https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:04:23 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moving-cross-country-with-toddler#post-2924390 Sun, 18 Jul 2021 22:48:55 +0000 ALV91711 2924390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just did a 9 hour drive with stops with our two, the youngest is 2. </p> <p>Make sure there is something to hold the tablet since you won’t be able to grab when it’s dropped. Also lots of drinks/snacks/toys that are easy to pass back. </p> <p>I hope it goes great! Just have a very open schedule as it could take a lot longer than planned. But hopefully she surprises you and does good. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moving-cross-country-with-toddler#post-2924325 Mon, 12 Jul 2021 13:18:53 +0000 foodiebee 2924325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats on the move! A friend of mine had the idea to go to the dollar store and get one new toy per each hour of drive time. Hand them one new toy per hour or whenever the old one gets boring. She also stopped at playgrounds for picnic lunches and lots of moving around for about 30 minutes (researched ahead where to stop). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moving-cross-country-with-toddler#post-2924319 Sun, 11 Jul 2021 12:54:28 +0000 Mama Bird 2924319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just drove NY to OH - it was about 10-14 hours without stops. Did about 7 hours a day with an overnight stopover in the middle and two short stops on each day. I think the toddler could have managed 3-4 hours between stops, but her big sister gets carsick and I wasn't feeling great, so we stopped a bit more often. </p> <p>Screens definitely helped but I hope you have some kind of holder so you don't have to stop if she drops the tablet. Also a few good sing-along CDs, and we tried to sort of time the rides so one of them would fall on naptime. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moving-cross-country-with-toddler#post-2924312 Sat, 10 Jul 2021 10:23:48 +0000 bhbee 2924312@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did our first cross country trip last year - my youngest was 1.5. The drive time without stops was about 17 hours and we did it in 2 days. Driving by yourself is trickier for sure, just to stay awake! Definitely get audio books and podcasts or whatever will keep you awake. </p> <p>We left each day by 5am or a bit before. Tried to drive about 3 hours before a breakfast stop so kids would all doze in that time. Plan a stop with a park or playground each time (we were eating outside due to covid anyway but found it so fun to explore new parks!). Then we would drive 4 hours to lunch and use the screen to get through that. Little Baby Bum was so hypnotizing to my 1.5 year old then and you can download 4-5 hours that will play straight through! Just get a headrest holder and use the screen lock so they can’t turn it off accidentally. Then we’d stop for lunch - run around at a park - usually could get a nap for a bit after and then survive the last hour or so with music and snacks. 10 hours driving per day is our limit for a multi day trip so everyone doesn’t get too worn out. We plan an hour for each stop in addition - enough time to get out some energy on the playground. </p> <p>I was shocked she did so well without many stops. I think you always have to be prepared there could be lots of crying and many stops, but it’s not a given! We’ve had shorter trips that were harder, you never know. I think leaving early is just a huge help but it does require you to be comfortable staying awake. We’re on our 4th go at this drive right now! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moving-cross-country-with-toddler#post-2924311 Sat, 10 Jul 2021 08:07:27 +0000 MrsJBeeG 2924311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m so excited! In less than two months we will be moving cross country. After a family member got sick - we decided we can’t live so far from all of our family. We will be with an hour of some of both of our families. And more family plan to move that direction in the next year. </p> <p>My question is we literally have to drive across the country - two vehicles, a 15 month old and a dog. I’ll be driving the baby and DH will have the dog. We’ve taken our kiddo across country to see our family member but she was younger, slept more and both of us were in the same vehicle. It wasn’t a bad trip at all. I am nervous about driving with her by myself as I know I will have to stop more. </p> <p>Any ideas besides a rear seat mirror and tablet (which I have and will use at times)? I’m thinking maybe some new toys just for the trip that I can keep in the front seat to offer her, a cooler of drinks and snacks she likes? I’m guessing I just have to be ready for a slow trip. DH plans to be close by so that he can help with stops but I’m not confident he won’t just decide to go ahead. </p>