road trip with infant checklist

The Essential Packing List for a Road Trip With a Baby

If you’re like me and a first-time parent, it is daunting to go on your first road trip with a baby. What to pack, what to bring, the mental checklist runs on.

Our first road trip was from Sacramento to Los Angeles with our 8-week-old. Now home, I want to share what we brought on the trip to help make it go smoothly.

We booked a six-night trip that was split across two hotels and around a 5.5-hour drive each way. I spent probably too much time thinking about what to bring. But I would much rather be prepared and it certainly helped calm my nerves.

Now back home, I can say the trip was much easier than it felt in my head. The prep work definitely paid off and having a game plan was helpful. We thought about where we wanted to stop and made sure our car was set up for the stops to feed and change. More on that below.

So here’s my essential packing list for a road trip with a baby. It’s everything we brought for the car drive and what you may consider bringing on yours.

Essential Packing List for a Road Trip With a Baby

Travel tips for the road trip, time budget.

We chose to stop every 2.5-3 hours to give the baby a break from the car seat, feed, and change. These longer stops took around 45 minutes to an hour. Then we had the occasional one-off stop for a quick feed or change.

I would recommend the essentials being within hand’s reach and setting up a diaper changing area. We didn’t want to use public bathrooms so we changed her in the front seat of the car.

If you’re headed on a longer trip, try to time it with one of the longer naps. I know our baby sleeps longest in the morning and after the middle of the night feed. So we left at 5 am promptly after her feed. We got a really nice long stretch before having to stop.

Flexibility

Sometimes you may have to stop in the most random places or even only after being on the road for 15 minutes, roll with it!

Always double-check your car seat. Map out where you want to stop, it is super helpful.

What to Keep in the Front of the Car

Diapering station.

Several diapers + wipes
Butt cream (we used this one since we were going for 3-hour stretches)
Changing pads. For the changing pad, I bought these puppy puddle-proof liners to protect our car seats underneath our Gathre changing pad .
Plastic bags for dirty diapers or soiled clothes.

Feeding Essentials

Burp cloths and lots of them. I had a single bag just of burp cloths for the trip.
Haakaa if breastfeeding (super helpful if you get engorged/overfull on the trip)
Any other feeding essentials like bottles + formula

Other Essentials

Portable sound machine — we use this all the time in the car.
Nasal bulb suctioner in case you need to suction.
Blankets — we keep two in the car.
Outfit changes for you and baby. At least 2 for baby.
Sun shades for car windows — these block UVA
Safety mirror to see baby
First aid kit + one towel
Toys or books for baby for entertainment (see my toddler travel essential gear list for our favorites!)
Diaper Bag: I kept ours up front stocked with our normal go-to’s. I love our Caraa Diaper Bag .
Snacks and water

Everything Else to Pack

How much you pack is dependent on what gear you choose to travel with. Since we were road-tripping and using our SUV, we packed what would be most convenient for the trip.

I’ll share what we packed for gear and some alternatives to consider.

Car seat ( Cybex Cloud G ) + Mios 2 Stroller . These connect together as one travel system. (rain gear for carseat and a stretchy car seat cover — great for protecting baby from curious eyes!)
Baby Bjorn Bouncer — loved having another spot to put baby in our hotel room.
We have the Guava Pack & Play which is what I pack every time
The Slumber pod — a black-out tent for naps and fits over most pack & plays. Wouldn’t travel without it.
Artipoppe Baby Carrier — this was amazing to have on the trip, it’s one of our most used baby items.

Sleep Essentials

Whatever you may use to get baby down at night. For us that is:

Swaddle (brought 2 in case one was soiled) or sleep sack
Hatch Sound Machine – we use it as a nightlight, could use the portable sound machine instead. Certainly wasn’t necessary but we had the room.
VAVA Baby monitor . You don’t need any internet for this to work.
2-3 outfits a day – we live for bodysuits and kimono-style onesies.
Sweaters and outerwear
Sleep sacks or pajamas
Socks, shoes, beanies, and sun hat

Hygiene + Medical + Diapering

Laundry detergent — we did a bit of hand-washing
Baby Shampoo + Soap and brush
Thermometer and infant medications
Rash Cream and body ointment
Diapers, wipes, and changing pad
Baby brush and nail clippers if a longer trip
Nasal aspirator and saline drops
Burp cloths — these muslin ones are our favorite
Formula, bottles , cleaning brush
Fork and spoon set and suction plates
Breastfeeding: cover , disposable nursing pads , Haakkaa , breast pump if needed

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PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!

These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you . If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here .

1. Book Your Flights

Use Skyscanner to find the best flights. It searches 100s of airlines and websites across the globe to ensure you’re not missing out on any route options or deals.

2. Book Your Accommodations

Use Booking.com for hotels and guest houses. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.

3. Book Your Tours & Experiences

Use Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check both as their inventory varies depending on the destination.

4. Book Your Car

Use Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com to find the best car rental deals. I recommend comparing rental agency reviews on Google to ensure you are booking with the best company in that destination, as the reviews are often more accurate than the car rental search engines.

5. Don’t Forget Airport Lounge Access

Get a Priority Pass membership to gain access to 1,400+ VIP lounges and airport experiences worldwide. The Priority Pass app is the first thing I check when I have a layover. I’ve been a member for over a decade, and having a comfortable place to relax before and between flights makes air travel so much more enjoyable.

6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, and cancelations, etc.). I use it frequently for my travels to stay protected.

My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:

World Nomads (best for all-around)
Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)

Xx, Jessica

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Here in July 2023 and found your list very helpful as we prepare for our first mini road trip with our 2 month old – thank you!

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What to Pack When Traveling With Baby

Fact-checking standards, latest update:, when can you travel with your baby, read this next, what to pack for your baby in a carry-on bag, what to pack in your baby's suitcase.

Happy travels!

What to Expect the First Year , 3rd edition, Heidi Murkoff. WhatToExpect.com, Flying With a Baby? Here's What to Know Before You Go , September 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Do Babies Need Passports? , October 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Best Travel Toys for Babies , February 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Baby Products You Can Take on a Plane , September 2020. American Academy of Pediatrics, Flying with Baby: Parent FAQs , November 2019. American Academy of Pediatrics, Is It Safe for Families to Travel Now? , August 2021. American Academy of Pediatrics, Travel Safety Tips , August 2018. American Academy of Pediatrics, Is It Safe for My Baby to Travel in a Car Seat a Few Hours at a Time? , August 2021. Transportation Security Administration, Traveling with Children . Federal Aviation Administration, Flying with Children , March 2021. Mayo Clinic, Is Air Travel Safe for an Infant? , October 2019.

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Road trip with a baby: The essential guide including Tips and Packing list

Post author: Lovicarious
Post published: November 19, 2022
Post category: Traveling with Kids

The thought of traveling with a newborn can sound intimidating, especially when it involves spending long hours inside a small enclosed vehicle. How do I calm my baby during a road trip? What should I pack? From travel tips to packing essentials, this guide covers everything you need to know on how to road trip with a baby from newborn to 24 months.

My family grew up taking 12-hour road trips from Washington DC to Chicago every Christmas. That time spent in the car as a family created some of the best childhood memories for me. I enjoyed singing in the car with my sister, raiding the cooler for snacks, stopping at different travel stations, and sleeping in “quirky” hotels . Road trips were an enjoyable experience for me, and I don’t doubt that there was a lot of planning that happened before we ever hit the road. Now as a parent, I want to continue the same tradition of spending quality time together as a family, traveling, exploring, and seeking out adventure. By the time our son was 10 months old, we had already driven well over 6,000 miles.

We have learned quite a bit when it comes to taking a road trip with a baby. We are here now to answer your questions in the hopes that you will be prepared to plan a successful road trip journey of your own.

*Disclaimer: Some of the links contained in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.*

What Should I pack for a road trip with my baby?

Your questions answered:.

How much time should I allocate for a road trip with my baby?

This really depends on a few factors including your child’s age, temperament, and ultimately how many times you need to stop. Babies move through stages quickly and with each stage comes a shift in their sleep/wake cycles, their attention spans, and their needs.

When our son was between 3-5 months old, his threshold was about 3 hours before he would need a break from the car seat. During that 3 hour-period he would nap and play with the soft toys dangling from his car seat. After that, he was bored, hungry, and ready for a diaper change. This cycle dictated our need to stop every 3 hours.

By 12 months, our son was only taking 2 naps a day so we needed to find a way to entertain him in his car seat for longer. In our case, the 3-hour threshold before boredom set in stayed about the same. (We were lucky.) Some 12-month babies might not be able to sit in a car for 3 hours straight, necessitating more frequent stops.

On average I would advise at least doubling the time it normally takes to arrive at your destination. If your baby is sleeping through the night and you are able to drive while they sleep then this would shorten that time frame. If you are driving through the day and are expecting more frequent stops, it might mean tripling your drive time. The key to remember is to let go of expectations, practice patience, and enjoy the ride. You’ll arrive at your destination eventually.

How do I change my baby’s diaper on a road trip?

Our son’s first out-of-home diaper change (excluding the hospital of course) was on a flat slab of rock. We took him hiking at one month old and changed his diaper on the mountain summit. That was the first of many mountain tops that would be graced with his bare little hiney. I tell that story to say that you can change your baby’s diaper pretty much anywhere as long as they have a clean surface to lay on.

Before ever leaving our home, we typically pack the trunk of our vehicle keeping in mind that we may need to perform a diaper change at some point along the journey. If it is not possible to leave one side of the trunk clear, we pack in a way that the items are easily moveable to quickly accommodate a changing mat or blanket. This flat space is usually the best location in a vehicle for changing a baby’s diaper while on a road trip.

Alternatively, a backseat or passenger seat also works. If you happen to be stopping at a restaurant or rest stop, most locations do have changing tables in their restrooms. The quality and cleanliness of public restrooms are not always reliable so I would strongly advise always using a portable changing mat if possible.

How do I prevent my baby from crying in the car?

It’s every new parent’s dream to discover the secret to preventing a baby from crying in the car, on an airplane, or any other enclosed space. If you can prevent your child from crying in the first place, an unlikely yet ideal situation, it will be a much easier car ride for everyone. Believe it or not, there are a few things you can do to help prevent or at least stave off the inevitable cry session for a bit longer.

Drive while the baby is sleeping .

The easiest way to plan a road trip with a baby is to drive at night while your baby is fast asleep. If that is not possible, try to drive during nap times. You can take advantage of wake hours for meals, exploration, and even spontaneous roadside attractions . While this may increase the duration of the car ride, you will be enriching your road trip with various activities and irreplaceable moments of family bonding. Furthermore, working with instead of against your baby’s regular sleep schedule, will result in an easier transition when you arrive at your final destination.

Take timely breaks .

Your baby is staring at the backseat of a car for hours so of course, they will get a little antsy. Take breaks every 2 to 3 hours for your child to eat and stretch those little limbs. Find a playground along your route or simply set a blanket down in a patch of grass.

Sit in the backseat.

Toys are entertaining for a time, but nothing can replace the joy and contentment of seeing a familiar face. Babies are fascinated by faces at this age and derive great excitement from simple activities such as imitating facial expressions and playing peek-a-boo. Even if they are too young to interact in that way, your simple presence can often be enough to make a baby feel safe and secure.

My baby won’t stop crying. What do I do?

If prevention is no longer an option and your baby is already crying in their car seat, what do I do next?

There are a number of reasons why babies cry, but they typically fall under one of three reasons. They are uncomfortable, they want your attention, or they simply do not like the physical restraint of being confined to a car seat.

With this in mind, if your newborn is crying in their car seat the first thing that you should do is check to see if there is an obvious cause. Do they have a wet diaper? Has it been a while since their last meal or break from the car? Is it too hot or cold in their car seat? Is the sun in their eyes? Are the seatbelt straps too tight? Are they sitting on a toy or sock? If none of these questions seem to resolve the problem, then you can try to pacify a crying infant with one of the following methods.

Give the baby a pacifier.

Pacifiers are called that for a reason. They provide temporary relief to babies who enjoy the sucking motion as it reminds them of being in the womb. Some studies show that the act of sucking a pacifier can help to lower the heart rate, blood pressure, and stress levels. We highly recommend using a pacifier clip as they are prone to popping out, dropping behind car seats, and otherwise getting lost.

Use the “baby shusher”.

We swear by this miracle sound machine. The Baby Shusher uses a rhythmic “shhh” to imitate the same cadence and sound of a parent soothing their child. If you have ever read the Happiest Baby on the Block, the “shhh” sound we make actually mimics the environment inside of the womb where babies hear all kinds of wooshing and swooshing sounds. This Baby Shusher worked best for our infant over other white noise sound machines. It is always one of our top travel tips for road-tripping with a baby.

If this didn’t work to prevent your child from crying, it might not help so much to soothe them once they are already crying. However, if you are still in the front seat, then I would certainly recommend moving to the backseat where your baby can see your beautiful comforting face. Try playing some peek-a-boo, playing with their toes, or engaging them in a crinkly toy, book, or song. Sometimes just letting them hold on to your finger is enough to calm them.

Give them snacks.

If your baby is old enough and used to eating solids, then you may consider giving them some soft snacks or a bottle during the drive. Always follow a few precautions when feeding a baby in the car: an adult should be sitting next to the baby to supervise, and avoid hard solids that might lead to choking. Some car seat-safe foods for babies include snack pouches and dissolvable rice-husk teethers. We provide some recommendations in the road trip packing list below.

Babies grow fast. Their needs and preferences seem to change just as fast. Here are some baby road trip essentials to keep your little one up to 18 months happy, comfortable, and entertained. Toddlers will require a different list of road trip essentials that are geared more toward their level of maturity and development. This list of travel toys for toddlers highlights all of the best toys to keep a toddler entertained during travel.

Road Tripping with a Baby: Packing List

Entertainment.

Dangling car seat toys – For newborns and infants, dangling car seats are essential entertainment. They might not have developed their grip strength or coordination yet to be able to grab other toys and rattles. Similar to a crib mobile, safely attached dangling car seat toys can capture a baby’s attention, while also helping them to develop spacial awareness. We recommend Baby Links and the interactive Hug & Tug Caterpillar which is appropriate for both infants and older babies.
Teething toys and rattles . Teethers help to soothe babies’ gums when their teeth begin to come in. Like rattles, teethers provide a safe form of entertainment in the car while helping baby to improve their fine motor skills, group strength, and spatial awareness.
Books – Babies like to chew, rip, and crumple books. With this in mind, it is best to pick up a selection of books that will stand the test against curious babies. Soft crinkly books like Peek-a-Boo Forest by Lamaze and Taggies are durable, washable, and engaging with flaps and tabs. Cardboard books are not indestructible, but they will serve their purpose and last you through many road trips with a baby. Our son was always the most engaged in learning books like First Numbers and First Words by Priddy.
Favorite stuffed animal – Stuffed animals are great travel toys for children at any age. Children can begin forming a bond with their toys at a young age so it is important to bring their “best friend” along for the car ride and journey.
Random items around the car – If all else fails there are many things that you likely have in the car that would keep a baby entertained for example an empty water bottle or a box of tissues. Just make sure that anything you give to your baby is safe: no small detachable parts that can pose a choking or suffocation risk.

Food and Drink

Milk and Bottle . If you are nursing exclusively, that eliminates a large portion of your packing needs! If you are not nursing, make sure to pack formula or milk (babies 12 months and older), along with a bottle or two. If you prefer to pack one bottle only, XYZ make kits for cleaning baby bottles on the go.
Snacks and pouches. A baby’s capacity to chew and digest certain foods evolves over time, so always reference the age recommendations on a food label. Up until 6 months, babies will pretty much be fine with just milk/formula. After you begin to introduce solids, prepacked baby food and snacks become an essential road trip item. Rice husks and yogurt melts are excellent road trip snacks. They dissolve quickly, don’t leave many crumbs, and our son loves them! For a more substantial meal, we find that pouches are more convenient than the more traditional glass jars. If baby is a bit older or if you are pulling over for a roadside picnic, other road trip foods for babies include yogurt, sliced soft fruit, and graham crackers. Our son is partial to breakfast bars, peanut butter Bamba puffs and Pirate’s Booty.
Snack cups . The more proactive you are in keeping the car seat free of crumbs, the easier it will be to clean and when it comes to babies every last bit helps. Using snack cups like the Munchkin Snack Catcher helps your little one to slow down the process of palming all their goldfish in one gulp. It also reduces the number of crumbs spilled into the car seat and the floorboard below.
Bib. If your baby is eating milk and purees exclusively, a cloth bib works just fine. If your baby has moved on to eating more crumbly solids like crackers and fruit slices, I would highly recommend using a silicone bib with a catcher. The Mushie silicone bib is easily washable which is ideal for travel, and the pocket catches most crumbs making clean up a much easier process.
Diapers. Diapers are an obvious item for your baby road trip checklist. Consider overnight diapers if you plan to drive through the night while your baby sleeps. The added material and increased absorbency will help to reduce leaks and keep baby dry.
Wipes. Wipes are essential for diaper changes, but they can also be used to clean faces, little fingers, and sticky surfaces. Pro tip: Wipe dispenser is almost empty? Keep the dispenser and fill it with toilet paper or ribbon. Babies love pulling things out of boxes and containers. This do-it-yourself baby toy will entertain your child for hours.
Diaper rash cream. Did you know that diaper rash cream is used not only to treat, but also to prevent diaper rash? If your baby will be spending long stretches of time in a car seat, it is wise to apply diaper rash cream as a preventative measure against rash and discomfort.
Portable changing pad – Using a portable changing station provides a more comfortable changing for the baby. It also provides an extra layer of safety when doing a diaper change in a public restroom.
Extra changes of clothing. You don’t want to be left unprepared when the inevitable blowout or spit-up happens. We recommend packing at least 2 extra changes of clothing.
Swaddle/ burp cloth. Swaddles are a bit universal and reduce the need for packing additional items. Although you wouldn’t swaddle a baby before placing him in a car seat, they do serve as great burp cloths and blankets. After arriving at your destination, you can then of course use the swaddle as intended…to wrap your baby like an adorable burrito bundle.
Baby Tylenol. There are many baby medications on the market, but really the only medication we have ever needed was baby Tylenol. Teething can bring about bouts of pain and fever. Baby Tylenol is a fever reducer that can help assuage your child’s discomfort. Always contact your pediatrician before administering to your child.

Supplies for momma

Breast pump. Depending on a number of factors (your milk production level, how much baby is drinking, etc) you may need to pump while on the road. While the manual breast pump is tried and true, the Elvie is a newer brand that many swear by. They make a wearable rechargeable breast pump that can be inserted into a nursing bra. It is discreet and portable making it possible to pump almost anywhere including at restaurants, in the office, and during a long car ride. Speaking from experience, make sure you have access to a pump! You do not want to get stuck in a situation where your body is telling you to empty the milk, but your baby isn’t hungry and you do not have a pump around. Women who have to delay pumping or nursing risk painful breast engorgement which can lead to medical problems and a reduction in milk supply.
Nursing Cover . It is likely that you may end up nursing your child in a busy parking lot. While I have nursed my son in a parking lot without a cover, I did receive some unwanted prolonged glances from individuals passing by my window. If this is something that makes you feel uncomfortable, it may be wise to pack a nursing cover just in case. I recommend the Bebe au Lait nursing cover with it’s peek-a-boo hole. It allows me to keep an eye on my son, but also provides him with some nice airflow.
Water. It is important for mothers to stay hydrated when nursing.

Additional items that make for a more comfortable trip

Portable blanket. A soft clean surface is a great item to bring along when traveling with an infant. If you are stopping by a travel plaza, gas station, or rest area there is usually a nice grassy area somewhere nearby. This is a great opportunity to unbuckle your little one, and let them have some fresh air. Lay a soft blanket in the grass and allow your baby some time to roll around, stretch their legs, and enjoy the change of scenery. We recommend the Rumpl blanket that compresses into a convenient bag perfect for traveling and road trips.
Car seat fan. When a baby is in their rear-facing car seat they don’t always have the same pleasure of cool air circulating around their bodies. This combined with warm sunrays peeking through the window can make a car seat pretty toast. It is a good idea to bring along a portable fan that clips onto the car seat to ensure that your child is cool and comfortable.
Car seat liner. If you have a 10-hour drive ahead of you, you do not want to deal with a wet soiled car seat. A waterproof liner provides protection from wet bathing suits, diaper leaks, and other accidents.
Backseat organizer to keep essentials close at hand. As you can see, there are many things to bring on a road trip if you want to ensure a smooth journey. You can be saved from headaches and stress in the long run if you are able to keep toys and baby essentials organized. A backseat organizer is helpful for keeping anything you or your baby might need close at hand.

Now that you have your questions answered and your car packed, the last step is to check out our top list of road trip with baby tips .

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Taking A Road Trip With Baby: Checklist + Packing List

Post last modified:
Post category: Mom Life / Travel

Taking A Road Trip With Baby

Based on my travel experience with a 4-month-old baby (over 26h drive).

Whether the pandemic ruined your plans of family travels by plane or a car would have been your transportation of choice anyway, taking a road trip with your baby for the first time might make you feel a little anxious or hesitant if you should do it at all. As a first-time mama, I found that it raises many questions, the same way anything does, that you do with your baby for the first time. Reading about someone else’s experience can give you great insight. Moreover, you can hopefully get some of your questions answered and feel more confident and prepared for your own journey.

ROAD TRIPPING WITH A BABY

F ir st things first. you might be wondering when you can take your newborn baby for a first car ride in general.

Well, as soon as YOU are ready. However, it is best to wait until your baby’s immune system is better developed.

Before you embark on a long journey it’s best to first take short trips with your baby, just to see how they feel and behave. Do they fall asleep easily while driving or are they more cranky? Do they overheat easily in their car seat? Those and many more are questions you want to have answers to before taking a long road trip.

But like I’ve said, you, mama, gotta be ready first. Postpartum is no joke. Even if you feel better after a few weeks or months, you still need to take extra care of yourself and that might not be possible if you’re stuck in the car for too long.

Depending on your and baby’s health as well as baby’s age, I suggest you consult your traveling plans with your gynecologist, pediatrician, or midwife to make sure you’re both set to go. Hearing from my health care providers that they think we’re both ready to travel as well as getting to know their stories of how they traveled with their babies early on, really put me at ease.

So now that you’ve decided you’re ready for your first road trip with your baby , how can you best prepare for it? What should you pack? What are some top tips to successfully travel by car with a baby? Well, let’s dive right into all those aspects now.

Top 7 Tips For A Successful Road Trip With Baby How to prepare your mind and what to do before embarking on the journey

Let’s start with preparing the mind, adjusting your expectations and your attitude. My top tips to successfully travel by car with a baby are all about what you can do beforehand to feel as calm and as confident as possible. This can mean a variety of things, you can inter alia:

1. Talk to your healthcare providers

Like I’ve said before, this can definitely boost your confidence and put you at ease. Moreover, you’ll find out if there’s anything extra healthwise you or your baby should do before or while traveling. In my case, we were traveling in hot weather and I was breastfeeding so it was good to know that I will feed my baby more often, but that I don’t need to (or even shouldn’t) give my baby any extra water. That’s something my lactation consultant explained to me.

It’s little things like that, which are good to know ahead of time and worth talking about to a professional instead of googling answers in panic during your trip, when in doubt.

2. Make a solid packing list

This will of course depend on where you’re going, what’s the weather like, what you plan on doing on the way, and so on. For my recommendations and travel essentials check the next section of this post.

GET YOUR FREE PRINTABLE PACKING LIST!

Click the link below to open your free PDF in a new tab!

Road Trip With Baby Packing List

3. C ollect all the needed documents

(seems like a no-brainer, however, i know first-hand how it is to have so much on your mind while being exhausted that you forget or simply overlook some basic things).

Depending on where you’ll be traveling to, make sure you have all the needed documents plus double-check if they’re still valid. Have a copy of your baby’s birth certificate with you or request a kid’s ID, a passport, etc. if needed. And don’t forget the car documents.

