How to Road Trip with a Baby: 40 Tips for a Low Stress Road Trip

Getting ready to take a road trip with a baby but nervous about everyone losing their minds?

I’ve figured out the best hacks to ensure a low stress road trip with a baby and I’m sharing them all here.

I’ve done lots of road trips with my baby, including two multi-day trips across the county. No, I’m not crazy! I just wanted my family, including my baby, to enjoy some awesome adventures together.

If you want to travel with your family without jeopardizing your sanity, check out this ultimate list of road trip tips and hacks to help everyone have an enjoyable trip.

*As a participant in the Amazon affiliate program, I may earn a small commission from your purchases using links in this post at no additional cost to you.

Before you can even go on the road trip, though, you have to pack! This can seem just as overwhelming as the actual trip if you don’t have the right tools. Luckily, I’ve got you covered with my FREE Ultimate Baby Packing Check List. You can download this freebie with the form below!

I’ve broken down these hacks into four categories: preparing, entertaining, feeding and changing, and napping. I’ve also included an extra bonus section at the end for you!

Each section has helpful hacks, advice, and products that will make your road trip with your baby easier for everyone. You can read them all or just jump to the section you’re most nervous about!

*As a participant in the Amazon affiliate program, I may earn a small commission from your purchases using links in this post at no additional cost to you.

A little preparation goes a long way on a road trip with a baby. Here are some tips you can do to prepare before you leave:

My number one road trip hack is to make sure you’re not traveling alone, if you can help it.

Going on a solo road trip more than two to three hours becomes a huge tasks with a little one. You’ll end up pulling over more often than you planned to help your little one and the trip will take much, much longer.

Road trips are much easier and safer when there’s an extra set of hands and eyes that don’t need to be focused on driving.

How you organize your diaper bag for daily use will be a little different for a road trip, especially a long one. I find it helpful to keep similar items in separate, smaller bags within the diaper bag – extra clothes, medicine, food, etc.

Things tend to go everywhere as they get used throughout the trip. Smaller bags within the big bag will help keep similar items together.

Ziplock bags work just fine, but I prefer to use these reusable mesh bags from Amazon. You won’t waste plastic or money on single use bags and there’s something particularly satisfying about the rainbow color coding possibilities.

I always keep an extra pack of wipes in the pocket behind the passenger seat so I can grab them easily when I need them.

Getting a pack with a snap top instead of the adhesive is the best choice so you can get them out quick when you need them. It’s crazy how messy things can get on a road trip!

Comfortable babies are happy babies. Choose an outfit that will cover where the car seat belt sits, is a comfortable and breathable material, doesn’t have any adornments on the back that will dig in (think buttons, bows, etc.), and is easy for diaper changes.

I prefer to go with a cotton t-shirt and shorts for my babe. You can always layer with socks and blankets if they get cold – don’t forget to pack these!, too! Make sure you have similar back up outfits in your diaper bag for when things inevitably get messy.

You don’t need to go crazy, but having a few extra diapers is always a good idea. Pack a few more than you think you’ll need for each day you’re traveling.

The beauty of a road trip is that you can always stop at a store if you need extra supplies, but if you plan ahead of time it’ll keep you from wasting time on an extra stop.

Pack all the medicine, syringes, thermometer, snot sucker, and any other items you’ll need in one small bag so its easy to grab when you need it.

Pro tip- put medicine in ziplock bags if you think it might leak so it doesn’t get too messy.

Even if it’s not something you use often, if it’s easy to travel with then pack it just in case. There is nothing worse than being stuck in a car with a crying, uncomfy baby and not having something you know would make them feel better.

This may seem like an obvious one, but some new parents (hi, it was me) don’t know that different parts of an infant car seat can and should be adjusted as the child grows.

My poor baby was crying and seemed uncomfortable on a road trip but I couldn’t figure out why. Turns out, her head rest needed to be adjusted. The guilt I felt when I realized this was unreal!

