AboutSuzan Jackson Expertise I am a writer specializing in topics related to family, especially enjoying travel and the outdoors with children. My husband and I have traveled extensively with our own 2 sons - now ages 10 and 14 - since they were infants. I can advise on travel by air or car and on a variety of destinations across the US. We also enjoy many outdoor activities with our sons. For more information, see my websites: www.travelfamily.net and www.outdoorfamily.net.
Experience Traveling with my own 2 boys since they were infants, by air and car, to a wide variety of destinations, both urban and outdoor. Writing about travel with children.
Publications FAMILY FUN magazine
See my website www.travelfamily.net for articles and tips on traveling with kids.
Question I am traveling from Illinois to Mississippi with my 11 1/2 months old son. Do you have any suggestions or tips as to what time I should travel--night or day or just any suggestions period? This is our first long distance trip alone and I want to make it as painful as possible! Thanks! Sabrina
Answer Dear Sabrina -
I'm so sorry for the delay in responding to you. We were out of town visiting family for the holidays, and two separate storms kept changing our plans!
You probably meant you'd like to make this trip as painLESS as possible, right? ha ha
We've taken our two boys, now ages 14 and 11, on long road trips to visit family since they were babies, so I know just what you're talking about.
I don't know exactly where you're traveling to and from, but it looks like about a 10-12 hour drive from the middle of IL to the middle of MS. That's a very long time for an almost-1-year old to be in the car all at once. Toddlers that age have a lot of trouble sitting still for a long time, especially if he's walking already. So, if at all possible, you might want to consider breaking the drive up into 2 days. For inexpensive but nice hotels, we usually look for something in the Choice Hotels group:
There are plenty of other inexpensive options along the major highways, too.
As for the specific times of day or night that would be best for you, that depends entirely on your own son's routines and habits. It will be easiest if you travel during times of day when he is usually low-energy or resting anyway - that's different for each child.
Our kids always took a long nap in the afternoon and went to bed pretty early at night, so we would typically drive a little in the morning, stop for something fun that let them stretch their legs (a zoo, park, or playground, for instance), then put in lots of hours in the car after lunch and stop at bedtime. I know other families who like to drive in the very early morning or late at night while their kids are sleeping (but you have to consider YOUR needs as well and make sure you can drive safely while you're alert, especially if you're alone).
So, think about your own and your son's energy levels throughout the day and plan to drive during a time that will best fit your normal routines. One-year olds always do best when they can stick to their normal routines.
For more tips, you can read my article on road trips with kids at my family travel website:
www.travelfamily.net
Click on Travel Tips, then check out Road Trips with Kids. You might also find some useful information in my list of Roadtrip Websites. Keep in mind the article is written more for vacation road trips, where getting there is part of the fun, but there are still some useful tips there for you.
