How to have a smooth family road trip

Are you planning a family road trip, but worried about the long-distance journey in the car? Not to fret because, with a little bit of our planning advice and packing tips, we’ll help you reach your destination with smiling faces.

First things first, PREPARATION!

It’s more than just preparing the car! One of the greatest parenting lessons I’ve learned since raising my little ones is preparing them for what’s to come. In this case, you want to start talking about the road trip and the long drive with your kids beforehand. Of course, if you are traveling with a baby, they won’t understand, but with toddlers it is key.

About a week before the trip, bring up the trip and start talking about the car ride. Talk about it with excitement and as if it’s a big adventure. Use a calendar to cross off the days as you get closer. Talk to them about what they want to bring and even include them in the packing. This will help their little minds prepare for the long drive and help them understand what’s to come: why they’ll be sat in their carseat for many hours.

If you or your partner is dreading the drive, try to change your mindset into a positive one. Think about affirmations like, “It will all be ok” and “It is only temporary” to help you stay calm and relaxed in the moment.

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Prep for your ears

Download audiobooks, podcasts and music to play on the road. Depending on the age of your child, you can create playlists together of favourite songs. Does your baby sleep with a white noise machine? It’s worth bringing in the car and using to quieten the other noises of the road and car to get your bub to sleep. Guva is a great app with plenty of free sounds.

If you’re bringing a screen for your kids, don’t forget kids’ headphones so you can drive in peace. We always bring a device that has a game or two, and a few pre-downloaded movies and shows just in case.

Planning your drive

Yes, it’s easy to just hit start on Google Maps as you head off, but rather than rely on random petrol stations and small towns for breaks, why not do a bit more digging to see if there are any worthy stops on the way. After a few hours in the car, everyone needs to stretch their legs. Use apps like Campermate to look for playgrounds, walks, toilets and more.

Make an intentional stop for a meal either bring it from home or grab takeaways and enjoy somewhere scenic where the kids can run around and get some sillies out before hopping back in their car seats. If you’re short on time and with two adults, drop one parent and the kids off at the playground while the other refuels the car and grabs food or more snacks.

Look for fun roadside attractions on the route like the “world’s largest [blank]” or pick your own fruit. Something funny to look back at and laugh. One road trip I’ll never forget was up to Michigan in the States and we made a rule to stop at every mini golf course or go-karts we passed. Creating core memories is the best part of road trips!

Next up, PACKING!

I’m talking about packing for the car. Stuff you need to reach during the drive. Your packed luggage in the boot depends on your destination. These are things you want to access easily and quickly.

Nappy bag

By now you are a pro at packing your OiOi nappy backpack, but this time you are going to want to fill it to the brim with more nappies than usual and always a spare pair of clothes. If your little one is having blowouts often, then maybe a few more backups different from what you packed for the trip. I promise you don’t want to have to pull out all your luggage that was somehow stacked so you could still see out the rear. It never goes back the same.

Don’t forget the classics like wipes (have extra in the glovebox for spills!), nappy rash cream and your Travel Change Mat. A blanket is always great if you stop and bub wants to do some tummy time. Always bring their lovie and soothers for comfort.

Also, don’t forget sealable bags for dirty nappies. You’ll tell yourself you’ll remember to throw it out at the next petrol station and you’ll forget and regret that later down the road.

Activity bag with a surprise

Fill a big tote bag with activities, books, toys and more and place it between the car seats where they can reach. Add in a special road trip surprise. Something new, inexpensive that will entertain them for a wee while. Give it to them at the start or halfway into the journey.

Pack favourite books, Seek and Find ones are great for killing time, and make sure to grab colouring paper and crayons/pencils. We love activity books with stickers, mazes, etc for long trips. Mess-free colouring like Water Wows are great for repeat use and saves you from worrying about colouring off paper.

If you are traveling with an infant, bring a few hardcover picture books, rattles, teething toys, a mirror from their playmat and anything you can safely clip on to their car seat or window.

Food and snack bag

This is essential! Always overpack on snacks otherwise you will be stopping for more. My kids eat more when sitting in place and them asking for snacks every five minutes is torturous. Pre-cut fruit, pack leftovers, bring a chilly bin bag with cold drinks and try to limit your waste. Rubbish always seems to pile up on road trips. Bringing a designated bin bag can help with this!

If they are old enough, bring their lunch boxes packed with a mix of items including healthy snacks and favourite treats. Allow them to eat as they go.

*always make sure food is cut to reduce choking hazard

Anything else to make it a smoother ride?

Is your kid potty-training? You may want to bring your own little potty for long stretches with no stops. Comfier with a pillow and blanket? Bring it. Wear slides to slip on and off easily. Same for the kids, pack shoes that are quick to get on and off. Think about sun shades if you don’t already have them. Have tissues within arm’s reach and always an extra pack of wipes laying around.

On the road

You’ve prepared, you’ve packed, and there’s only one thing left to do and that is to go!

Pack up the car and don’t let the little ones in until the last second. If you are traveling alone with your kids, make sure your snacks are reachable and the activity bag is accessible for your kids. Assure them that there will be stops and get them excited for the adventure!

If you are traveling with a partner, take turns driving. The driver has it easier while the passenger is bombarded with questions and demands. Play games like I Spy, point out certain coloured cars, etc. Sing favourite songs, see who can go the longest without talking, find funny shapes in the clouds, give everyone a chance to make up a story, and when everything else fails make a stop to reset or pull out the iPad to give yourself some quiet time.

For babies who absolutely hate their car seat

Try shorter distances in the car before your big trip to get them used to the car. Plan to leave around their nap time and try to stick to similar bed/nap time routines. Use a mirror on their seat, giving them the chance to see you or themselves. Consider sitting next to your little one if they are distressed. Make extra stops if they won’t settle and remember to breathe, you will get there and baby will be fine.

Traveling with kids may come with more stuff, it might take longer, and it might stress you out more, but I promise that time spent as a family is irreplaceable. The car ride will only last so long, but creating memories together will last a lifetime.

We hope that you enjoyed reading this blog article. Special thanks to Viktoria @viktoriawanders for writing her wonderful guide and sharing these treasured photos from her own family road trips. OiOi is a family run Australian business who have built a strong reputation over 25 years for designing Australia's best nappy bags and pram accessories. Follow us on Instagram @oioi_global for daily inspiration or subscribe to our newsletter for beautiful fortnightly emails.

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The information and other content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, should not be construed as medical advice and it is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the author's employer, organisation, committee or other group or individual.