Road Trips with Littles

My family just went to Disney World and we did not fly there. We drove from Maine to Florida. Yes, many people think that is crazy with three kids ranging in ages from 5 to 11 and the fact that it is a 24 hour drive but we did it. And this was our third time making that kind of drive. Here are some tips that I would like to share with other families to make their drives a bit easier.

Drury Plaza Hotel breakfast and kickback area

Tip #1: Time when you leave just right. My family likes to leave in the evening, close to bedtime. That helps the kids sleep through the first half of the journey so less bathroom breaks and they won’t start the “Are we there yet?” Not everyone can drive at night so you just have to figure out the best time for your family and coordinate your journey around that.

Georgia state line on I-95 heading south

Tip #2: Pack properly. Since my family leaves at night, I always pack a change of clothes for the kids so they can be comfortable in the car once they wake up in the morning. Also, I pack plenty of car activities such as movies and the portable DVD player (don’t forget the chargers), mess free coloring packets and car games. Don’t forget the snacks and even some easy breakfast and lunch items for everyone.

Lobby area of Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott

Tip #3: This road trip we ended up breaking up the trip and stopping after about 18 hours. Now, if you are picky when it comes to what hotels you stay at, I recommend doing some research beforehand. That is exactly what I did and I found two areas with hotels that I enjoy. On the way down, we stayed at the Drury Plaza Hotel in Savannah/Pooler, Georgia and on the way back we stayed at the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pennsylvania. I researched both areas beforehand and read reviews for both hotels but I do like those brands. I highly recommend this if you plan on stopping anywhere as staying at a dirty hotel or sketchy area could put a damper on your whole vacation.

Drury Plaza Inn 2 Queen Bed Room

Tip #4: Bring a lot of patience for your children, your spouse and the other drivers on the road.

Hope this helps families make road trips a bit easier! Don’t forget that I can help you plan magical family vacations to Disney, Universal, certain cruise lines and any other destination in North America that your family would like to visit! #neverlandingtravelbysara #familyvacations #roadtrips #helpfultips