10 Hour Drive with a 17 month old

[LSUmiss]

Any advice on driving 10 hours with a 17 month old? We drove with him at 7 mos & he did fine but wondering how he’ll do once he’s more mobile. We don’t 100% have to drive & are debating whether we should fly or split the drive up in 2 days? Thoughts?

ETA: Driving overnight is not an option & he is not the type to sleep long periods in the car.

 

[Clark W Griswold]

First of all Geaux Tigers. Assuming you’re near me since it’s a 10 hour drive. We went twice withs that age. First time we flew because I had Southwest points. Yes it was easier but also could be $1000 or more. The second time we decided to drive and stopped about halfway near Marianna, FL. We even took the scenic route to let the kids get out of the car a bit at the beach. That worked for us so we will probably keep doing it. Anytime our drive is more than 7 hours we break it up.

 

[LSUmiss]

First of all Geaux Tigers. Assuming you’re near me since it’s a 10 hour drive. We went twice withs that age. First time we flew because I had Southwest points. Yes it was easier but also could be $1000 or more. The second time we decided to drive and stopped about halfway near Marianna, FL. We even took the scenic route to let the kids get out of the car a bit at the beach. That worked for us so we will probably keep doing it. Anytime our drive is more than 7 hours we break it up.

Geaux Tigers! Thank you. That’s about what I thought. I do have points too right now that’s why I’m debating. Think flying will be best especially by the time you add in the extra days of travel to stop 1/2 way.

 

[Clark W Griswold]

I agree completely. We used National rent a car which lets you pick any vehicle they have so we got a Buick Enclave for more room. Rented a double stroller through Orland Strollers which was at our condo when we arrived. We flew from New Orleans a little after noon thinking our kids might sleep but didn’t and we were at our hotel by 5pm Eastern time. Checked in and went to get dinner and groceries.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Geaux Tigers! Thank you. That’s about what I thought. I do have points too right now that’s why I’m debating. Think flying will be best especially by the time you add in the extra days of travel to stop 1/2 way.

are you planning on getting him a seat or lapping him? it will seem lime for ever if you are struggling keeping him on your lap. would not plan on being able to walk him up and down the aisle and you can not use tray table with child on your lap. at least if he has his own seat you can use his carseat where he is used to staying

 

[Clark W Griswold]

I wouldn’t pay for a seat for that age unless he was huge. Ours sat in our lap the whole time and did fine. It’s a short flight.

 

[LSUmiss]

are you planning on getting him a seat or lapping him? it will seem lime for ever if you are struggling keeping him on your lap. would not plan on being able to walk him up and down the aisle and you can not use tray table with child on your lap. at least if he has his own seat you can use his carseat where he is used to staying

I was planning on buying him a seat but not using a car seat just holding him for take off & landing & letting him be in the seat the rest of the flight. Should be like 1 1/2 flight max. I talked to SW & they made it sound like that is permitted.

 

[KrazeeK120]

We drove 16 hours with our son at 18 months and the week before he turned 3. We split the drive into 2 days. On the way down, we did 8/8, but on the way back we did 6/10 in order to visit a park on our last day. Driving 10 hours in 1 day is certainly doable. Our son did fine...he watched movies in the car and we had some kid friendly music that we listened to. We took frequent breaks and actually stopped for meals. He did doze off a couple of times. It wasn’t bad either time. He did fine on both trips.

 

[LSUmiss]

I wouldn’t pay for a seat for that age unless he was huge. Ours sat in our lap the whole time and did fine. It’s a short flight.

Well, he is big boy that’s be only reason I’m debating it. He’s only 9 mos now so I’m planning our next trip & not sure how big he’ll by then.

 

[ptlohmysoul]

Definitely fly. It is so much more convenient at that age - and the lap child is free. We started flying because of the kids and haven't stopped . I would suggest you take your own stroller as that is convenient to have at the airport and it can be checked for free at the gate (at least the airlines we use).

 

[chicagoshannon]

I was planning on buying him a seat but not using a car seat just holding him for take off & landing & letting him be in the seat the rest of the flight. Should be like 1 1/2 flight max. I talked to SW & they made it sound like that is permitted.

This is a YMMV situation. We flew with my 18 month old niece this summer. On the way to CA they let her sit in her mom's lap on the way home they did NOT permit it. So don't count on being able to hold him.

We've driven several times with both of our kids when they were that age. It's much easier to get all the drive over with in one day especially with it only being 10 hours (our drive is 18). You just have to buckle down and push through. My kids were really good car sleeper so we'd either leave at night or try to correspond it with nap or bedtime. Since that's not an option just bring lots of snacks and videos.

 

[Clark W Griswold]

We brought an umbrella stroller for the airport and rented a nice jogging stroller for the parks. That worked better for us and made it one less thing to pack and worry about getting broken.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I was planning on buying him a seat but not using a car seat just holding him for take off & landing & letting him be in the seat the rest of the flight. Should be like 1 1/2 flight max. I talked to SW & they made it sound like that is permitted.

will you need carseat for rental? would not trust carseat to be place in cargo hold. seen too many dropped to pavement while loading. ps he will most likely be able to wiggle out of seatbelt even when fastened. been there and done it before carseats were allowed on most planes. think about the 1 1/2 hour flight being at home watching tv will your child be happy sitting watching tv or is he going to want to be up moving. yes I have done this granted it was a longer flight but I would sure be using a carseat if doing now