How to properly prepare for your first family road trip in the United States.
After discovering New York on our first trip to the United States, like many travelers, we had a dream: to go and discover the American West.
But in just two years, our lives had completely changed. In 2022, we discovered New York. In 2023, our daughter was born. And in 2024, for her first big trip to the United States, we decided to book our tickets to Los Angeles and explore the American West for three weeks.
She had flown before, but this trip was different: it was her first long-haul flight, and above all our first big road trip in the USA as a family.
And naturally, we asked ourselves quite a few questions before leaving.
"What's it like flying long-haul with a baby?" "Renting a car, but with a car seat?" "Can we bring our milk?" "Do we need travel insurance?" "ESTA, customs, what's the process with a child?"
In short, we had lots of questions and we had to do some research before this trip. And as often happens, we also made a few small mistakes.
Since then, we have taken several road trips in the United States and have learned a lot about organizing a family trip.
So, if you're planning your first road trip in the USA with a child, here's everything you need to know before you go, based on our own experience.
Important documents
Before thinking about plane tickets, rental cars or hotels, there is one first thing to check: all your travel documents .
When travelling as a family, you need to think about the documents for each family member, including those for your baby or child.
Passports
Each person must have their own passport , including babies and children.
One small but important detail: a French passport for a minor is valid for 5 years , compared to 10 years for an adult. So remember to check its expiry date before booking your trip, especially if you obtained your child's passport when they were very young.
ESTA
For a tourist trip to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, each family member must also have their own ESTA , including your child.
Please note that ESTA is not a visa. It is an electronic travel authorization allowing you to travel to the United States without a visa for a tourist stay of up to 90 days .
The ESTA is generally valid for 2 years , or until the expiry of the passport used for the application if it expires before.
It costs $40.27 in 2026.
Our advice: start the process well in advance and carefully check the information provided before submitting the application.
Health record and prescriptions
We also always carry our daughter's health record with us.
If your child is taking medication or needs to have medication with them during the trip, remember to also take the corresponding prescriptions .
These are documents that you will probably not have to present at the border, but they can be very useful in case of any problems during the trip.
Our top tips
Before leaving, we advise you to keep a digital copy of your important documents on your phone and, ideally, in an online accessible space.
Passports, ESTAs, reservations, plane tickets, car rentals, hotels… Having all this information easily accessible can really simplify your life if you lose a document or simply need to quickly find a reservation.
And above all, check everyone's documents several weeks before departure . It's the kind of detail you'd rather take care of calmly at home than a few days before boarding your flight!
Flying with a baby or child
Flying is inevitably a step that can be worrying when preparing for your first big trip to the United States with a child, especially when it is a first long-haul flight .
For our first road trip in the American West, we flew with French bee . Since then, we mainly travel with Air France or American Airlines .
Before age 2: baby on lap or individual seat
If your child is under 2 years old at the time of departure, they can usually travel on your lap with a baby ticket. They will not have their own seat.
From the age of 2, your child must have their own seat , with a child's ticket.
It is also possible to reserve an individual seat for a baby under 2 years old on some airlines. In this case, you must comply with the airline's conditions and use an approved child restraint system. For example, Air France allows certain approved car seats or the CARES harness in Economy class, under certain conditions.
Quick tip: always check the conditions directly with your airline when booking, as rules regarding baggage, strollers and car seats can vary from one airline to another.
Baby luggage and equipment
For our part, we always travel with a suitcase in the hold for our daughter , when her ticket and the chosen fare allow it.
We also take his stroller and, as we always travel with our own car seat, we carefully check the company's transport conditions.
However, be aware that baby equipment is not necessarily free with all airlines or fares. Therefore, you should check the conditions of your ticket before traveling.
For example, at French bee, current conditions depend in particular on the chosen fare and the number of accessories transported. For a baby under 2 years old, a stroller or a car seat may be free in certain situations, but not necessarily both.
The backpack
On the plane, we always have a backpack dedicated to our daughter with everything she needs to be occupied and to handle small unexpected situations:
books, coloring books, small games, cuddly toy, changes of clothes, wipes… and of course everything she needs during the flight.
For us, it has always worked very well. No need to bring half the house: a few activities she doesn't yet know can already make a big difference.
And what about milk, water, and baby food?
This is a question that many parents ask themselves before their first long-haul flight with a baby.
You can bring food and drinks for your baby on the trip. Baby food is exempt from the usual liquid restrictions, but it may be checked at security.
At French bee, air france and american airlines, for example, liquid baby food is not subject to the usual 100ml limit and the company indicates that it is possible to request hot water on board to prepare baby's meal.
For our part, we always made sure to bring enough milk, water, baby food jars and baby food for the trip.