4. Get your car checked and make sure baby’s car seat is properly installed

5. Have realistic (or no) expectations as far as the duration of your trip – plan a lot of stops

You know that you don’t know how everything will go. How your baby will feel, how often you’ll have to change the diaper, feed your baby plus it’s not optimal for your child to be in the car seat for long stretches of time.

So make sure to take your baby out quite often, get some fresh air and hold them as well as let them lay down or even take some naps in between on a flat, firm surface. This can be in your car (we traveled with a van, so that was super convenient), or if you really have a long way to go make sure you book some hotels on the way so that your baby (and you) can get some proper sleep.

To find out more about car seat safety and about letting your baby travel in a car seat for long periods of time check out this page .

6. Take short trips with baby first, before embarking on a longer journey

I’ve mentioned this before, but it really is super important and can help you be so much better prepared.

For us, we’ve noticed that our son gets really warm, really fast in the car seat and as a result, sweats a lot. Which, by the way, after talking to some friends about it, seems to be a very common struggle. But knowing this helped us to be better prepared. We lined the seat with a cotton (burp) cloth to help absorb the moisture and kept changing it for a fresh, dry one at every stop to make sure our baby is more comfortable.

The same goes for clothing. We knew we had to dress him in light clothing and we had plenty of clothes ready to change him into as well, in order to keep him dry and happy.

Moreover, knowing he gets warm so easily we made sure to have a digital thermometer at hand to ensure his temperature is okay. Trust me, this saved mama from a lot of unnecessary stress and overthinking.

7. In these times – check current Covid-related regulations of places you’re traveling through and to

This might also mean you have to get vaccinated, if you haven’t already, or take a PCR/antigen test, as well as fill out online forms.

To check current regulations I recommend visiting the following websites:

x Trip , which covers Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, Africa, and South America.

The website lets you put in the countries you are traveling “from” and “to”, stating what the rules are to enter a particular country as well as to return to the country you’ve originally traveled from. What is more, you can choose to track policy changes for a particular search.

There is also a map showing you right away which countries have no restrictions, where entering and traveling is partially prohibited and where entry is prohibited.

Moreover, there is an app version of the website, which might be very convenient while already on the road.

x For Europe specifically I recommend the website or app Re-open EU

You can choose if you want to check a specific country’s regulations only or search travel rules “from” – “to” specific European countries.

What I like about this app is that when you look up a particular country it gives you a great overview of everything you might want to know, so you can get all the information that is specific to your trip.

You can find out inter alia what are the rules: x to enter a particular country from an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country x to enter with the EU Digital COVID certificate x to enter without the EU Digital COVID certificate or with a certificate not compliant with national requirements x to enter from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country

You will also get answers to the following questions: x may I transit this country? (by air/by land)` x may I fly to this country?

Moreover, what are the countries measures as far as: the usage of facemasks, physical distancing, indoor, and outdoor meetings, public or private gatherings and events, safety measures for public transportation as well as what about places of worship, non-essential (other than medicine and food) shops, tourist accommodations, catering establishments, cinemas, museums and indoor attractions, personal care services, outdoor areas, and beaches. Furthermore, what are the quarantine-related regulations? On top of that, there is information about the current health situation of the country you’re interested in traveling to.

Travel Essentials For A Road Trip With Baby

– packing list –.

Your detailed packing list will of course depend on where you are going, what the weather will be like, how long you will be driving for, and so on and so forth. Therefore, I must say I’m really not a fan of those packing lists that some people share which are telling you specifically how many, for instance, items of clothing you should pack for your baby and what those should be. This will differ from baby to baby, from trip to trip. However, there are certain things that might be considered travel essentials and certain things parents recommend, which can be super helpful to be reminded of. Here’s what I’d recommend besides the obvious like clothes, blankets, or water:

x well-stocked diaper bag x back seat car organizer/storage with essentials such as extra burp cloths, socks, wet wipes, and so on x changing pad that you can use in the car x digital thermometer x baby’s medicine just in case (paracetamol in case of a fever; make sure to store it properly!) x baby’s vitamins if they’re supposed to take any

x physiological saline solution and sterile gauze in case you’ll have to clean baby’s eyes or nose x mama’s vitamins x documents: ID’s, passports, drivers license, car papers, Covid vaccination certificate/ PCR test results, a copy of baby’s birth certificate x burp cloths to put in baby’s car seat in order to absorb sweat (I’ve seen special anti-sweat car seat covers, however only for bigger kids) x change of clothes at hand x mosquito net x sleeping bag x wet wipes as well as hand sanitizer for you x nursing-friendly clothes, a change of clothes and bras for you plus bra pads x trash bags for diapers x a separate bag for dirty/wet baby clothes, burp cloths, etc. x breast pump and nipple cream (even if you don’t usually have to use it, better safe than sorry) x first aid kit x stroller (you might want to check out the best stroller accessories that will make your life easier ) x sling/wrap x bouncer/rocker x car sunshades x small ventilator if you don’t want to use the AC with baby in the car

I want to note that we traveled with our baby when he was 4 months old, meaning he didn’t eat solids yet and I was exclusively breastfeeding, so there will be other things you’ll need depending on what and how you’re feeding your baby.

I hope you found this post insightful and feel better prepared as well as more confident about taking your first road trip with your baby.

Safe Travels!

This post was all about taking a road trip with baby and traveling with baby for the first time.

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Road Trip with Baby: Essential Travel Packing List & Tips

Written by Becca

Updated on April 30th, 2024

A list of baby items laid out on a marble table.

How do you take a road trip with a baby for the first time? Check out my essential travel packing list for everything your infant needs during a trip.

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Table of contents

Feeding & Nursing
Clothes & accessories
Grooming & medicine
Transport: strollering, driving, car seat and carrying
Learn more about road trips for babies!

Traveling with an infant is incredibly daunting when you first decide to take a short trip with your baby. How will you set up a safe place for sleeping? How will you pack enough to cover every possible situation? How many bottles is enough?

We took three trips between our baby being three and six months, and having a standard packing list gave us peace of mind. We borrowed suggestions from friends and family, and put together the best of all the recommendations.

In this packing list, you’re welcome to switch around the quantities of all items based on how long your trip is. Also, note that this list was for three road trips and not for flying. Nothing we brought was specific to TSA-approved sizes and our luggage wasn’t optimized for a flight.

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UPPAbaby Minu travel stroller Check Availability
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Here’s the list of road trip items we took, many of which are the best baby products for travel .

The below list is based on a three-day two-night trip during which I’m nursing and giving a few bottles here and there. Of course, you have your own methods of feeding your infant during the trip , and no two parents nor babies are alike in this regard. For all the clothing recommendations (along with sleep sacks, bibs, etc.), I liberally pack an extra in case there are “accidents.”

Ready for our road trip baby packing list? Here it goes.

If you are flying with your infant, check out this list of crucial tips for taking a flight with your baby!

Feeding & Nursing

Whether you’re nursing or exclusively bottle feeding, there are some essentials to consider.

Bottles : We like Comotomo and Lansinoh .
Bottle brush & stand : This OXO stand has been great.
Pacifiers (2) : Check out Avent and the Avent + animal !
Burp cloths (3-4) : We like aden & anais .
Bibs (3-4) : aden & anais make great bibs as well.
Vitamin D drops : We have these .
+ flanges (6)
+ duckbill valves (6)
+ tubing (2)
+ backflow protectors (2)
6 Spectra milk bottles and tops : Check them out .
Milk cooler with ice pack : We have this one , and it fits most standard 5oz bottles.
Frozen milk (1 bag) : We use the Lansinoh storage bags . I bring frozen milk on our way when we leave home, so that it survives the car ride in the cooler.

Our strategy for bottles is to have enough for feeding, storage and a few extra. When they are empty, we clean them right away and cycle through them like that. We also put Vitamin D drops in each bottle for feeding, so we’ll always have a few storage bottles ready to dish out.

A white container with a green toothbrush and a green brush.

Also the bottle supplies that I mention are optimized for 5oz bottles. You might need slightly different supplies for the bigger 8oz bottles.

For babies eating solids

Jars or pouches of baby food (however many your child consumes)
High chair : Take a look at this clip-on high chair . A foldable travel high chair also works!
Booster seat : Try this one from OXO .
Spoons/utensils : We’ve had the best luck with these spoons .
Silicone bibs : Check these out and pick from lots of different colors.
More wipes !: We like these water wipes .

We make our own baby food, and our baby eats whatever we have in the house! For convenience, I can see how the pouches could be a quick and easy solution to have food on the go. You can put out only as much as you need and use your own spoon, then save the rest for minimal clean up.

Sometimes at home, we keep our daughter sitting up right and hold her to give her some food. So the clip-on high chairs and booster seats are only necessary when independent solid eating is more of a thing.

More diapers are better than fewer, especially if you’ll be in a remote location like we were when we went up to the northwestern Catskills to stay in a country house. There wasn’t a Walmart for MILES! Luckily, I learned from our trip the month before that I should pack diapers like they’re going out of style, and we survived plenty fine.

I had already corrected all my former mistakes when we went away to Litchfield County, CT , when our daughter was 7 months, and came home with a heap of diapers to spare.

One thing I like to have on hand is little plastic throw-away baggies for diapers when disposing of them in a hotel or Airbnb. I save the ones we use as produce bags at the supermarket and then load up my diaper bag with those. They are so handy. If you’re looking for something more compact for storing (or already have a dog) these dog #2 storage bags might also work.

Diapers : Find your brand and size on Amazon . For a three-day trip, I took 30 diapers.
Wipes : We use these water wipes .
Diaper balm : We like diaper balm with a lid , to prevent accidental spills.
Little garbage bags for diapers
Changing pad : This one is great for most babies.

For the diapers, it’s best if you leave them in the original packaging to help save on space. We found that bringing loose diapers takes up more room in our already cramped bags.

Our diaper bag has a changing pad that never leaves our bag. When we travel, we change our daughter with the pad on the floor. This is a good practice in case there’s an accident. We are not prepared to scrub any carpets while away!

It’s also likely that you may have these items in your diaper bag. It would be a good idea to make sure you have extra / a spare set for a makeshift changing station at your accommodation.

Clothes & accessories

When we went upstate to Livingston Manor for three days, I almost laughed: we came home with exactly one diaper left in the diaper bag and our daughter’s luggage combined. ONE!

This was because we went through quite a few changes of clothes, if you know what I mean. And if there are overnight accidents, you may have a soiled sleep sack or swaddle.

A white t - shirt and a white hoodie on a marble floor.

In addition to the extra outfits I leave in the diaper bag, I was happy with the number of backup clothes and pajamas I had packed, as we almost went through everything. In my guide to how to visit NYC with a baby , I discuss the importance of bringing clothing layers for changes in weather.

Zippy pajamas (3-4) : We’ve had good luck with Carters brand PJs .
Outdoor blankets (1) : For colder months, try this type of blanket .
Daytime outfits (with spares) : These Carter onsies and pants are great staples!
Booties or socks : You can never have too many socks .
Sun hat : Hats work great for keeping the sun out of your baby’s eyes.
Headbands or hair bow clips : So cute !

We’ve liked bringing plenty of headbands and hair bows for times when we’ve wanted our daughter to look cute in a photo.

A set of baby headbands on a marble table.

Grooming & medicine

For babies with hair, you might want to consider packing a comb or brush. For us, we do a quick hair combing at bedtime as part of the routine.

For all other medicine and health products, it’s up to you. We haven’t had to use any of the medicines while away from home, but you truly never know what can happen and what you’ll want to have in your back pocket if your child is soon to be teething, comes down with some congestion or is having bouts with gas pains.

Frida nail file & clipper : The Frida Baby Grooming Kit has everything you need.
Hair comb or brush : We like this comb because it has an extra fine side.
Medicine for unexpected scenarios : ( Acetominaphen , gas drops , Snotsucker )
Thermometer : We got this digital one .
Rattle toys, teether toys : Our baby LOVES these teethers .

A set of toothbrushes and brushes on a marble countertop.

A tip from my cousin, an expert mom of two, is to bring along “identifying docs” for your child, even when your baby doesn’t have an official ID or baby passport yet, like an immunization report or other medical record (even a physical photocopy of baby’s birth certificate would be a “better-safe-than-sorry” thing to have!).

Transport: strollering, driving, car seat and carrying

We have become UPPAbaby people and we are super happy with the choice to buy into the UPPAbaby ecosystem of strollers and car seats. We picked up the Minu stroller for traveling purposes and it has saved a ton of trunk space when compared to the larger and sturdier UPPAbaby Vista stroller we keep at home.

For unexpected weather or bugginess in summer locations, opt for bringing both the rain cover and the insect net covers for your car seat or rumble seat.

UPPAbaby Minu travel stroller : We’re happy with ours and it saves trunk space. Check it out or read our UPPAbaby Minu review here!
UPPAbaby Mesa car seat : Check prices on Amazon for this sturdy car seat.
UPPAbaby stroller parent console : Ours lives on our stroller, even when folded. Check it out .
UPPAbaby Mesa rain cover and bug screen cover : The rain shield and bug screen have been helpful!
UPPAbaby car window shields : Help keep the sun out of your baby’s eyes. Check it out .
Baby Safety Car Mirror : We have one of these in our car at home, and if you will be renting a car at your destination, be sure to bring along your own baby car mirror .
A baby carrier you love : If you have car space to spare, opt for a strong baby carrier like the Baby Tula Explore Carrier . If you’re short on space, go the route of an ultralightweight carrier like Baby Tula Carrier Lite ; for more ideas, see my list of the best baby carriers for travel .
*A hiking carrier : For adventurous parents, as well as for toddlers and larger kids who like being carried, consider a hiking carrier. We like ours, which you can read about that the Deuter Kid Comfort Venture review .

The baby tula lite carrier fully closed with everything packed away.

While our daughter doesn’t exactly love the Pack ‘n Play, it’s a fact of life when you leave home for travel. The first trip we took with her when she was 13 weeks was when we used the bassinet from our UPPAbaby Vista stroller ! That way, she wasn’t sleeping in a foreign environment.

With the Pack ‘n Play, we make sure the mattress cover is clean before we leave home, and we bring a backup sheet in case it gets soiled. Another hack has been the blackout cover, which simulates darkness for the baby if you’re in a place with lots of windows or no dark curtains. It also gives the baby their own sense of space if you’re all in one hotel room, like we say in our guide to staying in a hotel with your baby .

BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light : This travel crib is so easy to set up and take apart, and it’s tons lighter than a Graco Pack ‘n Play. Check it out or read our review .
Pack ‘n Play sheet with spare sheet : This one should work great!
Pack ‘n Play blackout cover : We have this one .
SlumberPod : This is a blackout tent to use during travel! It goes over an entire travel crib and parents swear by it.
Baby monitor : We’ve been happy with our monitor . You don’t need Wi-Fi, so it’s easy to set up anywhere.
Audio baby monitor : If you want as a backup, or alternative to video, you can check out the audio-only options.
HALO & Nested Bean sleep sacks (2) : We love our HALO , and we’ve been using the Nested Bean as a backup.
Hatch Rest+ sound machine : We like the Rest+ because it has an easy charging base.
Amazon Basics portable suction cup blackout curtains : These curtains help to darken a room so your little one sleeps longer!

We feel a little silly bringing the Hatch because it’s such a big sound machine. The backup battery has actually been a huge help because we once lost power and we’re glad we still had some white noise going. Something like this might be a better option.

Plus, we use a portable travel sound machine (you can also get it on Amazon ) on our stroller or with our a travel-friendly baby carrier while taking walks, to help create some familiar and consistent white noise It works out great, whether on the road or at home.

Learn more about road trips for babies!

From our experience, here are some of the things that we’ve learned that have been helpful in making everyone happy during the adventure.

And as a heads up, you can check our the rest of our articles on traveling with a baby to learn everything you can, as well as our list of the best essential road trip accessories for everyone in the car.

What to expect on your first trip with a baby

I actually kind of expected the worst, in traveling with a baby. How would naps work? Would we have to stop for feeding? How would our child sleep at night, the first time away from home?

This all felt kind of crazy, but we knew we had to take the plunge if we ever wanted to introduce our daughter into our world of travel.

Our first trip with her was at 13 weeks. I was largely doing okay, three-ish months postpartum, and we were finally comfortable with the world of being parents. Also, I don’t want to sugarcoat this at all: our baby was far from sleeping through the night, and as my best friend put it, “If you’re going to be sleep deprived and doing night feeds, why not at least be away from home on a vacation?”

While New Hampshire at the end of winter is far from tropical and didn’t involve any skiing or snowy sports for us, it’s where my extended family gets together every year in mid-March. I didn’t want to be left out, so we took our tiny newborn along (easier said than done).

Here’s a few tips for what to expect and how things really went, that time, and the two times we went up to the Catskills when our child was 5 months and then 6 months. While both trips were very different from each other, we decided to risk it (again!) by going up to Litchfield County, CT , when she was 7 months old as well!

Naps and sleeping tips for road trips

On the way up to New Hampshire and down from New Hampshire, our baby took some of her best naps of the month in the car. Her naps were a total grab bag and we never know what to expect, especially if we were going to be in the car for more than two hours. We were graced with some two-hour naps during the five-hour drive, and when we stopped for bathrooms, I fed her in the rest area or in the front seat of the car.

When we went to Nova Scotia, we planned a day trip excursions from Halifax and timed our planning with the baby’s three-nap schedule.

Keeping your baby entertained during the car ride

When she wasn’t napping, one of us sat in the back and tried to entertain her with toys and a book. It’s hard to say if it worked. During our road trips with her two and three months later, we both sat up front and if she needed consoling, I’d reach my arm back to hold a pacifier in her mouth. We had her teether beads and a fruit teether attached by a pacifier clip in her car seat.

I recommend having some toys or teethers, depending on your baby’s age, attached to the car seat straps so they don’t get lost or dropped during the ride.

Feeding during car rides

Most babies eat every 1.5-2 hours in the first few months of life, and ours certainly did. Even at five and six months, she likes to eat every two hours if she can. Some babies are on an every-three-hours feeding schedule by this point, but that’s not something that worked for us. Much of this experience inspired me to write about how to feed a baby during travels .

If a baby is hungry during a car ride, you’ll know. It’ll be chaos. If our child cried, we turned up the music, held a pacifier in her mouth and sang her favorite lullaby on repeat. Being a parent is far from glamorous!

During some stops, we gave her a full feed, depending on when she had last eaten. I did this in rest area cafeteria booths, the front seat of our car in a Trader Joe’s parking lot In Connecticut and in a Panera off the highway, most recently. I think a good tip is to get comfortable feeding your baby at the right time, and the place is less important.

The importance of the diaper bag

Just like when you go out for the day, having a robust diaper bag is crucial during a road trip. And I mean “two spare outfits” level of robust. We have been using Nike’s diaper backpack and it’s good for travel. Check out more photos at my Nike Diaper Bag review .

On our most recent trip with our baby when she was six months, there was a diaper blowout just as we hit our first stop, and I wound up doing an entire outfit and diaper change on a picnic table in a covered pavilion as it began to rain. Good thing we had weather-appropriate attire in a packing cube in the diaper bag, along with enough wipes and diapers and of course, hand sanitizer.

Other things I keep in the diaper bag are my new nursing cover, a small Hakka pump, a disassembled Medela hand pump, spare Medela milk vials, a changing pad and a spare light blanket for miscellaneous use. I suggest keeping your diaper bag contents constant so that if something is missing, you can figure it out.

I use the same diaper bag contents on a regular trip to the supermarket, as well as a trip up to the countryside.

As a secondary diaper bag for when I’m just getting out of the car at a rest area, or going somewhere with only the carrier and not a full stroller setup, I’m into the Kibou fanny pack diaper bag .

It’s also crucial for a diaper change on a plane , for the next time you fly.

For a limited time: Join the list for 15% off your first order + get free shipping on orders $75+!

Shop the deal

This cute belt bag is the most minimalist (and chic) diaper bag. I review the Kibou to talk about all the features.

It has a fold-out changing pad, and in the main compartment I can fit diapers, diaper cream, a pacifier, my phone and a slim wallet. Plus, it has a waterproof zippered wipes pocket on the inner side, which is so handy and cool.

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The Ultimate Packing List for Baby Travel (+printable checklist!)

Over the years, i’ve written a lot about how to travel with a baby..

Between leaping head first into baby travel when Evelyn was 5 weeks old, to taking our special needs baby Sophie on several trips around the country, we’ve become pretty well-acquainted with the world of travel with a baby by now.

Truthfully, traveling with a baby is not all that bad. But it does require a ton of preparation for all the things that you might possibly need.

We’ve covered what to pack in your carry on before, along with everything you need to know before flying with a baby . I’ve even shared our favorite baby travel gear and travel-friendly toys .

But one thing I haven’t covered? A comprehensive, everything-you-must-pack guide to make the whole trip with baby go extra smoothly!

We were reminded of just how much stuff one little human can require as we prepared for our month-long adventure around Southern California . Our packing list felt endless . And I can say pretty confidently that we left nothing behind.

So let me spare you the stress of wondering “what am I forgetting” ?

Read on for our ultimate baby packing list of EVERYTHING you might ever need when traveling with a baby! (+a free printable checklist at the bottom of this post!)

Pin it for later:.

Baby Packing List | Travel Gear

First things first, the big stuff !

You may not need all of these items for every trip, but for the most part, we bring this same travel-friendly baby gear just about everywhere we go:

Baby Carrier | A baby carrier is a must, even if it’s nothing more than an efficient way to move through the airport. I know not all kiddos love the carrier, but we find that having both a carrier and stroller available when we travel with Sophie is essential. You just never know when you’ll run into a place with lots of stairs or uneven sidwalks, so it’s good to have a back up that will keep you moving freely. We started out with the ErgoBaby , but made the switch to the more lightweight and compact MiaMily toddler carrier with Infant Insert and absolutely love it. Still on the fence? Read up and compare all of our favorite carriers for babies and toddlers here .
Stroller | Even though our carrier is indispensable, we like to have options. For newborns, I adore the Doona Car Seat & Stroller 2-in-1 . I only wish this had been around when our girls were babies because it takes so much hassle out of traveling with a baby! For us personally, we love and recommend the lightweight and carry-on compliant Babyzen YOYO+ , which is great for older babies who can sit up on their own (don’t forget the puchase a compatible backpack carry bag – so worth it)! For newborns you can add on the bassinet pack onto the YOYO+, just keep in mind you will have to gate check the stroller with this add-on.
Car Seat | Depending on where you’re going, you may or may not want to bring the car seat. If you will need one, the Maxi Cosi and Nuna Pipa are two that can adapt to a YOYO+ without the bassinet add-on (just get some adapters like these , and you’re good to go!). For older babies, a popular choice is the Cosco Scenera Next , which is super lightweight at just 10 pounds. I recommend getting a car seat bag to keep it clean while flying, and if you’re worried about it getting banged up by luggage handlers, you can upgrade to a padded car seat bag .
Travel Crib | We’ve always brought our own travel crib, mostly because I want our kids to feel the comfort of a familiar sleeping environment, no matter where we are. We’ve been especially happy with our Baby Bjorn Travel Crib , which has held up with our travels all over the country these past 6 years. For infants, you can get away with a more compact option, like this Travel Pod Bassinet . And if you’re in a pinch, most family-friendly hotels will offer cribs for free, or you can rent one from a baby gear rental company, like BabyQuip . Read up on all our favorite baby travel cribs here .

Pro Tip: Don’t want the stress of traveling with all your gear? Use BabyQuip and get bulky items like cribs, strollers, high chairs, car seats and so much more delivered straight to your hotel or rental!

Baby Packing List | Clothes

Sure, babies require a lot of stuff to pack, but the one area where they don’t take up much space in the suitcase: clothes!

