Theres something about summer that just calls for road trips! Warm weather, beautiful sunsets and the open road – it’s the perfect time to pack the car and hit the road with the family! Don’t you have super fun memories of road trips with your family? I remember my brother and I would fight over who go to play the Game Boy (80’s baby here)! Hitting the road with a baby requires a bit more planning. We took our first road trip when Oliver was 3 months old and it was a breeze! Read along for the ultimate tips to make roadtrippin’ with baby fun, safe and easy!

1. Snacks and Water!

   A no brainer but you’ll be glad you brought these! One thing about road trips is that it can be tough to find healthy and tasty eats on the road. Pack snacks such as fruits and veggies and keep them in an insulated bag or cooler. For longer road trips, pack goodies that will remain good unrefrigerated; nuts, trail mix, dried fruit. Snacks also come in handy when you would rather keep driving if baby is sleeping instead of stopping to eat. For baby, we bring a bottle or sippy cup full of water and offer it to him often. Slices of apples and pears are great for baby to nibble on with minimal mess!

2. Entertainment

   Oliver sleeps great in the car (I think most babies do), so we try to plan our long stretches during his nap time. And I’ll admit that he sleeps much longer in the car than his regular naps at home. For the times he isn’t sleeping, keeping him entertained can be a bit of a challenge. We do one of several things:

   1. One of us sits in the back and plays with him. Never underestimate the power of peek-a-boo!
   2. Toys (duh!) Books are awesome and stackable toys are easy to pack away. A fellow mom recently put me on to these Mini Construction toys that keep him entertained for a long time.
   3. Iphone or iPad – this is usually the last resource for me. If we are just a short distance from our destination, I will play him a cartoon or video that will keep him distracted for a bit longer.

3. Stops

   If you are going to be driving on a long, desolate road, try to map out where the rest areas and gas stations are. Sometimes you’ll need to stop more often than planned and other times you’ll want to drive a bit further to keep from waking baby. We tend to stop when baby wakes up from his naps and gets bored of his toys. Realistically for us, we’re looking at every 3-4 hours. Which is perfect because we grab a bite to eat! Don’t keep driving if you’re too tired. Switch seats for a bit, if possible. Late nights can be tough, know when to stop pushing yourself!

4. Car Seat

   Before you take off, triple check that the car seat is securely correctly, that the harness straps are in the right position and that the car seat has not reached its expiration date. Safety first.

   Tip: your local fire station will usually check that the car seat is in properly for free!

5. Sun and Temperature

   A sun shade can be a life-saver and help protect baby’s skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen even if the weather is cloudy! Be cognizant of the weather and the sun. Keep in mind that the a/c may not reach the back seat and baby could get too hot which usually makes for an unhappy baby. Dress babies accordingly and offer baby a hat if his car seat doesn’t offer sufficient shade. A rear view baby mirror is great to make sure baby isn’t being fussy because the sun is in his eyes!

6. Stays

   This could almost be a completely separate post. Planning ahead is key here. If you’re staying in a hotel, make sure there are cribs available. Don’t forget to ask about parking – some hotels charge a nightly fee for parking your vehicle which could easily add up.

7. No Crying It Out

   Whether or not you’re a fan of this method or not, road trips are not the time to let baby cry for a long time. The stress of driving and a screaming baby in the back is not conducive to safe driving. Stop at the nearest safe area and let baby (and you) get some fresh air. Sometimes it’s just a matter of a quick diaper change.

8. Car Tune-Up!

   Make sure the oil change is up to date, the tire air pressure is checked, all your fluids are topped off and the windshield wipers don’t need changing! The last thing you need is to be stuck on the side of the road waiting hours for AAA or getting caught in a rain storm with bad wipers!

9. Packing the Car

   In case of sudden stops, items can easily propel forward. Make sure to secure everything and keep heavy items towards the floor of the car to prevent anything from flying forward and hurting any passenger. Keep items you will need easily accessible!

   Do you have great tips for hitting the road with baby? I’m always looking for ways to save time and make travel fun and easy! I’d love to hear from you!