10 Reasons It's better to to Road Trip with Kids Instead of Flying

We all enjoy traveling but we must also think carefully about our alternatives. However, cross-country travel is pricey. You must carefully weigh your options if you need to fly with children who are older than two years old. A family of four or more cannot afford many plane tickets. And the expense of a road trip could seem like the ideal opportunity to escape the pressure and spend some time with your kids.

Why is it better to road trip instead of flying with a toddler?

Let's compare our possibilities for road trip vs. flying with a young child. Although your toddler may only weigh 15 ounces, the necessities they need, such diapers, clothes, bottles, and a stroller, weigh much more. When you add the toys, you'll need a solution that can hold everything. Of course, flying appears simple and practical, but a road trip allows you to bring everything you need without having to decide between your child's toys and bottles.

Money

If your child is over the age of two, they must have their own plane ticket. Even if they are under the age of two, they will require their own luggage, stroller, toys, and bottles, all of which will incur additional costs.

Baggage fees

A bag will cost you around $25 or more, depending on its size.

Flying is not a cheap option, but flights are more expensive around the holidays than at other times of the year. However, getting to and from the airport is also an issue.  You must take into account the cost of a taxi or a rental car.

And if you drive to the airport, you must pay the daily parking fee, which is not as cheap as you thought.

On the other hand, if you're planning a 10-hour road trip with a toddler, things might be a little easier. Because it is an excellent way to save money on vacation And if you have more than one child, now is the time to spend time with them. You also have to factor in fuel costs and tolls. But hey, a 10 hour trip isn’t that long.

Flexibility

It takes some time to book a plane ticket. When you book in advance, things may not add up and you may be required to leave earlier or later than expected, which you cannot do because you have committed to a date and time. Driving, on the other hand, allows you to be flexible and choose when you want to leave. And having a baby with you means stopping several times to meet their needs. Have you ever considered how frequently you should stop on a road trip with a baby? You'll figure it out, but if your child has a tantrum inside the plane, you're going to get a lot of angry looks.

Baggage

Flying can be a lot of fun, but you need a significant amount of luggage if you have a toddler. Don't forget to bring their favorite toys, additional clothing, extra diapers, and the stroller. Such much stuff, so little room. On top of that, include the clothing you and your family members wear. It turns out that you require at least four suitcases in addition to additional space for the stroller. All of this can fit in your car, but you'll pay a higher price at the airport for each piece of luggage.

Being in control

When you are behind the wheel, you are in control of what is going to happen; how many bathroom breaks you are going to have, what if your kid is hungry or thirsty. If you need to use the toilet, you do not have to worry about getting there before someone else because you are on your own schedule.

No security and no check-in

Consider how peaceful it would be to avoid the long lines at the airport. You have to rush through security gates with children, wait for check-in to open, then wait for another door to open, and it seems like the wait at the airport lasts forever. Meanwhile, if you travel in your own vehicle, you won't have to worry about stressing your toddler or child about the waiting times.

Space

Now when your child is yelling at the top of their lungs that they need water, you don't have much room to shift around in your airplane seat to retrieve their water bottle. In your own car, you can pull over, get out, and grab their bottle without anyone hearing them whine about being thirsty.

Access to a car

Flying may seem like a great plan, but when you get there and need to hire a car for your family, the costs double and you are unsure which one to pick. You won't have to worry about the expense of a rental automobile or if you can find one that suits your needs if you are taking a road trip in your own car.

New Discoveries

Road trips are enjoyable because you learn new things and visit new places, and your children would love to learn more. Consider a 12-hour road trip with your 1-year-old and 5-year-old children. They could both learn new things from each other. Kids enjoy exploring, and if they haven't seen something before, they are thrilled to learn about it. The driving routes are scenic, so you will enjoy them as well.

Family time

If you're looking for a way to spend time with your family, road trips are the perfect way to do so. Everyday life can get the best of us at times. We are constantly rushing to complete tasks and never complete them. On a road trip, however, you are present in the moment, enjoying your children and your free time.

The road trips are best for families with older children who believe the world revolves around them and that no one understands them because they are grown ups, but deep down they are still your babies.

Babytime

One of the benefits of driving is that everyone is on baby time. You can schedule the baby's naps and nurse them whenever they cry. You can use the baby's extra clothing and toys.

Overall, it is you who chooses which option is better. I usually weigh the options and distance and am up always for a road trip.

Road Trips > Road Trip with Kids > Driving Vs. Flying with Kids

About the Author

Gentiana Gjyshka, orignially from Albania is a traveller and a copywriter! You can connect with her on her LinkedIn account.