Even if you’ve read the manual when you got the carseat, make sure you review it again (or watch a video) before a long trip to make sure you have it totally correct. It’s amazing what we forget during the third and fourth trimester haze!

Stopping at areas where you can safely stretch your legs, get gas, and get food all in one exit is a great time saver. It also gives your baby a break from the car seat without the in-and-out battle as frequently.

Pro tip – big truck stop gas stations like Pilot or Loves tend to be the most user-friendly stops. They always have a grassy area, restaurant, and clean bathrooms with changing tables.

Keeping your baby happy and occupied on a road trip is a must for everyone’s sake! Here are my favorite screen free entertainment hacks to try with your baby:

Get a soft sided basket to keep the toys all in one spot. It makes it easier to get to them out and keeps your car cleaner. Plus, you’ll have an easy way to take your toys inside once you reach your destination.

I can tell you from experience that organizing your back seat will instantly take you from overstimulated basket case to cool cucumber.

I really love this woven basket because it’s big enough to hold all the toys but small enough to fit on the floor board or middle seat. Its super cute, its handles make it easy to take in and out, and it can easily be repurposed in your home when you’re not road tripping.

Passenger Princess is out. Backseat Barroness is in. If you followed Tip #1 and have a travel buddy, make sure one of you sits in back with the baby. Your baby will feel happier and safer with someone to keep them company.

Even if it means scrunching in the back, I promise you it’s worth it when baby’s boredom and car fatigue start to set it. It’s also much safer than someone constantly turning around from the passenger seat!

Bring a variety of toys to keep things fresh and exciting. Hit all the main categories – lights up, makes noise, stuffies, teethers, books, etc.

Babies attention spans are so short, so be sure you have lots of options to chose from when they get bored with one thing. Don’t worry this doesn’t mean you need to bring a lot! Just like their attention spans, their memories are short too so you can usually cycle back to toys you used earlier in the trip.

Make a playlist of your baby’s favorite songs ready to go when she need a new distraction. Ones that are upbeat, fun, and you can sing along to are best.

Putting on music was almost always a mood changer when my baby started to get restless or fuss in the car. Kid songs are designed to engage little brains, but if you can’t take kiddie jams make a fun playlist of normal songs you know your baby will enjoy, too.

When you’ve hit hour six and everyone’s starting to get really antsy, whipping out a new toy is a great strategy to fight baby’s boredom

You don’t have to go crazy, a couple cheaper toys is all you need. It just helps to have something new and different to excite and distract your baby.

My baby’s all time super affordable favorites are the twisty teether, the o-ring ball, and the Jungle Tails soft book.

Stick it to the windows, the car seat, toys, baby’ arms, you name it, and have your baby pull it off. You’ll be amazed at how fun they find it! It’s a great way to encourage fine motor development and is just sticky enough to work without leaving any gross residue behind.

Once my baby was old enough to start pulling on things, masking tape was a must on trips. I was shocked at how well it kept her entertained! I’ve found that colored tape is more fun and easier to see than the off-white. This cheap, colorful multi-pack is a great option!

PS – ALWAYS make sure you supervise baby while they’re playing with the tape! It can turn into a choking hazard if it’s balled up.

Babies (and adults, too) can go pretty stir crazy in a car, so stopping at least every 3 hours is a good rule of thumb. Everyone gets a change of scenery and the chance to stretch their legs.

Babies, especially those under 6 months, aren’t intended to be in their car seats for long periods of time. Stopping more frequently, even just to get out for a few minutes, can be really beneficial for their sanity and health.

Babies find fans fascinating, so bringing a portable stroller fan is a must for my baby’s entertainment. It’s also great to have if you’re traveling in the summer or to a warm climate to keep your baby cool in a stifling car seat.

Why they can’t make those things more breathable with modern technology is beyond me, but I digress…

This portable fan is my favorite because its affordable, has 3 speeds, recharges with a USB (perfect for traveling), can attach to just about anything, and my baby can play with it safely.

Be ready to make a fool out of yourself if it will entertain your baby. Pull funny faces, make weird noises, sing songs, play games, anything for those sweet giggles and belly laughs!

