A family road-trip sounds much simpler before you add a toddler to the equation. Suddenly, one stop for gas is two stops for snacks, a two-hour drive is a multi-hour expedition, and just every roadside attraction beckons your toddler (and your credit card).
The good news is you don’t need to splurge on a luxury vacation to make a road trip with toddlers memorable, fun and affordable. There are several ways to make a toddler road-trip both comfortable and budget-friendly by spending the money wisely and being prepared for the things that end up costing the most.
Here are 10 ways to help you do just that
1. Plan Your Route Before Leaving
A little research can actually save you money. Compare routes based on tolls, fuel consumption and distance, not just the fastest route. It’s also a good idea get offline maps if you know you won’t have access to your phone or data while traveling.
It’s also a good idea to find out about rest stops, cheap restaurants, gas stations and grocery stores along the way. The more you know about your destination before departure, the less you’ll have to spend when you get there.
2. Bring Your Own Snacks for the Toddlers
Snacks that you buy along the road can be extremely expensive!
Prepare your own snacks that are easy to carry, recognizable, and toddler-friendly (soft fruits, sandwiches, crackers, pouches, etc.). Put them in your own water bottles. Not only will this save you a lot of money, but you will also avoid the chance for your child to have a fit. As you know, when it comes to feeding kids in the car, safety comes first! Children cannot be trusted not to choke even when they are not moving, and adults may not be able to react in time.
3. Free Attractions instead of Paid Ones
Your toddler is probably not going to care whether you stop by the $30 attraction or just a free one.
Seek free attractions and ask others about parks, beaches, trails, and picnic areas within walking distance. Getting out for a little stroll on the grass would be a more interesting activity than yet another costly spot visited after long travels in a vehicle. Additionally, this serves as a great reason for you to stretch.
4. Pack Entertainment you Own
You don’t need to fill the car with new toys to keep your toddler busy.
Bring a couple of books, stuffed toys, coloring books and simple toys from home. Keep some for later and surprise your toddler with a couple as you go. You can also download a few of your toddler’s favorite shows or songs if you’re going to have a screen in the car (make sure to rotate so it doesn’t become boring). You don’t have to buy new things to fill time; just bring what you have.
5. Traveling While Your Child Takes a Nap
Time can be one of your biggest assets when you are going on a trip with a toddler since while your toddler is sleeping, you don’t have to entertain him or her
If your child takes a nap during the early afternoon, it would be good to try to plan traveling during nap time. Many families like to travel in the early hours of the day, so toddlers could sleep during the journey. However, make sure you take the child’s routine into consideration when planning your trips. Your purpose is not to travel a lot but to make it convenient for you and your family.
6. Make Your Car Comfortable
The more comfortable your toddler is during the travel, the more well-behaved he or she is going to be.
Make sure that your toddler is wearing comfortable clothes and take along soft clothes that he or she likes to wear. Be sure that you bought a proper car seat for the child. Before leaving your house, be sure to look for the wipes, napkins or extra clothes if necessary.
7. Schedule Regular Breaks
Don’t think about stops as a waste of time. Toddlers need breaks to stretch their legs, walk, go to the bathroom, change a diaper, or just get out of the car seat for a while. Plan stops every couple of hours or so. Of course, it depends on how old the child is and how they’re feeling. In addition, these stops can also help you avoid last minute expensive stops, such as grabbing dinner or a hotel room because everyone is starting to get cranky.
8. Bring a “Just in Case” Bag
If one drink spills, it may lead to an emergency stop for fresh clothes if you are not ready. You can prepare a little kit with a number of useful items like spare clothing (especially diapers or pull-ups), napkins, tissues, trash bags, medicine kit, and anything that may be useful for a toddler. Keep this in the cabin and not under your bags. It costs almost nothing to have in the car and it can save you a lot of money if you have an emergency.
9. Stay Someplace With a Kitchen
Stops with kitchens may cost you a bit more upfront, but they can reduce your food budget drastically
Instead of eating all your meals out, buy your groceries and make your own simple breakfasts or toddler meals. If a place doesn’t have a full kitchen, a fridge and microwave may still make a difference. You can also look for places that offer free breakfast and keep track of how much you spend on a place versus food.
10. Leave Room for Toddler Chaos
This may be my most important tip for a budget-friendly road-trip with toddlers, because toddlers tend to dictate the itinerary rather than the other way around. They don’t always eat when you want them to, fall asleep before you plan on leaving, or suddenly realize that getting back in the car is an unthinkable affront to their very existence. Build buffer time into your driving schedule. The less rush you have, the fewer impulse expenses you may be tempted to make.
Final Thoughts
The fact that travelling with toddlers in a car does not mean that it has to be done in a luxury style does not mean that it cannot be enjoyable. The parents should just know what ways to travel and what plans to make. In addition to the fact that it is useful to make some tasty snacks beforehand and figure out the means of entertainment along the way, it is also important to know where to stop while travelling.
Most importantly, one should not forget about flexibility, as toddlers will most likely dictate the course of the journey, so not everything will go as planned. The fewer surprises one can anticipate, the fewer unplanned expenses there will be. After all, the most memorable family road-trip memories don’t always come on the most expensive attractions, but sometimes on a picnic on the roadside or a funny stop that wasn’t on the itinerary at all.
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