Has anyone done an 8+ hour road trip?

bubblesmtu

I'm considering travelling back to my hometown to see my dad and extended family mid-Feb but it normally takes 9 hours to get there. I'm afraid of how many stops we will need to make - this could turn into a 13 hr trip
For those of you who have done long trips do you have any tips?

bubblesmtu

Thank you so much for all the awesome tips!!!

imrachellea

We've done a 17+ hour trip twice. 17 hours each way, south Florida to OH/PA. First time we did it straight because it was just us. The second trip we took our dog...so no baby, but a dog has even less patience so we stayed in a hotel a little over halfway. Some things that were helpful for us with her, that can work with a baby. Keep anything you may need handy and at the ready. Food, toys, stroller, etc. Make regular stops to get out, stretch your legs, get baby out and moving, feed. Maybe ride in the back with LO.

What we found most helpful with the dog was to be traveling during her longest sleeping period. She sleeps all night, passed out. So leaving late at night and traveling through the night ensured her sleeping more. For example, my LO sleeps 5-6 hours after her last night feeding at 10 or 11. So when we travel this summer, DH will probably sleep during the day and then when we give Ari her last night bottle, immediately put her in the car seat and leave. We may be able to get a 5-6 hour driving stretch (or more, as she'll probably be sleeping even longer then) overnight without stopping. We're lucky that she'll sleep another 3-5 after as well, so we could likely do the trip in one stop. So follow your LOs most "regular" schedule.