From RV move days to all-day Jeep drives, here’s how we survive long drives with our girls without losing our minds. Road trips are a huge part of our full-time RV lifestyle. Whether taking a short Jeep adventure or packing up the RV for a multi-hour move day, we’ve learned how to keep everyone happy.
Over the years, we’ve built our rhythm for travel days. We’re not perfect (far from it), but we’ve figured out what works for our family. We’re sharing our favorite road trip tips for families: how we keep our girls content, what we pack, how we plan food stops, and yes, why we swear by a portable camping toilet.
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Tech + Entertainment Ideas for Long Drives
When you’re on the road for hours, screens can be lifesavers. We’re not ashamed to say we use tablets, portable DVD players, and handheld consoles. The trick is variety and making sure everyone has options.
We bought dual-screen DVD players so our girls can watch the same movie together or choose different ones. Sometimes they watch Aladdin or Pirates of the Caribbean for the hundredth time, and sometimes they surprise us by setting the screens down and reading a book.
Audiobooks are another big part of our road trip routine, especially for us adults. Tony and I love listening to similar series like:
- Terminal List Book Series by Jack Carr
- Tier One Series by Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson
- The Mitch Rapp Saga by Vince Flynn
- The Survivalist series by Arthur T. Bradley and A. American
Faiola Tip: Let your kids pack a small bag of toys, books, or coloring materials to keep near them. Access = happiness
Road Trip Snacks and Meal Tips
If you only remember one of our road trip tips for families, let it be this: never underestimate the power of snacks. Seriously. Snacks can turn a meltdown into a moment of peace, and a hungry child into a happy traveler.
We prep snack bags for each kid with easy-to-handle goodies:
✅ Pretzels
✅ Trail mix
✅ Granola bars
✅ String cheese
✅ Apples and bananas
✅ Yogurt tubes
We also have a soft cooler bag that we freeze before trips. It keeps things cool all day and folds up for storage—perfect for RV life.
Lunches? Keep it simple: PB&Js, cheese, crackers, or leftovers, which you can warm up quickly in the RV. For Jeep trips, we sometimes stop for a “Jeep-nic.”
Dinner on move days is intentionally easy. If it’s an overnight stop at a Walmart or truck stop, no grilling or gourmet cooking is happening. A one-pan meal or sandwiches will do just fine.
Why a Portable Camping Toilet Is a Total Game-Changer
I know it’s not glamorous, but a portable toilet is one of our most valuable road trip tips. A portable camping toilet can save your sanity if you’re traveling with kids (or even if you’re not).
We have used the Camco 41541 Portable Travel Toilet, and it has been with us through national parks, remote Jeep trails, and places with no access to public restrooms. Kylie has used it more times than we can count. Lexie too. And yes, we’ve even used it.
It’s self-contained, doesn’t normally smell, and has a little flusher. Plus, it fits in the back of our Jeep. Add a splash of RV septic cleaner, and you’re good to go. During COVID-19, this little toilet was a lifesaver when everything else was closed.
More Real Talk from the Road
From how far we drive to what the kids really think about RV life, we share our honest, behind-the-scenes side of full-time travel. Dive into these posts for more tips, stories, and a peek into what life on the move looks like with a family.
RV Move Day Tips: Making Travel Days Smoother
Move days are a different beast. While road trips in the Jeep feel more adventurous, RV move days are more structured and can get stressful if you’re unprepared.
We aim for 3–4 hour drive days and use RV Trip Wizard to map out distances and stops. The tool lets us select a radius (100, 150, or 200 miles), which helps us plan more manageable legs.
Here are our top RV move day tips:
- Stick to a routine. Even if we don’t follow it perfectly, having a checklist makes departure smoother.
- Keep it short. Four hours is our sweet spot. Anything more, and we’re all dragging by the end.
- Have entertainment ready. The girls can access toys, books, and screens in the RV.
- Easy access to food and drinks. The snacks are within arm’s reach. That’s a win for everyone.
Our Favorite Road Trip Memories with the Girls
Some of our best family memories have happened in the Jeep, on the road between destinations. We’ve taken four-hour Jeep trips to nowhere just because it sounded fun. We’ve done spontaneous drives to Area 51 (yes, really).
The girls have learned to love the ride. They don’t constantly ask “Are we there yet?”—probably because they’ve been conditioned since they were babies.
One of their favorite games is animal spotting. We tally up how many animals they see out the window. Whoever sees the most gets a treat when we get home.
They’ve read books, watched movies, drawn dot-to-dot art, and even done schoolwork on the road. And when we find a random pull-off with an amazing mountain view? That’s when we hop out, take a breath, and remember why we chose this lifestyle.
Final Thoughts
Road trip tips for families aren’t one-size-fits-all. What works for us may not work for every family, but if we’ve learned anything, it’s this:
- Bring snacks.
- Keep things flexible.
- Use what works for your kids (screens, toys, books—you do you).
- Make it fun. Laugh at the chaos.
- And don’t forget the toilet.
We’re not perfect planners. We’re just figuring it out as we go and sharing what works along the way.
Send us your best tips via voice message, and we might feature you in an upcoming episode! Listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
FAQS: Road Trip Tips for Families
How do I keep my kids entertained on long road trips?
Pack a mix of entertainment—DVDs, audiobooks, toys, and travel games. Let kids take turns choosing activities, and bring a surprise item for when boredom hits.
How do you survive a long road trip with kids?
Preparation is everything! We keep drive times short (especially on RV move days), have a set routine, and ensure our girls are comfortable with entertainment, food, and rest stops. Our lifesaver? A portable camping toilet—game changer when you’re far from the next bathroom.
How do you keep kids entertained on a road trip without screens?
We mix it up with coloring books, sticker pads, scavenger hunt games, looking for animals, and listening to kids’ audiobooks. We also play “I Spy” or count animals.
How long is “too long” for a road trip with kids?
Every family is different, but anything over 4–5 hours needs extra planning and patience. When we’ve done 8–9 hour move days, we’ve only survived thanks to a flexible attitude, plenty of breaks, and knowing the girls are already road-trip pros.
What are the best road trip tips for families with young kids?
Keep them fed, entertained, and comfortable. Bring snacks, use screens in moderation, and plan regular stops to break up the drive.
What’s your top must-have item for family road trips?
Easy—our portable camping toilet. It’s made road trips and remote adventures so much easier with kids.
How do you keep the peace between siblings in the car?
Giving each kid their own space (snack bags, toy bags, headphone options) helps minimize fights. Also, taking turns picking movies or audiobooks keeps things fair.