Plan to stop frequently and enjoy the journey.
A ten hour road trip is possible with a baby, just plan to stop every 2 hours and get out of the car to change and feed the baby. Plan to split the driving up over two days, or plan a long afternoon break. Be flexible and if you end up needing to stop sooner, pull over at your favorite hotel.
The recommendation to stop every 2 hours comes from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The main concern is that babies can slide down in their seats making it hard to breathe. They can actually suffocate.
So be sure that there is an adult riding next to the baby to monitor their breathing and comfort. Every two hours stop and get the baby out of the car seat. This is a great time to change diapers and feed the baby.
10 hours is a long drive, but it is doable with the right plan.
I have 4 young children and we frequently take long road trips. We have found 6 hours to be the best number of driving hours when you are traveling with kids and babies.
How To Plan A Long Road Trip With A Baby
Planning a trip with a baby is just different from an adults only trip. The biggest thing to consider is the pace of the trip.
Go slow and enjoy the trip, because the trip will just take longer.
I think road trips are the best way to travel with a baby. It allows you to set the pace of the trip, stop if you need something, and see more of the country instead of driving straight through.
These are the three best ways to break up a 10 hour trip with a baby.
1. Split It Up Over 2 Days
The simplest way to divide up the trip is to take 2 days to cover the 10 hours.
Plan to drive 6 hours on day one and 4 hours on day two.
Leave in the morning and get in 4 hours (with a short stop after 2 hours) then stop for lunch. When you stop for lunch, you can find a hotel to book for the night.
On day two you can choose a slow morning and explore the town where you are staying or head to your destination and you can arrive by lunch time.
If you are looking to save money on the overnight stay I have some ideas for alternate sleeping locations. Some of these are great budget items.
Sample Itinerary
| Day 1 | |
| 9 am | Departure |
| 11 am | Gas Station Stop |
| 1 pm | Lunch Stop |
| 3 pm | Arrive at Lodging |
| Day 2 | |
| 8 am | Departure |
| 10 am | Coffee Stop |
| 12 am | Arrive |
When you get it on paper it is pretty simple. This trip allows you to spend plenty of time out of the car. You can take long stops on the way or explore the city where you are sleeping.
If you do not have a budget for an overnight stay, try plan 2.
2. Take a Long Break
You can plan to cover 6 hours in the morning (maybe a few hours during the baby’s sleep time) then plan a long stop.
This long stop is a good reset for your family on a long trip.
I recommend the stop be 4-5 hours and that it be something that your family is looking forward to doing.
Rock Climbing
Museum Visiting
Shopping Center
Playground
Art Exhibit
Amusement Park
Trampoline Park
Depending on your travel party these stops may be the highlight of the trip! If you are on a trip to a wedding, conference or to visit family it can feel like it was not really a vacation.
These big fun stops make it feel more fun.
Sample Itinerary:
| 6 am | Departure |
| 8 am | Gas Station Stop / Coffee Stop |
| 10 am | Welcome Center Picnic Lunch |
| 12 am | Lunch Stop |
| Explore the City/ Museum/ Park or Playground | |
| 4-5 pm | Departure |
| 6pm | Dinner Stop |
| 8 pm | Arrive |
3. Share Driving
Sometimes you just gotta get there as soon as possible.
This is the best schedule if you have to leave later in the day and you do not have time to take a long stop.
10 hours is too much driving for one person in the evening, and drowsy driving is far too dangerous, so plan to share the driving.
Sample Itinerary
If you have to leave after work, your driving schedule might look like this:
| 3 pm | Departure |
| 5 pm | Gas Station Stop |
| 7 pm | Dinner Stop |
| 9 pm | Driver Switch Stop (Welcome Center, Truck Stop) |
| 11 pm | Gas Station Stop |
| 1 am | Arrive |
Or if you only have one short travel day you could try an early morning departure.
| 2 am | Departure |
| 4 am | Coffee Stop |
| 6 am | Breakfast Stop |
| 8 am | Driver Switch Stop |
| 10 am | Coffee Stop 2 |
| 12 am | Arrive |
This can work if you are trying to get somewhere for an evening event and you do not have much travel time available.
Be careful when driving overnight because when you arrive mom and dad will probably be very tired, but your sweet kids will be well rested and ready to party.
Whenever possible, plan to spend 2-3 nights in your location. This can give you a chance to recover from the travel stress before you get back on the road.
Tips for a Ten Hour Road Trip with a Baby
Whichever schedule you go with, here are the best things that you can do to ensure a smooth trip.
Pack Extra Outfits
Be sure to put an outfit or 2 in the baby bag where you can quickly and easily get to it.
Keep the baby’s clothes dry to avoid any rashes and to keep the car seat clean and dry.
Call me vain, but I also like to put our babies in fresh clothes when we get to family’s houses so that we look fresh when we all spill out of the van.
Look At Your Schedule
Consider your baby’s sleeping habits and plan to drive during nap time to help your baby stay on their normal schedule.
Plan your trip around your family’s schedule. If you are morning people, leave early and enjoy the morning time on the road. However if you never get up until 10, do not try to leave at 5 am.
Go With a Partner
When you are traveling with a baby, travel with a second driver.
When you travel with a baby you need to stop every 2 hours and get your baby out of the car seat. This is because babies can sometimes slump down in their car seats and stop breathing.
You should always have an adult ride next to the baby to monitor their breathing and comfort.
It is also nice to be able to share driving responsibilities if you get tired.
Plan To Rest
Traveling with a baby can be exhausting. Plan to nap when you arrive, and protect your sleep time while you are away.
Be sure that your baby also gets enough sleep while you are away. It can be helpful to bring a familiar blanket or pack and play so your sweet baby can sleep comfortably.
It is important to sleep well on vacation to protect your immune system to avoid coming home sick! (We know that you never need a vacation more than when you just got back from vacation.)
Feeding Schedule
Pay attention to how much your baby is eating while you are traveling. My babies always eat less on travel days.
If you are breastfeeding you may notice feeling engorged if your baby is not eating normally. I recommend this manual breast pump to keep yourself on your normal expression schedule.
You may want to use an app to keep track of diapers and feeds if your baby is under 3-4 months old.
