Episode #22: How I’m Planning Our 9-State Spring Break Road Trip With Kids
Our current map with photos of states we’ve visited. We love this map and it’s framed on our wall. You can print photos yourself or go through ThunderBunnyLabs.com to print out stickers of your photos that fit perfectly in each state.
One of the biggest goals our family has set for ourselves is visiting all fifty states before our oldest heads off into adulthood — and we’ve got about five and a half years to make it happen. So far, we’ve checked off fourteen, and every time we cross another border, it just fuels that dream even more.
We want our kids to see the full tapestry of the United States — historic cities, coastal towns, national landmarks, and those unexpected small places that leave the biggest impressions. And while we absolutely love international travel, we’re equally excited to explore our own backyard.
This spring break, we’re attempting something we’ve never done before: a nine-state road trip. We’ll be flying into Newark, New Jersey and driving all the way down to Savannah, Georgia — and I’m taking you behind the scenes of exactly how I’m planning it.
Our Route: Newark to Savannah
Here’s the path we mapped out:
Fly into Newark, New Jersey
Ferry to the Statue of Liberty from the New Jersey side
Drive to Philadelphia
Drive through Delaware and Maryland to Washington, DC (two nights)
Williamsburg, Virginia
Outer Banks, North Carolina
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Hilton Head, South Carolina (two nights)
Savannah, Georgia — fly home
We chose this route because it flows geographically, makes sense for March weather, and lets us combine history-rich cities with relaxing beach towns. When planning a big road trip, I always start with a rough map, plug everything into Google Maps, and then work backward to see where it makes sense to slow down versus just pass through.
How I Start Planning a Big Family Road Trip
Every big trip starts with the same three questions:
What’s the main goal?
For us, it’s checking off new states and exposing our kids to different regions of the country.Where do we fly in and out?
This saves massive amounts of driving time and helps keep rental-car costs reasonable.What’s an overnight stop versus a sightseeing stop?
Some places deserve two nights. Others are perfect for a quick visit and dinner before moving on.
Keeping these distinctions clear helps the trip feel exciting instead of rushed.
Choosing Hotels Along the Way
With a family our size, accommodations matter a lot.
For this trip, we’re mixing:
Vacation-style stays with extra space and laundry
One-night road-trip hotels booked through Priceline or Expedia
Centrally located properties so we’re not wasting time driving back and forth
We intentionally built in two-night stays in Washington, DC and Hilton Head so we can slow down a bit. That breathing room makes a huge difference for everyone’s energy levels — especially the kids.
Location almost always matters more to me than luxury. Easy parking, highway access, and walkability are huge wins on a road trip.
Planning for Kids: Downtime Is Non-Negotiable
One of the biggest mistakes families make on big trips is overscheduling. We’ve learned the hard way that kids — and adults — need time to decompress.
Our general rule:
One major activity per day
Pool nights or movie nights at the hotel
Grocery store stops instead of every meal at a restaurant
Stretch breaks every two to three hours on drive days
For driving days, I aim to cap our time in the car whenever possible and always plan fun pit stops — playgrounds, scenic overlooks, or quick beach walks can completely reset moods.
How I’m Packing for a Moving Road Trip
Because we’re changing locations so often, I’m packing in “time blocks” instead of destination blocks.
Suitcase #1: Newark through DC
Suitcase #2: Williamsburg through the Outer Banks
Suitcase #3: Myrtle Beach through Savannah
That way we’re not digging through everything every night.
We’re still packing light: mix-and-match outfits, limited shoes, and laundry midway through the trip. I also organize the trunk into zones so the daily-use bags are always accessible and we’re not unloading the entire car at every stop.
My Digital Itinerary System (and Why It Saves My Sanity)
Everything for this trip lives in one digital hub:
Hotel reservations
Ferry tickets
Drive times
Parking notes
Attraction lists
Restaurant ideas
My husband has access. I download offline copies. No one is scrolling through emails in a hotel lobby trying to find confirmation numbers.
This is also where my Family Travel Made Easy planning system comes in. After years of traveling with kids, I built a set of worksheets, checklists, and digital itinerary templates that help streamline the entire process — from research to packing to budgeting.
I’m using that exact framework right now to build this nine-state road trip, and I’ll link the guide in the episode description in case it’s helpful for you as you’re planning your own adventures.
What I’m Most Excited About (and a Little Nervous About)
I cannot wait for:
Seeing the Statue of Liberty with the kids
Exploring DC
Walking Colonial Williamsburg
Beach days in the Outer Banks
Relaxing in Hilton Head
Savannah’s historic charm
What makes me a little nervous?
March weather, traffic around major cities, hotel-hopping days, and just keeping everyone healthy on a long trip. But that’s part of the adventure — and I can’t wait to share how it all actually goes.
Stay Tuned for the Post-Trip Recap
When we get back in late March or early April, I’ll be doing a full recap episode breaking down:
What worked better than expected
What we’d change next time
Our favorite stops
Kid reactions
Hotel reviews
And the biggest surprises along the way
If you’ve ever dreamed of tackling a multi-state road trip with your family, I hope this episode gives you confidence that it is doable — with a little planning, flexibility, and the right systems in place.
Until next time, savor the moments and make memories that last a lifetime!
