We've done a lot of long distance driving - things I've learned:
Lots of pp say 3AM is a great time to leave, and it is, unless it's going to put you where the traffic is worst right at rush hour - i.e., DC at 8 AM or Chicago at 4:30 PM (Miscalculated and done both. ) so figure 2 hours of driving for every 100 miles factoring in time for pit stops (kids have to go at the darndest times). Estimate where that distance will put you relative to rush hour and adjust your departure relative to that.
With young kids, plan to stop at least once for a play break. Something as simple as a 1/2 an hour at a McDonalds playground will make your kids much more bearable when arrive at your destination after you've been on the road for hours. I've spent hours walking the hotel hallways after dark cause the pool was closed and the kids were restless after being in the car all day.
Even if you plan to stop for breaks pack your own snacks. The ones at the rest areas are very very expensive and every so often the lines at the rest area have just been so long that it would take over an hour just to get a pack of crackers. That $5 box of Ritz bits indiviual packets will seem like the best investment ever. Also pack juice boxes or water bottles to keep them away from the soda machines.
Similar to pp with the shoe box we allow each kid to fill a backpack full of their own toys and books to keep at their feet. Things that you would never think of they will play with for hours in the car. My DS' will pull out toys from the bottom of the toy bins and i'm always but they have fun with them.
Have them pack their toys in ziploc baggies or the tupperware sandwich keepers as it's a great way for them to keep their pieces together.
For activities in the car, we found that one or two new toys can also be a true blessing. Something really simple that they have no idea about even if it didn't cost a lot, will really hold their attention. We've found things like an airplane whose propeller will spin when held up to the window or a small fold up play set are awesome.
Lots of pp say 3AM is a great time to leave, and it is, unless it's going to put you where the traffic is worst right at rush hour - i.e., DC at 8 AM or Chicago at 4:30 PM (Miscalculated and done both. ) so figure 2 hours of driving for every 100 miles factoring in time for pit stops (kids have to go at the darndest times). Estimate where that distance will put you relative to rush hour and adjust your departure relative to that.
With young kids, plan to stop at least once for a play break. Something as simple as a 1/2 an hour at a McDonalds playground will make your kids much more bearable when arrive at your destination after you've been on the road for hours. I've spent hours walking the hotel hallways after dark cause the pool was closed and the kids were restless after being in the car all day.
Even if you plan to stop for breaks pack your own snacks. The ones at the rest areas are very very expensive and every so often the lines at the rest area have just been so long that it would take over an hour just to get a pack of crackers. That $5 box of Ritz bits indiviual packets will seem like the best investment ever. Also pack juice boxes or water bottles to keep them away from the soda machines.
Similar to pp with the shoe box we allow each kid to fill a backpack full of their own toys and books to keep at their feet. Things that you would never think of they will play with for hours in the car. My DS' will pull out toys from the bottom of the toy bins and i'm always but they have fun with them.
Have them pack their toys in ziploc baggies or the tupperware sandwich keepers as it's a great way for them to keep their pieces together.
For activities in the car, we found that one or two new toys can also be a true blessing. Something really simple that they have no idea about even if it didn't cost a lot, will really hold their attention. We've found things like an airplane whose propeller will spin when held up to the window or a small fold up play set are awesome.