10-Hour Road Trip with a Baby: What We Learned & What Actually Helped
Lessons from a first-time long-haul road trip with our 10-month-old
Taking your baby on a long road trip? You’ve probably got a hundred “what ifs” running through your head. When our daughter Emilie was just over 10 months old, we packed up the car for a 10-hour drive to Florida (in the middle of Covid, no less). And while we survived (yay!), we definitely picked up a few road-tested lessons along the way.
Here’s what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d absolutely do again.
🕓 When Should You Hit the Road?
We did a 4 a.m. departure—and I’m so glad we did. We got a jump on traffic and caught a chunk of the drive during her overnight sleep (which is way better than her naps). We also arrived before her 7 p.m. bedtime so she could settle into a normal routine right away.
👉 Tip: Think about your driving energy just as much as your kiddo’s sleep schedule. Drowsy driving = no good for anyone.
🛑 How Often Should You Stop?
Every 2.5–3 hours was our sweet spot. Even if she wasn’t fussing, we’d stop for a quick stretch, a diaper change, and a snack. Getting her back into the car seat? Not fun. But regular stops helped all of us recharge.
🥪 Baby Snacks & Meals on the Go
We packed a small cooler just for her:
Milk and water
Cheerios & pouches (she didn’t quite “get” the pouches but loved the taste!)
Her bento box lunch (think watermelon, chicken, carrots—small bites ready to go)
At lunch stops, we’d pull out her tray and let her eat from the box instead of balancing things on our laps. Game-changer.
💺 Car Seat Safety (and Sanity)
This part is non-negotiable:
No add-ons: no pillows, toys clipped on, or cozy inserts unless they came with the car seat.
If you're unsure about install, find a certified car seat tech.
We focused on her being safe and comfy enough to snooze on the drive.
🧸 Toys in the Car: Soft & Safe
We skipped books and hard toys in case of sudden stops or bumps. Soft toys only—things that won’t fly across the car if we hit a pothole.
Our favorite? A lightweight scarf that she could play peek-a-boo with. Hours of entertainment, zero risk.
👀 Mirrors, Shades & Keeping Cool
That backseat mirror? Lifesaver. It let us keep an eye on her without climbing back every five minutes.
We also added window shades since airflow in the back was pretty minimal. Anything that helps keep the temp steady = worth it.
🍽️ No Dine-In? No Problem.
With Covid restrictions, we had to get creative at mealtime. This booster seat with a tray let us set her up outside the car or at a picnic table. WAY easier than feeding her in our laps (and much less messy).
🎒 Easy-Access Must-Haves
We kept the diaper bag loaded and within reach with:
Diapers + wipes
Travel changing pad (we did backseat changes only)
2 changes of clothes + bag for dirty ones
Sound machine or Spotify white noise
Hand sanitizer (because… obviously)
Final Thoughts
We learned quickly that “traveling light” is no longer a thing—but traveling well with a baby totally is. It just takes a little extra prep and a whole lot of patience.
So if you're on the fence about road tripping with your little? I say go for it. Make the memories. And know I’m cheering you on from the road.