Those familiar with traveling with kids

Kelli3 · August 2011

What would you do..

We have a wedding in May in chicago...yes im a planner. So what would you do....

Buy 3 plan tickets and a rental car?

or

Drive 7 - 8 hours with a 4 year old and 1.5 year old?

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!

Haven1 · August 2011

I'll be taking my two, (almost) 2 year old twins to Chicago in June, and I'm buying two plane tickets (lapping them both) and renting a car. The thought of driving that long without kids makes my shudder. No way in hell I'd do it with a car full.

I figure whatever airport drama of car seats and security and stuff is short lived compared to EIGHT HOURS IN A CAR. No thanks.

SuzEJ · August 2011

I would probably fly.

But...just to make things extra complicated for you, here is a scenario to consider: My family went to Winter Park, CO last summer when DD was 4 months old. DH got a day's head start, drove to Denver alone, stayed the night there with friends, and then met us the next morning at the airport after DD and I had a quick hour flight from Omaha-Denver (at which point we all went to WP). The whole time on the trip, we had our own car without the horror of driving 10-12 hrs w/ a baby, didn't have to check her carseat, install it in rental car, etc. Then, at trip's end, he dropped DD and I at the airport in the morning, she and I were back in Omaha quickly, and he was safely home by evening. Plus we only paid for one plane ticket (yes, and gas of course). Required a little extra time off work for travel, but it was great.

brynners · August 2011

We drove to Branson MO when E was both 1 and 2, and I didn't think it was bad at all. We just drove to California this summer, and it wasn't bad either. We had a couple 12 hour days, a couple 10 hours and a couple 8 hour days. We did all of the driving during daytime hours, and E was just fine. We had crayons, coloring books, games, toys, the iPad (absolutely the best thing ever!) and DVDs for her. We took her potty with so she could use it on the side of the road if we weren't near a rest stop when she needed to go. I honestly think the driving was harder on us than it was for her.

robynlynn83 · August 2011

I've flown to Ukraine and back with Peyton when she was 9 months-18 months. We have driven 1,000 with three under 4 and that wasn't bad either.

Kelli3 · August 2011

Thanks guys. My oldest always does great in the car. We have driven to Minnesota (6hrs) several times with her no problem. With 2 kiddos the furthest we have driven is boji...3.3 hrs with detours and they did great.

I am really wanting to fly to save time, but want to drive to save $ and have our own car.

I appreciate all the input. I guess I have awhile to decide.

Thanks again!

Amy&Andy · August 2011

I'm planning an 18 hour drive in November with my 18 month old Ick!

I have serious plane/air travel anxiety though, so to me that 18 hour drive sounds better than 8 hours of being in airports and on planes. But I may feel differently after that trip!

I'd say drive. Leave at like 3am so they will sleep most of the way. We plan to leave around 5pm and drive all night.

Teresa · August 2011

Fly! Chicago is cheap plane ticket and its quick. And I'd check on public transportation instead of renting a car. If you're not going to the burbs, I'd skip a car. Parking alone in downtown Chicago will break you.

SuperCuteBenz · August 2011

We will be driving to Arkansas in less than a month with both kiddos. I have made the drive several times alone, but this will be my first time with kids. We are visiting my grandparents, and unfortunately the nearest airport is still 3-4 hours from them, so we would have to drive either way.

Originally, we had planned on taking our car, but we will now be renting a van. We need to take our pack-n-play, stroller, high chair, etc. So, we can either not take those things and rent them, or we can rent a bigger car and take them. Plus, have WAY more room. Honestly, I would much rather drive than fly with 2 kids.

Now that we are renting a van, I am really looking forward to it.

jln14 · August 2011

Fly! Chicago is cheap plane ticket and its quick. And I'd check on public transportation instead of renting a car. If you're not going to the burbs, I'd skip a car. Parki alone in downtown Chicago will break you.

Parking is super expensive (25 dollars plus per night) and the taxes on renting cars in chicago are crazy!! So public transportation/flying might be a better option. My DH is from Indiana (but right across border from chicago) and we frequently make the drive and it is fairly easy if you decided to go that route.

kim_and_tony · August 2011

Drive. Checking carseats, strollers, ect sucks, and by the time you are at the airport an hour (or more) early, fly for an hour (slightly more with loading/unloading) and waiting to pick up luggage you have about four hours invested already, plus the drive to the airport.

When you drive you can take breaks on your own time.

That said, I grew up with grandparents six hours away, and now we live five hours away from my parents so being in the car isn't a big deal to me.

My second choice would be pps suggestion of one of you driving/one flying. NO checked luggage.

kms34 · August 2011

I would drive. 7-8 hours is nothing. The hassle of airports (let's face it O'Hare is a death trap), waiting in lines, checking carseats, waiting for your rental, etc sounds like a nightmare. I like the option of you flying and DH driving but I wouldn't want to take both kids myself.

luvjon · August 2011

I would drive just to have your car/stuff with you. If you want to take a booster seat or pack n play or anything like that, it's just easier having it in the car. If you've driven to MN, this will be a breeze. We drive to MN every couple months with a 1 and 3 year old and it's fine. We also plan on driving to Chicago soon. Even with plane tickets being cheap (which if it were just you and your husband, I'd say fly), once you add up the extras you will need, it may be cheaper to drive.

LindsaymR · August 2011

Teresa:
Fly! Chicago is cheap plane ticket and its quick. And I'd check on public transportation instead of renting a car. If you're not going to the burbs, I'd skip a car. Parking alone in downtown Chicago will break you.

This. I would take the bus anywhere you go. I was in Chicago this summer and the people that do drive are insane! Parking lots are also super expensive.

kms34 · August 2011

LindsaymR:

Teresa:
Fly! Chicago is cheap plane ticket and its quick. And I'd check on public transportation instead of renting a car. If you're not going to the burbs, I'd skip a car. Parking alone in downtown Chicago will break you.

This. I would take the bus anywhere you go. I was in Chicago this summer and the people that do drive are insane! Parking lots are also super expensive.

Yes. Hotel parking lots alone run upwards of $30 a day.

Those familiar with traveling with kids

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