10 Real Life Road Trip Tips for Traveling with a Baby

Summer is almost here, which means it’s an exciting time for family visits, vacations, sunshine, and ROAD TRIPS! According to a recent survey by the “Vacationer”, seventy-five percent of Americans have plans to take at least one road trip this summer.

My son is ready for his first road trip in Israel.

Road trips are especially great when you have little kids, and I’ve compiled some helpful road trip tips to ensure you’re prepared!

The first road trip we ever took with our baby was a few hours long. Kai was three months old, and we were living in Israel at the time. Since then, we’ve taken countless road trips with our kids, ranging from 3 hours up to 18 hours across different states and countries – from the West to the East Coast, and all around Europe.

We prefer driving and road-tripping because of the control it offers, the ability to bring more of our things to make us feel at home, and the flexibility to see things along the way and make stops as needed.

Our latest road trip from Seattle to Las Vegas

The planning stage can feel overwhelming, especially with a baby involved, but once we get on the road, we just go for it!

That being said, here are my best and most helpful road trip tips for parents traveling with a baby (from experience).

Let’s get to it.

1. Plan Your Stops Strategically

Truck Stops and Hotels are Gems: Stop at truck stops or hotels for cleaner bathrooms and changing tables.
One of the most important road trip tips is this one: gas up at every stop. While it might seem tedious, this can save you from unexpected inconveniences along the way. Hear me out. You don’t want to disturb a sleeping baby for a gas stop!
Also, while on a road trip to Las Vegas, we drove for HOURS without seeing a gas station. I’m glad we filled up at the last stop because I’d hate to be stranded in the desert with a baby. Implementing these road trip tips can help maintain a sense of routine and predictability along the way.

Use Puppy Pads: Keep disposable puppy pads handy to cover dirty changing tables and on-the-go diaper changes.
- Consider a designated “trunk changing station” and put together a diaper caddy for the car. It’ll make diaper changes quick and easy and you’ll have all the supplies organized and ready to go. With this system, you can save time during stops without turning every break into an hour-long ordeal.

Stop Every Two Hours: make sure to follow your pediatrician’s recommendations, but ours suggested taking the baby out of the car seat every two hours max for safety.

If stopping for a meal, find a place in the park or rest area with a grassy lawn where you can spread out a blanket for your baby to enjoy some tummy time and stretching.
Plan to stop whenever it’s time for the baby to eat and make it your “power stop” for everything! Everyone should use this opportunity to take a bathroom break, eat, and recharge. The same goes for your baby. Implementing these road trip tips can enhance your travel experience and keep you “on schedule” as much as possible.

2. Prepare Essentials in Advance

When traveling with a baby, it’s essential to be prepared with the right supplies. Here are some valuable road trip tips to help you pack all the essentials needed for feedings, diaper changes, and packing.

For Feedings:

Bring along bottles, pumped milk or formula, and a thermos of hot water for on-the-go feedings. Having these essentials on hand can be a lifesaver during unexpected situations, like a traffic jam or when you can’t pull over.
I recommend using a Tommee Tippee thermos for warming up baby bottles easily and conveniently.
Consider pre-filling bottles with water or formula to minimize stops along the way. If your baby is on formula, it’s helpful to bring both the powder and ready-to-feed options for flexibility.
For quick access to formula, a baby formula dispenser like this one can be a convenient solution. During stops, you can ask for boiling water at places like McDonald’s and use a reliable thermos like this one to keep the water hot or if you need to heat the bottle. These practical road trip tips can make traveling with a baby a smoother experience for both you and your little one.

For Diaper Changes:

Consider overnight diapers during travel for better absorption. They’re much better at preventing blowouts and have an extra layer added for leak protection.

After experimenting with a few brands, we always come back to our favorite and reliable ones: the Huggies Overnites Diapers.

Pack a “Short-term” Bag: Pack a convenient “short-term” bag for overnight stops during your road trip. This will save you from hauling everyone’s large suitcases into the hotel just for one night.

Include a change of clothes for the next 2-3 days (adjust based on your trip’s duration), diapers, hygiene products (such as rash creams, burp cloths, and muslin blankets), and overnight essentials like a crib sheet and Slumberpod if you plan to use the hotels pack and play. Side note, if you’re wondering if the Slumberpod is worth it, then check out an honest review here.

If traveling with a baby AND a toddler, it might be wise to invest in an inflatable travel bed for the toddler. Here are my top 3 suggestions for the best ones on the market, one of them being the go-to that we’ve used for close to 10 trips.
These road trip tips have proven invaluable for me, and we continue to follow this organized approach to this day. If your car is packed with belongings like ours, the last thing you want to do is rummage through multiple suitcases in the trunk when you arrive at a hotel for the night. Instead, grab your “short-term” bag, check-in, relax, and prepare for the next day’s drive.

3. Keep Baby Comfortable and Entertained

Keeping the baby comfortable and entertained with these easy-to-do road trip tips will save you stress and energy during your drive.

