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: 50

Family Travel Unpacked: Make the Most of Travel With Kids
Podcast Episodes
Alaska With Kids: Anchorage Edition with My Teen (Part 3) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:04
Thinking about visiting Alaska with teens? My 14-year-old son joins me for a mother-son Alaska recap — and spoiler: he caught a king salmon just 12 hours after landing and hasn't stopped talking about it since. We cover…
Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Recap & Mini Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:45
Get the quick highs and lows in this Grand Hyatt Scottsdale review + recap episode, all in less time that it takes to drink your morning coffee! Find out if this could be the right resort for your trip to Scottsdale with…
What's in My Carry-On? Travel Essentials for Your Next Trip [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:57
My carry-on has evolved over years of family travel - and at this point, it's pretty dialed in. This episode breaks down exactly what's in my bag, from the backpack I choose to the credit cards I pack and why. A few of t…
How We Planned London & Azores on Points [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:30
This summer our family is heading to London and the Azores — and before we go, I'm walking you through exactly how we're paying for it with points and miles. From 32,500 AA miles per person to a $1 flight (yes, really),…
The Magic Combo: Southwest Companion Pass + World of Hyatt Points [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:28
Southwest Companion Pass + World of Hyatt points = endless family travel possibilities. Here's how to make them work together. What happens when you combine the Southwest Companion Pass with World of Hyatt points? You ge…
Clash of the (Sort of) Ninety-Five Dollar Travel Credit Cards [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:51
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Capital One Venture X — which travel credit card is right for your family? Melissa breaks down annual fees, earning rates, transfer partners, lounge access, and real-world redemptions to help…
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…