We’ve done a lot of road trips with kids over the years, and we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way 😅) what helps make those long drives a little smoother. Every age and stage brings new challenges — what worked when our kids were toddlers doesn’t always fly now that they’re older — but here’s what’s helped us survive (and even enjoy!) road trips with kids as a big family.
Snacks & Meals on the Go 🍎🥪
Always pack more than you think you’ll need — somehow the second the car starts moving, the kids are starving.
We usually pack breakfast and/or lunch at least one meal for the car..
- Sandwiches (turkey, ham, cheese, or veggie)
- Fresh fruit (apple slices, grapes, berries)
- Cut vegetables (carrot sticks, cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes)
- Cheese sticks or cubes
- Crackers or rice cakes
- Goldfish crackers or pretzels
- Granola bars or protein bars
- Trail mix (nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips)
- Yogurt tubes or cups with spoons
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Jerky (beef, turkey, or plant-based options)
- Muffins or mini muffins
- Fruit snacks or gummies
- Water bottles and juice boxes
Packing ahead saves time, money, and everyone’s sanity.
If we know there’s a Chick-fil-A on our route (and it’s not a Sunday 😅), we might stop for a quick break.
And every now and then we’ll plan a sit-down meal if it’s a local favorite — like grabbing BBQ in Memphis or a regional diner that’s worth the stop. Sometimes those meals become some of the most memorable parts of the trip.
When to Hit the Road ⏰
We’ve tried it all when it comes to departure times:
- Leaving at midnight worked great when the kids were little — they’d sleep most of the way.
- As they’ve gotten older, though, they don’t sleep as easily in the car.
- We’ve also left as early as 3–4 AM or as late as 4–5 PM, depending on where we’re headed, if we’re stopping overnight, and what time we want to arrive.
There’s no perfect time — it just depends on the trip and the kids’ moods that day!
Entertainment for All Ages 🎧📚🎮
Keeping everyone happy in the car is the real challenge — what entertains a 4-year-old rarely works for a 10- or 12-year-old. There’s no magic formula, but here’s a mix that’s worked for us:
🎮 Tablets and shows for longer stretches: We don’t usually allow much tablet time at home, but on road trips with kids, the tablets get plenty of use. It works for us because screen time is limited at home, and once we reach our destination, the tablets are put away until the ride home.
Other options we offer on road trips with kids are:
- 📚 Reading (for those who don’t get car sick)
- 🎧 Audiobooks — great for all ages and keeps the car a little quieter
- 🧩 Workbooks + Wiki Stix for hands-on fun
- 🎶 Sing-alongs or “Guess the Song” for family laughs
- 🚘 Classic car games like I Spy and License Plates
Final Thoughts 💛
Every trip is different — sometimes the kids nap peacefully, sometimes we question all our life choices by hour four 😅 — but with snacks, packed lunches, flexible timing, and a solid entertainment plan, we always make it through. And those little moments (a funny car game, a good audiobook, or a surprise stop for BBQ) are often what we remember most.
Click here for some of our favorite family road trips!
