Episode 112: First Road Trip With Baby? 10 Tips For Road Tripping With 6 Month Old
Planning a road trip with a newborn and wondering if it’s a good idea? Last summer, we planned our first family road trip. My mom, Baby K, and I packed our bags and we drove five hours to Saranac Lake in upstate New York. We had a chance to visit The Wild Center, a natural history museum exploring wildlife and nature in the Adirondacks. As a new mom, I was anxious about our first road trip with a baby. While I wasn’t sure what to expect, I was up for the challenge. In this episode, I share ten helpful tips for planning a road trip with a six-month-old baby. To beat the overwhelm, my biggest takeaways for baby car travel — be prepared, remain patient, and be flexible.
Listen to the episode here:
Listen on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Pandora | Podlink
5 Hour Road Trip With a Baby Guide
10 Tips for enjoying a road trip with a baby.

In this episode, we cover:
- Why you should pack your bags days before a road trip.
- Overpacking is normal; you’ll need all the things.
- Dressing your baby in comfortable road trip attire the night before.
- Feed and burp your baby before a road trip.
- Have someone sit with the baby.
- What to pack when road-tripping with a baby.
- How to handle stressful situations.
- Why you shouldn’t care if people judge you.
- Drive while your baby sleeps.
- How often to stop on a road trip with baby.
Watch the episode here:
Resources Mentioned
Chase has updated the welcome offer on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
Now you can earn 80,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® Points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening an account. That’s an additional 20,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® Points from the previous offer.
Disclaimer: This offer is accurate as of the publishing date of this episode; however, the offers mentioned may have expired.
Read Next: Best travel podcasts for road trips
Pack Days Before Trip
Waiting until the last minute is overwhelming, and you’re more likely to forget something. I recommend packing 2-3 days before your trip, so you’re less stressed. Stay organized by making a baby road trip packing list. When creating your baby essentials packing list, think of what to pack for meals, baths, sleeping, and playing.
Overpacking is Normal
Preparing for your first road trip with baby, you’ll likely overpack. Even so, you might still forget something important at home.
Dress Your Baby For the Occasion
If you choose to head out early in the morning, change your baby to comfy road trip clothing the night before, so you don’t disturb them while sleeping.
Feed Baby Before Heading Out
This may only sometimes work but do your best to feed and burp your baby before getting into the car.
Ride in the Backseat
Have someone sit with them as a companion. While mom drove, I sat in the back to attend to Baby K’s needs.
Have Baby Essentials Handy
Have bottles, milk, diapers, wipes, paper towels, pacifiers, and toys handy – not in the trunk of your car. You’re going to need them all.
Babies Have Tantrums
Long road trips with a baby are uncomfortable for them and us. Do your best to comfort them.
Take Breaks
You know your baby best.
Get that pacifier and sway them back and forth.
Roll down the window. Do what you have to do!
Ignore the Judgement
Don’t mind people looking at you — maybe they’re judging you, but who cares — you are doing your best.
Drive When Baby Sleeps
Know your baby’s sleeping pattern and plan your driving schedule accordingly. Leaving early means avoiding traffic.
Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy
Traveling With Kids as a Single Parent With Daniella Gibbs – Episode 15
12 Ways To Save on Summer Travel – Episode 106
What To Pack For Road Trips – Episode 101
Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett
Follow The Thought Card Podcast on your favorite podcast player.
Instagram: @thedanielledesir
Twitter: @thethoughtcard
What tips would you add? Share your road trip with baby tips in the comments below.

Danielle Desir Corbett paid off $63,000 of student loan debt in 4 years, bought a house at 27, and has traveled to 27 countries, including her favorites, Iceland, China, and Bermuda. Go here to learn Danielle’s incredible story, from struggling financially and in debt to finding creative ways to earn more and live on her terms. Listen to The Thought Card Podcast, where Danielle shares how you can creatively travel more and build wealth regardless of your current financial situation. Reach out to Danielle by contacting: thethoughtcard (at) gmail (dot) com.
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!