I use these packing cubes for everyone in the family and almost everything for baby can fit into just one:

Pants & Leggings | Usually 2-3 pairs. In colder months I’ll skip the rompers and dresses, and add more leggings, pants and sweaters.
Shirts & Onesies | Usually 2-3 tops, adding 2-3 more in winter months.
Dresses or Rompers | Usually 2-3 for warmer destinations, because they’re so easy to pack and don’t require mixing and matching tops and bottoms.
Socks | 2-3 pairs , even in the summer months in case we end up somewhere chilly.
Booties or Shoes | I’ve recently become obsessed with little baby shoes, but I try to stick to one simple pair of baby moccasins that match everything for travel, like these from BirdRock Baby .
Hat | A must, no matter where you’re traveling, whether a sun hat for the spring and winter, or a fuzzy hat for the fall and winter.
Swimsuit | Only if necessary, of course. These boy and girl options from Rufflebutts are our favorites.
Pajamas | I stick to just 2 pairs of footie pajamas (plus a 3rd pair worn on our travel day).

This might not seem like a lot of clothes, but if we’re traveling for more than 5 days, we’ll wash and rewear items to keep our packing light. This means making sure we have access to laundry facilities while we travel (whether it be an Airbnb with a washing machine, hotel with a laundry room, or a wash and fold laundry service nearby).

Baby Packing List | Nursing & Feeding

Things change quickly with a baby, and depending on their age and feeding habits, you may need any of the following:

Bottles | We’ve always traveled with just two bottles and been fine. Tommee Tippee and Dr. Brown’s are our favorites.
Drying Rack | I love our OXO travel drying rack ( similar option here ); it’s come in handy more times than I can count! We also have a larger version of this Boon travel drying rack at home, and would highly recommend either. It’s truly one of the items you don’t think you need until you’re balancing wet bottles around a hotel sink.
Dish Soap | Never fails, I always forget dish soap! If you’re staying in an Airbnb, there’s no need to bring your own (unless you’re particular about what you use). But if you’re staying in a hotel, for sure pack this little travel-size one for washing bottles!
Nursing Cover | There’s a good chance you’ll have little privacy for nursing during travels, and at the very least a nursing cover can help with getting little ones to fall asleep in busy places. Or for a lighter solution, a muslin swaddle is great and doubles as a blankie.
Breast Pump & Supplies | It’s a pain to lug around for sure, but if you’re going to need it, consider investing in a few pieces to make pumping on-the-go easier: a special backpack and battery pack . (and good news, the airline won’t count this against your carry on luggage allowance)
Cooler Bag | We love a little cooler bag with ultra-thin ice packs , or if you need room for more bottles, this Medela cooler bag is a great option too.
Formula Dispenser | For babies on a formula-fed diet, this little guy makes mixing bottles on the go so much easier .
Tall Insulated Mug | This simple, yet useful item is a must for an on-the-go bottle warmer. Just ask your airport coffee shop to fill it with piping hot water after you get through security, and then dip your bottle in to warm milk up in no time!
Wipe-Clean Bib | Once baby is into solids, a wipe-and-reuse bib is awesome for on-the-go feedings.
Travel Spoon | Our favorite is still this one that comes with a little case for easy storage, or try these squeeze pouch food adapter spoons .
Snack Catcher | This travel container is perfect for little cereals you don’t want spilled all over.
Squeeze Pouch Baby Food | If you’re feeding while traveling, skip the mess and squeeze it from pouch form onto the spoon!
Sippy Cup | We’ve tried many of the years, and these classic sippy cups from Munchkin or these sippy cups with weighted straws are both at the top of our list of favorites.
Bottles Wipes | It’s tough to clean bottles, pacifiers, and spoons on-the-go, but these bottle wipes are a safe and easy way to do it when you don’t have a sink handy.
Travel High Chair | If you have the space for it, I can’t recommend this travel high chair enough, which folds down flat for packing. You could also opt for a cloth seat harness for an even lighter, more compact option.

Baby Packing List | Health & Bath

Diapers | My rule of thumb is to pack a maximum of 8 diapers in the baby backpack and then buy more as soon as we arrive.
Travel Wipes Case | These no-frills travel wipes cases have become my favorite over the years. Like diapers, I load one up with as many as I can fit and then buy more once we’ve arrived in our destination.
Dirty Diaper Baggies | These dirty diaper baggies have also come in handy more times than I can count.
Baby First Aid Kit | We keep a super simple kit that includes only the basics, like travel-size diaper rash cream , infant pain reliever , a few bandages , a small thermometer , nail clipper , skin cream , etc. For all those other ‘what if’s’, we’ll buy it at our destination if needed.
Prescription Medicines | Keep liquids in their original containers to avoid any issues with TSA, and for anything needing kept cold, we use our bottle cooler bag with ultra-thin ice packs .
Sunscreen | These pocket sunscreen sticks are my absolute favorite because they’re easy to apply and take up so much less space.
Mosquito Repellent | This natural one is our favorite. No chemicals or stink!
Sanitizing Wipes | Especially good for wiping down a dirty airplane seat. I always keep a small travel-size pack in the diaper backpack.
Hand Sanitizer | For obvious reasons, I always keep a travel-size hand sanitize r clipped to the backpack.
Baby Shampoo & Body Wash | This 2-in-1 combo is our favorite, filled in a small GoToob+ travel container .
Brush or Comb | Of course.
Inflatable Travel Tub | Finally, this handy inflatable bath tub is an absolute favorite of ours and has gotten way more use than I ever thought it would. It’s definitely worth the purchase if you don’t have access to a tub or your baby is not sitting up on their own yet.

Read Next: Everything You Need to Know Before Traveling with a Baby

Baby Packing List | Play & Sleep

Play Mat | We’ve stayed in lots of Airbnbs with hardwood floors and little comfortable space for baby to play. I so wish this fold-and-go baby gym was around when my kids were little (or this similar travel-friendly option ).
Small Toys | I try to keep toys to a minimum, mostly because when you’re traveling, you’re out and about a lot anyway. Sassy brand makes a ton of my favorite simple baby toys, and I keep a little collection in one of these mesh storage bags for easy packing.
Pacifiers & Pacifier Clips | We find these pacifiers with these clips to work great!
Swaddle Blankets | Another must-pack item, Aden & Anais makes our favorite muslin swaddle blankets that double as a nursing cover or burp rag too.
Crib Sheet | Whether you bring your own travel crib or use the hotels, we like to have our own crib sheet. This crib sheet that’s designed specifically for portable cribs has traveled with us again and again.
White Noise Machine | We love our Shusher and I swear it has made all the difference in helping our babies fall asleep in new places. This portable sound machine is another favorite among traveling moms.
Favorite Blankie | Even though it can be a bit of a pain to travel with, having a soft baby blanket sure is nice for wrapping baby up on a cold airplane or having a familiar comfort from home.

FreshlyPicked Diaper Backpack | Passport Cover | Reusable Storage Bags | Dropper Stopper Tether (similar options here and here )

Baby Packing List | Miscellaneous Must-Haves

Diaper Backpack | A good diaper bag is essential, and I can’t recommend going with a backpack style enough! Having your hands free, especially in airports, is a necessity, and this FreshlyPicked diaper backpack has travelled with us all over the world!
Birth Certificate or Passport | Did you know some airlines require you to show a birth certificate for your lap baby? To be safe, I always carry a copy in my wallet. And if you’re planning on traveling internationally, be sure to start the process for your baby’s passport as soon as possible.
Dropper Stopper Baby Tether | From toys, to bottles, to snack cups, this is our favorite item for keeping all of our baby essentials from hitting the dirty airplane floor (similar options here and here )
Plastic Storage Bags | Whether one-time use, or an eco-friendly reusable , we’re always finding a need for the modest plastic storage bag. Whether for dirty clothes from a blow out incident, saving leftover snacks, keeping trinkets and keepsakes together, we’re always finding a new use for these.

Free Printable Checklist: Baby Travel Packing List!

It doesn’t matter how many times we’ve traveled with a baby, I’m always bound to forget something!

After many missed essentials, I finally created our own baby travel packing list ! We use it for every trip, and now you can use for yourself!

get it here!

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PS. You can also find this and all of our printable family travel planning tools exclusively for subscribers in our free resource library .

What are your must-have packing list items when traveling with baby?

Wife and mom to two sassy little girls, Laura has been sharing her family's travels here on Our Next Adventure since 2016! Though lots has changed in both our family and the world of travel over the years, one thing remains: we love exploring new places together!

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The ultimate packing list for traveling with a baby

Be prepared for just about everything with this tried and tested list.

What to pack when traveling with a baby

What to pack for your baby in a carry-on, free printable baby packing list.

Pre-kids, my husband and I were the people who'd show up at the airport 40 minutes before a flight, breeze through TSA pre-check, refill our water bottles, and walk right onto the plane with our carry-ons.

After I had two children, this strategy pretty much went out the window. It didn't matter if we were going away for one night or two weeks: when we started traveling with a baby , we packed nearly everything we owned. It took four years and countless trips, but I've since perfected the art of flying with a baby .

Ahead, find out exactly what you'll need to pack for a baby.

To make the packing process easier on yourself, start with the BabyCenter-approved list below. You can print it out and make any changes as needed – such as eliminating items your baby has outgrown, adding new things they need, and making adjustments based on the length of your trip and the climate.

It's helpful to start gathering supplies about a week in advance, laundering anything that needs to be cleaned (such as a pack 'n' play sheet), and shopping for used-up supplies (such as travel-sized toiletries).

If you're looking for more guidance, get extra-detailed tips below.

Travel gear

To get your baby from point A to point B, you'll need a few basics.

Travel stroller

If you're running late to catch a flight, it's much easier to push your baby in a lightweight umbrella stroller than to carry them through a long terminal. Some travel strollers are Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved and fold to fit in the carry-on bins on board, but most get gate-checked. Remember to bring the travel bag that came with it to protect the stroller from damage.

Add bag hooks and a stroller caddy (the Colugo Opens a new window one even doubles as a fanny pack), and utilize the under-basket storage. Some travel systems allow you to hook the car seat on top of the stroller, meaning you have one less item to lug around.

While you can rent car seats at your destination, experts highly recommend bringing one with you. "Renting one often comes with challenges, including risking it not being appropriate for age, weight, or height," says Chandani Patel DeZure, M.D. , a pediatrician and BabyCenter Medical Advisor . "In addition, it is safest to fly on an airplane with a baby in a car seat – just make sure the car seat is FAA-approved."

You can also use it for car rides to and from the airport.

Car seat bag

One of the best perks of traveling with a car seat is using a car seat bag, a giant lightweight backpack that fits a car seat. Usually, you can stuff extras – such as a package of diapers, swim floaties, or other odd-shaped items – that won't neatly fit in a suitcase.

Baby carrier

Parents swear by baby carriers for airport travel. I find them most effective for babies under 6 months . (After that, they get heavy!) Just don't baby wear on the plane during take-off or landing, per the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

The same sleep safety rules apply when you travel: Your baby should sleep alone in a crib or bassinet with nothing in it. Borrow a crib, bassinet, or pack 'n' play from your hotel, or try a reputable rental company (such as BabyQuip Opens a new window ).

Consider bringing a SlumberPod Opens a new window , which is a blackout tent that goes over the pack 'n' play. If your baby sleeps best in dark spaces, you can also pack travel blackout curtains or tape black garbage bags over the windows.

Don't leave home without the sleep accessories your baby is familiar with, such as a white noise machine, sleep sack or swaddle, and pacifier.

Breastfeeding, pumping, formula bottles, and solids feeding supplies

Depending on how you're feeding your child, you'll need certain gear. (And if you have a newborn, you'll also want a burp cloth on hand.)

Breastfeeding

Pack a daytime nursing bra, sleeping bra or tank, travel breastfeeding pillow (Boppy makes an excellent one Opens a new window I used on a plane with my then 4-month-old), and any nipple skincare products you use (creams, butters, pads, and the like).

You may also want to bring some sort of shawl to drape over the baby for in-public feeds. (This doubles as a way to keep both of you warm on chilly flights).

I've also traveled with breast pumps – both the Spectra (an electric pump ) and the original Elvie (a wearable pump). If the latter works for you, I highly recommend it as I was able to use it during the flight . You'll also need pump cleaning supplies (such as a brush, soap, drying rack, and on-the-go cleaning wipes), a pumping bra , milk storage bags , and bottles to feed the baby. And don't forget to bring a charger for the pump!

If you plan to freeze any extra milk, bring a freezer bag and ice packs. Frozen breast milk is easier to get through security than fresh milk, which may require testing. Read more about breast milk travel regulations .

Formula feeding

Ensure you're packing enough formula for the trip by measuring what your baby eats in a day and then bringing extra. You'll want more than enough in case of travel delays or spills. For in-flight travel, you can pre-measure formula , and store it in a Ziploc bag or bottle. Bring filtered water, or buy it at the airport to make a bottle in a snap.

You'll also need to bring bottles (I typically bring two), nipples, and bottle washing supplies (like a brush, soap, and drying rack). If your baby prefers warmed milk, you can pack a thermos. For your travel day, fill it with hot water and use that to warm up a bottle on the go. There are also travel bottle warmers .

First and foremost, you'll need to bring enough food for the travel day. (Squeeze pouches are always a great idea.) Additionally, pack kids' silverware ( spoon and fork), grippy plates and bowls, a sippy cup for water, spill-proof snack cups, and food storage containers. We always travel with an easy-to-wipe silicone bib (which also can save an outfit if your baby is a messy eater).

Unless your baby is going to sit on your lap for every meal (which might be miserable for you), you'll need to rent a high chair or bring a fold-up one (like the Bombol pack-up booster Opens a new window , which packs flat).

The easiest way to get a high volume of diapers to your destination is to send a package to the hotel or cruise line in advance. Otherwise, throw a sleeve or two in the stroller bag or car seat bag (as diapers take up precious space in suitcases) and buy more when you get there.

If you are bringing diapers with you, count how many diapers your baby typically uses in a day. Then add enough for at least one extra day, since you never know how a trip will pan out. Here are some quick calculations, but note that every child is different:

Newborns: eight to 12 diapers per day

2-3 months: eight to 10 diapers per day

3-6 months: seven to nine diapers per day

6-12 months: five to seven diapers per day

You'll also need wipes (throw extra packs in the car seat bag!), a travel changing mat (or disposable changing pads), diaper disposal bags, and diaper creams (Aquaphor, butt paste, etc.). Remember to bring swim diapers if you're going somewhere with a pool or beach .

Clothing, outerwear, and shoes

Little ones, especially newborns, go through multiple outfit changes a day thanks to spit-up, blowouts, and other unexpected events. Pack about two outfits per day and extra pajamas (as the same principles apply overnight). Don't forget socks, shoes if you have a walker, and layers. (Babies get cold and hot quickly.)

If you're packing for a cruise or headed somewhere tropical, toss in a swimsuit, hat, and UPF clothing. For cooler climates, make sure your baby has cozy sweaters, booties, and a warm hat.

Some hotel rooms only have showers, and if your baby typically washes in a tub, you'll need to get creative. We've used an oversized kitchen sink as a makeshift bathtub, and we've also rented baby tubs or brought an inflatable one. Plan this in advance.

You'll also want to bring travel baby shampoo , body wash, and lotion – especially if your little one is sensitive to fragrance. We've also brought a baby towel and familiar bath toys to help our kids adjust to a new setting.

Health and safety

You won't regret traveling with a baby first aid kit. It can include band-aids, infant pain reliever, any other medicine or prescription ointments your baby uses, a thermometer, insect repellent, and baby-safe sunscreen. Pro tip: Throw in a few vomit bags for potential motion sickness incidents.

Consult with your child's pediatrician with any questions for this packing category.

Entertainment

What you pack comes down to parental and baby preferences. A tablet, preloaded with shows and movies, can be helpful to get through a flight or long car ride. If screentime is not on your agenda, try books, activity pads, coloring books (specifically the "magic marker" ones Opens a new window for less mess), and reusable stickers (great for sticking on plane or car windows). (Check out these kid-friendly car games for more family fun.)

Once you're there, you might want to have tummy time mats , sand toys , or baby dolls on hand. You can have toys delivered to your hotel from services like BabyQuip Opens a new window , or pack a selection of "surprise" playthings yourself. And don't forget your baby's favorite stuffie or lovey!

You'll never be prepared for all situations, so level-set expectations, but you can still be very prepared for most!

To start, your baby will need a passport if you're traveling internationally .

Also, grab extra diapers (at least a day's worth), a pack of wipes, a travel diaper pad, and diaper creams for mid-flight diaper changes . Pack an extra change of clothes for both you and the baby, because if they're sitting on your lap, any mishaps (spit-up, throw-up, or massive poop) may end up on you, too. Plastic bags – to catch vomit or store stained clothes – also come in handy.

Bring a full day's worth of food and some extra, as well as anything you need for breastfeeding and pumping. If your flight is delayed or you hit road trip traffic, you'll be so grateful to have a pump, milk bags, and a cooler on hand. (It's happened to me.)

Add in the first aid kit and meds. Then stuff as many toys as you can in the extra space left.

Print or download our BabyCenter-approved checklist for easier packing when traveling with a baby.

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BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies .

American Academy of Pediatrics. 2023. Tips for Traveling with Young Ones this Holiday Season. https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/health--safety-tips/american-academy-of-pediatrics-tips-for-traveling-with-young-ones-this-holiday-season Opens a new window [Accessed February 2024]

American Academy of Pediatrics. 2023. Safe Sleep. https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/safe-sleep/ Opens a new window [Accessed February 2024]

Transportation Security Administration. Undated. Is Breast Milk, Formula and Juice exempt from the 3-1-1 liquids rule? https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions/breast-milk-formula-and-juice-exempt-3-1-1-liquids-rule Opens a new window [Accessed February 2024]

Lauren is a New York-based content director, writer, and brand consultant. She is a #girlmom to a school-age daughter and a toddler.

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11 Road Trip Essentials for Trips with Babies & Toddlers

kids in a car road trip with baby checklist

If a road trip with your rugrat has you stressed—don’t fear! A smart stash of supplies will keep your little one comfortable and content on your travels. This road trip with baby checklist includes everything from snacks for all parties involved, ways to keep kiddo comfortable in their car seat, and extra supplies like books and new toys to make the trip actually enjoyable.

1. First Aid Kit

Buy a ready-made kit to keep in the car or put together your own with the essentials (adhesive bandages, antiseptic pads, gauze pads, tweezers, cold packs, scissors). Bonus: A box of bandages can keep a toddler busy in a pinch. Simply open up the box and let your little one take out the strips and put them back in, over and over. If that loses its magic, let them peel and stick bandages all over themselves and the car seat.

2. Bags to Hold Dirty Clothes

You may be leaving your house, but you’re not leaving laundry behind, unfortunately. Pack a few plastic bags you can use if there’s a blowout or spit-up situation. Better yet, buy Wash.It.Later’s Soak & Save Bags to give you a place to stash dirty clothes until you can toss them in the wash. These bags are pocket-size, leak-proof and have built-in stain-busting solution inside them.

3. Sun Shade

Who doesn’t get cranky when they’re too hot? That air conditioning doesn’t always reach the back seat. To keep kids cool and block UVA and UVB rays, attach one of these sun shades to your car window.

4. Diaper-Changing Kit

When you’re dealing with a dirty diaper on the road, a good diaper kit is a game-changer. You’ll want one that includes a changing mat, wipes, and diaper sacks that lock in wetness and odor, for when you don’t want your car to smell like…you know. No more digging through bottomless diaper bags looking for changing necessities in a panic! Now your trip just got a whole lot smoother.

5. Extra Baby Blankets

Muslin swaddling blankets are lifesavers on long road trips, and in general. They can keep your baby cozy when it’s nap time, act as a light and sound-reducing cover, mop up messes, and can even be folded into a makeshift diaper in a pinch.

6. New Toys & Old Favorites

Pack your little one’s favorite toys, especially a lovey, and throw in a few newbies, too. Put a cardboard box or plastic bin on the seat next to your child’s car seat and fill it with a mix of easy-to-grab toys, like this Oball Shaker and a drawing board . Small trucks and dolls are always a hit too. To maximize the wow factor and keep kids busy longer, wrap each toy before the trip. For more ideas, check out The Best Baby & Toddler Toys for the Car .

7. Mini Vacuum

Crumbs and toddlers go together like peanut butter and jelly. If all that mess drives you nuts, buy a portable vacuum cleaner with a car-compatible power plug, like this one . You’ll use it (and love it!) for years to come.

8. Extra Outfits—for You & Your Babe

Bring at least two or three changes of clothes for your baby, and keep it easily accessible. Keep a clean shirt nearby for yourself, too, as there’s a good chance you’ll get soaked in spit-up. It’s the law of the road.

9. Board Books

A few board books are perfect road-trip distractions for babies and toddlers. Littler ones love to gnaw on Indestructables , drool-friendly books featuring faves like farm animals and smiling faces. Interactive lift-the-flap books and texture-packed books are made to mesmerize toddlers. For more book ideas, read 25 Board Books Every Baby Needs .

10. Tunes for Days!

Your favorite jams will help put everyone on board in a good mood! No need to resort to the Wiggles; put on any music that makes you happy, and chances are your baby will bop along to the beat too. Just be sure to put together a lullaby-packed playlist for nap time.

11. Munchies

Road trips always induce snack attacks, no matter what age you are! We have some smart travel-friendly snack ideas here .

Make sure to capture all your adventures on the road—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app . The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.

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The Essential Packing Checklist for Traveling with an Infant in the Car

You're on your first long road trip with baby, and just as traffic screeches to a halt your baby starts screeching too. She needs a diaper, stat — and as you rummage through your bag with one hand, you realize you forgot to pack them.

We don't want this to happen to you. Use this printable packing checklist next time you're traveling with an infant in the car.

Things To do Before Leaving on your Road Trip with Baby

Make doubly sure your car seat is installed correctly. This is a good time to take a look at your baby's car seat to make sure the straps fit snugly, the angle is correct and the seat itself doesn't move more than an inch in any direction. If you need help, SaferCar.gov can help you find a car seat inspection station near you . While it may be tempting to have your baby ride facing forward so you can keep an eye on him, rear-facing is the safest position for children until they're at least two. 1
Map out places to stop. Don't count on driving for six hours straight. Traveling with an infant will be less frustrating if you plan to take frequent breaks, ideally somewhere that will entertain your baby. We're not talking about Disney World, but rather places like parks and shopping malls. Even marinas and roadside construction sites can provide some much-needed distractions during a road trip with baby.
Plan ways for your baby to kill time. Every minute your baby's busy, you're another mile closer to your destination. Place a dozen small (but safe) toys in a cloth bag with a narrow opening and let baby reach in to pull them out. An older baby can fish Cheerios one-by-one out of a spill-proof snack cup.
Protect your own sanity. Download a favorite audiobook. Stash some chocolate in your diaper bag. Schedule Starbucks breaks. Do anything it takes to keep yourself relaxed and calm. If you can't take another minute of traveling with an infant who's screaming and crying, pull over. Hold your baby, change her diaper, read a book together and try again.

What To Keep in the Front Seat while Traveling with Baby

These are the supplies you'll want to keep close at hand when you're driving.

