Road trip with one year old!

We are planning a road trip for July next year for Me, my girlfriend and our soon to be born son/daughter!! we have been to the usa on road trip vacations many times now so know what to expect with regards to driving distance and things like that, but this will be our first child so We are just after some advice from some one who has been there, done that! (with a child in tow).
Also we have yet to decide on destination. We are looking at two options, California (North to south) or Florida (Loop).
We have 3 weeks, so can afford to take our time and not have the baby in the car for hours on end!

Thanks for all the advice in advance.

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

Not only will your life change drastically with the arrival of your first child, but everything will change again just about when he/she turns one and becomes 'mobile'. Fortunately, at such a young age, stops need not be anything like major theme parks and the like that become necessary at a later age. Very young children are quite happy just running about a bit and splashing in a small lake every few hours. And mom and dad will also enjoy the breaks from driving and the chance to enjoy some quality time on the trip as well. Where you go will make no difference to the child. It will all be new to him/her, so just start discussing this with your significant other and go where you will.

AZBuck

Thanks for the quick reply!

Congratulations on the upcoming event. You sound like you are well aware that you will have a very different road trip this time. And AZBuck has given you some great advice. Flexibility is the key. Children do not understand or respect a rigid itenary. And so long as you are aware of this, and are prepared to stop when required, there is no reason why you should not have great trips. We had many with our children, which did not always take us where we wanted to go, but have left lasting memories.

Lifey

Our children traveled with us by car from the time they were born until they left the house a few years back. As long as we stopped to let them stretch, go to the bathroom, get a drink, they were fine. We kept an arsenal of small toys in the car with us. I kept tapes that they'd like, and we would either play those or we'd just sing when they got old enough.


Donna

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Originally Posted by DonnaR57

Our children traveled with us by car from the time they were born until they left the house a few years back. As long as we stopped to let them stretch, go to the bathroom, get a drink, they were fine. We kept an arsenal of small toys in the car with us. I kept tapes that they'd like, and we would either play those or we'd just sing when they got old enough.


Donna

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Same here! Our first born was going on road trips at ages 7 months. Make sure you bring some things from home that are familiar to them like favorite blanket or stuffed animal.

Utahtea

Thanks for all the advice and reassurance!! We cant wait for it now!!