The best road trip tips for traveling with a baby

Be sure to check in with your child’s pediatrician before you head out to ask how long it’s safe for your child to be in their car seat. There’s a big difference between a 3 month-old and a 9 month-old, so you’ll want to tailor the trip according to their age and your doctor’s advice. Plan on making stops during the drive to feed, change diapers, and take a car seat break.

If you’re planning a day trip or quick overnight, open up a map and scope out what’s within a few-hour drive from your home. If you’re going further afield, break the trip up into manageable chunks that don’t involve super long stretches of driving in between. Here are some ideas to get you started.

When you’re traveling with a baby, you can pop them in the carrier and enjoy the things you’ve always loved on vacation. Your baby will have fun looking around while you shop in a cool boutique along your route or grab a bite at a restaurant with a view.

Pay close attention to your baby’s schedule and rhythms in determining the best driving periods. The last thing you want is your baby getting hungry — and cranky — thirty minutes into your trip, so it can work to feed them right before you head out to keep everyone in the best spirits. However, if your baby usually does a #2 within a short time of feeding (one train in, one train out as they say…), you might push the departure until after they’ve finished their business.

If you are planning an overnight trip, book a vacation rental that will give you the comforts of home so you can relax and recharge before hitting the road again. You might even plan to spend more than one night in each stop to stretch out the time between driving.

Along with your suitcase essentials, make a packing list for your time on the road. Snacks, feeding supplies, burp cloths, an outfit change or two, diapers, wipes (lots of wipes!), a changing pad, and activities and toys for your child are a must. If your little one is potty training, be sure to add a portable potty to your list so you can stop quickly when they have to go to the bathroom.

As you’ve probably learned, diaper changes don’t always happen at the most opportune times when there’s a bathroom around. Luckily, the backseat or hatchback of your car is an easy place to change your baby. And don’t leave home without a portable changing station, some spare diapers, wipes, and diaper cream if you use it.

The ergonomics of car seats mean that this kind of thing is likely to happen. There are protective, easy-to-clean pads you can get to cover the seat so that you’re not stuck with a soiled car seat cover halfway to Idaho. And you’ll want to pack some easily accessible outfit changes and lots of wipes.

When you’re traveling with a baby, music can be a great form of entertainment. It can help calm meltdowns and make everyone feel more comfortable. Make playlists with a mix of songs for the parents and ones aimed at younger kids, so there is something for everyone. For more on-the-go entertainment ideas you can do along the way, check out our list of road trip activities for kiddos.

Most of all, take a deep breath. You might hit some snags along the way — but it’s normal to expect some meltdowns and hiccups when you’re traveling with a baby on the road. So go with the flow, keep the mood light, and know that this trip is paving the way for amazing travel ahead.