Ultimate Road Trip with Toddlers Checklist + Tips
A long road trip with a toddler sounds like a nightmare but speaking from experience, if you are set up with the essential items on this list, your car rides with your toddler are bound to become so much easier.
This road trip with toddlers checklist is going to provide you with a rock-solid plan of action for your upcoming family road trip and set you up for success.
Keep reading for my best suggestion for your must-haves for your next long car ride with a toddler!
Love travel? Looking for all of the tips? I also have an informative guide for flying with a toddler to read next!
Ultimate Road Trip Checklist for Toddlers
This list of road trip essentials covers it all. Add every item to your family road trip packing list and you’ll be smooth sailing!
First aid kit: Always handy for any unexpected bumps or scrapes along the journey.
Plastic bag for potential puke: Essential for keeping the car clean and tidy, especially with little ones prone to motion sickness.
Motion sickness medication: For any little travelers who may experience discomfort during the trip.
Diaper bag with changing essentials: Make sure you have everything you need for diaper changes on the go.
Portable potty: this could be a lifesaver if you aren’t close to a rest stop.
Tablet with a higher screen time limit: A lifesaver for longer journeys, providing entertainment and distraction.
Wet bag: Perfect for storing wet or soiled clothes, diapers, or any other messy items.
Favorite toys: Bring along their favorite toys to keep them occupied and happy.
Coloring book: Great for keeping toddlers entertained and engaged during the trip.
Cooler with snacks and ice packs: Keep hunger at bay with a selection of healthy snacks and drinks stored in a cooler.
Your own toilet paper: You never know when you might need it, especially at rest stops or in emergencies.
Portable DVD player: A classic option for entertainment, especially for toddlers who enjoy movies.
Car seat organizers: Keep essentials organized and within reach during the journey. Helpful for drinks and snacks!
Sippy cup: Essential for keeping drinks spill-free during the trip.
Comfortable car seat: Ensure your toddler is safe and comfortable throughout the journey with a suitable car seat.
Blanket: Handy for keeping your little one cozy during naps or colder weather.
Extra set of clothing: Accidents happen, so it's wise to have spare clothes on hand.
Towel: Useful for cleaning up spills or if they have an accident in their car seat in the middle of the trip.
Wipes: Versatile for cleaning hands, faces, and any other messes that arise.
Hand sanitizer: Keep germs at bay with regular hand sanitizing throughout the trip.
Trash bags for miscellaneous items: Help keep the car tidy by disposing of trash easily along the way.
Road Trip Tips for Toddlers
After you have your road trip with toddlers checklist ready, take a look at these tips. I have included my best tips for a comfortable and chaos-free road trip with a toddler in tow:
My absolute best tip for planning a road trip with a toddler is simple actually. Time your trip during nap time. When my son was at the age of only 1 nap, we would pack the car in the morning and leave by 11 am so that he could nap for an hour or two, and by the time we were at our destination, there was no fuss.
Now I realize not all road trips are 2 hours long, nor do all toddlers nap in the car, so this may not apply to all, but I can guarantee this was a really good strategy for fuss-free happy road trips. Still to this day actually!
My next big tip for chill road-tripping success is packing and distributing snacks and entertainment trickled down so as not to blow all your snacks and toys in the first half of your trip. Keep things a surprise, alternate snacks and toys, take a pit stop if need be, and stretch. Really milk the time so that there’s something new to eat or play with every hour or so.
If you do have a long road trip, plan ahead for stops along the way. Bring a scooter or a bike to get the wiggles out in a parking lot or rest area. We’ve done a few bike breaks while getting gas and it helps tremendously.
Plan ahead for long days: Schedule your travel around your toddler's natural rhythms (such as nap times). If they travel best while awake, plan for that. Asleep? Plan for that.
Utilize car essentials wisely: Keep all the necessary items within easy reach, ensuring you have quick access to snacks, entertainment, and comfort items whenever needed.
Make the best use of screen time: While it's essential to limit screen time, a tablet loaded with educational games or their favorite shows can be a lifesaver during long stretches of driving, providing entertainment in a fun way.
Pack road trip snacks: Bring along a variety of healthy snacks that are easy to eat in the car, helping to keep hunger at bay and energy levels up for the whole family. Remember your own snacks!
Plan for nap time: Try to coordinate your travel schedule around your toddler's nap time.
Stay flexible: Be prepared for unexpected stops and detours, as toddlers may need more breaks than adults. Embrace these breaks as opportunities to stretch your legs, explore new places, and make the most of your next road trip adventure. I love planning for these stops and stopping at landmarks and other fun places.
Involve small children in the planning: Let them help pack their favorite toys, snacks, and comfort items.
Rotate activities: Keep things fresh and engaging by rotating between different activities, such as coloring, playing with toys, listening to music, and watching videos, to prevent boredom during long drives.
Create a comfortable environment: Ensure your toddler is cozy and comfortable in their car seat by providing blankets or stuffies. Make sure they are at an age to be safe with those items should you choose to use them.
Headed out on a plane trip next? I have you covered for that as well! Check out my flying with a toddler checklist next!
