachen is a part-time attorney and full-time mommy. She lives in Overland Park.

Entertainment ideas for long car rides:

It is nice to alternate videos and books with more “active” distractions like these:

 

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