Traveling with a baby is challenging, but road trips can be a low stress way to vacation as a family.
Babies should be taken out of the car seat every 2 hours and it is recommended that an adult sit next to the baby to monitor their breathing and comfort. Consider packing a small white noise machine and good diaper rash cream to help ensure a smooth ride for the whole family.
The first thing to consider when planning a road trip with a baby is to plan on frequent stops. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies spend no more than 2 hours in their car seats at a time.
The reason for the two-hour rule is that babies can slump down in their car seats over time and have trouble breathing. This is called positional asphyxia.
Babies can struggle to reposition themselves if they slide down in their seat, so an adult should ride next to the baby to be sure that they are breathing well.
The two hour rule is a convenient way to plan stops along a long road trip and allow you to slow down and see the sights.
Stopping every two hours might seem a bit extreme, but if you embrace it, it is a great way to travel.
I think road trips are the best way to travel with babies. You get the most flexibility, the most cargo space and the most privacy.
I have 4 young children and we road trip several times a year. I have found a few things that are really helpful when planning a trip with a baby.
How To Plan a Road Trip With a Baby
Plan to drive no more than 6-8 hours in a day and plan to stop every two hours, this will keep everyone rested and happy on your trip. Do not drive overnight with a baby as parents will arrive exhausted and your baby will be awake and ready to play.
Ok, so we know we are going to have to stop A LOT. This gives us a nice little formula for planning the trip:
6-8 hours or 300-400 miles a day
Stop 2-3 times per day
Use this formula to break your trip into legs and plan each leg like a mini trip.
Here are a few example schedules:
Note: At each stop plan to change and feed the baby. They should be taken out of their car seat every two hours. I also like to use regular diaper rash cream to keep them from getting any uncomfortable rash from sitting for so long.
These schedules are simplified, you will need to factor in the amount of time you will be stopped at each stop and make the schedule work for your trip and your family.
If you are an early riser you can head out early and take a few morning stops and arrive before 2pm!
| 6 am | Depart |
| 8 am | Coffee Stop |
| 10 am | Gas Station Stop |
| 12 pm | Lunch Stop and Park Visit |
| 2 pm | Arrive |
This is a great schedule for a day when you will be spending the morning visiting, but still want to get some miles in before you stop for the night.
| 12 pm | Depart |
| 2 pm | Coffee Stop |
| 4pm | Welcome Center Stop |
| 6 pm | Dinner Stop and Outlet Shopping |
| 8 pm | Arrive |
This is a good schedule for a slow travel day. I recommend a few shorter travel days to prevent burnout.
| 9 am | Depart |
| 11 am | Early Lunch Stop and Welcome Center Exhibit |
| 1 pm | Rest Area Stop |
| 3 pm | Arrive |
Ideas for Stops on a Road Trip With a Baby
Here are some of the best stops we have found:
Welcome Centers
Welcome Centers are easy to access off the highway and they often have a small educational display and photo op set ups.
We have found dinosaur bone displays, local crafts and museum quality displays at welcome centers all over the country.
Rest Areas
Rest areas are located on the highway and do not require you to leave the highway to stop. They have large bathrooms and vending machines.
They are not fancy, but they are easy to get in and out of.
Truck Stops
Truck stops are great places to get gas on a road trip and they offer more than a regular gas station.
Many truck stops have restaurants attached, seating areas and even coin laundry.
State Capitals
State capitals are great stops because they are almost always walkable. State capitals are often historic sites that have free museums.
Local Fast Food Chains
I love to visit the regional fast food chains that we do not have in our area. It is always a cool cultural experience that you can talk about with people who have lived in the area.
We visited Raising Cane’s on a trip through Ohio and it is a cherished family memory. Now we always try to find one when we get the chance.
There are some special things to consider when you have a very young baby so check out these articles if you have a newborn or very young baby:
The Four Commandments of Road Trips With a Baby
- Travel when the driver is most awake
- Plan one longer stop each travel day
- Spend 2 nights in one place whenever possible
- Be flexible
Travel Times
Travel when your family is most comfortable traveling. If y’all wake up at 5 regularly then go ahead and leave early, but if you are never up before 9, don’t leave till noon!
