Whether you're taking a much-needed vacation or simply road-tripping to Grandma and Grandpa's house, there will come a time when you’ll need to bring your baby on an extended car trip.
Going on a road trip with a baby may seem like a monumental feat. But with a little planning and a lot of flexibility, it may not be as challenging as you think.
Of course, a road trip with a baby does come with some extra considerations. How old should a baby be to travel? How long can a baby be in the car? Where is the best place to change a dirty diaper?
Most babies are ready for road travel by the age of three months. However, sometimes it's the parents who aren't quite ready to embark on a road trip with a baby. As soon as you feel mentally prepared to hit the open road, consider these simple tips for road trips with a baby.
Start Small
The day you leave for a week-long road trip should not be the first time your baby travels for an extended time in a car seat. Get some practice by taking shorter trips before you hit the road for a longer period.
Plan Around Your Baby's Sleep Schedule
Much of your road trip planning should revolve around your baby's sleep schedule, starting with when you leave. Try to plan your departure so you'll be getting on the road right around nap time, or in the evening when your baby usually goes down for the night.
Doing as much of the driving as possible while your baby is asleep will be helpful for everyone. Of course, you need to stay well-rested too, so be cautious about driving through the night.
Have a Plan for Meals
How you plan your meals will depend on the age of your baby. Infants have different needs than toddlers, of course. If your baby is nursing, plan extra time for stops and if they’re bottle fed, be sure to have all the necessary supplies. If your baby is eating solid food, pack a cooler to store their meals and snacks.
Coordinate Your Stops
You'll have to make a lot of stops on the road—from bathroom and food breaks to filling up the gas tank and stretching your legs. You’ll also need to make necessary stops for safety. It's generally recommended that babies do not sit in a car seat for more than two hours at a time—that means planning stops every two hours to take them out and let them stretch.
You'll be well served to coordinate your efforts and make the most out of every stop. Plan meals so you eat at the same time your baby eats. When one adult gets gas, the other should use that time to get baby out of his or her seat for fresh air.
Pack Smart
It's hard to know exactly what to pack for a road trip with a baby, but keep in mind that it's generally better to over-pack than under-pack. Put as many of your baby travel essentials as possible in one bag and keep it readily accessible so you can reach it throughout your trip. Include these must-haves for a road trip with baby:
Places to Go on a Road Trip with a Baby
Knowing where to go is as important as knowing what to bring on a road trip with a baby. Even if you do everything else right, your road trip can still get derailed if you choose a destination that isn't baby-friendly.
When planning a road trip with a newborn, choose locations with modern amenities and plan a route that allows you to make frequent stops. These are some of the best road trip destination ideas with a baby.
Washington, DC
Our nation's capital is easy to navigate and offers an abundance of indoor and outdoor fun for babies and toddlers. Walking around the National Mall is great for all ages, and the paths along the Potomac are perfect for a quiet stroll while baby sleeps in the stroller.
Sonoma, California
Wine country with a baby? Sure! The rolling landscape around Sonoma is every bit as soothing to a newborn as it is to you. Plus, the peaceful atmosphere should make it easy for baby to get plenty of uninterrupted rest—a key ingredient for any road trip with a baby.
Clearwater, Florida
The Gulf Coast city of Clearwater—close to Tampa Bay—is a great beach getaway with baby on board. In addition to the white sand and calm waters of Clearwater Beach, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is great for all ages, and the Great Explorations Children's Museum is ideal for toddlers and older kids.
New York City, New York
NYC is a surprisingly baby-friendly city. One of the great things about NYC is that it's easy to get around with a stroller or baby carrier, so you don't have to spend as much time dealing with car seats. There are plenty of parks and green spaces to stroll around as well as kid-friendly attractions and museums.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
You might not think of a place with erupting geysers and bubbling mud pits as a great place for a baby, but Yellowstone is a perfect place to hike and explore with an infant. There are even stroller-friendly boardwalks.
When going on a road trip with a baby, you’ll need a comfortable, accommodating place to stay. One that offers easy access to all the amenities you need.
Fortunately, with 8,900+ Hotels by Wyndham to choose from, chances are there's one nearby. Download the Wyndham Hotels & Resorts app today to start planning your road trip.
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