My husband, two year old and I are taking a road trip in a month to North Carolina. We are first going to stay in New Jersey for the 4th of July and then head to North Carolina for the rest of the week. So we will be away for at least a full week. We have a Honda Pilot which is roomy. However my brother-in-law is also traveling with us and my 65 pound dog.
I am wondering how to pack for a road trip with a two year old (not potty trained yet) and a big dog. We usually give the dog most of the trunk space to move around. Aside from maybe putting the extra row up in our Pilot (which will limit my big dogs' space) or tying bags to the roof, I see this as a slight problem in terms of packing.
I usually have a separate duffel bag for my daughter but with a stroller (Do we really need it?) toys and at least a small cooler, there always seems to be so much stuff. Please advise!! Thank you.
P.S. For most of the trip we will stay with friends so I probably could bring less clothes and just wash them.
Thank you to all for the advice. I think we are looking into a rooftop carrier or something like it for the trip. We will mostly likely bring the stroller but first we will see if a friend (whose children are older though) may have kept one. I am well aware of the dog being somewhat of an inconvenience but we are fortunate to have friends that will welcome a big dog. We really can't afford to kennel her this time and no friends/family will take her. My dog likes to be with people more than by herself so all we can do is hope for the best in terms of little traffic. As far as packing things, I do agree I need to ask myself whether I really need that item or not. It gets to be too much sometimes. I am also considering those vacuum-sealed bags to pack clothes in. That could save a ton of room!
Take the stroller. Minimize toys. Other than that sounds like you've got this down.
Possibly consider a small Thule for the roof.... or a cheaper brand.
Buy a few new toys that are just for this trip, and then only take what your child needs for soothing - her blanky or whatever is really special that she cannot be without. Do the friends have children whose toys she can play with? If not, can they borrow a few from friends of theirs so you don't have to pack much, just a few things for the car?
Travel size toiletries or buy more when you get there. Definitely take a stroller - buy an umbrella stroller at a yard sale or borrow one from a friend. We traveled with a rooftop carrier for years - buy one if you'll use it again, or rent one from U-Haul. If your Pilot has a roof rack, then just buy a stretchy mesh cover to help tie things down.
Is this going to be a good trip for the dog? Some animals don't travel well. Is it going to be a hassle to walk, feed, water the dog? You have to take all the food, the dish, the dog bed, and a lot more. Standing around rest stops in the rain isn't always a lot of fun. Consider a kennel or having someone come to the house a few times a day. We often paid a neighborhood teen to do this but there are professional services that do it as well.
Don't take as many clothes for the adults - do a quick load of wash where you are. Just take enough for your child to allow for spills along the way.
Whatever you do - have fun!!
If you bring a stroller, which is a good idea, then bring the smallest one you have. I got a cheap (under $20) umbrella stroller I use for traveling. You might be able to get one secondhand if you want something sturdier.
I agree with Nina K.
Ask yourself, "If I left it behind would it ruin the trip?" Or its companion question, "If I took it with me would it ruin the trip?"
The first thing I'd leave behind is the dog. I dearly love my dog, but traveling is not his thing. I have a dog feeder that can store enough feed and water for two weeks. He has a doggie door and can get outside when necessary. I pay for someone to come over and check on him every 4 days or so and make sure everything is ok. Its much cheaper than taking him along and he's much happier at home. Most motels have a surcharge for pets. How would you feel if the dog vomited in the car or messed in your car? 4th of July and fireworks were really bad times for my last three dogs.
I'd take a stroller. I'd take two small bags of toys. Alternate the days she gets the toys to play with.
I hope you have a wonderful time. Good luck to you and yours.
One thing I would highly recommend is a high chair. There are some which can be pricey which just clip onto the side of a table. You may want to call some local consignment stores. (I had one and returned it and wished I never did). We bought one later at Walmart ($25-$35) that is a lot more bulky and may be tough to fit in the car. But it should give you hours of relaxation knowing your child is sitting and eating and not wondering about. Hope this helps!
Bring the stroller. You will need it.
Crate the dog. It's safer.
Bring enough clothing for the week and if you can do laundry while you are visiting, do it.
Traveling with little ones in the car does mean you bring a lot of stuff. We used to travel with two little ones to Canada -- I brought everything I might need and guess what? I used it all.
LBC
Try www.onebag.com for tips on packing light. Basically, as you consider what to bring, instead of asking yourself if you Might need something, ask yourself, will it ruin the trip if you Don't bring it.
I would take the stroller, there are many times sight seeing that one of my youngest would get tired and we had no stroller to put them in. So I would have to carry him. Do you have a little umbrella stroller? I would take that instead of the bigger stroller and it takes up less space. For the toys I would limit it to a small basket of toys, I have found out that the only time my boys play with the toys are in the car. They get to excited about everything new around them to care about their toys. I would pack a full weeks worth of clothes for your daughter, kids always find a way to get messy. Then just pack three to four days worth for you and your husband. Travel size health/ beauty products take up less space in a bag and usually at the end are gone, so you just throw the bottle away. I only take two pairs of shoes for myself. I pack dh and mine cloths in the same bag. I like to keep the diaper bag and toy basket at my kids feet.
I would rent or purchase a top carrier and put everything non-essential to the trip (luggage) in that...that's what we did when we traveled from CA to PA....we just didn't have the dog...now we would!! :) Just not 65lbs...Grady is only 45... :(
We had a cooler that fit under my daughter's feet on the floor board...
we stopped every 2 hours to allow her to get out and run...she was 2 at the time - we were moving from Travis AFB in CA to Belgium - we were leaving from La Guardia...any way...
I packed enough clothes for two weeks and ensured I had quarters for dirty laundry...I wish they had invented the Purex sheets then! Life would've been a whole heck of a lot easier.
any way - the car should have just the essentials inside - snacks and toys for your daughter and water for the dog...
You should get a car top carrier. We have one and it is great! We have two big dogs, two kids and a mini van. We keep all essentials inside the van and everything else goes in the top. We also put our dog beds in the back so it is more comfortable for the dogs when they travel.
not much time,
Kennel the dog.
no room.
good luck,
M.