Diapers: Have one for each hour of transit, plus extras, BabyCenter recommends .
Wipes for diaper changes and messes
Diaper cream
Washable changing pad
Plastic bags for wet or dirty clothes and diapers
Burp cloths
Nursing cover
Two changes of clothes for your baby
Change of clothes for yourself
Any special toy or lovey
Drinks such as bottled water and juice
Snacks, such as cereal, puffs, crackers and fruit pouches. If you have a young baby, never give her foods she could choke on while you're traveling in the car.
Breast milk or formula
Canned or jarred baby food
Small cooler with ice packs
First-aid kit
A window sun shade
A safety mirror so you can see your baby
A stack of small board books
A grab bag of toys (make sure none are choking hazards)
DVD player or tablet with headphones, if baby will be entertained by an app or a TV show

Everything Else To Pack in the Car when Traveling with Baby

Umbrella stroller and/or full-size stroller
Backpack carrier
Pack-and-play or travel crib (unless your destination provides one) and sheets
Baby monitor and batteries
Diapers: Calculate how many your baby uses per day, then pack a few extra.
Rain and cold-weather gear (if applicable)
At least two outfits per day with socks, packed in individual bags
Shoes or booties
Pajamas and sleep sacks
Swimsuit and sunsuit
Water shoes
Swim diapers
Baby laundry detergent
Baby fork, spoon and dishes
Spill-proof snack cups
Bottles or sippy cups
Breast pump, if you use one
Dish soap and brush
Inflatable baby bathtub, if you're flying with an infant so young he/she needs one. Otherwise use the hotel sink.
Baby shampoo/wash
Baby toothbrush and toothpaste
Baby comb, brush and hair ties
Baby nail clippers
Baby thermometer
Sunscreen and sunhat
Baby sunglasses
Outlet plugs, doorknob covers, toilet locks and other safety devices for crawling babies or young toddlers
Infant medications, including antihistamine and acetaminophen, plus any prescriptions. Don't give your baby Benadryl or another antihistamine unless your pediatrician recommends it. 2
Oral rehydration unfrozen freeze pops: an essential, says Have Baby Will Travel
Nasal aspirator and saline solution

Print Our Checklist for Traveling with Baby

Be sure to print our checklist for traveling with a baby and take it with you. Simply click the print link below and make sure to have your browser set to print background images so that you can see the checkboxes.

Print Checklist

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Road Trips , Tips & Tricks , Vacations · November 12, 2023

Baby Packing List: The Ultimate Travel Checklist

Babies need A LOT OF STUFF! That can make it a little daunting to take your new baby on a long flight or road trip. But you can rest assured that you’re not going to forget anything with this baby packing list! The ultimate travel checklist (short, quick version at the bottom) has you covered.

Whether it’s your first trip with your baby or the tenth, make sure you have everything for a successful vacation.

The Ultimate Travel Checklist

Sit back, read, and watch your stress levels come down as we run through everything you will need for sleep, feeds, diaper changes, and more!

This post includes affiliate links that will result in no extra cost to you.

Baby Packing List: Travel Essentials

Let’s start with the obvious must’s. Keep in mind that there are rental companies for many of these bigger items such as BabyQuip and Rents4baby . Personally, I’ve never used them, but they might be worth looking into.

Car Seat + Cover

Most of the time, you’re going to need your own car seat when you travel. Whether it’s being on a road trip, getting to the airport, or driving around when you reach your destination, your baby needs their own seat for obvious reasons.

Baby Packing List: Clothes & Toiletries

Next comes all the baby gear. I recommend a carry-on bag over a checked bag (cheaper and less risky), and if you can make it work, combine their stuff into your roller bag. Packing cubes are a huge help and can keep things separate.

TIP: Keep in mind if you will have a washing machine available. If so, you can get by with fewer clothes.

Tops & Bottoms

Rule of thumb: # of vacation days X 1.5, rounded up. If we are gone for 10 days, I’ll pack them 15 outfits. If we’re gone for 3 days, 5. Spills, blowouts, drool. There are certainly days you need more than one outfit and this will give you peace of mind.

Sleepers & Pajamas

Rule of thumb: # of vacation days X 0.75, rounded down. You shouldn’t need different pajamas for every single day. If we’re gone a week, 5 jammies. And 3 days, 2 of them. They can re-wear a few and some of their clothes likely double as pajamas anyway!

Socks & Mittens

This depends on their outfits. Try to pack a majority that includes feet. Socks can be a pain in the butt. And mittens are the same. Throw in 1-3 pairs just to be safe.

If you are spending time at the beach or the pool, you’ll need a couple of swimsuits. If this is you, don’t forget disposable swim diapers, as well.

Coats & Hats

Doing the opposite of swimming? If you are heading into cold weather, don’t forget 1-2 warm coats and hats.

Whether it’s sandals, tennis shoes, or boots, pack what you will need for the elements. TIP: Have them wear the bulkiest pair to avoid packing them. (This is assuming they don’t mind having them on!)

Lotion: Make sure all liquids are the required 3.4 oz or less.
Soap: I pour the brand we prefer (Honest) into travel bottles.
Baby Washcloth
Kids Toothpaste
Nail Clippers
Nose Sucker
Medication: Don’t forget the baby Tylenol!

TIP: Avoid a portable bath tub. They are too big for what they are worth.

Baby Packing List: Diaper Changes

Nothing better than changing a baby on the go, am I right!? Make it as easy as possible and don’t forget any of these items.

A nice, high-quality diaper bag is well worth it when you travel. There is so much needed during travel days and you want easy access to diapering necessities and a change of clothes, if needed. This used to be my backpack but you know, kids get everything, and I LOVE it as my diaper bag.

Diapers & Wipes

This is something you should have enough of for the travel day and maybe one extra day, but buy the majority of your diapers, and even wipes, when you get there. They are everywhere and it helps you save on space.

TIP: Don’t do cloth diapers. That is just too much when you’re traveling.

Diaper Cream

As mentioned above, if you’re flying, make sure it is the appropriate travel size! 3.4 oz is the max. We use Aquafor to prevent rashes and their balm sticks are great for travel.

Portable Changing Pad(s)

I cannot recommend the two changing pads we utilize on trips enough. We use this infant lounger when we take a road trip—it folds up for easy storage and can be laid out in the backseat or trunk area. And for planes (or just going anywhere out of the house) we use this easy roll-up changing pad that wipes clean in a breeze.

Baby Packing List: Feeding

Breast milk, formula, snacks. There is so much to think about when traveling with a baby and keeping them full.

Bottled Breast Milk (Cooler with Ice Packs)

Make sure you have plenty of milk ready! I usually have what I think I’ll need, plus two more. One of my favorite baby items is this cooler which holds 6 bottles and comes with perfect fitting ice packs. I also have another small one that fits any additional breast milk in storage bottles.

Breast milk is permitted to be taken on airplanes but be prepared for a little extra time when getting through security because they will need to inspect it.

TIP: Feed the baby on takeoff and landing as it’s said to help with their ears not popping. (And if they’re eating, they’re not crying…lol)

If you use a formula, make sure to have enough for your travels. We supplement with formula and I will usually send some to our destination so it’s one less thing to pack.

Breast Pump + Storage Bottles

Pumping never stops! I invested in the portable Elvie breast pump and I am SO glad I did—it’s perfect for travel and a great alternative to the big ones that are a pain to bring with you. The great thing about the Elvie is it is easy to pack and very discreet to use on the go. Added bonus: While they do make noise, it’s very hard for anyone to hear it besides you.

TIP: Make cleaning the pump parts a BREEZE with these handy-dandy cleaning wipes . And these are my favorite storage bottles . You can mark the day and time you pumped the milk. However do be cautious if you are an oversupplyer, they aren’t very big.

Bottle Warmer

One of the must-have items for travel is a portable bottle warmer. Heat it when the baby just starts to wake up and before they lose their mind out of hunger! The entire family will benefit from this one.

This is another item I will pour into travel-size bottles. I am picky about what I use to clean bottles and Branch Basics is my go-to for a soap with no additives and chemicals. You can purchase travel-size and I know big brands like Dawn sell the small size as well.

Bibs & Burp Cloths

In an effort to be efficient, it’s easiest to just have a bib on them the entire day! And I stick a burp cloth everywhere. Backpacks, cooler bags, and small pockets of the suitcase—make them easy to find and grab.

Baby Food & Snacks

If your baby is older or for small children in general, a great way to distract them is with food! Bring plenty of their favorite snacks—but be mindful of clean-up. Nothing that’s going to spill a bunch of crumbs and annoy flight attendants.

Portable High Chair

If you think it’s necessary, bring the portable high chair, though this would be one of the first things out for me if we were running out of space or hands to carry.

Baby Packing List: Sleep

Is there anything better than when your baby is asleep during travel? Make sure to include these items in your suitcases and backpacks so that can happen!

Baby Blankets & Swaddles

Bring a few. Baby blankets can be used for a number of different things from staying warm to blocking the sun in the car. And obviously, if your baby uses a swaddle at home, you don’t want to leave without it.

Bassinet or Travel Crib

These can be large and take up a lot of space and/or be hard to lug around. Decide if a pack-and-play or bassinet is necessary or if your destination has a place for your baby to sleep. Many hotels offer them so you can set it up in your hotel room. Or it might be smart to keep one available at a family member’s house if you will be there frequently.

Crib Sheets

If you do end up bringing your own, don’t forget the sheets to go with it! And spare might be smart if you have room as well.

Baby Monitor

If your baby is going to be sleeping in a different room on your trip, don’t forget the monitor.

Sound Machine

Sound machines are clutch—especially when you are in a new place. Drown out the noises and make sure your baby sleeps in peace. This is one of my favorite portable white noise machines .

Baby Packing List: Miscellaneous

And lastly, the random stuff that doesn’t really fit into one of the big categories, but you still don’t want to forget it.

Notice it’s plural. Make sure to bring more than one in case one gets lost or dirty. The ol’ pacifier will certainly come in handy at some point during your travels.

Books & Toys

If you have an older baby, bring entertainment. Small toys and a soft crinkly book should help keep their attention (for a few minutes lol.) Bonus if they are new toys! And something that’s been recommended to me time and time again are these window spinners .

Wet Wipes & Sanitizers

Messes will happen so make sure you are prepared with wet wipes. It’s also smart to bring hand sanitizer in case you end up changing a diaper on the go.

Ziplock & Plastic Bags

Need an outfit change? A plastic bag is perfect for poopy diapers and/or dirty clothes. It will lock in all of the smells until you find a trash can.

Seems like everything requires a charge these days and family travel will show you just how true this is! Don’t forget chargers for ALL of the electronics you bring.

First Aid Kit

It’s best to be prepared!

The Ultimate Travel Checklist – Baby Edition!

Use this quick-hit packing checklist for your next trip. There’s so much stuff to bring but your upcoming trip will be full of good times and worth ALL of the hassle.

Car Seat + Cover + Carrying Bag
Stroller Fan
Bottled Breastmilk (Cooler)
Bassinet or Pack-and-Play
Plastic and Ziplock Bags
Car Seat & Stroller Gate Check Bag

Whether it’s your first flight heading to Disney World, the first time taking a long road trip, or just a quick weekend getaway, I hope the baby travel checklist is a great starting point and helps you have a smooth vacation with a little one! Good luck 🙂

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Traveling with a Newborn Baby Road Trip Tips (2023)

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Baby On Board: The Ultimate Road Trip Survival Guide For Travelling Parents!

Last Updated on April 18, 2024

In this article I share from my experience some tips for road trip with a baby. You can also download a printable checklist of the must haves for road trip with newborn, infants and even toddlers.

A weekend road trip is a great way to kick-start your travels after having a baby. But travelling with kids is challenging. Travelling with a fussy 10-month-old and their nervous elderly grandparents is another ball game.

That’s what we did when we went for a road trip after a gap of 2 years. I had to make sure everything was perfect, lest we are barred from travelling again by our son’s grandparents. (Typical Indian thing). And since that went so well, I did that again the next month, and plan to restart our monthly road-trips yet again.

Gradmother with a little baby crawling and playing in the playzone in a resort.

The post contains affiliate links for tours, hotels etc. This means if you make any purchase through the links in the post, I may get a commission without any additional cost to you.

A Quick Outline

At what age is a baby ready for travel?

Doctors advise a waiting period of 4 weeks before travelling with baby. Exceptions are made by some airlines for flying with newborn lesser than that age.

There are some cultural practices too that restrict travel for 40 days or even 6 months. But as per medical advice, it is completely safe to travel with an infant. Road trip by car is the most convenient mode of travelling with an infant.

Feeding Essentials

The number one priority on any road-trip with a baby, is the baby’s health. The quality of water is a big concern wherever you go, even though we boil the water and take necessary precautions. Here’s a checklist.

Water from home

The most common causes of health problems while travelling is water. While travelling with baby it is therefore advisable to carry few liters of water for the baby. Almost all hotels have electric kettles where you can boil the water. If not, you’d have to carry that too. So, check with your hotel beforehand.

Electric Sterilizer

Bottle sterilizer is a necessity wherever you go with your baby. it makes the process of sterilizing and keeping the bottle sterilized for hours, so convenient. Once I take that I also don’t need to worry about where to carry the bottles, feeding spoons, bowls, teethers, pacifiers etc.

My Recommendation: Phillips Avent Electric Sterilizer

Check other Sterilizers on Amazon

Check other Sterilizers on Firstcry

Adequate bottles/ feeding cups and other feeders

Till the age of 12 months, babies mostly rely on feeding bottles for liquid food. Always take more bottles or feeding cups than needed. Same goes for bowls and spoons for babies over the age of 12 months when their diet consists of more solid food than liquid.

Buy feeding bottles

Breast pump and storage containers

For breastfeeding babies, it’s important to carry breast pump and take some stored milk while traveling. While manual pumps are easier to carry along, I personally find them too slow, and exhausting compared to the electric ones.

My Recommendation: Medela Advanced travel-friendly set

Check out other breast pumps on Amazon

Check out other breast pumps on Firstcry

Adequate Formula Milk

For babies who have weaned or for those who are partially breastfed. Although formula milk is easily available in most medical shops in India, but you may not get the brand that the baby is used to. And trying something new on a trip is not a risk worth taking.

Adequate solid food mix like Cerelac / Slurpp etc.

A lot of restaurants offer baby food like khichdi, curd etc. Still, I’d prefer to carry baby cereal mix of a couple of flavors for variety instead. For my 10-month-old I exclusively relied on Cerelac wheat-apple-cherry flavor for snacks, and Cerelac rice-vegetable for lunch and dinner. For older babies one may give boiled eggs, milk, khichdi etc. from the hotel’s restaurant itself.

If you prefer cooking for the baby on a trip, do carry a baby food processor with you. That way you can save a lot of time cooking and also ensure hygiene instead of relying on the cooking utensils provided in the kitchen in your Airbnb.

Healthy Snacks

Healthy snacks like fruits, dried fruit peels (packaged), ragi biscuits are most certainly needed on a road trip. Here are my top picks for packaged items.

Bottle-cleaning gel

While I think we can manage cleaning bottles with hot water for a couple of days when on trip, it’s better to carry the usual bottle cleaning gel that you use. Pour it in a small container so that it is easy to carry while travelling.

Silicon Bib

Just one silicon bib is enough instead of carrying multiple cotton bibs on a roadtrip.

Feeding utensils

Just take one bowl and two spoons. You can also use bottle-spoons for feeding on-the-go.

A Case for Strollers

Going on a weekend road-trip and wondering if it’s worth taking the stroller along? Indian roads are usually not suitable to stroll along with the pram, but I’ll make a case for it.

I can say that carrying a stroller is useful because I didn’t take it the first time. It was impossible for us to eat at the restaurant with our super-active 10-month-old who couldn’t keep his hands off all the cutlery on the table. But if you have a stroller, you can buckle them there and keep them engaged with occasional chitchats and toys while eating. On our trip to the Vedic village resort our baby didn’t have to miss a thing – from the long strolls to the open-air chai time, to dinners.

Even feeding the baby in a stroller is much easier than without it. Anyone would agree over that. If the hotel does not provide a high-chair for the kids, you’re really going to miss the stroller while feeding solid food.

Check out the best baby strollers here .

Diaper Changing Essentials

You should carry all the diaper changing essentials in the carry-on bag or organise them in the backseat organiser of your car. Pack more than sufficient number of diapers in the suitcase. Here’s a checklist for diaper change.

Sufficient Diapers – I prefer the pant-style diapers for travel, over the taped ones, as the former prevents leakage to a large extent. However, changing tape-in diapers at night is easier, so you may prefer to carry the taped diapers in your suitcase for nights.
Diaper changing pad – pack a spare or two as well.
Diaper disposal bags . This is extremely important so that you don’t throw away the diapers anywhere. Just put it in the disposal bags and keep them in the car until you stop at an appropriate place for disposing it. These disposal bags lock the odor so that it won’t be uncomfortable for anyone.
Alcohol-free baby wipes
Diaper Cream to be applied liberally before diapering everytime.

Bathing & Hygiene Essentials

Here’s a checklist of bath and hygiene products to carry for the trip, lest you forget. For adults can always use the toiletries provided in the hotel, but babies should not.

You can buy a baby product travel kit from your favorite baby brands or pour a small amount in the travel containers.

baby wash and shampoo
baby lotion
Sunscreen lotion
baby hairbrush
Inflatable bathtub (Optional)

Buy a set of portable bottles with a pouch for carrying the baby toiletries.

Medicines & First-aid

Here is a checklist of the usual medicines that you need to carry on a road-trip. If the baby is on a special medication, don’t forget to carry them.

Mosquito gel
Colic drops
Sumol drops
Vitamin drops
Diarrhea medicines for precaution
any special medication that your baby is on

Clothes and napping accessories

What clothes to pack for the baby? Ofcourse you’ll have some in your mind for taking cute pictures and all. But never compromise on comfort while travelling. Here are a few things I’d take.

Tip: Organise these in packing cubes which makes it very easy to sort things out and separate the soiled ones from the new.

Lots of onesies
Sleeping bag
bed protector sheets

A Case for Car -seat

In the west, car-seat is compulsory for traveling with babies. Thankfully in India it is not. I have not heard great success stories about road-trips with a baby strapped to the car-seat. It may be a good idea for babies less than 8-months old, who are not so active and don’t want to move around a lot. Others won’t want to be strapped to the seat for more than fifteen minutes. I don’t know how that’s going to work! But if you can manage, it’s apparently safer (as per the advertisements go). Or with multiple trips you may get them more accustomed to this setting.

I have still refrained from using one on our road-trips as it just does not work for my kid.

Back-seat Organizer

A car backseat organizer is an amazingly useful accessory while travelling. The number of things you have to juggle with on-the-go while traveling with kids increase multi-fold compared to when you’re travelling as a couple. Back-seat organiser makes life easier. The down-side is that these are within the baby’s reach, so beware of the stuff you keep here.

Printable Checklist

And here’s the bonus printable checklist for you to download! This is a packing list for road trip with babies.

A printable packing checklist for road trip with a baby

And here’s a checklist for things you need to check with the hotel for better preparation for your road-trip. I have also included suggestions for things to keep in your carry-on diaper bag and/or the car’s backseat.

A printable hotel checklist for traveling with baby

So these were the best tips I could give to new parents from my experience. I hope you found it useful. Cheers to travelling with the tiny tots. If you have questions, tips or any thoughts to share, please feel free to comment. And don’t forget to share the post if you liked it.

Living in Bangalore? You can get some great ideas for long drives from Bangalore here .

Also Read: Roadtrip from Bangalore to Kolkata in 3 days!

Liked the post? Please share with your friends and family, and plan the trip now. Or you can save this guide to plan later.

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Author Alice is a full-time business professional with a penchant for writing and travel planning. She shares her travel stories and exclusive practical tips on Backpack & Explore, that you won't find anywhere else.

I am sure you did not get barred from traveling with your baby again. Hahaha! You went full prepared man.

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10 Tips for Road Tripping With an Infant

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Road trips with an infant can be stressful, but they don’t have to be, and the truth is a car ride with a baby is often less stressful than getting on a plane. You can stop your own vehicle for an emergency bathroom break or to move around a restless toddler. And if your baby does throw a tantrum, you can focus your attention on their needs instead of worrying about other passengers.

Whether you're hitting the road to visit the grandparents or heading to a vacation destination geared toward families with infants , you may be surprised at some of the simple things you can do to keep your little one calm and quiet during your trip. Whether you’ll be on the road for five hours or five days, these 10 tips will help your vacation go as smoothly as possible.

While one person is driving, have another sit in the back with the baby. Having that caretaker in the back seat can help address issues as they arise—preparing bottles, wiping up, curing boredom with some old-fashioned “peek-a-boo”—which can help minimize stops and avoid total meltdowns.

It's an old bit of wisdom, but "sleep when the baby sleeps" is solid advice during a road trip with kids . When the baby is sleeping, the person in the back should try to rest, too, so they can be refreshed enough to take over driving when the driver gets fatigued.

Manage Expectations

Any number of things can go wrong on a road trip—a flat tire, bad weather, food poisoning—but those hiccups become exponentially more stressful with a young (likely screaming) infant in tow. Accepting that going in and maintaining a sense of humor about the situation can go a long way to help ease the tension. After all, the difference between a fiasco and an adventure can be as simple as your state of mind.

One way to make light of unpleasant situations is to make a game out of them. For example, put together Baby Road Trip BINGO cards where spaces are filled in with any and all potential disasters—think "blow out in the car seat" or tiny victories like "finished a whole podcast." That way, even bad situations turn into wins.

Drive at Night

It’s a bit uncomfortable for the parents, but then again, so is a screaming child with no exit in sight. Driving at night means your baby will spend more time sleeping and less time awake and hungry, bored, or needing changes. You’ll be able to drive for longer stretches without needing breaks.

A great way to maximize drive time is to schedule your departure so that it coincides with bedtime. Go through your whole routine (bath, pajamas, bedtime song—whatever your nightly ritual entails), but put the baby down to sleep in the car seat instead of the crib or bassinet. Drive as long as you're comfortable—or for as long as the baby is sleeping—but be sure to switch drivers, caffeinate, and rest when needed to avoid driving drowsy.

Plan Frequent Breaks

You might be able to go six hours without using the bathroom or needing to eat, but the baby likely can't. Plan for stops every one to three hours during the day and three to six hours at night to change diapers, stretch legs, eat, and change sweaty or spit-up clothes as needed.

To avoid unnecessary stops, make a checklist of items that you go through during every break so you don’t forget anything, such as changing the baby’s diaper or clothes, using the restroom (for those not in diapers), and refreshing essential supplies.

Skip the Scenic Route

While scenic overlooks and long stretches of the open road might seem like the very things that make a road trip worthwhile, they can also make it difficult to find help or reprieve when you need it. Choose a route in advance that has frequent access to food, 24-hour gas stations, restrooms, and service areas.

Even better, plot out some pit-stops in advance —including some potential hotels if you think you might need a real rest—so you can pull over when necessary.

Keep Supplies Nearby

You might have a giant suitcase with everything you need to survive traveling with an infant for an extended period of time, but that's not what you want to be digging through at 65 mph while a baby is screaming in your ear, or while parked at a dodgy rest stop in the middle of the night.

Keep a kit within easy reach so you don’t have to unbuckle your seat belt to retrieve any critical items, and fill the bag with small amounts of necessities (you can always refill as you go). You could pack all of these items into a medium-sized backpack or tote bag:

A portable changing pad with two or three diapers
A packet of wipes
Pre-portioned bottles of formula or breast milk in a small cooler bag
Two or three small but versatile toys
Infant Tylenol or ibuprofen
A baby forehead thermometer
A small portable sound machine
An extra blanket

In addition to the baby kit, be sure there's one for the adults, too. That could include mobile chargers for your electronic devices, a tablet or e-reader, high-protein/easy-to-eat snacks, sleep aids, sleep mask, a small pillow, earphones, and earplugs. You might also want to bring along a car sun shade to help your little one nap.

Brush up on Baby Massage Techniques

Babies can get stiff and uncomfortable after sitting for hours in their seats, just like adults. Read up on some infant massage techniques that you can modify to use either while driving (if you’re on backseat duty) and during stops. Gently massaging legs and feet, in particular, can often help calm a fussy baby long enough to get you to a good stopping place where they can stretch out their legs in earnest.

Sing Simple Camp Songs

When it comes to fussy infants stuck in car seats, be prepared with a variety of tools at your disposal. Singing songs can often be more effective than the radio at helping to put a baby to sleep, calming them when they’re fussy, and entertaining them when they’re bored. Try to pick songs with simple melodies, but where verses can be added or improvised as with many nursery rhymes or typical camp songs. Taking turns inventing new lyrics can help break up the monotony for parents, too.

Take Precautions

With or without an infant, standard prep and safety precautions should be followed. Make sure you have a spare tire, car jack, and tire iron that are ready to go, especially if you're driving through sparsely populated areas where the nearest mechanic could be several miles away. It's not fun waiting hours for a tow truck to arrive and even less so when you have a baby on board.

While packing the car, be sure not to obstruct the driver’s view, including in the rearview mirror. And always take steps to pull over to well-lit areas when stopping at night.