My go-to is to stick a suction cup toy to my forehead. On day two of a three-day road trip, I was desperate to entertain an increasingly fussy baby. I discovered suction cups stuck to my forehead and my daughter thought it was HYSTERICAL.

If your baby is happy and laughing like a maniac, it is so worth looking like a weirdo with a toy stuck to your head.

If you want to give it a shot, these suction cup toys are my baby’s favorite. They even have the extra entertainment factor of being pop its and spinning like a propeller.

All caps for a reason – its the ultimate hack for babes who are eating solids! Bring lots of your baby’s favorite snacks to fend off boredom and hangry tantrums. And of course, always make sure you are supervising your baby’s eating for safety!

Just like we eat when we’re bored, babies who are successfully eating solids love snacking, too.

My baby’s favorites snacks are, of course, puffs. I strive to find brands with clean healthy ingredients and so far these Serenity Kids puffs are our go-to mama and baby approved snacks. She loves the Pumpkin & Cinnamon and the Beets & Carrots.

PS – Serenity Kids makes pouches, too! We haven’t tried them yet, but I’ve heard great things.

Bring a small pack of bubbles on your road trip and watch your baby instantly be amazed. You can blow them yourself or put the wand in front of the AC vent and let it do the work!

Blowing bubbles has saved us from many a meltdown and I won’t ever travel without them again.

I prefer these bubble wands because they’re easy to use in the car without making a mess – just lift the want a third of the way out and blow for a big stream of little bubbles. No need to take the wand all the way out!

Engage baby’s brain by learning a new skill. Practice cooing, sticking their tongue out, smiling, clapping, talking, whatever is developmentally appropriate for their age!

This is also a great way for you to bond with your baby and enjoy one of the most precious parts of parenting, watching them grow.

These are the two messiest parts of road tripping with a baby, but I’ve got lots of tricks to make feeding and changing your baby a breeze.

Have a smaller bag just with diaper changing items in addition to your diaper bag. This makes it easy to just take what you need without lugging your whole big diaper bag to change your baby.

I use this adorable Frenchie wet dry bag because it has two separate pockets to keep things organized and is still big enough to fit a few diapers, wipes, cream, and hand sanitizer. It’s also kept everything dry, including the diapers in the other pocket, when my hand sanitizer leaked on a trip. Whew!

If your baby needs an outfit change, having a bag to put the messy, wet clothes in will be a huge help. It will keep dirty clothes (and smells) in and keep your car clean.

They’re also great to put pump parts and dirty bottles in when you’re on the road. No more crying over spilt milk!

I prefer Wet Dry bags because they’re easy to wash and reuse but the convenience of just throwing away the used ziplock when your done is appealing, too!

When you’re using public bathrooms to change your baby, disposable changing pads are a great hygienic option.

Do you really want to bring those germs back with you on your changing pad?

Disposable changing pads are great for in-the-car changes too since they’re larger than a travel changing pad. They’re also great if your baby got the car seat messy or wet and you’re not at your destination yet.

Even if you typically direct breastfeed, its always a good idea to bring a manual (hand) pump that doesn’t require electricity.

Especially as babies get older, they’re very distractable. Once my baby was about 7 or 8 months old, she was so excited to be out of her seat and exploring her surroundings that direct breastfeeding just wasn’t happening no matter how hungry she was.

Instead, I would pump and feed her a bottle. This was an awesome timesaver when she was older and could burp herself so she could drink a bottle without us needing to stop.

My favorite manual pump is the Medela Harmony pump. A portable electric pump that has a USB charger, like these Elvie pumps I love, is also a great option, too. Both have seriously come in handy on our road trips!

If your baby is drinking water, make sure you keep a water bottle within their reach at all times so they can stay hydrated.

Getting one that doesn’t leak or spill is crucial, especially if your baby is in a throwing stage.

