Our First Road Trip With Toddlers: What Worked, What Didn’t, and What I’ll Do Differently Next Time

I really didn’t know what to expect when planning our road trip from Orlando to North Carolina. We’ve started to get the hang of flying with the boys — we even survived an 8-hour non-stop flight to Brazil (and back) earlier this year. But sitting in a car for hours on end? That felt like a whole different challenge.

Honestly, my boys get antsy just driving to the pharmacy drive-through, so an 8–9 hour trip sounded… ambitious.

On the way there, we split the trip into two days — four hours on Wednesday, a hotel overnight, and four hours Thursday. The boys’ schedules were completely thrown off, and if you know toddlers, that can mean some big feelings. They really thrive on routine. While we’re more flexible now that they’re older, naps and bedtimes are still pretty consistent — within about 15–20 minutes.

They started getting antsy around the two-hour mark on that first day. I’d hoped they’d nap since we left around nap time, but only one did — briefly. When we got to the hotel, it was close to bedtime, but they needed to burn off some energy. So we went outside — walking, running, pushing suitcases, collecting rocks. I used some of my favorite sensory and proprioceptive tactics to help regulate their little bodies before bed.

Then we decided to try something new: sleeping on the mattress on the floor. Not a good idea. They’ve always slept in cribs, so being “unrestrained” was just too exciting. No one slept. Around 9:30 p.m., we requested two pack-and-plays and finally got them down by 10. It was… a long night.

The next day was similar — they hit that two-hour wall again. We didn’t want to stop, so I pulled out every distraction tactic I could think of: spotting trucks, playing “Mama Says,” handing out endless Cheerios and Trader Joe’s “ghost chips,” pulling out sticker books, fidget spinners, and new toys from my giant Land’s End tote. They all worked — for a few minutes at a time. And toward the end, we finally gave in to a little screen time.

Funny enough, the drive home went smoother — and it was all in one day. We were ready to be back, so we left early and just went for it. One of the boys fell asleep soon after we hit the road around 8:30 a.m., and the other was content. We made it five hours before stopping (a new record). We pulled into Buc-ee’s in Georgia — wild, but amazing for stretching, eating, and getting some sensory stimulation. After that, we turned on a movie (our first attempt at anything longer than a short YouTube show). One boy slept, the other was happily entertained for over an hour.

Lots of learning moments. Lots of snacks. And lots of grace.

If you’re planning your first long drive with toddlers, here’s what I’d suggest:

1. Bring all the snacks — and then more.
They’re an excellent distraction. We don’t usually snack this much at home, but it works when traveling.

2. Bring something new.
A small toy or activity they haven’t seen before makes the drive feel special.

3. Get them out of the car… or don’t.
We tried to hold off as long as possible because once they were out, getting back in was tough.

4. Don’t introduce anything new for sleep.
If they’ve never co-slept, a road trip is not the time to try. Request a pack-and-play or keep bedtime as routine as possible.

That’s what worked for us (and what didn’t). It wasn’t perfect, but we made it — and that feels like a huge win.

Toddler Travel Must-Haves (That Actually Helped Us Survive the Drive)

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A few things made our 8-hour drive a little smoother — and a little less messy. Whether you’re road-tripping for a weekend or a full week away, these are the travel essentials I recommend having on hand:

1. Reusable zip storage bags
I love these zip bags to organize everything — snacks, wipes, small toys, crayons, even extra clothes. They save space and make it so much easier to find what you need without rummaging through a mountain of stuff.

2. Spill-proof snack cups
These are a game changer in the car. They let the boys snack independently (and constantly) while keeping the back seat from turning into a Cheerio graveyard.

3. Car window curtains
Long drives mean lots of sun exposure. Car safe curtains or shades make the car much more comfortable for little ones — and help with naps, too. These ones were super easy to “install” with a magnet feature!

4. Sticker books + reusable activity pads
Endless entertainment. My boys love anything with stickers, trucks, or animals. It keeps their hands and minds busy and is a great screen-free activity for travel days.

5. Fidget spinners or pop tubes
Simple, portable, and surprisingly engaging. Fidget toys are perfect for sensory input when kids get restless — and they fit easily in your travel bag.

6. Compact travel toys
Mini cars, stacking cups, or soft blocks are all easy wins for the car. I pack a few in a small zip bag so I can rotate new toys throughout the trip.

7. Refillable water bottles
A must for staying hydrated (and sanity-saving for long trips). I bring one per kid and refill at each stop. Learn from our mistake — go with the solid color lid and handle (like the “under construction” design). The two-tone version didn’t last long!

8. Portable sound machine
We use one for naps in the car and at hotels. It helps drown out background noise and makes new environments feel a little more familiar. We have two of these and they have been going strong for two years.

9. Travel wipes (everywhere wipes)
Not just for diaper changes — these are for sticky fingers, dusty toys, car seat spills, you name it. I keep a pack in every bag.

10. A big tote bag for mom
My “Mary Poppins” bag of survival: snacks, toys, wipes, napkins, water, new activities… everything within reach for those toddler meltdowns.

The Truth About Family Travel With Toddlers

I’ll be honest — there was a moment I seriously considered turning around. After that long, sleepless night in the hotel, I questioned what we were thinking. Was it really worth it? Packing up half our house, disrupting the boys’ routines, and signing up for eight hours of unpredictable toddler moods in a confined space?

But here’s the thing — none of this is easy. Traveling with toddlers isn’t relaxing. It’s not “a break.” It’s work. It’s patience. It’s deep breaths and snack bribes and reminding yourself that it’s okay to feel overstimulated, too.

And still… I’m so glad we did it.

We got to explore somewhere new together. We watched the boys light up at small moments — spotting trucks on the highway, running through the hotel hallways, collecting rocks outside, cheering dad on throughout the race course. These are the things that make it all worth it.

So, if you’re in the thick of toddler life and debating whether it’s worth the chaos — it is. Not because it’s easy, but because it’s part of the story we’re building as a family. Imperfect, messy, and full of grace.

💡 If you’re planning your own family road trip soon, grab my Quick Click travel guide.

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