Admit Defeat

If you’re tired, if you’re frustrated, if everyone in the car (including and especially your baby) can’t take another second on the road, then stop. It’s okay.

Find a place to rest and give yourself a few minutes or hours to regroup. Most hotels will take bookings any time of day and many provide cribs in the room upon request. Take a nap in a real bed or freshen up with a hot shower and a meal at a sit-down restaurant. Giving yourself and your baby a chance to reset can help make the rest of the ride go more smoothly.

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Ultimate Baby Travel Checklist {+ printable packing guide}

baby playing on bed while mother is packing a suitcase

Essential items not to forget traveling with a baby

Ready for your first big family adventure with your baby? Undoubtedly some wonderful memories to be made but the packing alone can be a daunting prospect before you’ve even left the house. Babies really do come with a lot of STUFF!

We talked about the most essentials items for baby travel in some detail before , but in this bumper guide, we’re going to dig into the nitty-gritty details of every item you need to think about packing with a baby, along with the WHY – or WHY NOT!

For some more specific travel checklists make sure you also check out:

Essential gear you will need camping with a baby
Hiking with a baby essentials
Baby at the beach – essential gear and safety tips
Essentials you’ll need for a road trip with a baby
Taking off on your first flight with a baby

There’s no one right solution – your ‘nice to have item’ could be another tots absolute essential so base it on your families needs and adapt our suggested packing checklist to make it your own; but most importantly try and avoid the overpack!!

This post is part of our packing list series & also our best baby travel advice series – packed full of useful tips for first time family travellers

What to include in your baby travel checklist

Documents and Paperwork Before You Go
Feeding Gear
On the Move
Bath and Bedtime
Pool & Beach
Baby Travel Toys
Camping, Hiking & Outdoors

Before you go… More baby travel advice

NB – Many baby items are called all different things around the world! We know most of our readers are from the US so try and use the American name but we will slip in some of our Aussie and British expressions for baby gear too!! We’ve included some handy links to Amazon and some of our preferred baby gear suppliers, if you make a purchase we may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

We suggest you work slowly through our printable checklist, cross out anything you definitely won’t need and use the spare lines to add anything vital to you.

It looks like a dauntingly long list but once you cross out anything unnecessary for the type of travel you’ll be undertaking it’s not too bad – but try to avoid too many unnecessary or ‘just in case’ extras. Remember people have babies all over the world!! You will almost certainly be covered if anything vital is forgotten.

We’ll ask you to subscribe to our newsletter too, but don’t worry we won’t bombard you. You can unsubscribe at any time if you just want the checklist

Baby Travel Checklist: Documents and Paperwork Before You Go

Crossing any international borders with your baby there are plenty of considerations:

Passport – Yes, even those adorably squidgy faces need a photo passport to travel overseas. Make sure you organise this well in advance of your proposed travel date. Consider whether you need a family passport holder to keep all your docs together now you’ve got several of you travelling in a group.
Permission to fly letter – Crucial if one parent is flying without the other parent – married or not – you will want something that documents you are allowed JUST IN CASE.
Insurance – Never leave home without it! Covering delays and cancellations, accidental breakages, theft, baggage loss, and so much more, travel insurance is more critical than ever for family travellers. We use and recommend World Nomads for international travel .
Visa – Some countries will require a Visa for your to visit for every person, even infants. Check if you can apply in advance or is it a visa on arrival. We always take a few spare passport photos in case they’re needed for these sorts of things.
Airline tickets – Even if your infant will be travelling as a lap baby and sharing your seat, they still need to be ticketed for every flight. If you booked the flight before your child was born you’ll need to update the airline with your babies full details (including passport number if you’re flying internationally).

How soon can you fly with a baby? We cover flying with your baby in much more detail in this guide .

Emergency Contact Details – Always have the important numbers you might need on your journey and at your destination near to hand. This includes hospitals/nearest doctor, insurance hotline, ambulance number. Over in our subscriber’s area , you can get your hands on our first aid travel checklist which includes a cutout card for placing all your emergency contact details, super handy to keep in your travel wallet alongside your passports, and a spare elsewhere in case passports are stolen.

Baby Travel Checklist – Feeding Gear

Feeding your baby away from home can be one of the more challenging areas of travelling with a baby, especially if you’ve hit the weaning stage and finding yourself in a juggling act between boobs, bottles and bringing along your own pureed food.

For more advice on feeding your infant on the move, you may also want to check out our detailed guides to breastfeeding on the move and bottle feeding away from home .

This feeding checklist list is pretty extensive – but oh so important! Make it less intimidating by crossing out any items not relevant to your baby’s age or feeding stage. Feeding items to consider packing for a baby:

Nursing Cover – Possibly one of our all-time favourite pieces of travel kit! Useful not only to give you and your baby some privacy while you feed, but a nursing cover can also be a super-versatile blackout or stroller cover, picnic blanket. We take a detailed look at the best types of nursing covers for travel here .

Portable Breast Pump – Whether you’re a regular pumper at home or not, there can be some great benefits to pumping while you travel, be it occasions you’ll find it difficult to feed on the move (just picture an epic hangry meltdown in the middle of a busy arrivals hall), or to keep up your milk supply while your baby is adjusting time zones. Find our guide to the best portable breast pumps for different types of travel here .

Bottle Warmer – Got a little one that only likes their milk when it’s at a certain temperature? A portable bottle warmer is great not only for bottle feeds but quickly heating baby meals too that you may have refrigerated for your journey. We take a much more in-depth look at what portable bottle warmers can do over here .

Muslin Burp Cloths – Oh so many uses! A bit like our nursing covers, these simple cloths have come EVERYWHERE with us for years, helpful for feeding times and sleeping or providing additional shade. A good pack of small and large muslin clothes is a travel baby essential.

Bottles – If your baby is bottle-fed in any way you will need a reasonable number of bottles with you with their favourite nibs. “Reasonable” is really down to circumstances and how often you’ll be able to wash and sterilise between feeds – we discuss it more in our travelling with a bottle-fed baby guide .

Bottle Cooler – Travelling with pre-pumped baby milk or cows milk? Then an insulated bottle chiller bag is essential for keeping your precious cargo chilled at the right temperature and ready for use. We talk in a lot more detail over here on how to transport breastmilk and the best milk cooler . Make sure this is easy to access and open for inspection if you pass through airport customs control.

Formula & Dispenser – Although we say you can get baby supplies anywhere in the world, we do know babies can be fussy and formula is one we always take with us if we can fit enough in our case for the duration of a trip. We find having a small formula dispenser in our travel bag already divided into portions one of our handiest pieces of baby travel gear.

Sterilising solution – For keeping your bottles clean on the move, consider these portable cold water bottle sterilising tablets or if space permits and you have the facilities at your destination, a portable microwave steriliser is one bulky item you won’t regret packing.

Portable High Chair – Weigh up whether it’s necessary or will you have adequate access to a high chair for mealtimes? This really depends on the type of travel you’ll be undertaking and the available facilities at your destination. Portable high chairs can be something that clamps onto the table, additions you add to a chair or a portable seat that sits on the ground. We take a much more detailed look at the right sort of high chair for your baby over here .

Washable Bibs – Either easy sponge clean or quick drying neoprene are ideal for traveling with a weaning baby.

Finger Food – Once your baby is upright and weaning, having a selection of quick grab snacks to stave off any munchies is essential (and this will be essential for many travelling years to come!). For the under 1’s, try yoghurt drops , cereal puffs , teether rusks .

We have a detailed guide here to our suggested healthy travel snacks .

Food pouches – We have found these pre-made pouches of pureed baby food are one of the easiest meal solutions when we are away from home without our baby food blender. For younger babies, we still spooned it into a bowl (or use one of these handy dispensing spoons ) while older infants can hold the packet on their own.

Platic bowl and spoon – This can be location dependent, but we always found it helpful to throw in our own bowl and spoon set for our infants. Even if they were joining in with a family meal out, you can give them their own portion in a bowl, you’ll just need to be sure you have the facilities to clean.

Sippy cup – Extra water on top of their milk feed is especially important in the heat ( you can see more of our tops for taking babies to hot climates here ).

Wet wipes/water wipes – Cleaning little fingers before mealtimes, wiping surfaces, faces, you name it we all know that these are one of the number one items in any parents arsenal, near or far from home!! Have an easy to grab purse pack of wipes with you always, as well as supplies you might keep in your diaper bag .

Washing brush and liquid – Think bottles, plastic containers, feeding spoons. No matter what stage you’re at this is probably one of those overlooked items you’ll be super thankful for us suggesting! Just pour a small amount of dishwashing liquid into a carry bottle to last the number of days you’re away and something to actually clean with – we love these travel kits including a drying rack .

Baby Travel Checklist – Baby Gear On the Move

So how do you get about with your baby away from home? You may find many of your everyday pieces of baby transportation gear will perfectly suffice for the most part or depending on your type of travel you may find yourself needing to invest in some specific travel items.

We’ll talk through all the different items we’ve found useful, and where investing in something specifically for travel may pay off:

Baby Carrier – 100% this has to come in at number 1. Whether you’re a regular baby wearer or not, this is the most useful thing a travelling parent can bring with them. Being hands-free at times is a must and this keeps baby with you close and secure.

We’ll continue to harp on about this and insist you keep using one well into the toddler years and they no longer fit! Go with something like a Boba Baby Wrap when they’re a newborn (practice the technique for wraps though before you leave home and can still follow YouTube instructions !), graduating into a structured baby carrier that can be forward or rear-facing as your infant grows.

Collapsible Stroller – You may or may not need a separate travel stroller depending on what you use day-to-day. We have owned an obscene number of strollers over the years, trying to find ‘ the right one ‘ categorically, there is no one! Your needs change from newborns to multiple children to different location needs which differ from what you want near home – I know at home your stroller can be like your mini moving home! On the move, you’ve gotta get sleek.

We’d suggest if you use a larger pram or bassinet style stroller at home, you’ll want something lighter that comes in one piece (after 6 months or once sitting upright) for travel. The best types of lightweight collapsible strollers fold up so small you can even take them all the way onto an airplane with you. We compare all the leading brands of ultra-compact travel strollers here .

If you have twins or children close in age, a lightweight and portable double stroller is a must. We compare all our favourite double strollers for travel over here , or if you’re heading on camping and outdoor adventures you may be better off with a larger but more robust double jogging stroller .

Stroller organiser – Even when we’re travelling we love keeping organised! These stroller organisers are super handy for keeping everything from sippy cups to maps in an easy to grab spot. We also take a Mummy Hook everywhere we go – ideal for hanging bags and shopping (Just be mindful if you are using a lighter travel stroller, it may not be capable of holding the same capacity off the handlebar as your everyday stroller).

Car Seat – whatever mode of transport you’re taking, almost certainly you’ll need a seat for transporting your baby safely. If you’ll need your car seat for both the car and on a plane, we recommend you check out our comprehensive guide to car seats and which brands are actually allowed on board, along with their conditions of use.

Travel system – A great all-in-one solution when your baby is still very young and in an infant car seat/capsule, you can easily switch from car to stroller to plane if using an all-in-one system. We’ve had varied success with these over the years; they don’t last your baby for long, especially if you’d prefer a collapsible stroller once they’re out of their capsule.

The market leader in a convertible car seat-cum-stroller all in one is Doona , but it is a little pricey. In other models, you can mix and match any car seat with a stroller base (two pieces) and as they grow out of their car seat, it converts to a proper stroller seat you can insert instead. Not our preference for baby travel, we prefer the lighter weight collapsible stroller, but many swear by buying complete travel systems.

Car seat/infant capsule cover – Will you be travelling somewhere ultra sunny or somewhere very cold? To keep baby’s temperature regulated when you’re travelling with an infant in their seat, you may need additional sun protection or a cosy toe cover. We look at both hot and cold weather capsule covers for infants over here .

Car Seat Travel Bag – If you’re taking any sort of car seat with you and won’t be using it on the plane, then it will need checking into the hold. We highly recommend preventing damage to your car seat (nothing like sorting that out at 3am with a screaming baby when we first moved to the UAE) then protect it with a proper car seat travel bag . We love the Hello Jolie – reviewed in detail here – for a sturdy wheeled option making getting around the airport with your bulky gear a cinch.

Stroller Cover – Ditto if you’re checking your stroller in the hold of a plane it’s imperative to keep it protected – some of these devices cost more than my first car! If your stroller doesn’t come with its own travel bag then invest in one of these generic brands – the more you pay the longer they’ll last.

Suitcase with Seat – A fairly new invention for travelling parents, if you are checking your infant’s car seat and stroller but still need to get from A to B, consider these super handy suitcase seats from Mountian Buggy , suitable for larger infants.

Car Seat Trolley – The alternative if you will be taking your car seat onto the plane, consider getting a small trolley to tow your car seat , they are surprisingly heavy and difficult to manoeuvre without some help! This is where you can see you need your baby in a carrier rather than a stroller when getting about with all this baby gear!

Baby Travel Checklist – Changing, Bath and Bedtime

We have a much more detailed guide over here to helping kids sleep on planes , plus that all-important guidance on how to conquer jet lag which will expand on many of the suggested items below.

Keeping as close as you can to your babies normal schedule of nap times, bathing and sleep will help all of you to adjust when you are on vacation – but go easy on yourselves, too; if bedtime is an hour or two late, does it really matter?

You can adjust to your new normal but there are aspects of your routine you may want to keep the same as we know babies thrive on routine and knowing what comes next. Not every item in this section is essential but may help your baby with those routine parts of their day around getting changed, bathing and sleeping away from home.

Diapers – Although we’ve not mentioned it anywhere else so far, should go without saying that diapers or nappies are a baby travel essential! Cloth of disposable up to you, but if you’re using cloth just think about what facilities you’ll have on your journey for watching.

Diaper Bag – Should go without saying, you’ll need something to carry everything on this list! Although backpack baby diaper bags are pretty much the norm these days, we highly recommend when travelling with all this kit you have something you can carry hands-free. If your everyday diaper bag doesn’t meet this criterion, consider a separate travel bag. We run you through all our favourite travel diaper bag designs over here .

Changing Kit – We like to have a small easy-to-grab kit that can be separated from the main diaper bag. We keep this in the pocket in front of us on the plane, or under our stroller on days out, so much easier than dragging your whole bag to a bathroom. Keep your small kit well-stocked before every outing with hand sanitiser , disposable diaper bags , wipes and diaper paste for running repairs!

Portable Bath Tub – Maybe not essential for every type of trip. Always check what’s available at your destination before packing a portable tub as even the smallest of portable tubs can still be quite bulky. We look at different ways to wash bubs on the go and portable bathtub styles over here.

Baby toiletries – You’ll likely prefer your own sensitive skin baby soaps and shampoos over using hotel supplied freebies. Bring with you small containers of everything you need. We also throw in some basics like cotton wool, nail clippers, extra diaper paste/Sudocrem and baby panadol.

Swaddle – We double up using the large muslin clothes for our travels for feeding and sleeping times, they can be used for pretty much anything you want! If your baby is swaddled at home, definitely don’t be afraid to continue swaddling away from home too, even in hot climates we’ve always continued to use breathable cotton swaddles.

Sleeping Bag – Likewise if your baby sleeps best in their sleeping bag, this is one of those bulkier items to make space for in your case. If you are travelling to a different climate from home, check the tog rating, you may want an 0.5 tog sleeping bag in a hotter climate, or something thicker and quilted like this in a cold climate.

Portable Cot – A super bulky but essential item. Again, we always check whether this is something we can get at our destination rather than bringing our own. Only when we’re making multi-stop trips and sleeping in many locations do we bring our own for surety. The type of portable baby cot you use depends on how small your tot is. Under 6 months there are some cute sleeping tents , older infants you’ll want a complete baby travel cot that will stay with them through their toddler years; avoid the bulky pack ‘n play style cots unless it’s their play space too.

Cot sheets – If these won’t be provided at your destination or you’re using your own portable cot, best to BYO crib sheets .

Favourite cuddly – Maybe not your most prized teddy from home but a toy that they’re familiar with that will assist them in feeling familiar at bedtime and getting to sleep.

Pacifier – And if your baby needs a pacifier or dummy to soothe themselves off to sleep, of course, this is essential to bring their favourite! Plus spares! There’s no guarantee on finding their favourite brand at your destination if things go horribly wrong!!

Blackout curtain – Research before you go what the sleeping arrangements are. However, bringing a portable blackout curtain can be one of those bulky extras you simply won’t regret! Some babies simply won’t nod off and get the sleep cues unless it’s dark – and jet lag is simply no help to this!

Portable Monitor – We’re not suggesting being miles away from your bub; But you may want baby resting in another room while you finish out your day and to give you that extra peace of mind when noises and location are different for you all. If you’re not using a device through your mobile phone, try one of these portable baby monitor units .

Baby Travel Checklist – Clothing

If there’s one area you may well want to overpack it’s baby clothes! No matter how many outfits you think you’ll go through on a trip you can be sure your infant will go through more.

Consider how long you will be away for and whether you will need to use washing facilities or laundry services while you’re away, or will you try and pack everything you need for your entire trip? It’s hard to suggest exactly what you’ll need as it vastly varies by climate so work through our list considering:

Short sleeve babygros/onesies
Long babygros/onesies
Socks/booties
Cardigan/jumper

We have more handy hints over here on keeping organised with laundry needs while you travel.

Baby Travel Checklist – Pool & Beach

Heading to the pool or beach on your family vacation there are several more baby items you’ll want to consider packing:

Swim Diapers – Designed to keep your infant from having number 2 accidents, these come in disposable swim diapers or re-usable swim diapers. Reusable swim diapers are much easier to re-use and keep clean on the go than their everyday diapers.

Bathing suit – Are you going for something cute or is sun protection paramount? As we mention in our baby sun protection article , babies should be kept completely shaded and no sunscreen until 6 months, so a cute swim diaper is likely all they need as you keep them shaded and protected. As they grow – babies should really use a rashguard, not a cute bathing suit, if they’re in the direct sun.

Rashguard – So rashguards are long-sleeved swim tops that babies and toddlers should really be wearing when out in the direct sun at the pool or beach for the first few years. They can, of course, still be cute and colourful but will provide your baby with SPF50+ protection all over their shoulders, arms and bodies. You can optionally add longer shorts and swim pants for boys and girls, or go for an all-over bodysuit.

Floaties/Swim vest – When your little ones are ready to start taking to the water on their own they will still need help with keeping afloat in the waves. As well as any novelty floating device they might be using (with adult supervision, of course), it’s best your infant has a wearable floatation device. We look at the different types of infant swim vest over here .

Sunscreen – Once you’re baby’s skin can handle it, SPF50+ sun cream is essential out in the sun. Babies can still have very sensitive skin so look for the organic sunscreens made especially for babies, not always cheap but definitely worth it – reef-safe a bonus.

Sun Hat – Clearly an essential for keeping heads protected, you can find our favourite infant sunhats that work well in water here .

Sunglasses – Love ’em or hate ’em? Your baby will soon let you know! Out in the bright sunlight do try a pair of baby sunglasses with head strap on your infant to protect their eyes but many babies totally reject the idea of wearing something on their face! Give it a go!

Beach Shade – If you’ll be out in the sun with your baby for any period of time during the middle of the day then a pop-up baby sunshade can be an excellent idea for protection against UV rays, especially if their skin is still too sensitive for sunscreen. This added layer of protection will give your bubs a protected area to play in the sane. We compare leading brands of baby pop up tents over here .

Water Carrier – Taking baby into the water, especially if your hands are full with other kids, you’ll want an easy way to keep bubs close. These can be wraps, ring slings or more structured carriers in waterproof material. Find our complete comparison guide for water carriers over here .

Beach Toys – Go light! You don’t need to invest in every plastic contraption under the sun when they’re only a baby. Some simple shape moulds and a bucket and a spade are really all a baby needs for some fun in the sand, possible some stacking cups they can use in the bath too. Bring a mesh bag to keep them in and keep sand away from everything else in your family beach bag . As they grow, we have more toddler beach toy ideas over here.

Paddle pool – It might feel counterintuitive to go to the beach and take a pool but this can be a great way to keep little one cool whilst safe away from larger waves. A great combination to help your baby beat the heat but join in with the family at the beach is to pop them with their toys in a small inflatable paddle pool under your pop-up tent = baby beach day sorted!

Hooded towel – Cute hooded towels for drying off and keeping warm by the pool or beach are a must for babies. Remember they are not nearly as well-equipped for regulating their body temperature so you want to change them as soon as they’re done in the water and out of soggy clothing.

We have more detailed guidance on taking your baby to the beach over here, plus a detailed family packing list for the beach .

Baby Travel Checklist – Baby Travel Toys

Babies, on the whole, need very few toys when you’re travelling – shock, I know!! It’s the area I’ve seen most first-time parents chronically overpack. Trust me, the stimulation of new environments and your company alone is normally enough for most babies.

Understandably on really long flights or car journeys, you’ll want a few tricks up your sleeve so make sure you check out our best baby toys for flying . We also have several guides for travel toys by age group, check out our favourites for:

Best travel toys for 1-year-olds
Best travel toys for 2-year olds
Engaging toddler toys for the car

The common theme you’ll find amongst our baby travel toy recommendations is small, portable, limited sound, no small parts and no electronics. We’ve included a selection of idea here but do go check out the detailed list for each age group – we’ve been specialising in baby toys for years!!

Baby Travel Checklist – camping, hiking & outdoors

If you’re planning a hiking or camping adventure with your baby (yes, it can be done!) then you’ll need to think about some more specialised kit including:

A Structured Baby Carrier – more than just your everyday soft infant carrier, for a hiking adventure with an infant you’ll want a structured carrier specially designed to cover long distances and wearing over an extended period of time.

A toy teether – keep your tot from dropping items to the ground when in their carrier or camp chair, a small but super-handy piece of kit to add to your outdoor arsenal.

Bug repellent – Choose something kind to little babies skin and DEET Free to keep those nasty bugs, mosquitoes and gnats away, or opt for mosquito repellent patches .

Camp chair – great for feeding on the go, picnics to camping we always took a portable chair with us. We’re currently loving the Summer Pop ‘n Sit for something easy, or if you’d like an outdoorsy portable highchair to last into the toddler years, try the Baby Delight Go With Me , a superb longer-term investment. We compare more outdoor baby chair options here .

Chair for Feeding – an optional extra if you’re a feeding mama out on a hike, it can be much easier for both of you to have a comfortable chair to sit on , though weigh this up of course with all the other gear you’ll be carrying

Rain cover for baby carrier – A little rain should never stop you from continuing to enjoy the great outdoors with your baby, just come weather prepared. If you don’t have a fitted rain cover on your carrier then get your baby a good weather-proof cover .

Shoes – Even pre-walkers will benefit from coverings on their feet for outdoor adventures. Most proper toddler hiking shoes don’t fit until at least a size 4, so go with a soft booty .

We have much more detailed guidance for hiking with your baby over here, plus a super-detailed gear guide for baby camping .

Thanks for sticking with us this far! A monster guide but we hope you’ve picked up lots of handy hints. You may also want to check out:

Our complete guide to travelling with a baby – All our best baby travel advice in one spot
Perfect gifts for the travel-loving parents-to-be – Give new parents a gift they can really use with this handy gift ideas list (+ how to set up a baby registry to get all the useful stuff you actually NEED!)
Family guide to stress-free packing – How exactly we set up ready for a big overseas trip with little kids.
Preparing your home before you travel – Don’t forget these important things that need taking care of around your home before a big vacation

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I have tried downloading the Pirntable packing list fot baby 5 times now and it keeps on taking me to the subscribe page. Then I put in my details and I just get the “Thank you for subscribing” message and nothing else happens.

Hi Sonet – sorry to here this is happening, it’s possible the welcome email is going to your junk with the login. I will get this emailed to you now.

Tips for Road Tripping with a Baby ( 0 – 12 Months) – A Complete Guide for First-Time Parents

Who says you cannot travel with a baby? Yes, it is different, but it is totally doable! One of the best ways to start traveling as a new family is by going on a road trip with a baby.