When my baby was learning to drink from a straw, this spill and leak proof water bottle was our favorite. It has a weighted straw, is curved for easy drinking (especially in an infant car seat, and doesn’t require strong suction to get water out of it like some other bottles do. I love that it comes with its own cleaning tools, too!

Bring a sanitizing spray that are safe for things that go in babies’ mouths, like baby feeding and teething products. This different than regular sanitizing spray, like we use for our hands!

I learned about this when I was reading about pumping at work and man was I glad I found it! Breast pump sanitizing sprays are designed to sanitize breast pumps and bottles when you’re away from home, like on a road trip. I use them for everything from breast pump parts to pacifiers.

My go-to sanitizing spray is the Medela Quick Clean Sanitizing Spray. It sanitizes to remove 99.9 of common viruses and doesn’t require any rinsing! Another win when you’re on a road trip. I typically use this spray with the Medela Quick Clean Wipes, which I use to remove any milk residue from pump parts and bottles.

A snack holding cup is a must to help reduce the amount of spills, or at least try to. It’s also a great way to keep from having to be the snack maiden who repeatedly hands snacks over.

Please keep in mind, babies should ALWAYS be supervised when eating, especially from something like a snack holder that gives them more independence. You’d be surprised how much those little fists can hold and shove into their mouth when you’re not watching, and you do not want a choking emergency in a car seat.

I’ve found the Munchkin Snack Catcher was the easiest for my baby to use, especially when she was first getting the hang of feeding herself. They’re affordable, easy to pack and can fit whatever small snacks your baby loves.

I’m not personally one for using a cover when I’m breastfeeding, but I’ve found that using a nursing cover for a distractible baby is a must when you’re trying to have an efficient feed on a road trip.

Sometimes, baby just needs a little break from the stimulation of all the newness, both in and out of the car.

When she was a little older, my baby would glue her face to the window and just watch anything and everything. And if there was a dog it did not matter how hungry she was, she was not going to nurse. A cover was about the only way I could get her to breastfeed.

I was gifted The Cocoon by Amma and love it. I can’t recommend it enough! But if you’re looking for a more affordable option, I also have this nursing cover from Wee Sprouts that I use as a back up and its super soft and cute.

A bumping, weaving road trip is not the time to be scooping and measuring formula, so having a formula dispenser that you can pre-measure portions into ahead of time is a huge help.

This stackable formula container tower is super convenient to pack as much or as little as you need. It’s compact enough to store easily in a bag and its easy pour spout means less spills and powder all over your car. It can even be used to store other baby food and snacks!

If your baby only likes their bottle a certain temperature, you have to have a portable bottle warmer on your road trip.

I’m all for fostering adaptability, but baby’s milk is probably not the best choice to build that skill. Especially if you’ll all ne stuck in a car together.

A portable bottle warmer that’s efficient, creates safe temperatures , and has a USB charger is a must. This one screws right on to your bottle (comes with adapters, too) and is a great option for the road!

Nap time can be stressful even in the best of circumstances. Here are some times to help your baby snooze like a champ.

My best tip for road trip naps is to go with the flow and keep your cool if your baby starts to get upset. Do some slow breathing, remind yourself they are safe and okay, and remember that the more you freak out the more they will, too.

Even if you follow a strict schedule at home, its sometimes best to follow baby’s sleep cues on a road trip rather than forcing a nap in an unusual situation. Ultimately you know your baby best, so trust your gut and share your calming presence if your baby is stressed or fussy.

If you use white noise or something similar for naps at home, make sure you have something to play to help mimic the sleep environment in the car. Some babies do just get lulled to sleep by the car, but it’s better to have white noise just in case!

When I don’t feel like packing a sound machine for the car, I usually play fan sounds on my phone or car speakers. I use an app called BetterSleep and love it because you can mix and match sounds to make your own personal soothing sound.

When I want to use my phone myself during her naps, I use a portable sound machine. This is great to have because you can use it at your travel destination, too. I use this Yogasleep portable sound machine and love it! It recharges with a USB, las good battery life and volume, and has a few different sounds.

