It can be hard to drive longer distances with young children, as their need for breaks, wiggles, and snacks are inevitably higher than our adult needs. Is there a way to make it easier? Check out our Joy parent tips below.
Check the duration of the route, and then add a few hours
A 4-hour trip will more likely be 6 hours with a baby. Planning with a big buffer can keep your expectations in check, preventing feelings of stress from creeping in.
Plan for fun stops
Who said the frequent stops have to be gas stations? If you have older children, study your route options ahead of time and look for family-friendly mini-adventures that can reframe the pit stops into memory-makers. Is there a Children’s Museum or a favorite restaurant along the way? How about a park with an easy nature trail?
Tread lightly with “red eye” advice
Sometimes, it’s widely shared to start the drive during the wee hours of the morning when baby is usually sleeping. This can be dangerous advice, though, as the driver may be exhausted and more likely to crash. There’s also no guarantee that baby will sleep the whole time. The best time to drive is when you’re rested, alert, and able to focus on the road.
Plan for someone to sit next to baby
If it’s just you and baby, see if there’s anyone who would be willing to tag along. If you and your partner are both going, have one of you sit in the back while the other drives. Since infants must be in rear-facing car seats, it is difficult to tend to them from across the rows. Being next to them allows for prompt soothing and connection.
Pack smarter, not harder
Packing loads of car entertainment may add clutter and overwhelm. Try packing just a few portable play options, as most babies do not need to have the whole road trip filled with things to do. Packing a few boredom busters could be as low-key as:
New rattles or pattern cards they haven’t seen before
Crinkle or sensory paper
A water bottle that they can shake and hold (or another safe household object that they seem to be interested in!)
Above all, remember not to take any shortcuts with safety. If you sit in the back, make sure you are buckled as well. Avoid “pushing through” long stretches if baby is fussy or if the driver is getting tired, and never attempt to unbuckle your baby in order to soothe, feed, or change them while the vehicle is in motion.