19 Hours in the Car: What Our Family Road Trip Taught Me
Let me start by saying this: 19 hours in a car with kids is an adventure all by itself.
When we planned our road trip, I knew it was going to be a long drive. But looking at the estimated time on the GPS is very different from actually experiencing those hours on the road.
We originally planned for about 9 hours of driving in one day.
That sounded completely reasonable when we planned it.
Then reality happened.
By the time we stopped for breakfast, got gas, stopped for lunch, got gas again, used the bathroom, dealt with traffic and construction, and took care of everything else that comes with traveling with kids, our 9-hour plan turned into about 12 hours in the car.
And that was one of the biggest lessons from our trip: when you’re traveling with kids, the GPS driving time isn’t necessarily your actual travel time.
The 9-Hour Drive That Became 12 Hours
One of the things that added time to our trip was stopping for food and gas. Those stops may seem quick when you’re planning your trip, but they really do add up.
We also dealt with construction on I-95 North and South, which was another reminder that traffic conditions can change your plans.
When you’re planning a long drive, it’s easy to think, “It’s only nine hours.”
But nine hours of actual driving can turn into 10, 11, or even 12 hours when you add everything else.
So that’s something I’ll definitely remember for our next trip. I won’t just plan around the number of hours the GPS says we’ll be driving. I’ll think about the entire day.
Our First Mistake: Waiting to Eat
One thing I would definitely change next time is waiting until our first stop to eat.
We figured we’d get on the road and stop for breakfast.
That sounded simple enough, but once you’re several hours into the drive and everyone is hungry, you’re ready to stop whether you’ve reached your planned destination or not.
Next time, I’d either eat before leaving or have breakfast and snacks packed and ready to go.
It doesn’t have to be anything complicated. Just having something familiar available can make things easier when everyone starts getting hungry.
Then Came the Motion Sickness
One of the more stressful moments of the trip was when my daughter got sick after looking down at her screen.
It was a good reminder that while tablets and phones are great for keeping kids entertained, looking down at a screen for a long time can make motion sickness worse for some children.
We had Dramamine with us, but it also reminded me how important it is to know exactly how the medication you’re using is supposed to be given.
If your child takes Dramamine, follow the directions for the specific product, including the recommended timing and dosing. And if your trip ends up taking longer than expected, don’t assume you can simply give another dose because you’re still in the car.
If you’re unsure about the timing or dosing, check with your child’s pediatrician or pharmacist.
BUY THE THROW-UP BAGS!
This might be my biggest practical recommendation from the entire trip.
Buy the throw-up bags.
We had them with us, and when my daughter got sick, having one right there saved us from a huge cleanup.
I don’t even want to imagine trying to clean everything if we hadn’t had that bag ready.
Instead, we were able to deal with it quickly and keep moving.
The important part is to keep them somewhere you can actually reach them. Don’t put them in a suitcase buried underneath everything else.
I also kept paper towels, wipes, plastic bags, hand sanitizer, and extra clothes nearby.
That little bit of preparation made a big difference.
The Kids’ Devices: Charge Them!
There is no denying that electronics can make a long car ride much easier for kids.
Movies, games, music and other entertainment can help pass the time.
But before leaving, make sure every device is charged.
And bring a charging block or car charger with the correct cables.
After several hours in the car, those batteries don’t last forever.
A dead tablet halfway through a long drive can turn into a very unhappy passenger, so this is one thing that’s worth doing the night before.
What I’ll Do Differently Next Time
After this trip, I have a much better idea of what works for our family.
I’ll make sure we have food ready before we’re too far into the drive. I’ll give ourselves more time than the GPS estimate suggests, especially when traveling through areas with construction or heavy traffic.
I’ll also keep the motion-sickness supplies and throw-up bags within easy reach instead of packed away.
And I’ll make sure everyone’s devices are fully charged before we pull out of the driveway.
None of these things are complicated, but when you’re spending hours and hours in the car, those little details can make a huge difference.
The Biggest Lesson
The biggest thing I learned is that a long road trip with kids is about being flexible.
You can have a plan, but you also have to be prepared for that plan to change.
Our nine-hour driving day became twelve hours. We dealt with construction. We had an unexpected case of carsickness. We made more stops than we originally planned.
But we got through it.
And that’s what I’ll remember most.
A 19-hour road trip isn’t just about getting from one destination to another. It’s about everything that happens along the way.
Would I plan a few things differently next time?
Absolutely.
Would I do the trip again?
Definitely.
Because even with the extra hours, the stops, the traffic and the unexpected moments, it was still an adventure our family got to experience together.
And sometimes those unplanned moments become the best stories to tell later.
Here’s to the next road trip — hopefully with a little less traffic, fewer surprises, and definitely plenty of throw-up bags!
Happy road-tripping!