Long car trips

[britbratjf]

My BFF & I are considering driving with Dagny to Gainsville, FL to visit another friend over spring break. It's a 13 hour drive. Who has done that with a toddler? I'm trying to decide if we could do it during the day or if it would be better to go overnight. Any advice?

[summergirl1211]

I've never gone longer than 6, but if I were you I'd drive overnight and hope she sleeps the majority of the time. I know Riley does well for about 3 hours, 4 if we're lucky (even with a nap and MMCH). How does Dagny usually do in the car?

ETA: I'd highly recommend either a DVD player or an ipad so she can be distracted by a movie or tv show. And be prepared to take lots of breaks if you do drive during the day. 

[jennmm]

We have done it numerous times. If you can drive overnight, that would probably be easier. I have found the key is to make sure you stop enough if she's awake so she can run some energy out. If she sleeps most of the trip, that would be awesome.

[trixi282]

ugh... I wrote out a bunch of stuff and it all wiped away.... damn.

We did the long drive from VA to MN in December, it's normally (w/o kids) a 20 hour drive total. It took us more like 26 hours, broken into 2 trips (we stopped 1/2 way to visit family). It was me, H, my mom, and Joey... so she had my mom sitting back there with her, which I think was a huge help.

The first leg we did overnight, J did great. She slept most of the way, although she woke up most times we stopped, she stayed really quiet and went back to sleep fairly easy. She did ask to go potty once or twice when we stopped, so we of course took her (she was PT, but of course we had a diaper on her). She only got a little antsy when the sun started coming up and we were about an hour out... but we told her it wasn't too much longer, and Uncle Dave was getting her donuts when we got there!

The second leg of the trip we did during the day (2 days later) and she did surprisingly well. We left after breakfast (around 8:30ish) and honestly I'm a bit surprised she didn't play with more of her toys back there. We had lots of books, stuffed animals, babies, and her little toddler computer back there. The little computer made it's appearance a few times, but a lot less than I anticipated! She did ask to stop a few times (had a pull up on which stayed pretty dry!) to go potty, but never minded getting back in the car. Honestly I think we stopped more because my H had to pee than for her! haha.

Overall I was pleasantly surprised with how well she did on the day trip! She did fall asleep towards the end of the day, when we dropped off my mom, and then woke up when we got "home" to G&G's house... and then was up until about 10/10:30pm... but slept pretty well that night.

Good luck!

[jodielyn10]

When we had a 12 hour drive we left very early in the morning...I think it was 4 maybe? So the kids slept for the first four or so hours of the drive. After that we took plenty of breaks. Eli was still eating every 3 hours at the time, so we had no choice, but we made sure to stop at rest areas where Ingrid could run around to get the crazies out. Also, MacDondalds playlands are a lifesaver, so always look for those when you stop!

We had plenty of toys in the car, and would switch them out every so often when she got bored of one.

Good luck, it's not as terrible as you think it will be...at least it wasn't for us!

[sarahandeddie]

We drove to GA over the summer. The drive there was 10hrs and drive home was 15hrs. We drove through the night on our way there and it was great. The girls woke once and we let them run around a big gas station for about 10minutes. They slept the rest of the way.

On the way home we left at about 4pm. It was a rough drive until they crashed out for the night. Chelsea did awesome the entire time (3 1/2 at the time). Avery was the one who had troubles (this was in June).

I'd highly recommend driving at night when possible. Bring lots of snacks and little toys. I also checked out new movies from the library.

[britbratjf]

Thanks ladies. I'm really torn about the whole trip. On one hand it'd be great to get away but on the other I'll have to deal with a long drive. My biggest concern with driving overnight (well other than she won't sleep well) is that my BFF and I will get little/no sleep and then have to deal with Dagny all the next day. So I don't know, we'll see if the trip happens.