After one year of road trips with our son, we have learned a lot. From short 2-hour road trips to a 2-week long road trip – we have experienced the best and the worst parts of road tripping with a baby.

Through personal tried and true experience, I have created this guide of “How to Road Trip with a Baby” to help new parents navigate their way as easily as possible. My guide includes product recommendations, expectations at different months of age, and 12 essential tips for road tripping with a baby.

Full disclaimer: I am not a children’s practitioner, nurse, or expert. This guide and tips are purely from personal experience and fellow traveling parents. If you have any medical or health concerns, please seek advice from your pediatrician.

Furthermore, This post may contain affiliate links. When you click on the link you will have the option to purchase a product at no extra cost to you, but I would receive a small commission. I want to thank everyone for following and supporting us on all of “Our Sweet Adventures.”

Table of Contents

12 Essential Tips for Road Tripping with a Baby

A couple holding their baby at Palo Duro Canyon. A great pit stop when road tripping with a baby.

First and foremost, EVERY BABY IS DIFFERENT!

Yes, I believe my guide can help first-time parents navigate their way to a successful road trip with a baby. However, what has worked for other parents and us, may not always work for you. Some tips may work, some may not – you will not know until you hit the road and go through trial and error.

We have found these 12 essential tips to be the most helpful during our road trips with a baby. Whether you are taking a road trip with a newborn, a 12-month-old, or any age in between – these tips can be helpful for any stage.

The Trifecta Checklist

Of all the tips for road tripping with a baby, this one is KEY! We call it the “trifecta checklist.” So what does that mean? Sleep, diaper, food.

If our son was crying, the first thing that helped us was to check for a diaper, see if he was hungry, and find out the last time he slept.

Nine times out of ten (especially before our son was 6-months-old), he would cry for one of those three reasons. He would immediately stop crying once we figured out if he needed a diaper change, a bottle, or sleep.

Moreover, the “trifecta checklist” is a great tip for traveling with a baby , period.

Plan For Several Stops

This brings me to my next tip – you will need to plan for several stops when road tripping with a baby. This is important and inevitable. Depending on your baby and their stage in life, you may need to plan a stop every 1 -3 hours.

Why? Because you need to give your baby breaks. The best way to take breaks is by incorporating fun activities, tours, or stops at cute little towns. As a family who loves to hike, we plan our stops around hiking places.

You also want to be prepared to carve out a couple of hours on your road trip for diaper changes, breastfeeding, and walks. Honestly, these stops are so healthy because a nice break is beneficial for both the parents and child when the baby gets fussy.

Plan for Itinerary Changes

With that said, you can also expect to change your itinerary. Going on a road trip with a baby is not always easy. You may get behind schedule. That is OKAY!

I recommend setting a goal for Plan A, knowing you most likely will end up with Plan B. This could mean taking an activity (or two) out of the day, going to a drive-thru instead of dining inside, taking the highway instead of a more scenic route, etc.

If planning road trips is daunting for you. Do not worry! There are awesome apps for road tripping planning that can help you.

Find Patience!

I am probably one of the most impatient people in the universe, but I had to find the patience to succeed when road tripping with a baby.

As you may have already gathered from my previous tips, a typical 2-hour road trip may take up to 4 hours. So take deep breaths, and remember it’s about the journey and the memories you create with your family. It is not a race to the finish line or, in this case, the destination.

Once you can find patience, your road trip with a baby will be so much more enjoyable.

Plan Driving Around Naps

If possible, plan the driving around your baby’s sleep schedule. We always try our best to drive 30 minutes before our son’s scheduled nap.

If you do not already keep track of your baby’s sleep schedule, now would be the time to start. Our favorite baby app is Huckleberry because it keeps track of sleep, feedings, medicine, and more.

Road tripping with a baby in his car seat looking up at the patterns on his blanket.

Another tip for road tripping with a baby and their naps – pack a swaddle blanket with patterns and keep it in the car. We use swaddle blankets for three things. Of course, we use it to wrap our son, but we also use it for two road trip tips.

We place the swaddle blanket over the car seat to help provide more shade and a quiet space for our son to sleep while on the road. We also use it to keep our son calm and engaged by looking at the patterns. He would always stare and try to touch the patterns on the swaddle blanket.

Be Prepared to Pack MORE Than Ever!

My goodness, I think we had a full-sized suitcase packed to the top just for our son. From the 2 – 3 clothes per day to diapers, baby wipes, towels, and everything else – our son had more stuff than the two of us combined.

Not to mention, the car seat, the stroller, the pack-n-play… everything will quickly add up. So if you are renting a vehicle for the road trip, I suggest an SUV.

Pack the Car with Easy Access

What is a road trip without snacks, right? I think this tip works for any road trip – make the snack bag easily accessible. More importantly, when road tripping with a baby, you want to make sure all the essentials are also easily accessible.

Whether that means a cooler with baby bottles, a bag of toys, or a diaper bag, you want to make sure you can easily reach these items.

Pack Extra Batteries

Today, so many of the best ways to keep a baby happy and calm require batteries. Therefore, you do not want to forget to pack extra batteries.

Before your road trip, check all electronics that require batteries and either replace them with new batteries or pack extra batteries for them.

Stretch and Massage Baby

Just like adults, a baby’s body and muscles will get stiff and sore after sitting in a car seat for long periods of time. So it is recommended to massage and stretch your baby when you take breaks or at night in your accommodations.

The benefits of massaging and stretching your baby are significant. It can help calm a fussy baby, ease tummy troubles, boost muscle development, and most importantly, soothe babies to sleep.

Baby Wipes are like Gold

One of the most important things I have learned as a parent is that baby wipes are gold! We use baby wipes for EVERYTHING!

We use baby wipes to change diapers, clean spills in the car, wipe dirty hands, clean hard surfaces or utensils, and more. With that said, at least two stacks of baby wipes are essential when road tripping with a baby.

New Toys or Rotate Toys

Something we learned from the Montesorri Method is rotating toys. We do this at home and find it useful for road tripping with a baby.

Before a road trip, we will remove a few of our son’s favorite toys. Then when we are on the road trip, we reintroduce the toys (one at a time) so that the toys are “new,” exciting, and engaging. Of course, you can also buy new toys for a road trip.

It is essential to give the baby only one toy to focus on at a time. This way, when they get bored with one toy, there is a new one to play with because, let’s be honest, babies LOVE NEW things!

Music Matters!

Okay, this tip is from personal experience. I am not sure of any scientific research to prove this works, but it does for us – and I hope it does for you too.

During my pregnancy, I listened to this one trance album that I found calming and peaceful while I worked. Adam read that the music I listened to during pregnancy is what the baby would find relaxing after birth. It turns out it worked at least 80% of the time for us.

On our road trips, we would listen to this one trance album on repeat until our son was fast asleep. I swear it made our son calm and fall asleep almost every time.

Now, fast forward to when our son was 9 – 12 months old – things changed. Children’s music that we listened to at home helped our son stay calm during road trips. It was not music to our ears like our favorite trance album, but it kept our son happy, relaxed, and quiet – and that IS music to our ears.

So , music that is familiar with the baby at home will most certainly help put the baby at ease during road trips. You can also use a portable sound machine or play white noise from the car speakers.

How to Feed a Baby on a Road Trip

Whether you breastfeed your baby, bottle feed your baby, or are in the stage of providing snacks/solid foods – here are a few simple tips for feeding a baby on a road trip.

Breastfeeding a Baby on a Road Trip

First and foremost, do not breastfeed your baby in a moving car. This is very dangerous in the event of a car accident. Therefore, allow extra time to stop the vehicle and breastfeed your baby. If possible, utilize this time for restroom breaks, to get gas, food, etc.

If you pump, pack a breast pump car charger , breastmilk storage bags , spare parts, and a cooler to store pumped breastmilk. Moreover, continue to practice good nursing hygiene and habits as if you were at home.

Bottle Feeding a Baby on a Road Trip

Whether it’s breastmilk or formula, you want to pack a cooler to bottle feed your baby on the road.

Make sure you pack enough bottled water and formula powder (if you use formula). To help with space, I recommend pouring a small amount of water into the baby bottles and adding the formula when needed.

Furthermore, a formula dispenser can come in handy in the car. Then store a large container of formula in a suitcase.

Feeding Snacks to a Baby on a Road Trip

Once your baby can eat solid foods and/or pureed food, it can make feeding on the road a lot easier. I recommend packing snacks/food that your baby is familiar with, will enjoy, and is easy to eat on the go.

A few snacks that are easy to eat on the road are the squeezable veggie and fruit pouches , yogurt pouches , and Cheerios.

How to Change a Baby on a Road Trip

Honestly, sometimes there is no easy or right way to change a baby on the road. Through trial and error, find what works best for you!

For us, we have stopped at gas stations, rest stops, and have even needed to pull over on the side of the road to change our son. If a changing table in a bathroom is not available, we utilize our car. Moreover, a travel changing mat has been the key to our success because we can use it on any hard surface.

What to Pack for a Road Trip with a Baby

Believe me when I say you will probably pack your entire nursery when you road trip with a baby. Babies need soooo much! So do not feel like you packed “too much” because you will probably use everything.

Here are a few essential items to pack when road tripping with a baby.

A car seat, obviously
Pack n Play for sleeping
Stroller (if you find you will need/use it)
Plenty of diapers (if you run out, you can always buy more at a store)
Plenty of baby wipes (again, if you run out, you can always buy more at a store)
Portable changing mat
First aid kit
Baby Tyenol and Benadryl (approved by your pediatrician)
3 sets of clothes per day
Swaddle blankets and/or sleep sacks
Batteries for any toys
Portable white noise machine
Baby bottles
Travel sterlizing bags for bottles
Bottle soap and brushes
Travel high chair

How Long Can You Go on a Road Trip with a Baby?

There is no exact number of hours that you can road trip with a baby, but it is highly recommended to give your baby plenty of breaks. Just like adults, our bodies can only take sitting in a car for so long. So imagine how a baby feels.

From personal experience, when our son was 2 – 4 months old, we could only go on 3-hour road trips. From 5 to 12 months old, we have only been able to drive up 8 hours a day. When we would drive 8 hours, the day would get divided into several stops at different cities. So really, it was two, 4-hour drives in one day and even then we had to break that up at times.

To figure out what is best for you and your family, I would practice around your city first, especially if you have been nesting for the first few weeks/months. Start with a short 30 minute to one-hour drive.

Then gradually work towards a 2 – 3 hour day trip. Eventually, you will learn your baby’s road trip habits to plan for a weekend getaway with a 4-5 hour road trip.

Road Trip with a Baby ( 1 – 4 Months)

Road tripping with a baby at 3 months old. Baby boy is strapped inside his car seat with a black and white toy hanging.

The first few months of going on a road trip with a baby are the easiest and the toughest because everyone is still learning their roles. On one hand, a baby sleeps the most at this stage, so driving through naps is easier. On the other hand, this might be the most challenging stage because, as first-time parents, we are all just trying to survive, right?

Moreover, I recommend waiting at least two weeks before going on a road trip with a baby because the first few weeks as a parent are the hardest!

Additionally, I went with my pediatrician’s recommendation and waited for our son to receive his vaccines at 2 months before we traveled outside of our city. I would always consult with your pediatrician and do what is best for you and your family.

After we figured out the amount of time we could drive without stopping, this was the easiest and best time to road trip with a baby. Our son would sleep for the majority of the time. We would engage him with black and white toys and books when he wasn’t sleeping.

Here are a few products that I highly recommend for road tripping with a baby between 1 – 4 months old.

Road Trip with a Baby ( 5 – 8 Months)

Road tripping with a baby at 5 months old - baby boy is in pajamas in his car seat.

At this stage in life, if your baby is becoming mobile, independent, and napping less – road tripping with a baby might become a little more complicated. Mainly because you may need to help entertain your baby.

In our experience, once our son became mobile and napped less, we had to entertain him more on road trips. It would require one person to always sit in the backseat to play with him. It also meant stopping more frequently to keep him active and happy.

Furthermore, rotating toys will become essential during this stage because of the developmental leaps. A baby will want to be constantly engaged and challenged. At 5 months, a baby should also start seeing colors well.

Therefore, I recommend these colorful toys for road tripping with a baby between 5 – 8 months old.

Road Trip with a Baby ( 9 – 12 Months)

Road tripping with a baby at 9 months old - baby boy looking and reaching out at camera while seated in a car seat.

Road tripping with a baby at 9 – 12 months old may or may not be the most challenging time. It could be the hardest if your baby is mobile, enjoys being active, and just doesn’t like car rides – period. If you’ve been road tripping with your baby for several months, it might just go as smoothly as one could hope.

For us, it was hard, but not that bad. Our son had grown used to traveling and taking road trips. So he would be okay for 3 – 4 hours at a time. Granted, we made an epic 2-week road trip through West Texas and New Mexico. Therefore, we had plenty of overnight stays in fun towns such as Fort Davis and San Angelo with fun activities to keep everyone entertained.

The best way to road trip with a baby between 9 – 12 months old is to keep the baby active and entertained by exciting roadside attractions and pit stop destinations. Let your baby be mobile, and your road trip just might be the most enjoyable family vacation you could ever imagine!

We mostly entertained our son with activities at different destinations along our journey, but here are a few products that I also recommend for road tripping with a baby between 9 – 12 months old.

And that’s a wrap! I hope you have found my guide on road tripping with a baby helpful and insightful. Like all parents, I wish I had all the answers, but my knowledge and experience are all I have. I hope it is enough to help you and your family have successful road trips for many years to come!

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Friday 15th of December 2023

Mind blowing article! I have a 1+ years old baby boy.So this blog will be very helpful for us and every guide is very important for newly parents. Thanks for sharing.

oursweetadventures

Tuesday 26th of December 2023

Aww thank you so much for your kind words. I'm glad to hear you found my guide helpful! :)

Katherine Hurt

Sunday 19th of March 2023

Since my baby is 8 months old and we live in San Diego, I appreciate all of your advice. We are preparing to drive to San Francisco so that our baby can meet the family. Many people advised us to travel after the baby has gone to sleep. Then I came across your essay, which has been a huge assistance to us with all of our issues. Many thanks

Aww thank you. I’m glad my post has been helpful to you. I know some say to drive at night when the baby is sleeping, but that never appealed to us. And every baby is different! If you can, I would try a day trip to get some experience. We now have twin babies and the same has applied with them. We drive an hourish before nap and they are out for at least 2 hrs. And have learned that they really can’t do more than 5 hours without getting out of the car for a break. If you have questions, feel free to ask.

Tuesday 7th of June 2022

Thank you for all the tips; my baby is 9 months we live in San Diego and are planning to drive to San Francisco so our baby can meet the family. A lot of people told us drive at night when the baby is sleeping. Then I found your article and help us a lot with all our concerns. Thank you

Wednesday 8th of June 2022

Hi Emma, thank you for your comment. That makes me so happy to hear you found my guide helpful. I hope my tips help you for your family road trip!

Parenting Babymoon & Travel

Packing Checklist: What to Bring When Traveling With Baby

Ever since you added the newest member to your clan, you and your partner’s annual bae-cation is now a baby-cation. The memories will be all the more special, but it adds a new twist to the travel prep. Long gone are the days of throwing things into your luggage at the last minute and hoping for the best.

“It’s no secret babies need a lot of stuff, all the time. There are many small things to remember, and packing and keeping track of these items can be an experience in itself,” says CharlRe Slaughter-Atiemo, MD, a pediatrician and founder of Cayter 2 You Baby , a one-stop online shopping center that allows parents to pre-order baby supplies and send them to their vacation destination. “It’s good to be as prepared as possible for the unexpected—it’ll help alleviate stress and ensure your infant has everything they need to stay as comfortable as possible.” So what exactly should you be packing? Read on.

Rule No. 1: There is no such thing as ‘packing light.’ Slaughter-Atiemo says a well-stocked travel bag should at the very least include:

Diapers: “A good rule of thumb is to pack at least two days worth of diapers for possible delays (and blowouts!).”

Baby wipes: Toss in at least one pack of 50+ wipes

Diaper cream

Changing pad

Bags: Disposable diaper bags, plastic bags for trash and a bunch of Ziploc bags for good measure

Formula or stored breast milk: You certainly don’t want baby going hungry. If you’re breastfeeding, having some stored breast milk on hand can be helpful if nursing on the spot proves to be a challenge. Check TSA’s guidelines on traveling with breast milk and formula if you’re planning on flying

Bottles and sippy cups: “Bring at least one bottle or sippy cup for every four hours of travel in case you’re unable to rinse and reuse a bottle or cup,” Slaughter-Atiemo says.

Baby food: “Disposable baby food pouches are convenient because you can squirt them directly in baby’s mouth and it doesn’t require a bowl or spoon,” Slaughter-Atiemo says. “Traveling with homemade baby food is a little trickier, but very doable. Store it in pouches and freeze it prior to travel. You can also make frozen baby food cubes and store them in an airtight container with ice packs, then thaw and heat them when appliances are available.”

Bibs: Plastic roll-up bibs are the way to go. “They’re easy to clean, reusable and great for travel.”

Change of clothes: For baby and yourself!

Pacifiers: Bring extras

Toys: “Small items are ideal,” Slaughter-Atiemo says. “Think rattles, mirrors, small board books, soft hand-held toys, keys and teething rings.”

Infant Tylenol: In case baby’s temperature spikes

Water and snacks: Don’t forget about your own needs! Parenting is hungry, thirsty work.

Products Most Parents Forget

That should cover all the basics, but some commonly overlooked items will actually come in handy when you least expect it. This is usually where the trouble lies, because it requires a bit more forward-thinking as you pack. You’re much less likely to forget diapers than, say, an outlet safety cover. But once baby is in a new environment, they’ll be eager to explore their surroundings. You can stay one step ahead by packing some essentials to baby-proof your hotel room. Here are other items Slaughter-Atiemo says lots of parents tend to forget:

Bottle brush and dish soap
Feeding utensils
Sunscreen and sun hat
Baby’s toiletries
Travel potty
Baby monitor and cord
Crib sheets/blankets
Medicine bag
Outlet covers

Travel First Aid Kit

Always expect the unexpected. You never know what viruses, bumps or allergic reactions baby may get while away from home. Taking a little extra time to prepare for all the elements will prove invaluable when you’re in a squeeze. With any luck, you won’t put it to use, but Slaughter-Atiemo says to always have these items at the ready:

Band-Aids, cotton swabs, gauze and alcohol pads

Nasal saline drops

Nasal suction device

Nail clipper

Thermometer

Infant Tylenol or Motrin

Prescription medicines: EpiPen, asthma inhaler, steroid ointment, etc.

Medicine syringe or cup

Insect repellant

Antibiotic ointment

Petroleum jelly

Safety pins

Emergency card with your pediatrician’s number

You’re probably feeling a little overwhelmed right about now. Fear not. There are a bunch of ways to take the load off yourself and your cargo. Amazon Prime Now makes it easy to order products once you reach your destination for same-day delivery. Plus, CayTer 2 You Baby offers an “order ahead” service , which gives families the option to order all their baby’s travel needs up to 90 days before their trip and schedule the shipment to arrive at their destination at a later date. It eliminates the hassle of having to lug all that extra stuff, but gives parents the peace of mind of checking it off their list early on. And the best news is it ships to all 50 states!

Published March 2019

Plus, more from The Bump

Preparing for Baby’s First Trip

13 Essentials for Traveling with Baby, Tried and Tested by a Dad of Twins

Tips for Traveling with Baby Like a Pro

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2024 Ultimate Family Road Trip Packing List (+Free Printable Checklists)

Packed for Life contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Disclosure policy for more info.

Planning a family road trip can be exciting but also overwhelming, not knowing exactly what to pack. That’s where our experience road tripping comes in handy.

We’ve created the ultimate family road trip packing list and FREE printable checklists to make things easier for you on the open road. Drawing on our years of experience from countless road trips with our kids from babies to teens. Including cross country adventures, and week long road trips, to everything in between.

This guide covers everything. From road trip essentials for the whole family, to car and safety gear, plus tips on what to leave behind. Which you can easily adapt for wherever you’re traveling to.

With our travel-tested advice, and free printable checklists, you’ll be perfectly prepared for your adventure, making packing stress-free, straightforward, and do we dare say even fun!

Table of Contents

ROAD TRIP PACKING LIST FOR FAMILIES

Road Trip Essentials for the Car

When heading out on a long road trip, there are a few car essentials we think are important to add to your family road trip checklist.

We’ve found this road trip planning App , to be a fantastic tool for planning our routes & collaborating with others on the road.

Driver’s License, Car registration and roadside assistance info – Check your glove compartment box before leaving your house to make sure you have any (and all) information you may need in a very worst case scenario.
Extra Set of Car Keys – make sure to store it somewhere you won’t lose it, or give it to another family member. One of my fears is losing our car keys in the middle of no where, so having an extra set is peace of mind for me.
Rental Car Agreement – If you are renting a car for your road trip, make sure to bring the agreement with you in the glove box.
Sun Shades for the Windows – The sun can get a bit overwhelming, especially if you have really young children in the car. We’ve found Sun Shades like these super helpful.
Cell phone holder – Especially when using GPS, having a Cell phone holder can be a game changer for your road trip.
Car Seat or booster seat – Choose one that’s suitable for the ages of your kids, and somewhat comfortable for a long drive. We’ve found that stopping every two hours max keeps everyone happier.

Road trip essentials and free packing list. Youg girl lying in the back of a packed car with a small puppy, covering her face with a hat.

Emergency Vehicle Kit

A Roadside Emergency Kit is one of the most important things we bring. It’s better to be safe than sorry and be prepared to handle the unexpected, like a flat tire is our motto.

It always gives us peace of mind knowing we have the basics, and think it will for you too.

Plus I don’t know how many times it has come in handy for helping other travelers out along the way during our own trips. It should include:

Jumper cables
Tire Pressure Gauge
Flashlight & batteries ( we prefer head lamps)
Jack & Tools
Food / Energy Bars
Matches / Lighter

What to pack “Just in Case”

Mom and daughter in car facing front. Daughter playing a card game.

Accidents happen. But, how you handle them can be completely different if you are prepared. Not to mention there are certain things you just don’t want to forget for a long car ride.

Add these to your road trip with kids checklist:

Map – You may not ever need it, but make sure you have a paper or book road map. In case your phone dies, google maps steers you wrong, or anything else happens, you will be glad you have it.
Paper Towel & Toilet Paper – Keep these handy for unexpected bathroom stops, or unexpected spills. Well with kids you can expect a mess!
Wet wipes – Whether you have a baby or not, we think baby wipes are life savers & road trip necessities. You can clean up spills, hands, and even clothing with a few baby wipes. My daughter is 10 and we still use baby wipes for all our travels. Not just for kids!
Small trash can – To keep your car clean, and organized with a small spill-proof car garbage can. Don’t forget the trash bags.
Plastic bags – No one wants to talk about this, but you need to have extra bags in case anyone gets car sick. We also like to have a designated car garbage bag we empty out every day. That way the mess stays somewhat in check.
Towels – As a safety precaution, it never hurts to add a few towels to your packing road trip. This can help in various situations of spills, sickness, and comfort.
Licenses & wallets – Just as a reminder, make sure you have everyone’s licenses, wallets and debit / credit cards before you even walk out your front door.
Health Care Cards / Medical Insurance Info – Also make sure to have your health care cards or medical insurance info handy.
Extra food, water & games – In case you get stuck somewhere unexpectedly. Water is also good in case of overheating.
Family First Aid Kit

Family First Aid Kit Essentials

If you are traveling anywhere, I highly recommend keeping a First Aid Kit in your car, and a smaller one in your backpack if you are off on hikes for the day.

Besides, if your kids are anything like mine, they go through bandaids like they are going outta style.