With a shorter overall drive time of just 6-8 hours each day you can fit in the travel around your normal schedule.
Consider your baby’s nap schedule, plan to leave a bit before a regular nap and allow your baby to sleep away some of the drive time.
Some pediatricians say that it is safe to leave your baby in the car seat for a bit more than 2 hours if they are being monitored, so this can stretch your drive time. Be sure to check with your pediatrician as they know the health of your baby best.
The three schedules at the top of the article can give you a good idea for what to expect.
Plan One Long Stop Each Day
I like to have one big stop that we are all looking forward to each day.
It can be a restaurant you saw on Food Network, or a museum or attraction in a city you will be passing through.
This stop should be the only one you plan in advance.
Plan to spend 2 or more hours enjoying the day and seeing something you normally would have just driven by.
We have found great longer stops at playgrounds and parks, local fast food chains, flea markets, and museums.
As a kid my mom once took us to the free attraction outside of Hershey’s Park in PA. It was a nice long restful stop and did not cost us any extra money.
Spend Two Nights When You Can
Seasoned travelers often follow the 2-2-2 rule; travel 200 miles, arrive by 2 and stay 2 nights.
This is the gold standard for stress free travel, and you can borrow some of the wisdom by spending 2 nights in each location.
This keeps you from feeling rushed and gives you time to explore the location.
This is a great rule if you like to book non-traditional accommodations. I have 11 hotel alternatives that you can consider when planning your trip.
Be sure to always have a safe place for your baby to sleep. You can find information about hotels and rentals online, but giving them a call to ask about pack and plays, cribs and other safe sleeping questions is the best way to get accurate information.
Be Flexible
No matter how well planned your trip, things are bound to change when you hit the road.
Taking care of a baby away from home can be messy and uncomfortable. You may choose to end your trip early or decide that you want to stay closer to home. It’s your trip, you can do what you want.
Embrace the adventure and be ready to change your plans if something is not working out.
A friend and I were just talking about our biggest road trip fails (they got stranded in a big city with a broken down car and I got stuck on the highway for 3 hours behind an accident). We talked about how our kids remember it as such a fun adventure.
You never know how something might turn out, so plan to follow the road wherever it leads.
Packing For a Road Trip With a Baby
One of the biggest advantages of traveling by car with a baby is all the packing room. I give you permission to over pack for the baby on your trip.
Pack Extra Outfits
There is a method of packing for babies on a road trip.
0-6 months pack one outfit per day plus 3-4 extra outfits
7-12 months pack one outfit per day plus 2-3 extra outfits
12 months to 3 years pack one outfit per day plus 1-2 extra outfits
Keep the extra outfits in a baby bag that is easy to reach while you are in the car. Extra bibs can be helpful if you are in a drooling phase.
Do your best to keep the baby dry so they will be more comfortable and avoid any wetness rashes.
Pack Your Diapers
I recommend that you pack diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream from home so that you know you will have the brands that your baby is used to in case of an allergic reaction.
There is nothing worse than a rash away from home, in a car seat.
I use generous rash cream when we are traveling to try to help the baby stay comfortable.
Plan for Sleeping
If possible bring your own sleeping surface for your baby. Bring the pack and play or moses basket or whatever you use at home for sleeping.
This can make it easier for babies to fall asleep and stay asleep and ensure that you have what you need wherever you are sleeping.
Stuff for Mom
Be sure to pack an extra outfit for mom in case of a baby spill or accident. I hate traveling in dirty clothes and it just feels good to have a change of clothes for yourself close by.
I also recommend a manual breast pump for breastfeeding moms on a road trip.
Babies tend to sleep more in the car and eat less, this makes it uncomfortable if you become engorged.
Having a manual pump allows you to keep up supply by regularly emptying the breast and having some milk on hand.
