Surviving a long car trip

PsyDr04

We are going to Florida for Memorial Day weekend and will  be driving. For us, it's about 10.5 hours from where we live but we will be breaking the drive up into two days there and back. For those of you who have experience making long car trips, can you offer some tips on how to keep your LOs happy and entertained during the ride? DS is 16 months. The longest trip he has taken in the car thus far is 3 hours one way.

Karen1998

Why are you breaking it up?  Is it for LO or for some other reason?  If you're just doing it for your LO, I'd suck it up and keep going.  It's going to suck either way, so, to me at least, I'd rather get it all over with in one day.  

As for tips, take lots of snacks, drinks, never-seen-before books and toys.  Bring lots of patience.  Make sure you've peed and are snacked up whenever LO is getting tired.  For us, whenever LO is asleep or happy, we do not stop.  If you have an iPad, it can be helpful.  I also carry several kid's music CDs as those tend to be mood changers for him.  

Plan in stops.  We typically stop every 1-2 hours.  We try to arrange it where LO will be able to run around for a while at the stops so he can get the wiggles out.  Rest stops with playgrounds are great for this.   

orangecurls

Leave really early, like 4 am on the first day, and have breakfast on the road. Keep gas tank full, because if Lo is asleep, keep driving! We didn't have any planned stops, we stopped when the screaming began, which wasn't too often luckily. They both slept a lot on the car ride last year, so they also went to sleep later in the hotel room, which was nice for us. I would break up the car ride into 2 days. You can make more stops and do a little sight seeing along the way. After lunch we went for a little walk around the town or historical sight before driving for a few more hours.

mamastich

orangecurls:

Leave really early, like 4 am on the first day, and have breakfast on the road. Keep gas tank full, because if Lo is asleep, keep driving! We didn't have any planned stops, we stopped when the screaming began, which wasn't too often luckily. They both slept a lot on the car ride last year, so they also went to sleep later in the hotel room, which was nice for us. I would break up the car ride into 2 days. You can make more stops and do a little sight seeing along the way. After lunch we went for a little walk around the town or historical sight before driving for a few more hours.

 

this. id rather deal with lo in a car than making it work in a hotel for a night. 

Zimger

We drove 10+ hours when DS was just a little over a year. We did it all in one day. We left early and stopped for about 20-30 minutes when he became unruly. It helped himn to get out and walk around, grab a snack, and just relax for a minute.

I agree with the poster that said to leave early. It will go by faster if he is asleep.

shortstuff15

Yeah I'd do it all in one day.  My in-laws live 8 hours away and we've done both the two day trip and the all in one day trip.  Both have their pros and cons and it all depends on the time frame and reason for the trip as to which we choose to do.

Our niece is staying with us for a week at the end of the month so I am taking both my girls 5 hours to meet my in-laws and pick up our niece.  It'll be 5 hours one way on the Friday and 5 hours back the next day with all 3 girls.  I'm bringing new music, movies, books and as many snacks as I can.  As well as toys that are easy to play with and don't have a lot of pieces.

meganjoey0728

We regularly drive 6 hours all at once. I say do it all at once. Leave at 5pm and drive through the night. LO will go to sleep and you and hubby can take turns sleeping and driving. I agree with the idea of full gas tank and no stopping if baby is sleeping. Good luck!

PsyDr04

Thanks for the suggestions. We are actually breaking it up into 2 days on the way there because we are going to be stopping in Alabama to see DH's aunt and uncle who I have never met and who have never met DS. I think we plan to drive back over two days as well for our own sanity but we'll see...

FabulousMrs.P

Does your DS sleep in the car? If so, then maybe consider driving overnight. We did a 14 hour trip in the car and left just before DD's bed time. She fell asleep and was asleep most of the ride there. Coming back, we broke it up into legs of the trip.

Stop for all meals (if DS isn't sleeping.) It gives them a chance to get out, stretch their legs. Also, if you know your DS is usually only good for 3 hours in the car, then after 3 hours stop and give him a little bit to stretch his legs and move around.

Have a few new small toys wrapped up in wrapping paper. When LO starts to get antsy...pull one out. He will get to unwrap it, and play with a new toy. It will buy you some time.

Have plenty of snacks available and ready.

 

PsyDr04

wife07mom09:

You must live near me and are going close to my old hometown!
We are going to fl Labor Day and driving and I hate driving too! It is 10.4 hours without kids!
We plan to leave at 2 or 3 a and go in one day. I am going to look for any kid friendly place to stop and play all alkng way

We live in Little Rock, AR. Where are you?

crystaleyes39

We're planning on driving down to florida which is a 16-18 hour drive from our house in a few months. I am glad you posted this because I'm dreading the drive and could use tips as well!  I have heard from friends who have done the trip w/ little ones that if possible driving while they sleep (so leaving at bedtime) and going through the night is the smartest...but i'm worried DH and I wont be able to take turns sleeping. I don't sleep well in the car.  I think we'll probably put the girls down at their normal bedtime 7pm...and then we'll sleep a few hours right then too...and put them in the car around 2/3am then drive. That way they'll hopefully fall back asleep. We also have dvd players in our car that attach to the headrest for some mickey mouse club house when they get fussy and i'm going to bring lots of snacks, toys, books, cd's and anything else that will keep them busy while awake. I definitely plan to drive straight through.