For Entertainment: Bring a variety of toys to keep your baby entertained. Put together a convenient little basket filled with baby toys that are easily accessible. Introduce new toys gradually to maintain their interest. Include a few new toys too. Our favorite toys for babies were: silicone teething straws, interactive rattles like this one, and spinners that attach to the window.

Wrap one of these toy straps on the toys to prevent them from falling to the ground.
Kai loved to kick this little sound toy that was strapped to the back of the seat.
Babies that sleep with a sound machine at home might appreciate one while they nap on the road. This familiar sound can help maintain their sleep routine and provide a sense of comfort even while traveling.

For Comfort: Use a muslin blanket to create a cozy and dark environment for naps in the car seat. Don’t forget baby’s fave stuffy or blankie for added comfort.

If your vehicle’s back seats don’t have ceiling vents, consider the clip-on fan as an option, especially if you’re traveling in the summer.
Ideally, a second adult should travel in the back of the car with the baby so they can attend to the baby’s needs during the road trip. If traveling alone, use a mirror to keep an eye on your baby.

These are some of my top road trip tips for entertainment and comfort for those traveling with a baby.

4. Be Flexible with Your Itinerary

Before we set off on our vacation, we searched online for the best road trip tips. Two pieces of advice appeared in nearly every blog post, and after taking countless road trips myself, I now understand why they are so essential. So let’s talk about it.

Don’t Rush: Allow extra time for frequent stops and unexpected delays. Incorporate these road trip tips by being generous with your time estimates. 😉

Have a Plan B: Be prepared to adjust plans or stop at a hotel if needed for everyone’s comfort. We usually don’t book our hotel ahead of time and always seem to find the best deals through Expedia.

Most importantly, be fluid, be flexible, and create a plan b just in case. Including these road trip tips will help you minimize travel stress.

5. Utilize Helpful Tools and Apps

Planning a successful drive requires careful preparation and some key road trip tips.

Utilize Apps
- iExit and Trucker Path are two apps you can install to find nearby amenities and restrooms along the way.
  - iExit will tell you what’s off of each exit on the highway and I found that incredibly helpful to help me find the next available bathroom stop. I was traveling through a lot of rural areas in Oregon and struggled to find bathrooms along the way. If you’re on major highways most of the trip, this might not apply to you, but I’d recommend you download it just in case.
- Waze is my personal favorite. It’s an awesome tool for navigating traffic and finding the shortest and least congested routes. I use it daily, AND on road trips since it provides real-time alerts about police speed checks so you can stay informed and avoid potential issues on the road.
  - It also allows you to plan your drive the next day with the “leave later” option, which then shows you the expected traffic for each time frame.

Helpful Tools
- Shade Protectors: Use shade protectors on windows to shield the baby from sunlight.
- Trunk Organizer: Keep all the things in your trunk neatly organized and easily accessible.

Utilizing helpful tools, apps, and insightful road trip tips can make your trip smoother and help you anticipate things along the way.

6. Safety and Comfort Tips

Ensuring safety and comfort on the road is key to a pleasant drive. Here are some road trip tips that have worked well for us:

Rotate Adult Roles: Take turns driving and sitting in the back seat with the baby for easier care and interaction.

Sleeping Options:

Cosleeping: Sometimes I cosleep with my little one while we travel. It’s so much easier and more comfortable for her to be near me. Check with your pediatrician for recommendations. This is what works for us.
Alternative Sleeping Arrangements: If you don’t approve of cosleeping, call the hotel ahead of time to see if they have baby cribs available for use.
Wipe them down, and bring your baby’s sheets from home. If a crib isn’t available, consider packing this highly-rated travel crib with you as a great alternative. Read my full review of the crib here.

Check Your Vehicle Beforehand:

Get an oil change before your trip and after you arrive if your travels are very long.
Do a multi-point inspection and rotate the tires.

7. Plan Around Baby’s Schedule

One of the most common questions I get asked is, “When should we drive, in the morning or at night?” While it depends on your sleep patterns and your baby’s schedule, here are some sleeping road trip tips to consider before making your decision:

Follow Wake Windows: Plan driving times around the baby’s nap schedule for smoother trips.
Night-time vs Early Morning Travel: Start longer drives at night when the baby is naturally sleepy to minimize disruptions.
- Alternatively, an early morning trip can be effective. In this case, we prefer to leave around 4:30 am, as it allows us to get a good amount of driving done while the baby is still in night sleep mode.
- The choice between the two depends on your preferences and whether you’ve had sufficient rest the night before.
- By leaving early in the morning and following these simple road trip tips, you can make significant progress while your baby is still asleep and won’t have to stop as often!

8. Be Prepared for Emergencies

Being prepared for emergencies is one of the most important road trip tips (speaking from experience here, unfortunately).

Carry Cleaning Supplies: Have cleaning supplies ready for unexpected messes, blowouts, and accidents. Bring a couple of towels, wet wipes, paper towels, and sanitizing wipes to stay prepared.
- Protecting your back seats with this waterproof cover might be a good idea.

