Planning a road trip with the kids? The Family Road Trip Guide is our free PDF guide to road trips with children in the USA, from choosing the right rental car and car seats to games, snacks, a packing checklist and four family-friendly routes.
How do you plan a family road trip in the USA?
Keep driving days short and plan a break every two to three hours. Rent a car with room for everyone and their bags: a minivan seats up to seven, and SUVs seat five to seven. Bring the right car seat for each child, since children younger than 13 should ride in the back seat. Pack games, snacks and a checklist, and pick a route with kid-friendly stops, from space shuttles in Florida to the Junior Ranger programs in national parks.
What’s inside the guide
- How do you plan a family road trip?
- Which rental car is best for a family road trip?
- Car seats and booster seats on a road trip
- Road trip games and activities for kids
- Road trip snacks and meals
- Health, comfort and pets on the road
- Four family road trips across the US
- Family road trip packing list
- Frequently asked questions
Quick answers for parents
Is a minivan or an SUV better for a road trip with kids?
A minivan makes it easier to get kids and car seats in and out, and it seats up to seven. An SUV seats five to seven and is better for snow, mountains and back roads.
Can you rent a car seat with a rental car?
Yes. With SIXT, you can add an infant seat, a toddler seat or a booster seat during booking or at the counter.
When can kids sit in the front seat?
Children younger than 13 should ride in the back seat, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
What are the best family road trips in the USA?
The guide covers four: Orlando to St. Augustine in Florida, San Diego to Los Angeles, Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, and the Great Smoky Mountains.
Planning a longer drive? Our USA Road Trip Planner covers route planning, budgets, tolls and classic drives such as Route 66.
Find the right family car
Choose from premium sedans, SUVs and minivans, add child seats when you book, and share the driving with an additional driver.
Ready for your family road trip? Rent the car. Rent your family car with SIXT, with child seats you can add to your booking.
