How to Plan the Perfect Family Road Trip Route
Let’s get one thing straight: planning the perfect family road trip route isn’t about plotting a flawless course where nothing goes wrong and every rest stop has gourmet coffee and sparkling bathrooms. That place doesn’t exist. (If it does, please send me the link immediately.)
But with a little strategy—and a healthy dose of humor—you can map out a trip that’s fun, flexible, and not entirely fueled by desperation and fruit snacks.
Whether you’re a Type A itinerary-maker or a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-car-
Table of Contents
Start With Your “Why”
Before you open Google Maps or start color-coding a spreadsheet (no judgment, you beautiful planner, you), take a moment to ask: Why are we doing this road trip in the first place?
- Visiting family?
- Showing your kids the Grand Canyon before they think everything is “cringe”?
Knowing your “why” will help shape your route. A chill beach-hopping trip looks different than a history-themed trek through Civil War battlefields (Gettysburg, anyone?) or a National Park power tour. Start with the vibe, then build the map.
Pick a Realistic Destination (and Back)
This is the part where we embrace a hard truth: just because you can technically drive from Chicago to Yellowstone in two days doesn’t mean you should. Especially not with a toddler whose favorite activity is removing their socks and throwing them at their siblings. Been there, done that.
Here’s a good rule of thumb for drive time with families:
- With Littles (0–5): 4–5 hours max
- With Big Kids (6–12): 6–7 hours
- With Teens: 7–8 hours if they have snacks, chargers, and noise-canceling headphones
- With Freaks of Nature: Our kids are so down for an adventure that they’re content being in a car for even longer than 8 hours! We pack a ton of snacks, and they have their road trip essentials to keep them happy.
Break up longer distances into segments. Give yourself cushion time, not just for bathroom breaks but for those magical, unplanned moments—like discovering a roadside petting zoo or a gas station that sells deep-fried Oreos. (Road trip gold.)
Scenic vs. Direct: Choose Your Adventure
This is the classic road trip dilemma: do we take the direct route, or do we meander?
- The Direct Route
Best for: tight timelines, younger kids, trips where you’re just trying to get there already
Bonus: fewer chances of someone getting carsick on twisty backroads. - The Scenic Route
Best for: longer trips, kids who can handle a bit of extra time, or families who enjoy the “off the beaten path” vibe
Bonus: Instagram-worthy views, quirky pit stops, and better storytelling later
Want a compromise? Plan your scenic stops around practical needs. Hit a beautiful state park for a picnic lunch or detour through a charming small town when you need to refuel. It’s the road trip version of sneaking spinach into mac and cheese.
Build in the “Three S’s”: Snacks, Stops, and Surprises
Every great route has flexibility built in. That’s where the “Three S’s” come in:
- Snacks:
Know your route well enough to identify snack needs. Pack your favorites, but also note where grocery stores or healthy options might pop up. This isn’t just survival—it’s morale management. - Stops:
Aim for a real stop (not just a bathroom sprint) every 2–3 hours. Think parks, playgrounds, cool roadside attractions, or even just a pretty rest area. Pro tip: picnic lunches = budget win + fresh air. - Surprises:
Leave space in your itinerary for the unexpected. That funny billboard advertising the “World’s Largest Rubber Band Ball”? Go see it. Let your kids pick one random stop. The best memories are often the least planned.
Tools to Help You Plot Like a Pro
Tech is your friend—but don’t rely only on it. Here’s a combo of apps and good old-fashioned know-how:
- Google Maps or Waze: For plotting routes and spotting traffic
- Roadtrippers: Lets you see cool stops, restaurants, and attractions along your route
- iExit: Tells you what’s coming up on your highway exit (restrooms, food, etc.)
- Offline Maps (like Maps.me): Great for dead zones in rural areas
- Paper Map: Because GPS betrayal is real, and you don’t want to explain to your kids why you’re crying in a cornfield in Iowa
Get the Kids Involved
Yes, even the little ones. If they feel like part of the planning, they’ll be more engaged in the journey.
Let them:
- Help choose stops from a list of options
- Pick a “trip mascot” stuffed animal that tags along
- Create a travel bingo or scavenger hunt game based on your route
You’re not just making memories—you’re building travel confidence in tiny humans.
Time It Right
Leaving at 6 AM might feel like punishment, but it can actually be genius if your kids will sleep through the first couple of hours. On the flip side, traveling during peak traffic or nap-deprivation zones? Not it.
Some tips:
- Avoid rush hour if you’re going through a major city
- Plan to stop for a longer break in the mid-afternoon (when everyone’s cranky)
- Know your kids’ rhythms: time your driving for their happiest hours
Back-Up Plans = Sanity
Your route is not set in stone.
Repeat after me: It’s okay to change the plan.
To help my pretend I’m not Type-A as s***, I always have backup plans built into my itinerary. Places that we can visit if there’s time, things that we can ditch, if needed. Things to do in the event or rain, or when the kids were younger meltdowns.
Have a few backup stops saved on your phone in case:
- A park is closed
- It rains
- Someone suddenly must pee even though they “didn’t have to go five minutes ago”
Flexibility is your co-pilot. Don’t try to control the journey—embrace the adventure.
Don’t Overplan Every Minute
You are not a cruise director. You are a road trip parent. There is a difference.
Structure is good—chaos is not. But overloading your days with 17 things to see/do/photo will make everyone grumpy by 2 PM.
Pick 1–2 anchor experiences per day. The rest? Leave it open. That’s where the magic lives.
Final Thoughts From the Driver’s Seat
Planning a road trip route with kids isn’t about perfection—it’s about purpose. Where do you want to go, and what do you want to feel along the way?
You can’t control traffic, weather, or your child’s sudden distaste for their favorite snacks. But you can craft a trip that mixes practicality with play, purpose with whimsy, and plans with just enough flexibility to make room for wonder.
So fire up your map apps, charge the tablets, and get ready to play navigator, snack curator, and chief memory maker.
Our next pitstop will be Mastering Google Maps for the Ultimate Road Trip Plan. See you there!
Free Family Road Trip Starter Kit
🎶 Ready to hit the road with magic in the speakers?
Don’t forget to grab our FREE Family Road Trip Starter Kit — packed with printable checklists, kid-approved games, and snack ideas for your next adventure!
🎒 Includes:
Packing checklist
I Spy game
Travel Bingo boards
Snack list
Activity ideas
Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure
For future reference, be sure to save our post “Planning the Perfect Family Road Trip Route”! While you’re at it, take a look at our printable children’s travel journals, they are the perfect way to keep your kiddos entertained in the car. Read about how you can start your own 50 State Challenge! Pin one of the images below to Pinterest. Go ahead and follow 5 Suitcases on Pinterest while you’re at it!
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