Prepare for Roadside Emergencies: Pack a first aid kit.
- Additionally, carry a heavy-duty jump starter and charger in your trunk for unexpected car troubles. We actually had to use it once on our road trip to Vegas.
- Review your roadside assistance plan before you start your trip.

Prepare for Any Sicknesses on the Road: Pack wet/dry bags to help separate clean and soiled clothes. I also liked to use one for bottles to avoid leaks.
If your little one is taking any prescription medications, remember to pack them.
For elevation changes: Offer your baby a pacifier or bottle. The biggest thing is that they need something to suck on to help their ears.
- If your little one’s older then lollipops work well to help with ear pressure in high-altitude regions like the mountains.

Although the likelihood of experiencing all these scenarios is low, it’s better to be overly prepared than caught off guard. By keeping these road trip tips in mind, you can equip yourself to handle any unexpected emergencies that may arise while on the road.

9. Stay Nourished and Hydrated

One of the best parts of road trippin’ for me is snacking and staying hydrated. Along with exploring new places, nothing beats having a variety of delicious snacks to munch on.

Enjoying some treats during our stop in Israel.

Here are some road trip tips on what we like to pack for the whole family.

Pack Snacks: Bring plenty of snacks for yourself to stay energized during the trip. This stackable container helps keep them from getting crushed and can be easily refilled.
- We loved these trail mix packs, That’s it real fruit bars, and these yummy organic Teriyaki flavored roasted seaweed.
- Our babies enjoyed these yogurt melts, and these dissolving veggie teething straws (6+ months).
- Set up a trash bag (or several) or this hanging garbage can within easy reach to round up the trash and prevent a car dumpster situation.
- Feel free to utilize my road trip tips in any way that resonates with you, and pack whatever best suits the needs and preferences of your family!

Hydrate: Remember to pack extra WATER and electrolyte drinks.
- There was a 3-4 hour stretch where we drove straight without a gas station to buy cold drinks! You just never know. So always pack more than you think you’ll need.
- Packing a small cooler might be a good idea. It’ll keep juice boxes, water, or snacks that need to stay cold while on the road.

Remember Your Vitamins: Mary Ruth Organics has these travel-sized multivitamins available and they’re super convenient to use. I personally tried them during our Seattle to Las Vegas road trip and experienced a noticeable boost in energy.

This travel pack is suitable for individuals aged one and above, making them a great vitamin for the whole family. I have a coupon code so you can save some money. Enter MROMSUGGS at checkout for 20% off. Also available on Amazon!

10. Stay Patient and Positive

Take It Hour by Hour: Incorporate these road trip tips, and understand that each trip and each baby is different. Stay flexible and patient with your baby’s needs. Always give yourself extra time to arrive at a destination.
Don’t rush yourself: stop if you need to stop. You’ll get there no matter if it takes an extra 3 hours. Don’t feel like you need to torture yourself to get there in record time.
Have patience, and stay positive: continue your normal routines as you can, and try to enjoy it. Remember, babies pick up on our emotions so staying calm and content will help create a healthy environment.

In Conclusion

Taking a road trip with a baby can be a bit scary at first. The thing to remember is that you can’t stop what’s coming and control things, but you can do your absolute best in preparing for it. The most important reminders and road trip tips are these:

Be flexible, and be ready to adapt and pivot as needed.
After the first road trip, you’ll learn what worked and what didn’t, and you will adjust for the next one!

During the baby stage, it’s relatively straightforward—they eat, sleep, and repeat.

While some moments may feel challenging, rest assured that once you reach your destination, everything will fall into place. These carefully curated road trip tips are based on my own experiences taking countless road trips with my babies. They are designed to ensure that you are fully prepared and equipped to prioritize your baby’s needs throughout the drive.

1. How many hours a day should you drive on a road trip?

It is generally advised to limit your driving time to no more than 8 hours when driving solo, extendable to 12 hours with a co-driver, and ideally kept within 6-8 hours when traveling with children for safety and comfort.

2. How do you drive comfortably on a road trip?

To drive comfortably on a road trip, wear compression socks, use a memory foam seat cushion, and wear loose-fitting clothing such as a two-piece lounge set. Also, bring a comfy throw blanket and a neck pillow with you.

3. How to drive 12 hours in one day?

To drive 12 hours in one day, plan your route strategically. Take regular breaks every few hours to stretch, eat, and use the restroom. Make sure to pack plenty of snacks and water, and refuel your vehicle at every stop. Begin your drive early in the morning to avoid traffic and make the most progress.

Amazon Storefront

Don’t forget to visit my Amazon storefront, where you’ll find thoughtfully curated selections of travel essentials.

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Written by: Melanie Suggs

Melanie is a nurse, a coffee-lovin’ mama of two, and a frequent flier who has visited 17+ countries, lived overseas in Asia, Europe, and the States, and has taken her kids all over the world starting at 16 weeks old.

With her extensive experience in flying and traveling with her children, she has developed a passion for helping others travel with ease through tips in her blog posts.

Hello! I'm Mel