Here are some items we include in our family first aid kit, in addition to the usual suspects:

Extra Band aids
Blister Band Aids
Disinfectant
Polysporin / Antibiotic cream
Acetaminophen & Ibuprofen (Kids & Adults)
Prescription Meds
Gravol / Motion Sickness meds
Allergy Meds
Rehydration Tablets
Medical Tape
Mosquito Repellent
Hand Warmers
CPR pocket mask
Small Flashlight
Small Pocket Knife
Hand Sanitizer
Plastic Gloves

PRO TIP : Buy a small cloth first aid kit, or toiletries bag and fill or switch out with your preferred Family First Aid Kit items. Keep First Aid Kit and medications handy and within reach.

Family Road Trip Essentials

When packing for your entire family, you may find that you don’t need (or want) as much as others. Or, on the flip side, you may find that you like to bring everything but the kitchen sink, just in case. No judgment here!

Do you have to bring everything we recommend on this list? Absolutely not! Specific items you pack for your family road trip will vary based on preference and destination.

Here are some family road trip essentials that can useful supplies for your next trip:

America the Beautiful Park Pass – If you are planning on visiting USA National Parks, then a park pass will save you $$.
Mouthwash – If you plan on bringing snacks, or even stopping to eat, having mouthwash is a must. Between having fresh breath and smelling fresh breath, you don’t want to forget this. Mints or minty gum also does in a pinch.
Portable Charger / Power Bank – Save yourself trouble with a pre-charged battery pack. If you have teens, a portable power bank is a must for a successful family road trip. Or in our case keeping a device addicted adult happy.
Car Chargers – Not only should you have a portable power bank, but bringing extra chargers that can be plugged directly into your car are a good idea. Don’t forget your device cables too for when you are in the hotel room. (Kindles, cells, tablets, gaming devices, laptops etc.)
Camera / Go Pro – While you are out creating memories, be sure to document the fun, silly and sometimes ridiculous and unexpected moments along the way.
Walkie Talkies – When traveling with friends and family in a convoy, we find walkie talkies are a great way to stay in touch.

Entertainment Essentials

The thought of packing for a road trip with kids can be overwhelming. But, it doesn’t have to be.

Keep in mind that you want to be including items for them to keep your trip stress-free as well. Road trip activities to keep them entertained.

Tablet – For those moments when you just can’t take hearing another “are we there yet?”
Headphones -You do not want to hear everything everyone is listening to on your road. A symphonic cacophony is not the most relaxing of sounds. So, save yourself the trouble, and pack headphones for everyone. If you are bringing wireless headphones , make sure to charge them before the trip.
Books – If no one is prone to getting car sick, pack a few books or a Kindle for your family members to enjoy on your road trip. You can include learning books, entertainment, or even coloring books.

PRO TIPS: Make sure you charge any devices before you leave. Also, you will want to download any games, music, or apps beforehand.

PRO TIP : We’ve found it helpful to make sure each kidlet (and adult) has their own small travel backpack or bag with their own activities, devices, snacks, waterbottle & a change of clothes. Keep it beside them so they can easily reach it.

Kids Road Trip Essentials: Road Trip Activities for Kids

Road Trip Bingo
Coloring Book & Activity Pages
Road Trip Kit
Travel Magnetic Tangram Puzzles
Entertaining Questions to Spark Conversations
Paper/ journal – If you have creative kids, I recommend packing some journals, a sketchbook or paper to practice art, writing, and crafting with. Let your kids keep their own memories of their trip, with a kids road trip journal.
Crayons / Pencil Crayons : Pack a few different crayons / pencil crayons and let them go at it! You can also add markers or pens in your overnight bags, so they can “fill-in” later if you’re worried about felt pen marks in the car.

PRO TIP: We’ve found these twistable pencil crayons are perfect, so you don’t have little bits of shavings all over your car.

Road Trip Activities – Bring a variety of age appropriate activities. Especially if you are traveling with toddlers & preschoolers.
Outdoor Games – Bring a few outdoor activities like a frisbee, or bubbles. We’ve found this really helps to get the wiggles out at rest stops and provides entertainment at campsites along the way.
Road Trip Playlist – While you could just listen to the radio, making and playing a road trip playlist will up your parent cred, and make groovin’ in the car a hit. Don’t forget to embaress your kids by singing at the top of your lungs. We do 😉
Audio Books or Audible – Perfect for keeping everyone from young kids to the older kids entertained on long trips.

PRO TIP : Use a Back seat organizer that fits over the front seats keeps all the snacks, electronic devices, books, small toys contained and in reach of the kids.

Comfort Items

Change of clothes – The last thing you want to happen is to have a mess with all of the extra clothes packed deep in your luggage. To alleviate the chance of this happening, pack an extra outfit in one small bag that stays on top of everything else.
Pillows for Kids – A little comfort during your road trip can make all the difference. You don’t have to pack king size pillows, but letting each child bring a neck pillow (at minimum) is a great start! My daughter loves this bcozzy travel pillow.
Travel Pillow for the adults – Just like for your children, the passenger also needs to be comfortable. Don’t forget to pack a pillow for you and/or your partner!
Blankets – Kids love them & you’ll be happy to have them in winter months, or if you are driving overnight.
Diaper bag – Include an extra in car diaper bag for easy access with young’uns. Fill with extra diapers, wipes, a plastic bag or a resuable wet bag, a couple of changes of clothes that is easy to grab and carry at rest stops.

Bring Road Trip Snacks & Meals

Packing road trip snacks and meals will save you time and money while heading to your final destination.

Avoid the nasty gas station food and have healthy travel snacks on the go. Making a family vacation meal plan will make your meals easier.

Cooler – If you have extra room in your car, or you are trying to save money on food costs, you can’t go wrong with packing a cooler. Just make grocery store stops along the way to pick up supplies.
Road trip meals: Check out our Easy Road Trip Meal ideas
Snacks – Healthy snacks are a must. This will save you hangry kid and partner moments and money. The best road trip snacks to pack are things like nuts, granola bars, sandwiches, beef jerky, protein bars, and string cheese. Avoid packing sticky and messy snacks.
Drinks – Just like snacks, you need to pack some of the drinks your children like. We use resuable water bottles, and refill them as needed.

⭐️ Grab some easy travel snack recipes here for your next trip.

PRO TIP: Freeze a water bottle or two full of water, then you can have cold water as it melts. It can also double as an ice pack in your cooler.

🚙 Check out our delicious road trip snack ideas .

Road Trip Packing List: Clothing

I will highlight a few key pieces of clothing for family road trips.

Rain jackets – Instead of carrying an umbrella, pack some light rain jackets for everyone. Keep everyone warm & dry. We like this one for kids , this one for men and this one for women .
Footwear – Bring a few options. Walking / hiking shoes, easy slip on sandals for the car and warm weather, then boots for rainy and winter season. I admit I love my Crocs for road trip travel days. Easy to slip on and of and comfortable for walking around all day if needed.
Sunglasses – Sunglasses will cut the glare, protect your eyes, and keep you in the height of fashion.
Hats – Sunhats, ball caps, garden straw hats, water hats. The possibilities are endless to keep the sun off your face.
Seasonal Gear – Depending on the time of year you road trip, you may want to bring ski equipment, bikes, boogie boards, kayaks etc. What you bring will depend a lot on the size and type of vehicle you are traveling in.
Packing Cubes – For keeping your clothes organized
Swimwear, suits, coverups – Check out our full Beach Vacation Packing list here

PRO TIP : If you are moving around a lot on your road trip, pack each days clothes into a ziploc bag or in a packing cube . Then you can just bring into the hotel with you, rather than bringing all the bags in and out each time.

Van on side of road with fall colored leaves.

What NOT To Pack for A Family Road Trip

Now that we have our road trip essentials list, let’s get into some things we think you don’t need to pack on a family road trip

Everything but the kitchen sink – Once you pack in the kids, cooler, dog, clothes, road trip activities you may not have as much room as you think. Consider if you can rent gear, & what’s absolutely necessary for your families enjoyment, comfort, and safety.
Lots of toys – Inevitably with too many toys, pieces get lost, favourite toys get left behind, or there are fights amongst siblings. Pack a few car games, and maybe one small toy, but leaving most of them home.
Too many sweets – While it is fun to have some treats, too many sweets can bring everyone’s mood high and then low. A bad combo in a confined space! Balance it out with combo of whole fruit, and protein (nuts, jerky, trail mix).
Avoid large & hard shell suitcases – Because they’re space hogs. We much prefer small duffels, or backpacks. I have even been known to just bring my clothes in a reusable shopping bag. You can pack them in tight around stuff.
Messy car snacks – need I say more?

Road Trip Destinations:

Big Sur Road Trip: Epic Places to Visit & Hike
7 Day Family Friendly Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon Itinerary
Yosemite National Park, Awesome 2 Day Itinerary
Vancouver Island Canada Bucket List
Boston to Bar Harbor & Acadia Road Trip

✅ Kids travel backpacks are perfect for holding their road trip activities, snacks & water

Free Road Trip Checklists for Families

6 pages pf Rpad Trip packing cheklists fanned out. Grab it here.

FINAL THOUGHTS: What to Pack for A Family Road Trip

There you have our list of what to bring on a road trip. Although you may need to be a bit more mindful when packing for a road trip with your family, it doesn’t have to be too complicated.

When making your packing list, ask yourself:

How long will we be in the car?
What necessities can my children not live without during this time?
What will provide the most comfort for my family on this road trip?

Once you answer those questions, you will have a solid road trip packing list for your family.

Donna Garrison is the founder of Packed for Life, an ever curious traveler with a passion for making memories with her family. With a unique perspective on travelling on a budget gathered over 30 years, 20 countries and 5 continents she gives families the tools & resources they need to experience the joys of travelling more for less through practical solutions. She helps over 20,000 families a month plan & take the family travel, camping and road trip adventures of their dreams in Canada, the USA and around the world. Contact her at: Donna [at] packedforlife.com

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Road Trip Essentials: Packing Checklist (with Printable PDF)

This is what I pack on every road trip. My printable packing checklist will help you get organized so you don’t forget anything at home!

A blue sedan is pulled over on the side of a dirt road on a road trip. There are snowcapped mountains and pine trees in the distance.

Road-tripping is my favorite way to travel. With two dogs and now a baby, I’d much prefer to drive somewhere than fly. Also, there is an undeniable magic to a good road trip: the freedom of the open road, the opportunity to get off the beaten path, and the surprises that you stumble upon along the way.

However, packing for a road trip can be super stressful. While I consider myself a packing pro these days, I’ve definitely made the mistake of forgetting something really important, like the time I left my hiking shoes behind. I can’t tell you what a huge bummer it was to have to stop and spend $150 on new hiking shoes when I have so many pairs at home.

So, to help myself (and you!) stay organized, I created a road trip packing checklist that has all of the essentials you need for a successful road trip. I keep a condensed, printable version of this packing checklist on my phone to make sure I don’t forget anything.

Download a PDF version of my road trip packing checklist !

In this post, I’m excited to share all of the details of what I bring on my road trips, including safety gear, clothing, food, and other gear.

Vehicle Road Trip Essentials

This is the basic safety gear that I always pack on all of my road trips.

Driver’s License, Registration, and Proof of Insurance
Car Operation Manual : Your car manual will come in handy if your check engine light comes on or you need to change your tire.
Spare Tire and Tools : If you get a flat, you’ll need a lug wrench, a jack, and a portable compressor that you can use to pump up your tire.
Jumper cables : If your battery dies, you can save yourself a call to roadside assistance by having jumper cables, or even better, a self-starting battery jumper
Communication device : I’d argue that the Garmin InReach is a road trip essential if you plan on exploring remote backroads where there is no cell phone service. The Garmin InReach allows you to send custom text messages no matter where you are or to call for medical help if you are in an emergency situation. I once had a dead battery in my Sprinter Van and no cell sevice, and I used the Garmin InReach to text my dad who was then able to call a tow truck.

A blue Suburu pulled off the road on a road trip in Utah

Road Trip Navigational Tools

While part of the fun of a good road trip might be getting lost and exploring remote back roads, it is crucial to have reliable navigational tools so you don’t end up utterly lost. Here are my recommendations.

Atlas : Although we all know Google Maps is essential for directions, I personally like carrying a paper map too. Plus, hopefully some of your itinerary will take you off the grid and out of cell phone service. Paper maps are also better than phone apps for telling the difference between a well-graded gravel road and a gnarly 4×4 road. My favorite paper maps are the Benchmark Road and Recreation Atlases which also detail public lands, camping areas, National Parks, and more.
GPS: A GPS is handy for navigation when you don’t have cell service. If you don’t want to purchase a GPS, download Google Maps for offline use.

a person holds a Benchmark Road Atlas in the driver's seat

Road Trip Apps

Before you hit the road, download these apps. These are the apps I rely on daily when I’m on a road trip for finding camping and other services.

Gas Buddy App : This is a helpful road trip app that will help you find the cheapest gas prices so you aren’t wasting money when you fill up.
The Dyrt App : The Dyrt is one of my favorite campsite finder apps that has reviews and photos, and you can even use it to make reservations at some campgrounds. Sign up for the Dyrt Pro and try it for free for 30 days.
iOverlander : Another one of my go-to apps for finding free dispersed camping on public land. For details on how to use it, see my iOverlander review .
AllTrails : The most popular trail finder app for hiking trails on your road trip. If you upgrade to AllTrails+ you can download trail maps for offline use which I find to be super handy when I’m are visiting remote areas.

The Dyrt Pro is the #1 camping app with over 45,000 reviewed campgrounds to help you plan and book your next trip. See our full review here.

Looking for more helpful apps? Check out our post on Must-Have Van Life Apps . Many of them are also great for road trips!

What to Wear on a Road Trip

Packing for a road trip means filling your bags with versatile, well-fitting, and durable clothes that allow you to do a little bit of everything. The key is to not overpack, otherwise, your luggage will be overflowing and your car will get messy quickly.

I like to pack clothing, footwear, and accessories that:

While crazy patterns can be fun, I prefer to pack solid prints that will go with everything. That way, you don’t have to really think about packing specific outfits. Here is a list of the types of clothes I bring on a road trip. If you click on the links it will take you to my blog posts with female-specific suggestions.

Quick dry shirts (short and long-sleeve)
Leggings / Hiking Pants
Hiking Shorts
Warm Jacket
Wool Socks – Darn Tough are my favorite!
Hiking Shoes

Bearfoot Theory founder Kristen Bor standing in doorway of her Sprinter Van at a dispersed campsite

Road Trip Entertainment

Road trips are all about having a good time, right? Right. Make the drive fun with the following entertainment essentials. I also recommend keeping your day hiking essentials in your trunk too so you’re always ready for a spur-of-the-moment hike, should you need them.

Music Playlists : What’s a road trip without music? Load up your phone with plenty of tunes ahead of time in case you’ll be driving through areas with limited service.
Podcasts and Audiobooks : If music isn’t your thing or you need a break from rockin’ out, download a couple of audiobooks or a bunch of episodes of your favorite podcast. For suggestions, check out my favorite outdoor podcasts . The Libby App and Audible are also great resources for downloading audiobooks.
Book : A book or two is always nice to have along on a road trip so you can read in your downtime. I prefer a Kindle since I can load it up with a few different books just in case I get bored with one.
Travel Games : If you’re traveling with kids, games are a great way to keep everyone happy and entertained. But games aren’t just for kids! Bringing along a deck of cards or your favorite road trip games for entertainment in the evenings.
Headphones : A set of headphones or AirPods are nice to bring on a road trip in case you need a little alone time.
Camera : I like to bring a camera to capture the memories on my trip. Of course, you can always use your phone too.
Notebook : If you like to journal or make notes about the places you travel to, pack a small weatherproof notebook .
iPad or Laptop : An iPad or laptop is nice to have along for evenings when you just want to Netflix and chill. Download a few movies ahead of time for easy viewing.

A woman bends down to take a photo with a camera with mountains in the background

Packing Food on your Road Trip

One of the best parts about a road trip is tasty road trip snacks, wouldn’t you agree? Whether you’re a salty or sweet person, having quick and (mostly) healthy snack options can make or break a long drive.

It’s also a good idea to pack some kitchen and cooking gear even if you’re not camping so you can whip up that impromptu picnic. If you are camping, check out my car camping packing checklist which has additional gear like a stove, cookset, etc. Here is the food and cooking essentials I pack on a road trip.

Cooler : A cooler will keep your fruit, veggies, dips, dand other snacks cold so you can eat fresh on the road.
Reusable Water Bottle : An insulated water bottle will keep your water cold in the hot car and is key for staying hydrated. You can fill it up at gas station soda fountains, which will also save you money on having to buy water.
Water Jug : Having a full 5-gallon water jug makes it easy to fill up your water bottle on the go and is also important in case your car breaks down or you run out of gas.
Coffee Mug : Consider bringing an insulated coffee mug for keeping coffee and tea hot on sunrise drives.
Multi-tool : A multi-tool or versatile knife like this Swiss Army Camper Knife is always good to have along, whether for slicing apples, cutting rope, or opening that nice bottle of wine at the end of the day.
Utensil set : This To-Go Ware Bamboo Utensil Set comes in a handy holder and is perfect for on-the-go meals when you’re road-tripping.
Quick Dry Towels : A set of small quick-dry towels is a great zero-waste alternative for wiping your hands and cleaning up messes and spills. A roll of paper towels works too.
Reusable Bag : A reusable bag will come in handy for those grocery store stops along the way and once you arrive at your destination.

Healthy Snacks

Having healthy snacks easily accessible will stop the hanger from creeping in and help you avoid gas station temptations like chips and candy (no judgment though if you want to indulge)! Some of my favorite road trip snacks are:

Two women sitting in rear of car packed with camping gear and Artic cooler

Staying Organized on your Road Trip

Nothing drives me more crazy when I’m road tripping is a trunk full of clutter. I like being able to quickly find things that I need without having to pull everything out of my car. Here are some of the things I use to keep organized.

Luggage : Try to fit all of your clothing in a carry-on sized piece of luggage. That will make it easy to carry it in and out of your hotel (or tent), and it also wont’ take up too much room in your trunk. I love the REI Co-op Roadtripper Duffel .
Packing Cubes : I use packing cubes to keep all of my clothing organized inside my duffel. Underwear in one. Socks in another. Pants. Shirts. Each category of clothing gets it’s own cube. That way it’s easy to pull out a new shirt without unfolding all of my clothes.
Toiletry Bag : Having all your toiletries and smaller essentials in a toiletry bag makes it easy to find them when you need them.
Day pack : I love this comfy 30 liter hiking pack that has lots of pockets and straps that I can adjust for the perfect fit. I keep all of the stuff I need for my hikes and other activities in my pack so it’s ready to go.
Plastic Bins : I always organize the rest of my gear by category in plastic bins that are easy to stack and pull out of my car. I’ll put all of my food and kitchen stuff in one and any camping gear in another.

Kristen Bor on the edge of a Sprinter Van holding an REI Big Haul Duffel

Personal Items

Getting out of your normal routine can make it a bit more of a challenge to keep up with personal care, but if you can pare it down to the necessities, you won’t have to pack as much.

Sunscreen : UV rays can come through your windows so bring a tube or two of good mineral-based sunscreen , especially if you’re road-tripping in the summer.
Lip Balm : Lip balm is always nice to have along in case your lips get extra dry. I prefer lip balm with SPF for sun protection.
Toothpaste / Toothbrush : Any old toothpaste you have at home will do, but if you want an eco-friendly, travel-size option, Hello toothpaste bites are a great pick.
Other Toiletries : Bring the toiletries you need from home, like soap, shampoo, and conditioner, in these refillable 2.5 oz humangear GoToob+ Medium Squeeze Bottles that help save room in your bag.
Kula Cloth : This is a reusable pee rag that I bring on every hike and road trip. That way if I have to pop a squat, I’m not having to drip dry.
Hair Brush : A small, travel-size hair brush for taming that windswept hair
Body Wipes : Sometimes it’s nice to freshen up with a body wipe after a long drive, or maybe you’re hiking and camping on your road trip as well.
Electrolytes : I like to pack electrolytes that are easy to throw into my water when I need an extra boost.
Hand sanitizer : I keep hand sanitizer in my center console so I can sanitize after filling up my gas tank or using a pit toilet at a trailhead.
First aid kit : This My Medic MyFAK First Aid Kit is equipped with all kinds of expert-picked first aid and trauma supplies. You can strap it to the back of a headrest for easy storage or just toss it in the back so it’s there when you need it.

A woman takes a selfie out the window from the passenger seat on a road trip

Other Road Trip Essentials

If you have extra room in your car, these are some additional things I like to pack on my road trips.

Pillow : Ideally I’m bringing my pillow from home since hotel pillows often suck! But if I don’t have room, I bring a lightweight, compressible camping pillow that makes riding in the passenger seat just a bit more comfortable.
Headlamp : I always pack a rechargeable headlamp . It makes rummaging around in your car at night so much easier.
Blanket : A small blanket is a nice item to have along in case you find the perfect picnic spot or if you just need a little extra warmth at any point on your road trip. I love Rumpl’s cozy, packable blankets – they won’t take up much space in your car and they come in all kinds of fun colors and patterns.
Large quick-dry towel : Be ready for those impromptu swimming hole dips or beach hangs with a lightweight, quick-dry towel
Phone charger : You’ll be surprised how quickly your phone battery will drain when using navigation mode and a variety of apps on your phone so it’s good to be able to charge from your vehicle.
Cash : Have a little bit of cash on hand in case you come across a farmers market or a roadside stall, or if you plan on camping at more remote campgrounds, which are typically cash-only.
Camp Chair : It’s nice to have a small, packable camp chair so you can have somewhere to sit when you’re enjoying a snack or a nice view.

A person sits in a camp chair next to a lake on a road trip

I hope this road trip essentials checklist helps simplify packing for your next epic adventure. Now tell us: where are you headed and what’s on your road trip packing list?

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With two decades of hiking and seven years of van life under her belt, Kristen has dedicated her life to helping people experience the positive effects of nature. As a pioneer in the outdoor blogging space, she founded Bearfoot Theory in 2014 and has since authored more than 350 blog posts about outdoor travel, hiking, camping, and van life. Her work has been featured in National Geographic, Outside Magazine, and Backpacker, and when she’s not on the road, she lives in Park City, Utah with her partner Ryan, their son, and two adventure pups.

16 Comments

Thanks for sharing such a great checklist, I Believe anyone who read this post will be valuable for him for sure. Regards, Team Yugo.pk

I love these lists! As busy as a work week can get, lists like this will help get me outside sooner and more often. I think it would be great if you had a PDF document in the form of a checklist, so I could gather items on the fly and know that I have them ready or loaded into the car/truck/van/camper. Just an idea for this page and great lists.

I like your advice about bringing a spare tire and knowing how to change should be part of the road trip necessities. We won’t know what would happen to us on the road during our trip. One possible problem that might arise would be a flat tire. Having a spare tire will allow us to change it immediately. However, if you’re not capable of doing it on your own you can call someone to assist you. This happened to me a few years ago, good thing I keep the contact details of my roadside assistance service provider which responded to my call immediately. Having this will lessen our worries. You might want to check the blog I’ve read a few weeks ago which provides a list of tips on handling a road trip like a pro. here is the link: https://blog.beepbeep.ph/road-trip-essentials/

I found your article interesting to read the must haves list for the road trip. There are lots of thing which I never remember to bring with me on the road trip. Thank for sharing these checklist.

What a great, comprehensive list. You can also add roadside assistance, it can be a lifesaver when we broke down 9 days into our trip. Loved the roadtrippers app as well. However, we made the rookie mistake of not getting a gas card until halfway through.

What do you normally have in your First-Aid Kit? We are crafting a blog post on our blog and we would definitely mention your website in it.

Its Nice., Thank you for your Necessity guides. These are useful to many.

Great checklist! One addition that we were glad to have on our recent road trip was our checkbook. During the Covid era, we prefer not to handle cash, and some campgrounds didn’t take cards, but writing a check and leaving it in the envelope worked great.

That’s a great tip, thanks Tom!

These modules are all great Lots of information and quite a few things i wouldn’t ever have thought of. However, why do i need to resubscribe every time i want one of your checklists? Seems like there one subscription should “do” and there should be a place i can just download what i want.

