Road Trip with Kids: How to Plan, Pack & Actually Enjoy the Drive

Road Trip with Kids: How to Plan, Pack & Actually Enjoy the Drive

Author: Melissa Conn May 5, 2026 Duration: 27:39
With summer airfare through the roof, road trips are having a major moment — and honestly, they deserve it. In this episode, Melissa shares her best family road trip tips from two cross-country drives and multiple thousand-mile trips with her kids: how to plan your route, pack the car smart, keep everyone happy on long driving days, and use points, miles, and credit card perks to save big on hotels and gas. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & why road trips make sense this summer 01:41 – Route p...

Ever feel like the idea of traveling with your family is more exhausting than the actual trip? Family Travel Unpacked: Make the Most of Travel With Kids is here to change that. Melissa Conn, the voice behind The Family Voyage, hosts this conversation, turning overwhelming itineraries into manageable adventures. Instead of generic advice, you’ll hear honest breakdowns of what works and what doesn’t, drawn from real experiences on the road. The focus is on practical, actionable ideas that build confidence, whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a months-long journey. Episodes delve into the nitty-gritty, from mastering the art of packing a single carry-on for multiple kids to navigating hotel stays that actually feel restful. Melissa explores how to leverage points and award travel to make bigger trips financially possible, and she doesn’t shy away from discussing common travel mistakes so you can avoid them. This podcast serves as a reliable resource for transforming anxiety into anticipation, helping you create trips filled with genuine connection and joy. It’s about moving beyond survival mode to discover the unique rewards that come from exploring the world together. Tune in for a dose of inspiration and the grounded strategies you need to make family travel not just doable, but deeply rewarding.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 39

Family Travel Unpacked: Make the Most of Travel With Kids
Podcast Episodes
Europe with Kids: A Beginners Guide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:14
Planning a family trip to Europe but not sure where to start? In this episode Melissa breaks down everything you need to know to plan your first family trip to Europe — from choosing the right destination for your family…
Portugal with Kids: Itinerary, Tips and My Honest Take [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:01
Family travel to Portugal with kids: honest recap of our spring break family trip to Portugal covering Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais and Porto. We just got back from nine nights in Portugal with our kids and this episode cover…
Five Travel Tips for Savvy Travelers in 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:58
Airfare is up, Hyatt's award chart is changing, TSA lines are about to get longer, and your passport might expire sooner than you think. Here are five things savvy travelers are doing right now — and why each one matters…
From Tot to Teen: How Travel With Kids Changes Through the Stages [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:16
Travel with kids changes as you go - from gear and sleep schedules to school calendars and hotel choices. Listen up to find out what 15 years has taught us. From baby's first lap infant flight to a teen texting friends f…
Alaska With Kids - Cruise Edition (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:28
Alaska cruise planning for families: what it costs, which cruise line to pick, best ports, shore excursions, and more with expert Kim Tate. Expert guest Kim Tate of Stuffed Suitcase has been on roughly 10 Alaska cruises…
Surprise! When Flights Go Wrong (and How to Protect Yourself) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:32
Flight cancelled abroad? Here's what to do when travel disruptions hit. I'm sharing 3 mistakes I made on our Portugal spring break plus one backup flight trick every traveler needs to know. Two cancelled flights, two mec…
Alaska With Kids - Road Trip Edition (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:52
Planning a road trip to Alaska with kids this summer? Don't miss this episode for the highlights (and lowlights) of visiting The Last Frontier on a family trip. Find out why Alaska is worth the effort, who it’s best for,…
Hawaii vs Costa Rica: Showdown in Paradise [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:06
Hawaii vs Costa Rica for families: a real comparison of cost, activities, logistics and accessibility — plus which one we chose for our winter break. If you've been going back and forth between Hawaii and Costa Rica for…
Portugal on Points: A Case Study [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:51
Award travel case study: how our family is booking Portugal flights and hotels for 4 people using points — and spending under $1,000 out of pocket. Ever wonder what it actually looks like to build a trip from scratch usi…
LA with Kids: A Mom's Insider Guide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:13
If you're planning a trip to Los Angeles with kids, this episode is your insider playbook. Melissa lived in LA for 20 years, raised her kids there, and still visits multiple times a year — including just last week, when…