How to survive long car trip with your newborn baby

With a newborn, home is the comfy zone. But if you need to travel, buckle up! Long car trips with a baby can be tough. Don’t worry, though—I’ve got you covered! Here’s your ultimate guide on how to survive a long car trip with your newborn baby.

Taking long car journeys with a new baby, especially on your first road trip, can feel like a daunting task. As new parents, you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared for the whole time—keeping your baby comfortable and safe while also ensuring that you and your partner can manage the long distances. A great way to make the trip easier is by planning rest stops along the way, allowing for breaks when needed. Remember, safe travel is key, and making sure everyone is well-rested and relaxed is the first thing you should consider before hitting the road. So, let’s dive into some tips to help you navigate those long car rides with a newborn!

What’s better with a newborn: car trip or plane?

When traveling with a newborn, the decision to drive or fly can be a tough one. Both options have their pros and cons, depending on your situation. We’ve done both, so here’s what we’ve learned through experience. Whether you’re weighing time, packing, or the overall hassle, here’s a breakdown of what to expect from both modes of transport when going on a long journey. Let’s dive into the key differences!

1. Time for the trip
2. Stuff you can take
3. Money it costs
4. Convenience during the trip

Time you need for car trip or plane trip with newborn

It’s not always as simple as it seems. Sure, flying sounds like it’ll save you time, but when you factor in waiting and traveling to the airport, the difference might not be huge.

For us, a road trip takes around 9-10 hours, breaks included. But flying? Well, we’ve got to factor in a few extra things:

• 2 hours early to check in the stroller and car seat.
• 1 hour drive to the airport, or 2 hours if we choose to go there with public transport.
• The flight itself is just 1.5 hours.
• And finally, another 1.5 to 2 hours to reach our family after landing.

So, in total, we’re looking at about 6-8 hours of travel time (assuming no delays). Sure, flying is quicker, but honestly, it doesn’t feel like a big difference to us!

Amount of stuff you can take

When traveling with a newborn, you’ll need a lot of stuff, no matter if it’s a weekend or a three-week trip. Babies just come with a lot of gear!

By car, you’ve got the luxury of packing everything—and I mean everything. Stroller, car seat, baby bed—you name it. For air travel, you can usually take the stroller and car seat for free, but anything else—like a baby bed—counts as extra luggage.

When we visit my parents, we don’t need to bring much since they’ve got all the baby essentials set up. But if we’re visiting friends or family without those amenities, I always prefer car travel. It’s just so much easier to bring everything we need!

What is cheaper: car or plane?

Well, it really depends on your trip. A car ride might seem like a bargain, but don’t forget, there’s more to the cost than just gas. Parking, food, and tolls add up too.

For us, flying is usually the cheaper option, even when you factor in the train ticket to the airport. Every trip is different, though—so always crunch the numbers!

Convenience during trip 

When it comes to convenience, it really depends on you and your baby. My husband loves driving, which works out great for me because, let’s be honest, I’m not a fan of it. That way, I can focus all my attention on our baby girl during the trip.

The main advantage of a car trip with a newborn is the freedom to stop whenever you need. Baby upset? Pull over and take a break! You can’t do that on a plane. Plus, our baby sleeps better in the car (definitely not in the plane), which makes a huge difference. And if she’s fussy, we don’t have to worry about people staring since it’s just us in the car.

That said, planes have one big perk: you can pick up your baby whenever you need to. This can be a lifesaver if your newborn hates the car seat and just wants to be held!

How to prepare for a car trip with a newborn?

A little prep goes a long way! Here are the steps I always take to make the trip as smooth as possible:

1. Sun Shades: Keep the direct sunlight out of baby’s eyes with sun shades for the car windows.
2. Baby Toys: Pack your baby’s favorite toys—and throw in a brand-new one to keep them entertained in the best way possible.
3. Music: Load up some relaxing classical music. It works like a charm for calming everyone down.
4. Food & Water: Bring plenty of snacks and water, especially if you’re breastfeeding.
5. Packing List: Make one! You’ll need a checklist to avoid last-minute panic packing, and stuffing your diaper bag with all the wrong things.

Every baby is different, though. If you’re driving shorter distances, what do you notice works best for you? Maybe there’s a special item you bring along to prevent hiccups during the trip!

When is the best time of the day for a car trip with a newborn

Some people say night is best for kids. It might work for older children, but honestly, with a newborn, it doesn’t make a huge difference. Personally, I think driving at night is a bit risky, considering the facts.

What we noticed is that our baby girl was least comfortable in the evenings. We tried leaving around her bedtime, but she had a tough time falling asleep. It makes sense—stress hormones are higher in the evening, making it harder to drift off. In the mornings, naps tend to be easier.

For us, the sweet spot was driving between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. But every baby’s different, so experiment and find what works best for yours before the long haul!

How often do you have to take breaks?