Nothing will keep you up like sun rays right in your eyes, so I use window shades to protect my little one our trips. It also keeps her cooler to not have the hot (usually Florida) sun beaming right on her.

I prefer to use flexible, detachable window shades because they’re easy to reposition and won’t become a hard projectile in a crash.

I really like these sun shades because they’re certified to block UV trays, easy to use, and can go over the vertical bars to get to the smaller corner windows.

If your baby will only sleep in the dark then doubling up on sun shades or using a car seat cover is the way to go.

I’m all for helping your baby learn to be adaptable, but sometimes they just need what they’re comfortable with. Also, always make sure you’re supervising your baby closely and the cover is away from their face if they are sleeping with a car seat cover! Safety first!

If you typically “shh” your baby to sleep at home, you know your lips start to go numb after a while. Save yourself the work and get a baby shusher machine.

This is by far the weirdest and greatest baby product I’ve gotten but IT WORKS. No more dry mouth and numb lips. Just twist the shusher and watch your baby drift off peacefully! Trust me, its so worth it. And don’t forget to pack extra batteries!

When we have tried everything to get out baby nap to no avail, cracking the windows is our secret weapon to lull her to sleep.

Maybe it’s the sound, maybe it’s the breeze or the vibration but whatever it is, it worked 99% of the time if she was fighting a nap.

Down sides, it’s loud and sometimes annoying and not always possible if it’s cold out. But it is totally worth a try if you’ve tried everything else and are at the wits end.

I promised you an extra bonus section and here it is! Road tripping sometimes means overnight hotel stays, or maybe your final destination is a hotel. Either way, hotel stays are not always easy with a baby. Here are some of my hotel hacks to help make your stay easier!

If there’s a way to get a separate space for baby to sleep and it won’t break the bank, it’s worth it if you plan on spending any time in the room awake while your baby sleeps. A few options here:

You can book a suite and make sure to ask that it has a separate room with a door that closes. Some suites don’t actually have that so you have to double check.

You can ask for a room with a balcony. I once stayed in a little hotel in Iowa that had a balcony overlooking the indoor pool and it was the perfect set up.

You can ask for a room with a closet or bathroom big enough to put baby’s bed or pack n play. Feels a little odd putting your baby in there but it’s effective.

Or, if you’re out of luck with the room situation, you can have an adults only party in the bathtub with some pillows, blankets, snacks, and an tablet to watch a show before you go to sleep.

When you’ve been traveling all day, having a convenient way to clean up the bottles, pump parts, water bottle, snack cups, and anything else baby needs makes a huge difference.

Hotels are also not always known for being clean, so you need a good set up that will let you get and keep your baby’s things clean. I really love this compact, combo bottle cleaning and drying rack from Boon. Now you can take your drying grass with you on the go!

There is nothing worse than trying to put (or keep) a baby to sleep when the room is too bright and distracting, so bring something that will help black out the room.

I personally prefer the ease of these portable black out curtains. They set up super conveniently with suction cups on the window and can even be cut to custom fit your windows.

The other option I did before I found those portable shades is to travel with tin foil. I already had tape (Tip #14) so I just had to tear it into panels and tape it up in the windows. This is definitely effective, but it is a pain to put up.

The last thing your baby wants to do after being in the car all day is to go straight to sleep once they’re finally sprung from their car seat. They need the opportunity to get in different positions and get the wiggles out.

I don’t usually feel comfortable letting my baby on the hotel floor, so I always bring something to lay down. If I don’t have a lot of room, I’ll grab an oil cloth table cloth because its compact and repels water.

If I have room, I prefer to bring an actual play mat. I have this play mat in our play room at home and I love it because it folds up great to take on the road. Its padded to keep baby safe and comfortable, textured so baby can get traction to scoot, easily wipes clean, and is big enough to move around on without taking up too much space.

Family road trips can be hectic, especially with a baby, but they don’t have to be! I hope some of these hacks help melt your stress and let you have a fun-filled, memory-making adventure with your little one.

Got some hacks of your own? I’d love to hear them!