Summer Road Trips With Your Kids: How to Start Preparing Right Now (Even If You Feel Overwhelmed)
- The Fierce Mompreneur
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
There’s something powerful about deciding that this summer will be different.
Not rushed.
Not chaotic.
Not filled with “maybe next year.”
Just you, your babies, open roads, new cities, and quiet moments that don’t come with a deadline.
If you’ve been thinking about taking a road trip with your kids — especially an RV trip — this is your sign to start preparing today, not two weeks before summer starts.
Let’s break this down in a way that feels realistic, peaceful, and doable.
Step 1: Decide Your Style of Trip (Before You Book Anything)
Before you worry about routes or packing lists, answer this:
Are you wanting…
✨ Adventure + sightseeing
✨ Slow mornings + nature
✨ City hopping
✨ Beach + mountains
✨ Educational experiences for your kids
✨ Or just rest?
Write it down.
Your answer determines:
How long you stay in each place
How much driving you do per day
Whether you choose RV vs hotel
How much you budget
This is your soft-life strategy moment.
Step 2: RV or Hotel? Here’s the Honest Breakdown
RV Life (Great for moms who want flexibility)
Pros
Your kitchen travels with you
Beds stay the same (huge for kids’ routines)
No constant unpacking
Nature + campfires + bonding
Saves money on meals
Bathrooms always nearby (if you know, you know)
Cons
Driving something bigger
Campground planning
Dump stations (not glamorous but manageable)
Hotels (Great for quick city trips)
Pros
No driving stress
Daily housekeeping
Easy check-in/check-out
Cons
Eating out constantly
Kids bouncing off walls
Less privacy
Packing/unpacking every few days
If you’re doing 2–3 weeks, RV usually wins for comfort, cost control, and sanity.
Step 3: What You Actually Need to Survive 3 Weeks on the Road
Let’s keep this practical — not Pinterest fantasy.
🧺 Clothing (per person)
7–10 outfits (wash weekly)
Pajamas
Light jacket
Swimsuits
Comfortable walking shoes
Flip flops
🍽 Kitchen Basics
Paper plates + bowls
Reusable cups
Cooking utensils
Small cutting board
Dish soap + sponge
Trash bags
Paper towels
Ziplock bags
🧃 Food Staples
Breakfast bars
Oatmeal packets
Peanut butter
Jelly
Bread
Snacks (goldfish, fruit snacks, granola bars)
Juice boxes / water
Easy dinners (pasta, rice, frozen meals)
Seasonings
🧸 Kid Survival Kit
Tablet + charger
Headphones
Coloring books
Small toys
Favorite blanket or pillow
Night light
Books
🧴 Mom Essentials
Toiletries
Hair products
Skincare
Vitamins
Pain reliever
Comfortable lounge clothes
Journal
🚑 Safety / Health
First aid kit
Thermometer
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Hand sanitizer
Wipes
Keep it simple. You can always buy more on the road.
Step 4: Sample Budget for a 3-Week RV Trip (Mom + One Child)
Here’s a realistic estimate:
🚐 RV Rental
$120–$180/day
3 weeks: $2,500–$3,800
⛽ Gas
$600–$1,000
🏕 Campgrounds
$40–$80/night
3 weeks: $800–$1,200
🍳 Groceries
$100–$150/week
Total: $300–$450
🎟 Attractions / Activities
$300–$600
🧾 Emergency Buffer
$300
✅ Estimated Total: $4,500 – $6,500
You can lower this by:
Cooking most meals
Staying longer at each campground
Choosing free nature activities
Traveling midweek
And yes — this is absolutely something you can start saving toward now.
📅 Step 5: Start Preparing Today (Not Later)
Here’s your soft-life action plan:
This Week
✔ Decide RV or hotel
✔ Choose rough travel dates
✔ Start savings envelope
✔ Write down must-see cities
Next Week
✔ Reserve RV
✔ Map first 3 stops
✔ Order travel organizers
✔ Start grocery list
One Month Out
✔ Book campgrounds
✔ Plan weekly meal ideas
✔ Create packing checklist
✔ Build kid activity folder
Preparation removes stress.
Organization creates peace.
Planning gives you power.
💗 A Word to Moms Doing This Solo
You don’t need a partner to create memories.
You don’t need perfection.
You just need courage, a little planning, and the willingness to say:
My child deserves experiences. I deserve joy. We’re doing this.
And trust me — your kids will remember these moments forever.
✨ Final Thoughts
A summer road trip isn’t just travel.
It’s bonding.
It’s healing.
It’s slowing down.
It’s choosing presence over pressure.
And you don’t have to wait for “someday.”
You can start preparing today.
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