How We Survive a Road Trip with Four Kids (and Still Like Each Other)

We are in the throes of summer, and I know many people are itching to get out of town and head someplace scenic.

I’m from Indiana and while I love where I live, I often find myself daydreaming of the beach. My parents had the same thought years ago and moved south. They’ve lived in Florida for over a decade now, and in order to spend time with them, we’ve taken a family road trip (yes, all 6 of us!) just about every year.

Some of you might be thinking, “A road trip? With kids? Absolutely not.” And I get it. Flying definitely has its perks. But there’s something I love about the flexibility (and affordability) of a good old-fashioned road trip.

So without further ado, here are my BEST tips for surviving a 10+ hour road trip with four kids!

With four kids under the age of 10, we quickly discovered that one hour of nighttime driving = about two hours of daytime driving. Fewer stops, fewer requests, fewer meltdowns.

We usually plan our trip to start during nap time, take a long dinner and stretch break, then hit the road again afterwards and drive through the night.

1. Drive Through the Night (Seriously)

We always aim to stop near a mid-size or large city for dinner, preferably one with an indoor playground or a mall. Letting the kids run wild for 45 minutes can be a total game-changer.

I also like to plan a Starbucks stop about 15 minutes before they close—because let’s be honest, caffeine is a must when you’re pulling an all-nighter past the age of 30.

2. Map Out Strategic Stops

You never know when you’ll hit traffic, construction, or a surprise detour. Having one adult in charge of monitoring live traffic, rerouting when needed, and spotting good gas or bathroom stops can save hours of frustration.

This person is also your go-to for managing snacks, rest breaks, and emergency baby wipes.

3. Assign a Navigator

This rule is non-negotiable. If we stop for gas, food, or coffee—everyone goes potty. Even if they just went. It prevents the dreaded scenario of getting back on the highway only to hear, “I have to go!” five minutes later.

4. EVERY Stop is a Potty Break

When you know you’re stopping at Chick-fil-A or Starbucks, order ahead on the app. Not only does this save time, but it also lets you grab kid’s meals with those precious toys that buy you 10 more minutes of quiet van time.

5. Order Ahead to Save Time

Snacks are your best friend on a long drive. I always pack both variety and volume: Goldfish, fruit snacks, pretzels, animal crackers, Teddy Grahams, and suckers for when I need them really occupied. I avoid chocolate (melty mess!) and anything that feels like a choking hazard.

6. Pack All the Snacks

Trust me—plastic cups and baby wipes go a long way. We use the cups to pass food to the kids without spills, and wipes for…everything else. I haven’t tried them yet, but I’ve got my eye on this car seat food tray for our next trip!

7. Don't Forget Cups and Wipes

I’ve driven from northern Indiana to Florida at least 10 times with kids, and I swear by using pull-ups—even for the fully potty trained 3- and 4-year-olds. It’s not about regression; it’s about peace of mind when the nearest rest stop is still 45 minutes away. During potty training, we even kept a portable potty in the back and lined it with a ziplock bag. Game-changer.

8. Pull-ups...Even for the Potty Trained

The secret here? Stagger the activities. Don’t give your kids everything at once, and for heaven’s sake, don’t let them see it before you leave.

Here are some of our favorites:

• iPad + Holder: We don’t have an in-car entertainment system, so we use an iPad mounted in a holder that all four kids can see. We save this for after dark when the screen is easier to watch.
  

• LCD Drawing Tablets: Mess-free and endlessly entertaining.
  

• Playaways from the Library: These are kid-friendly audiobooks that just need a battery and headphones. Bonus: great for kids who get car sick and can’t read.
  

• Water Wows by Melissa & Doug: A little water goes a long way. These reusable coloring books keep toddlers entertained with minimal mess.
  

• Reusable Sticker Books: I treat these as semi-disposable—most of the stickers end up stuck to one page or lost in car seat crevices. But for the time they last? Totally worth it.

9. Car Activities That Actually Work

Here’s my final—and possibly most important—tip: Plan your arrival so you can sleep when you get there. We time our drive to arrive at my parents’ house around or shortly after breakfast. They’re amazing grandparents and let us crash for a few hours while they take the kids. It makes all the difference.

10. Make Sure You Can Crash at the End

Have any great (or unhinged) road trip hacks I didn’t mention? I’d love to hear them! Send me a message—especially if your crew is even larger than mine!

What are your road trip must-haves?

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