There’s a lot of debate on how often to take your newborn out of the car seat. Recommendations range from every 45 minutes to 2 hours. But let’s be real, during an 8-hour road trip, you’re not stopping every 45 minutes to pull your baby out. Of course, you want to take frequent breaks but you also don’t want to make that long road trip longer than it already is. Here’s what we did:

We stopped every 2 hours for about 30 minutes. That gave us time to change and nurse the baby. If needed, we’d stretch our legs with a short walk. After that, we’d pop her back in the seat and drive another 2 hours. On an 8-hour trip, we’d usually take 3 breaks.

If baby woke up earlier, we’d stop sooner, and sometimes we’d end up with 4 breaks. Starting the trip at 7 a.m. and driving during the day meant we’d wrap up around 5 p.m. when she was still most comfortable. Perfect balance!

What if baby cries

On a car trip, it’s pretty likely that baby will cry at some point. But don’t worry! I’ve got some tips and some encouragement to help you get through it.

Tip #1: Take earplugs for the driver. Let’s face it: baby’s cry is loud and intense, and it’s meant to be that way! But when you’re stuck in traffic or waiting for the next rest stop, the driver needs to stay focused on the road. Earplugs are a lifesaver here.

When your baby starts crying, trust your instincts. You’ll know if it’s a short cry before they fall asleep, or if something else is up. And remember, they cry at home so likely they will cry in the car. It’s tough to hear them cry so close, but imagine being stuck in a car seat for hours with nothing to look at but the back seat. It’s also worth noting that letting them cry can help build their resilience if not done too often. So, it might not always be necessary to stop right away. Try to stay calm, and play some soothing music that they like.

But if the crying doesn’t seem to stop, or it seems like something more than just being tired or bored—stop as soon as you can! A quick diaper change or an extra nursing session can do wonders to calm young babies down for the next leg of the journey.

My top 5 tips for a car trip with a newborn

After traveling a lot with our baby, we’ve picked up a few tricks along the way. Every baby is different, but there are definitely some tips that can help any parent survive a car trip with a newborn. 

1. Choose your seat well

Okay, I’m being totally honest here: I always imagined myself being the “sit-in-the-back” mom. You know, the one who lovingly gazes at their baby’s peaceful sleeping face… Yeah, that was never going to be me. I get bored super quickly back there, especially when baby’s asleep. And when she’s awake? I’d try to play with her, but I’d get motion-sick as soon as I stopped looking out the window.

So, we made a decision early on: I’d sit in the front whenever possible. But on long car trips, it can actually help to sit in the back for part of the journey. My tip? Start in the front, but keep the seat next to baby empty just in case you need to swap spots.

Sitting up front with my husband definitely helped our baby (now almost a toddler!) learn to entertain herself on long trips. So, don’t feel guilty—give it a try! You’re not a bad mom, and it might work out better than you think!

2. Put the infant car seat in the middle seat

That might not work if you have a special car seat travel system, though. Our car seat is secured with a seatbelt, so we can place it in the middle seat in the back, which has a lot of perks. When I sit back there, I’m right next to baby girl—super close to soothe her—and still get the comfy window seat. Plus, when I sit in the front, I have really easy access to her and can easily reach back and check on her. And the best part? The front seats can slide back further when there’s no car seat behind them. Total win-win!

3. Stretch the time in between stops

Your baby will probably get fussier as the trip goes on, so here’s my tip: try to stretch the time between stops at the start of the journey. Make sure it’s still safe, and you take regular breaks, of course! This way, you’ll keep the trip shorter with fewer breaks, but you’ll have more opportunities to stop when baby really needs it later on.

4. Don’t plan your stops in advance when on a car trip with a newborn

It might feel comforting to plan your stops in advance, but trust me—don’t stress over it. The best approach is to stop when it feels necessary, but not too often. That way, you can keep the trip as short as possible while still making it comfortable for everyone.

If you love planning, though, it can’t hurt to check out potential stops ahead of time. That way, you’ll know where the best spots are when you do decide to pull over.

5. Bring enough food and water

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: bring enough fuel for you and your husband! Think tasty snacks, but don’t forget the healthy options like nuts, dried fruits, and snack veggies.

And don’t skip the water—at least 3 liters for yourself. Sure, a soda might sound tempting on a long trip, but remember to hydrate! I often have to remind myself to drink while driving. And since you’re recovering from birth and might be breastfeeding, you definitely need that bottles of water. Plus, there will be plenty of breaks to pee, so no need to worry!

My bonus tip for you

Preparing for a trip with a newborn can feel like a lot of work. But don’t forget to take care of yourself too! You’re a new mom, and you deserve some comfort. Bring a cozy blanket and pillow so you can sleep while your husband drives. Leave the diaper changes to him and take a short walk during breaks—your pelvic bones will thank you!

Pack your breast pump just in case, plus some extra nursing pads. And don’t forget deodorant (postpartum sweat is real), hand cream, lip balm, and maybe your favorite book for some downtime. You’ve got this!

What are your tips for surviving a car trip with a newborn? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts!!