Planning an American road trip with kids can be an incredible adventure! Here’s a clear and organized checklist to help you prepare, including affiliate link opportunities for car rentals, accommodations, and gear.

Step 1: Work Out a Budget

Budgeting is essential to avoid financial stress during your trip. Consider the following costs:

• Transportation: Gas, insurance, parking, and car rental. Use [Affiliate Car Rental Link] to book affordable and reliable vehicles.

• Gear: Tents, sleeping bags, camping stoves, and clothing. Shop during sales or borrow items from friends and family.

• Accommodation: Choose between camping/RV parks or hotels/Airbnbs. If you prefer home comforts, book through [Affiliate Airbnb Link] for discounts.

• Food: Decide between groceries or eating out. Healthy food options may be limited in certain states—plan accordingly.

• Attraction Fees: Research free attractions vs. paid ones. Parking fees at popular sites like Mount Rushmore can add up ($10 per car).

Step 2: Pick the Right Vehicle

Choose a vehicle that suits your family’s needs:

• Camper Van: Great for families who enjoy camping but require advance booking for RV parks.

• SUV or Minivan: Offers comfort, space, and practicality for long drives. Consider renting a “soccer mom van” for maximum convenience. 

• Avoid vehicles that may cause stress, like convertibles (limited space and security concerns).We rented all 3 of the vehicles through Auto Europe, and the service was exceptional. Please consider supporting this site by using our affiliate link. HERE

Step 3: Plan Your Route

Your route should balance driving time with activities. Children have short attention spans and there is so much to see even in the less touristy spots.

• Use Google Maps to create a personalized itinerary.

• Focus on destinations that offer natural wonders and wildlife experiences for kids. National Parks are well-managed and accessible.

• Include rest stops every few hours to keep children entertained and refreshed.

Step 4: Essential Gear Checklist

Prepare the right gear to ensure comfort and safety:

• Car Seat: Invest in a high-quality car seat for long drives. This was the best investment I made.

• Plastic Storage Boxes: Useful for organizing items and keeping food safe from wildlife like bears.

• Comfortable Shoes: Pack all-terrain sandals and sneakers for varied weather conditions. Consider changing weather conditions. We were not prepared for snow in September, but Montana was.

• Sleeping Bags & Pillows: Good sleep is crucial for everyone’s mood during the trip!

• Snacks & Food Supplies: Stock up on healthy snacks like trail mix, fruits, and crackers. Long distances and food desserts are common in the US.

Step 5: Use Helpful Resources

Make use of these tools to plan your trip effectively:

• Road Trip Apps: Find top-rated apps for navigation, gas prices, and attractions.

• Pinterest Boards: Explore curated boards for travel inspiration, you can check ours out HERE.

• Family Travel Bloggers: Follow trusted accounts on Instagram for tips and tricks.

• Lonely Planet Guides: Comprehensive travel guides in paperback format.

Step 6: Keep Kids Entertained

Road trips with kids can be challenging without proper entertainment options:

• Pack activity books, crayons, magnetic games, and audiobooks; we loved watercolor pens and window jellies on our trip.

• Introduce fun games like scavenger hunts or the “50 Mile Game” (give small surprises every 50 miles)

• We chose to go screen-free. I reserved screen time for the evening so I could also relax.

Step 7: Accommodation Options

Choose accommodation that fits your budget and preferences:

• Camping/RV Parks: Affordable but require gear preparation. Book spots early.

• Motels/Hotels/Airbnbs: We used Booking.com and found the best and most affordable options there.

• .KOA – offers cabin accommodations and not just camping spots. They were affordable and easy to book.

Step 8: Food Planning Tips

Food can be tricky depending on the region you visit in the U.S.:

• Pack healthy snacks like dried fruits, nuts, and grains. We packed a crate of  Oranges and apples. 

• Research grocery stores along your route to avoid shortages (e.g., fresh eggs may not be available in remote areas).

Step 9: Safety Essentials

Ensure safety throughout the trip by packing these items:

• Motion sickness bags.

• First aid kit.

• Scissors.

• A swiss army knife.

• Sunscreen and bug spray.

Step 10: BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

Don’t skimp here. You need solid health and accident insurance if you are not a US citizen. We used our America Express Platinum card to book all travel, car rental, and accommodation, as well as check in with their policy and let them know we would be taking an extended trip to the USA. Consider supporting us by signing up for Amex with our unique link HERE.

If you reached this point and thought, “Is she serious?” After all this planning, sourcing, booking, and organizing, will I have a good time? You will.  

I can’t stress this enough: If you want to travel with kids and enjoy yourself, you have to come with a very positive mental attitude, a can-do approach, and the ability to feel like every problem has a solution because, honestly, it does.

I discuss this in my “How to Nail Early Morning Travel” post. Nailing travel with kids is all about mindset, and planning an American road trip with kids is no different.

HOW TO PLAN  AN AMERICAN ROAD TRIP – THE GEAR

NOTHING YOU SEE IN THIS PICTURE IS MINE APART FROM THE CHILD. RENT, BORROW, TRADE.

HOW TO PLAN  AN AMERICAN ROAD TRIP – ENTHUSIASM

 

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