The holidays are fast approaching, which means many of us will soon be packing up the car to visit friends and family — or maybe sneaking in one last family getaway before the year ends.
But let’s be honest: hitting the road with kids, even for a short drive, takes planning. A long road trip? That takes focus, strategy, and a lot of snacks.
I asked some moms for their best travel hacks, and they did not disappoint! Here are their tried-and-true tactics for surviving — and even enjoying — your next family road trip.
 swissmediavision from Getty Images Signature |
Plot Your Trip
Help kids understand how far you’re going and what to expect. Print a map, trace your route, and point out familiar landmarks. For older kids, make it a math challenge:
“Grandma’s house is 240 miles away. If we drive 60 mph, how long will it take us to get there?”
Leave at Bedtime
If you have another driver or don’t mind nighttime driving, consider leaving after bedtime. Load up the kids in their pajamas, turn on soft music, and hit the road. Chances are they’ll sleep for most of the trip!
Get Comfortable
Let kids wear their pajamas, pack pillows and blankets, and bring their favorite comfort items. A cozy kid is a content kid!
 Monkey Business Images |
Pack Extra (Because… You’ll Need It)
- Prepackage snacks: Skip handing back the full-sized chip bag. Portion out snacks in containers or bags before you leave to prevent spills and fights.
- Drinks: Take a water bottle or cup for each person in the family. Be sure it has a lid that your child can't remove easily.
- Other Essentials:
- Baby wipes (always!)
- Plastic zipper bags
- Extra clothes
- Paper towels
- Paper bowls
- Utensils
- Straws
- First aid kit
- Trash bag
- Chargers for every device (label them so you can easily match them up during travel)
- Traveling with little ones? Pack a portable potty for those side-of-the-road emergencies. Keep zip-up plastic bags on hand for dirty diapers when there’s no trash can nearby.
 Weekend Images Inc. Getty Signature |
Keep the Kids Entertained
- Charge everything before you go: Make sure tablets, headphones, and devices are fully charged, and download movies or shows ahead of time.
- Download offline content: Download content on your devices that don't require internet if you don't want to hotspot.
- Prepare a travel tote for each child: A small bin with their essentials, plus a few surprises, helps keep them occupied.
- Play games: Here’s a list of family road trip games for the best car trip ever!
Pack a box of fun: Visit a craft or educational store clearance section and fill a small tote with surprises. Hide it until the trip — kids love opening something new on the road! Find ideas include:
- Color Wonder books
- How-To-Draw kits
- Stickers and notepads
- “Make Your Own Bookmark” crafts.
Mom Tips:
Borrow from the library: Your local library has so much more than books! Borrow audiobooks, movies, and even tablets or hotspots for your trip. (If reading in the car causes motion sickness, or your children can't read well yet, audiobooks are a great alternative.) Check out this list or ask your librarian for family-friendly recommendations!
- Give kids their own space: Use plastic tray tables with pockets or side storage to create a little “desk” for snacks, crafts, books, or tablets. Give school-aged kids a clipboard that holds papers and pencils inside. It helps keep everything together in one place, plus you can put surprise printables in each one for them to find on the trip. Here are some free printables you may enjoy.
 _kate_sept2004 from Getty Images Signature |
Plan for Stops
Even if you’re eager to get there, breaks are essential. Stretch your legs, grab a meal, or stop at a local landmark. The memories you make during those pit stops often become family favorites.
Stop to play, eat in the car: When you stop for gas, find a nearby park and let the kids burn energy while you prep simple meals like sandwiches, grapes, and trail mix. If a park isn’t nearby, find a fast-food restaurant with a play area. Let the kids play while you eat, then grab their meals on the way out.
And yes — make everyone use the bathroom every single time you stop. Trust us.
Mom Tips:
- Bring scooters. They’re small, fun, and perfect for quick movement breaks in empty parking lots.
- Traveling with little ones? Pack a portable potty for those side-of-the-road emergencies. Keep zip-up plastic bags on hand for dirty diapers when there’s no trash can nearby.
- Research fun roadside attractions and scenic stops along the way.
🎟️ Reward Good Behavior
Cut out construction paper “coupons” with special rewards like:
- “Pick the next playlist”
- “Choose a treat at the next stop”
- “Get out of the car first when we arrive”
Hand them out when your kids are kind or helpful. It’s amazing how motivating these can be!
💕 The Most Important Thing to Pack: Patience
Even the best-laid plans will go off course at some point. Spills happen, kids get cranky, traffic hits — but that’s okay. Some of the best family memories are made when the unexpected happens.
Take a deep breath, laugh when you can, and enjoy the ride.
Safe travels and happy holidays!