After requesting 3 or 4, it now tells me my request is successful but wont sent the mail with the download link.

This is irritating for me and would seem to create lot of duplicate ‘subscriptions” for you.

Hi Linda! Thanks for sharing that with us and our apologies for the inconvenience. There’s not a straightforward solution to this unfortunately as it would require us building out some sort of a membership page where people can login and download all the resources they want. At this time the way we have it set up is the easiest way for our readers to get the specific resources they want delivered to their inbox. It doesn’t result in duplicate subscriptions on our end as your email address is only added to our list once, and I am seeing that the emails for the checklists you’ve requested have been sent. Perhaps check your spam folder or try doing a search for Bearfoot Theory? If you’re still having issues please email me at contact (at) bearfoottheory.com and I’ll help get this resolved personally. Thanks again – we’ll keep your feedback in mind and will see if there’s a way we can improve this process 🙂

thank you, it was very helpful.

A night hike, river tubing, or secret single-track – you never know what adventure may arise while traveling. Don’t miss out because you don’t have the gear. Below are gear staples for us on any adventure:

Rain jacket Daypack Headlamp Water bottle Compass Swimsuit Dry bag (waterproof) Bandana or Buff headwear

Great list – you never know what adventure you could find yourself on!

Thanks for your wonderful work! Fun and practical — a breath of fresh air!

I’d like to add two items that simplify and improve road trips for us:

— A small (maybe 8-inch square) “front-seat bin” for each traveller. Keep your small personal items — sunglasses, reading glasses, snacks, medicines, phone, and so — on in one designated place to ensure that you don’t have to root around to find your things.

— Small waterproof duffle for each person’s shoes — hiking shoes, sandals, comfy campsite shoes. Keeps the car cleaner and, again, ensures that things are “where they’re supposed to be”!

Hi Roy, these are great suggestions! We love tips for staying organized. Thanks for sharing!

Travel Checklist For Road Trip with Baby

The thought of traveling long distance with a baby is enough to make many parents stay home. Believe it or not, traveling with a baby is actually one of the easiest times in the life of a child to travel. They are incredibly portable! Often, babies fall asleep as soon as the car begins moving, because motion lulls them to sleep. Checkout this 11 step checklist for planning your ultimate road trip with baby compiled by our team of registered nurses and moms.

Reach out to Your Baby Consultant for tips and advice from our staff of registered nurses in Annapolis and Charleston areas. We also offer virtual consultations or will travel to meet you where you are located.

Travel Checklist For Traveling in the Car with Baby

1. what to pack.

When preparing for your car trip with baby, make a list of all essential items you use day and night for your baby – do this a week before your trip, so you can edit as needed. (Extra toys and stuffies are not essential). Consider will you have access to a washer and dryer to rewear baby clothes and blankets.

2. Check the carseat

Before you go anywhere, make sure baby’s car seat is installed correctly. Three out of four car seats are not used or installed correctly. Typically, carseat installation can be checked at your nearby fire station.

3. Minimize travel time

When planning your car trip with baby, calculate your travel time to minimize hours in the car – use Waze or Google Maps so you are not stuck in rush hour traffic. Plan your stops around meal and stretch times.

4. Scheduling

Try to keep baby on his/her schedule as best you can. Maybe during awake time, a parent sits in the back of car and plays or reads to baby. While during nap time, the parent moves to the front of the car for baby to fall asleep. Include a plan for breaks, a walk, mealtimes and sights to see. Yet, be flexible, when baby is sleeping, you may not need to stop for the photo op.

5. Prepare your car

When traveling with baby in the car, have the right tools to make the experience most pleasant. A window shade helps keep sun out of babies eyes, a playful mirror can be attached to keep baby entertained, and a seat protector can save your car from unexpected messes.

6. The essentials bag

Make a bag of essentials to keep in the back seat with baby (this prevents unnecessary car stops to dig items out of the trunk): Diapers, Wipes, Pacifier, Change of clothes, Toys, Books, Bottles, Snacks.

7. Ship supplies or buy once you’ve arrived

If staying at your destination for a week or more, you can have baby essentials like diapers, wipes, and formula shipped to your destination or make a quick pharmacy stop once you arrive.

8. Baby rental gear

For bigger baby gear like strollers, high chairs, portable cribs, check to see if your destination has baby rental equipment that you can use for the duration of your stay. It cuts down tremendously on what you have to travel with and allows you to still use the items that you and your baby are accustomed to having at home.

9. Practice a portable crib

If baby will be sleeping in a portable crib while away, practice a few nights before you leave for your trip to get baby familiar with a different crib.

10. Plan for the best sleep

If staying in a hotel, book a suite or two connecting rooms. This will allow you to put baby to sleep and then give you space to enjoy yourself. Even better research vacation rental properties. A closing door is super valuable. Otherwise, parents often feel they need to go bed at the same time baby does.

11. Find childcare

Look for local childcare through safety checked agencies such as Your Baby Consultant in Charleston or Annapolis and surrounding areas.

If you have questions about our night nurse services, please email us , fill out the contact form at the top of this page, or call. We are happy to answer your questions.

Send us your recommendations for road tripping in the car with baby.

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Preparing Your Car for a Road Trip: Checklist and Must-Have Items

B efore embarking on a road trip, it's essential to ensure that your car is in optimal condition and equipped with necessary items for a smooth and enjoyable journey. Proper preparation can help prevent unexpected breakdowns and ensure your safety on the road. In this article, we provide a checklist of key tasks and must-have items to prepare your car for a road trip.

1. Perform a Comprehensive Vehicle Inspection: Schedule a thorough inspection of your vehicle before hitting the road. Check the tire tread and pressure, brake system, lights, fluid levels, battery, and wiper blades. Address any necessary repairs or maintenance to ensure your car is roadworthy.

2. Change the Oil and Check Fluid Levels: If your car is due for an oil change, it's best to get it done before the trip. Additionally, check the levels of other vital fluids such as coolant, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid. Topping them off or having a professional service them can help prevent potential issues during your journey.

3. Check the Spare Tire and Tools: Verify that your spare tire is in good condition and properly inflated. Familiarize yourself with the jack and lug wrench location and ensure they are easily accessible. Knowing how to change a tire can save you time and hassle in case of a flat

4. Pack an Emergency Kit: Prepare an emergency kit containing essential items such as a first aid kit, flashlight with extra batteries, jumper cables, reflective warning triangles, basic tools, and a roadside assistance contact number. Additionally, carry a fully charged mobile phone and charger.

5. Stock Up on Supplies: Pack necessary supplies like water, non-perishable snacks, a blanket, and a roadside assistance guide. Consider carrying a map or a GPS device as a backup in case of navigation issues. Bring a car charger for electronic devices to stay connected on the go.

6. Organize Important Documents: Ensure you have your driver's license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance readily available. Keep these documents in a secure and easily accessible location within the car.

7. Plan Your Route and Check for Road Conditions: Research and plan your route in advance, considering traffic patterns and potential road closures. Stay updated on weather and road conditions to anticipate any detours or delays along the way.

Preparing your car for a road trip is crucial for a safe and enjoyable journey. Follow the checklist provided to perform a comprehensive vehicle inspection, address necessary maintenance, and gather essential items. By taking these steps, you can have peace of mind knowing that your car is ready for the adventure ahead. Enjoy your road trip with confidence, knowing you are prepared for any unexpected situations that may arise.

For more information and tips on cars, visit Microsoft Autos Marketplace .

From polo to pool, bourbon fest to nature observatory, the best things to to in Wellington

Though it may not have the immediate proximity to the beach that some other Palm Beach County municipalities can boast, Wellington has more than it's share of fun things to do.

If you love horses, this might be one of the best spots in the state and, in fact, it is actually known as the "winter equestrian capital of the world." From all variety of polo matches to the celebrated Winter Equestrian Festival, this community has definitely got you covered.

The village also hosts two multi-day food events each year in addition to a wildly popular green market during the fall/winter season.

Finally, if you're feeling the call of the wild, there's an environmental preserve and one of the top safari parks in the country just a few miles away.

Here are 12 fun things to do in Wellington:

1. spend a day at the national polo center.

The National Polo Center is home to eight fields, a stadium, restaurants, social club and more. The center enables the United States Polo Association to showcase tournaments and also help develop American players. Some of the larger tournaments include the U.S. Open Polo Championship, the National President's Cup and the NPC 16-Goal Championships. The center has been a draw for the royal family, from King Charles to Prince Harry. It is also a popular venue for weddings, engagement parties and corporate events.

Information: 3667 120th Ave. S., Wellington. nationalpolocenter.com

2. Check out the Winter Equestrian Festival and thousands of horses

Held at the Wellington International equestrian center, the 2024 event ran from Jan. 3 to March 31 and featured over 7,000 horses. Brought in from around the world, these powerful and majestic creatures competed in multiple events and shows for millions of dollars in prize money. The festival regularly brings in celebrity riders like Georgina Bloomberg, Eve Jobs, Jennifer Gates and Jessica Springsteen. Time to mark your calendar for 2025.

Information: 3400 Equestrian Club Drive, Wellington. wellingtoninternational.com

3. Get wet and wild at the Wellington Aquatics Complex

Their state of the art Olympic size pool is designed to meet competitive standards and features electronic touch pads connecting to a scoreboard. Though complex offers lots of great ways to get in shape, including lap swimming, swim clubs, swim meets and water aerobics, it is also designed for fun with two massive slides, diving boards, a sprayground, baby pool area and more. Want a have a party at the facility? You can do that to.

Information: 12072 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington. wellingtonfl.gov

4. Celebrate the holidays at Winterfest

Hosted by the Greater Wellington Chamber of Commerce and held at the Wellington Amphitheater, this annual event features rides, musical and dance performances, food vendors, a lounge for adults, a visit with Santa and has been hosted for several years by Wellington resident, music icon, philanthropist and actor Vanilla Ice.

Information: 12100 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington. wellingtonchamber.com/events/winterfest

5. In winter, check out the evening market at Wellington Town Center

The Lakeside Market is held on Friday nights, instead of the usual weekend mornings like so many others, patrons can enjoy a casual, laid-back, family-friendly (and dog friendly) environment with artisan and prepared foods, arts, crafts, beverages, entertainment, and stellar sunsets. The market is great place to unwind, socialize, and get an early start on the weekend. Though there is parking onsite, residents living on the lake are welcomed, even encouraged, to arrive by boat. The 2023-24 season ran from Sept. through February.

Information: 12150 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington. wellingtonlakesidemarket.com

6. Bacon & Bourbon Festival

Featuring prime examples of the most perfect food and beverage ever created, this March festival is packed with both. From every form or bacon and bacon-infused culinary delight to dozens of different bourbons to sample, along with seminars and live music, this is an event not to be missed.

Information: 12150 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington. baconbourbonfest.com

7. The pungent, powerful, wonderful South Florida Garlic Festival

Known as the "Best Stinkin' Party" in South Florida, this event has been going for a quarter of a century. Marking 25 years in 2024, this festival honors the perfectly pungent bulb with every garlic dish you could dream up from simple like a garlic bomb burger to the less conventional like garlic funnel cake strips or even garlic ice cream. In addition, this February festival features multiple top-notch live music acts each year.

Information: Village of Wellington Town Center & Amphitheater, 12100 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington. garlicfestfl.com

8. Find your inner Tarzan or Jane at Lion Country Safari

Let's just say Lion Country Safari is Wellington-adjacent, or just down the road. But the park that actually sits in Loxahatchees is worth the trip. Once again named one of the top 10 safari parks in the country, Lion Country Safari is home to over 1,000 animals roaming wide open, natural habitats in large herds, prides and troops. These include alpacas, Brazilian tapirs, greater kudus, impalas, ostriches, gemsbok, wildebeest, Asiatic water buffaloes, African lions, common elands, impalas, giraffes, zebras, southern white rhinoceros and many more. Opened in 1967 and situated on 600 acres, this is not one to miss.

Information: 2003 Lion Country Safari Road, Loxahatchee. lioncountrysafari.com

More: How great is Lion Country Safari? Zoo made this USA top 10 list for the seventh time!

9. See exotic animals up close at the Wellington Conservation Center

Caring for all unwanted and abandoned animals along with orphaned birds and mammals, they also specialize in the conservation of exotic animals under the threat of habitat loss and poaching. They feature tours guided by knowledgeable staff and offer unique interactions with exotic animals. Appointments required.

Information: 14990 Palm Beach Point Blvd., Wellington. wellingtonconservationcenter.org

10. Get a view from above at Wellington Environmental Preserve

This preserve at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Everglades Habitat is a 365-acre rainwater storage area with nature trails and learning centers. It features interior uplands and native landscaping that provide an exhibition of natural Florida from the paved pedestrian path and boardwalk to seven designated learning areas. There is a six story observation tower located at two of these areas. The preserve also includes a 3.6 mile perimeter equestrian trail that is an extension of the approximately 65-mile Wellington bridle trail system. The Preserve was named the 2010 “Project of the Year” by the Palm Beach County Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Information: 3491 Flying Cow Ranch Road, Wellington. wellingtonfl.gov/Facilities

11. Shop 'til you drop at The Mall at Wellington Green

When you need to beat the summer heat, head to this double decker mall. It is a shopper's paradise and includes stores like Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, Apple, Champs, Foot Locker, Gamestop, Hollister, Hot Topic and more. There are also plenty of places to grab a bite like Chick-Fil-A, California Pizza Kitchen, Cinnabon and The Madre's Mexican Fresh. In addition, the mall hosts regular events like Zumba with Jaime, fashion shows and more.

Information: 10300 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington. shopwellingtongreen.com

12. Swank Farmers Market

Running October through May each season, this Loxahatchee Groves market features live music and a variety of exceptional goods from over two dozen vendors. Shop under their 8,500 square-foot, open-air pole barn and stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables, savor a breakfast sandwich, or enjoy fresh coffee and a pastry. A few of their vendors include: Caribbean Plants and Produce, Paulie’s Pasta, Trinity Ranch Custom Beef, Gratitude Garden Farms, Dirty Bird Hot Sauce, Parce Cofee Roasters, Alonso Apiaries, Pork-etta, Palm Beach Plant Depot and Little Jon's Breakfast Sandwiches.

Information: 14311 North Road, Loxahatchee Groves. swankspecialtyproduce.com

Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post , part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at [email protected] . Help support our journalism. Subscribe today .

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The Essential Packing List for a Road Trip With a Baby
Laundry detergent — we did a bit of hand-washing. Baby Shampoo + Soap and brush. Thermometer and infant medications. Rash Cream and body ointment. Diapers, wipes, and changing pad. Baby brush and nail clippers if a longer trip. Nasal aspirator and saline drops. Burp cloths — these muslin ones are our favorite.
The Complete Baby Packing List for Travel
Our complete baby travel packing list outlines all the must-have items for traveling with a baby. From diaper-bag necessities to in-flight essential items, we've thought through everything you'll need on your next family vacation. Read on for packing tips, a printable packing list you can customize for each trip, and details about our ...
Baby Travel Checklist: What to Pack When Traveling With Children
Baby food: enough to last the whole trip if your baby is eating solids (or you can buy more when you get there for longer trips) Portable cooler and ice packs ; A bottle brush ; Infant utensils and a sippy cup if your baby uses one ; Resealable bags in different sizes to store snacks and soiled baby clothes
Road trip with a baby: The essential guide including Tips and Packing
Here are some baby road trip essentials to keep your little one up to 18 months happy, comfortable, and entertained. Toddlers will require a different list of road trip essentials that are geared more toward their level of maturity and development. ... Diapers are an obvious item for your baby road trip checklist. Consider overnight diapers if ...
Taking A Road Trip With Baby: Checklist + Packing List
Have a copy of your baby's birth certificate with you or request a kid's ID, a passport, etc. if needed. And don't forget the car documents. 4. Get your car checked and make sure baby's car seat is properly installed. 5. Have realistic (or no) expectations as far as the duration of your trip - plan a lot of stops.
Road Trip with Baby: Essential Travel Packing List & Tips
Eufy Baby Monitor Check Availability. BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light Check Availability. Blackout Cover for Pack 'n Play Check Availability. Baby Tula Lite Baby Carrier (with fanny pack) Check Availability. Here's the list of road trip items we took, many of which are the best baby products for travel. The below list is based on a three-day two ...
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Shirts & Onesies | Usually 2-3 tops, adding 2-3 more in winter months. Dresses or Rompers | Usually 2-3 for warmer destinations, because they're so easy to pack and don't require mixing and matching tops and bottoms. Socks | 2-3 pairs, even in the summer months in case we end up somewhere chilly.
The ONLY Baby Packing List YOU NEED (+ FREE printable)
Baby Travel Checklist. Like any trip, there's much more to think about than just your packing list. ... While this might seem like more of a checklist for flying with a baby, rest assured that it can also be used for road trips with a baby. Travel-Checklist-2022 Download. Checklist for Travel with Baby - FAQs.
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Travel gear. To get your baby from point A to point B, you'll need a few basics. Travel stroller. If you're running late to catch a flight, it's much easier to push your baby in a lightweight umbrella stroller than to carry them through a long terminal. Some travel strollers are Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved and fold to fit in the carry-on bins on board, but most get gate-checked.
12 Road Trip Essentials for Traveling with a Baby
A smart stash of supplies will keep your little one comfortable and content on your travels. This road trip with baby checklist includes everything from snacks for all parties involved, ways to keep kiddo comfortable in their car seat, and extra supplies like books and new toys to make the trip actually enjoyable. 1. First Aid Kit
Road Trip With A Baby: 10 Essential Survival Tips + Packing List!
We advise packing 2-3 onesies in your travel bag to cover all of your bases - it'll save you needing to dig them out of suitcases on the side of the road for those emergency diaper changes. 7. Prepare for Frequent Stops. Taking baby on the road goes hand-in-hand with stopping. Frequently.
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Traveling with an infant will be less frustrating if you plan to take frequent breaks, ideally somewhere that will entertain your baby. We're not talking about Disney World, but rather places like parks and shopping malls. Even marinas and roadside construction sites can provide some much-needed distractions during a road trip with baby.
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4. Getting Baby Sleeping in the Car. Every baby is unique and hopefully you'll have a good idea of what conditions make your baby sleep in the car. This is stating the obvious, but for a baby on a road trip, sleeping in the car is a great way to easily pass the time. Our daughter asleep in the car.
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The Ultimate Travel Checklist - Baby Edition! Use this quick-hit packing checklist for your next trip. There's so much stuff to bring but your upcoming trip will be full of good times and worth ALL of the hassle. Car Seat + Cover + Carrying Bag. Travel Stroller.
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There are some cultural practices too that restrict travel for 40 days or even 6 months. But as per medical advice, it is completely safe to travel with an infant. Road trip by car is the most convenient mode of travelling with an infant. Feeding Essentials. The number one priority on any road-trip with a baby, is the baby's health.
10 Tips for Road Tripping With an Infant
Tips and tricks for taking a road trip with an infant, including advice on how to keep the baby comfortable, calm nerves, and stay rested. ... Vacation Packing Checklist for France Tips for Taking a Road Trip With Kids Driving in Paris, France The 8 Best Bags and Backpacks for Disney of 2024, Tested and Reviewed ...
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Baby Travel Checklist - Pool & Beach. Heading to the pool or beach on your family vacation there are several more baby items you'll want to consider packing: Swim Diapers - Designed to keep your infant from having number 2 accidents, these come in disposable swim diapers or re-usable swim diapers.
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Moreover, the "trifecta checklist" is a great tip for traveling with a baby, period. Plan For Several Stops. ... Eventually, you will learn your baby's road trip habits to plan for a weekend getaway with a 4-5 hour road trip. Road Trip with a Baby ( 1 - 4 Months)
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Diapers: "A good rule of thumb is to pack at least two days worth of diapers for possible delays (and blowouts!).". Baby wipes: Toss in at least one pack of 50+ wipes. Diaper cream. Changing pad. Bags: Disposable diaper bags, plastic bags for trash and a bunch of Ziploc bags for good measure.
2024 Ultimate Family Road Trip Packing List (+Free Printable Checklists)
Diaper bag - Include an extra in car diaper bag for easy access with young'uns. Fill with extra diapers, wipes, a plastic bag or a resuable wet bag, a couple of changes of clothes that is easy to grab and carry at rest stops. Towels - As a safety precaution, it never hurts to add a few towels to your packing road trip.
Road Trip Essentials: Packing Checklist (with Printable PDF)
If you are camping, check out my car camping packing checklist which has additional gear like a stove, cookset, etc. Here is the food and cooking essentials I pack on a road trip. Cooler: A cooler will keep your fruit, veggies, dips, dand other snacks cold so you can eat fresh on the road. Reusable Water Bottle: An insulated water bottle will ...
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Checkout this 11 step checklist for planning your ultimate road trip with baby compiled by our team of registered nurses and moms. 843-879-4878 [email protected] Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm. Search for: Home; About. ... Travel Checklist For Road Trip with Baby. May 18, 2021 Mandy Owens Baby Care, Charleston Activities, Travel.
55 Road Trip Packing List Essentials [With PDF Checklist]
Jump Leads. Lug Wrench. Spare Tire & Locking Wheel Nut Key. Car Jack: Along with the other car safety items in this packing list, it will mean you are well prepared. They typically contain Jumper Cables, Light Sticks, Reflective Vests, Rain Ponchos, Warning triangles, Whistles, Tire Pressure Gauges, etc.
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Check the tire tread and pressure, brake system, lights, fluid levels, battery, and wiper blades. Address any necessary repairs or maintenance to ensure your car is roadworthy. 2. Change the Oil ...
Must-to checklist for Wellington, home of multiple festivals and fun
Information: 3667 120th Ave. S., Wellington. nationalpolocenter.com. 2. Check out the Winter Equestrian Festival and thousands of horses. Held at the Wellington International equestrian center ...

The Essential Packing List for a Road Trip With a Baby

Essential Packing List for a Road Trip With a Baby

Flexibility

What to Keep in the Front of the Car

Feeding Essentials

Other Essentials

Everything Else to Pack

Sleep Essentials

Hygiene + Medical + Diapering

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PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!

1. Book Your Flights

2. Book Your Accommodations

3. Book Your Tours & Experiences

4. Book Your Car

5. Don’t Forget Airport Lounge Access

6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

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What to Pack When Traveling With Baby

Go to Your Baby's Age

Road trip with a baby: The essential guide including Tips and Packing list

What Should I pack for a road trip with my baby?

How much time should I allocate for a road trip with my baby?

How do I change my baby’s diaper on a road trip?

How do I prevent my baby from crying in the car?

Drive while the baby is sleeping .

Take timely breaks .

Sit in the backseat.

My baby won’t stop crying. What do I do?

Give the baby a pacifier.

Use the “baby shusher”.

Give them snacks.

Road Tripping with a Baby: Packing List

Food and Drink

Supplies for momma

Additional items that make for a more comfortable trip

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Taking A Road Trip With Baby: Checklist + Packing List

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ROAD TRIPPING WITH A BABY

Top 7 Tips For A Successful Road Trip With Baby How to prepare your mind and what to do before embarking on the journey

1. Talk to your healthcare providers

2. Make a solid packing list

3. C ollect all the needed documents

4. Get your car checked and make sure baby’s car seat is properly installed

5. Have realistic (or no) expectations as far as the duration of your trip – plan a lot of stops

6. Take short trips with baby first, before embarking on a longer journey

7. In these times – check current Covid-related regulations of places you’re traveling through and to

Travel Essentials For A Road Trip With Baby

Safe Travels!

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What to expect on your first trip with a baby

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The Ultimate Packing List for Baby Travel (+printable checklist!)

Read on for our ultimate baby packing list of EVERYTHING you might ever need when traveling with a baby! (+a free printable checklist at the bottom of this post!)

Baby Packing List | Travel Gear

Baby Packing List | Clothes

Baby Packing List | Nursing & Feeding

Baby Packing List | Health & Bath

Baby Packing List | Play & Sleep

Baby Packing List | Miscellaneous Must-Haves