6 hour car trip...suggestions?

Hi,

OK, awhile ago I posted something about flying with the twins by myself...and I got feedback that I was crazy! ha So, I decided to drive and my DH can come...So, I now need some tips on a long car drive (6 hours). When is the best time to leave? How many stops? Planned stops? Just for feeding? Does it screw up their schedule? Please give me your advice.

Thanks so much.

jen

 

We have taken 2 trips much longer than 6 hours. If I were you I would leave in the morning after their first feeding. They can nap in the car. I keep soft toys that I can toss (without hurting them) to them when they seem bored. We only stopped to warm bottles. When we stopped we would also change diapers, get gas, food etc. Good luck with your trip!

 

We did a six hour car trip when Jake and Becca were two months old - it took 9 hours.

We left after their second morning feed (they weren't really on a schedule) and managed to make it three hours. We stopped, fed, changed etc, took about an hour. We had to repeat this twice. The kids did well both directions on the trip until the 5 hour mark (ish) - the last stretch was rough. However they mostly slept in their seats.

Also, we bought a 10 dollar bottle warmer that plugs into your cigarette lighter - it was great - very portable.

 

We have to drive 8 hours to see my IL's out in Denver, so we will leave between 8Pm and 11pm and drive all night... It wears us out, but it helps to keep the girls on their schedule better... However, we're supposed to head out to Dubuque, Iowa (it's about 6 hours from here) at the end of May, and we'll probably end up driving during the day because of where we're staying. My mom and I took that trip when the girls were only 3 months old and they did pretty well... We drove all day that time, and it really didn't screw up their schedule too bad because they were still young enough that they weren't on a set schedule yet, anyway...

I hope this helps!

 

Jen, good luck on your trip! Hope you all have a great time! I would try to at least get one leg of the trip after you have worn them out good and they are ready for a long nap. Take a break, and then finish the driving. I would put a basket full of toys in the car, and just keep rotating what they are playing with so they don't get bored. Anytime you leave, you are bound to mess up their schedule some. Good luck and have fun!

 

WE just did a 7 hour trip. I agree with Stephanie. WE did what she said. We would have preferred to drive at night like RHastings said, but it actually isn't safe to drive long distances at night here.

One funny thing is we didn't have any music. So on our 11way home we stopped at a gas station and there were men selling tapes (this is africa, remember). So we bought a Bob Marley one. The kiddos slept their longest nap while we listened the music. What is funny about this is a friend of ours told us last summer he heard that babies like reggae and it helps them sleep. I guess his theory was right!!! Take some reggae!!

 

I have taken two six hour car trips with the twins and we always travel at night. It's hard but it keeps the babies on their schedule. We leave at their bed time and they sleep the whole way there. My DH usually drives and when we arrive at our destination I let him sleep and I take care of the kids.