Making it to Michigan
Next Thursday, my husband, daughter and I will be packing up the car and heading north to visit family. While we’ve taken several trips to Orlando, Tampa and even Georgia, we’ve never taken a 20-hour trip, in the winter, possibly into snow and ice, pulling an all-nighter to make it to Michigan by Friday morning.
See, we only have a long weekend to make it to the other side of the country, visit with family, see my husband’s cousin’s baptism and make it back to the Sunshine State. And it’s very important to my husband and me that we are there since hubby is the Godfather. I think he should wear a tux with a nice, red rose pinned to the lapel. Seriously though, I’m pretty sure my husband felt just as famous as Don Corleone when he saw his name listed as the Godparent on the invitation.
We have all been anticipating this trip for a few months now and can’t believe that in just a week, we’ll be on our way! But with all the excitement of preparing for freezing weather and possibly (hopefully) snow, I can’t help but worry about such a long drive up north with a 3-year-old. We plan to drive through the night both ways in hopes Aubrey will sleep for even a few hours, but that means Mom and Dad will be very tired as we drive through unknown territory.
For my daughter we plan to stock up on snacks, my hubby will load up on caffeine, and I plan to have a secret stash of sweets I can pull from if need be. The car has been prepared for winter driving with anti-freeze. And we have the GPS in place.
But with such a big yet short trip on the horizon, I’d love more suggestions on traveling such a great distance with a preschooler who can barely make it through a two-hour movie.
Wish us luck!
Tags drive, Michigan | Category Uncategorized
Don’t forget to have the windshield washer fluid checked and make sure it is rated for below freezing (way below) temps, and be sure to flush the system hoses to ensure that the low temp fluid is all the way to the thingamabobs on the hood, and check your wiper blades. We have made that trip numerous times and have found that leaving early a.m. works best, you get breaks for gas, lunch, dinner. Don’t know what your final destination is but it is approx. 18 hours to state line from G’ville if you stay focused. Good luck, drive carefully, go Gators.
by Tom Donihue
Have fun and relax. I’ve done this drive many times and driving through the night is not the best idea in the winter although if starting from Florida it should be ok as long as you drive the wintery roads during the day. If you have DVD’s or a computer that your daughter can watch that helps them pass the time. Having said that, be prepared to stop (even if only to go to the bathroom or jump up and down) every 2 horus.
by Joe
Re-think the whole driving through the night. It is hard enough to gauge the ice patches (especially black ice) when it is dark and with very little other traffic on the roads. Besides, if you break down in the mountains at night, you are in a world of hurt walking. Once the roads ice up, get off. Don’t push it. You may be fine driving but I would not trust all the other un-season drivers.
If you must drive, take flares, cat litter (for traction under tires when you get stuck), boots, blanket(s), water. Make sure you have your battery checked. It may be fine for turning over in 70s but, -10 not so well.
Good luck. And, GOD bless your cousin on their baptism.
by Buck
IMHO, leaving at midnight, after a 4 or 5 hour sleep, is the best approach. The worst time to be driving, for me, is 3 a.m. without having slept the evening before. Absolutely cannot keep my eyes open. Any alcohol prior to leaving is completely out of the question, as well.
Toddlers will sleep until it gets light, and you can stop around Atlanta for your breakfast, lots of strong coffee, etc. Then you go like heck for the next 6 hours, listening to cds, reading books, etc. Sooner or later, toddler will fall asleep again, and you two trade off driving while conditions are comfortable for him to allow you to do so. (Men never believe their wives can handle any sort of adversity on the road, might as well humor him.) If he can sleep for two hours, you are home free. After 17 hours of driving, stop for another light meal, let toddler have some exercise, buy toddler another road game present, then dash on home. By 9 p.m., you will be ready to crash for 8 hours, rising in time to help with preparations for the christening.
by paul
Good luck Stacy! Your trip reminds me of trips we made from Gainesville to Connecticut with our then young children to visit family at Christmas. A couple suggestions. First, plan the trip to avoid rush hour if you need to go through major cities. We used to leave CT at 5:00 am to avoid rush hour around NYC, and there was nothing worse than getting stuck on the Washington Beltway. As long as we were moving the kids were fine, but sitting in traffic was both frustrating for us and the kids. Second, be patient! Don’t set a 20 hour deadline for the trip and expect to keep it. Initially we just planned to stop at rest areas along the way, but invariably “I have to pee” happened a few exits before or a few exits after. A really useful guide is the AAA trip planners which show the location of highway rest areas (today it is probably on GPS). Third, my sweet preference was Jolly Ranchers because they took time to consume. Last, we added a tray to our children’s car seats so they could more easily play with Legos a Little People. Have a great trip! And remember, this is supposed to be fun.
by Bill Keegan
Just thought I’d post an update! After hearing about all the bad weather expected along our route, we’ve decided to make things easier and break up the trip! Probably best for all! We’ll be leaving Wednesday, staying the night in a hotel, and finishing up the drive Thursday.
Thanks so much for all the wonderful suggestions!!!
by Stacy Fournier
I am glad to hear that you will not be driving through. Night drives are dangerous even in good weather….probably the greatest risk you would ever subject your child to. We are inclined to treat car travel as relatively safe. Why do we ignore the great number of children killed in car travel as not newsworthy, yet shudder each time we hear of a kidnapping (a very rare occurance)? Give car travel the risk consideration it deserves. Good luck.
by Sven
i was wondering if you have any advice my husband our 2 girls 4 years and 5 months a takin a trip to wva, and i wanted to see what you suggust about entertainment for the girls or how we could keep them occupied although we are traveling at night leaving at or around 8pm and we will arrive the arount 9am the next day..if you have any advice that would be great..thank you
by dana
The magazine FamilyFun put out a glove-compartment sized book a while ago that is jam-packed with games and tips to keep kids occupied on the road. It’s called “Games on the Go.” Lots of great ideas and activities! Also my family travel blog, OutThereWithKids.blogspot.com, has lots of family travel tips, deals, news and suggestions for where to stop on your way.
by alisson clark