And above all, don't hesitate to ask the crew for help: heating a baby bottle or a jar of baby food is one of those little things that can make your flight easier.
And after 2 years?
From the age of 2, your child travels in their own seat and generally receives a child's meal or a suitable meal depending on the company and the flight.
For our part, we still pack a few extras in his backpack, even when a meal is included: children's tastes aren't always the same as those of the airlines! 😅
Our advice for a first long-haul flight: don't try to plan an activity for every minute of the journey. Simply pack a small bag with a few games, books, and activities, keep food and drinks handy, and above all… don't put too much pressure on yourself. Children can surprise us, and for us, flights with our daughter have always gone very well.
Going through US customs
US customs can be intimidating when you're going to the United States for the first time, especially with a young child. But honestly, for us, it's always gone very smoothly.
And a small advantage when traveling with a toddler: airports often have priority or family lanes, both for certain security checks and to facilitate passage with a young child. However, this depends on the airport and the day's schedule.
During our travels, this has often allowed us to get through more easily and avoid spending too much time in lines with our daughter.
Once in front of the immigration officer, the questions are generally quite basic:
"Why are you in the United States?" "How long are you staying?" "Where will you be staying?" "Do you have any cash on you?"
And then… that’s all!
Simply and honestly answer the questions you are asked. With a child, there's no particular reason to stress.
Our little tip: keep the address of your first hotel, your itinerary and your reservations easily accessible, in case the agent asks you where you will be staying.
And above all, don't put pressure on yourself: for us, going through US customs has always been very straightforward. Once the formalities are complete, the United States awaits!
Renting a car in the USA as a family
A rental car is clearly essential for a road trip in the USA. Since our first road trip in 2019, we generally book our car 8 to 9 months in advance, directly through BSP Auto , a comparison site that we love and have been using for several years.
And today, I have the chance to work with them and to be able to offer you a promo code: UNEFAMILXP .
You can compare offers and take advantage of our code directly here:
For our part, we often use Hertz or Dollar.
A little tip: when comparing offers, don't just look at the starting price. Consider the one-way fee if you pick up the car in one location and drop it off in another, as well as any potential young driver surcharges if you are under 30 .
Also, carefully review the insurance included in your booking . Depending on the offer you choose, some insurance may already be included, so take the time to check the terms and conditions before booking.
And what about a car seat with a child?
If you are travelling with your family, we strongly advise you to consider the possibility of bringing your own car seat.
For us, it is both more economical and above all more reassuring: we know our headquarters, we know how it is installed and we know what condition it is in.
And this decision was particularly reassuring on one of our last road trips: we had an accident in the middle of Utah in June 2025. In this situation, we were really relieved that our daughter was installed in her own car seat, rather than in a seat rented on site.
So it's a small piece of advice that may seem insignificant, but when travelling with a child, it's precisely these details that can make all the difference.
Choosing your hotels
For hotels, we mainly book through Booking, or directly on the hotel's website when it is more advantageous.
During our first road trip, we won't lie to you, we also found a few little gems... not necessarily in a good way.
We're thinking in particular of certain hotels in Bakersfield !
Since then, we have been much more attentive to our choices and we check in particular that the establishment is rated at least 8/10 .
With a child, we also look at reviews, location, parking, whether breakfast is available, and especially whether the hotel seems suitable for a road trip stopover.
Our favorite places
We particularly recommend the Drury Hotels , which we loved during our various trips.
The biggest plus: their Kickback, usually offered at the end of the day, where you can eat and drink for free for a period defined by the hotel. Add to that the breakfast included in many establishments and you really have excellent value for money, especially when traveling with family.
And if you really want to immerse yourself in the American road trip atmosphere, you can also try iconic motel chains like Motel 6 or Super 8. They aren't necessarily the most upscale establishments, but that's part of the American experience!
We also had some real favorites among much more typical establishments, including Desert Rose Inn in Bluff and Hat Rock Inn in Mexican Hat .
Two places where we really felt comfortable and that we loved.
We have also dedicated several articles to our various accommodations in the United States, with our favorite places and our feedback after testing them.
Find all our hotel selections for our various road trips here: Where to stay in the Rockies & Utah? Our favorite family-tested options
Managing distances and routes effectively
This is probably one of the most important points to anticipate when preparing your first family road trip in the USA: American distances are enormous!
For our part, before booking anything, we always start by making a detailed plan of what we want to see and do. Then we build our itinerary, then we book the flights, the rental car and finally the hotels.
Our advice: really plan your itinerary in advance to avoid ending up with 5 or 6 hours of driving every day.
During our road trips, we generally try to keep our driving time to a maximum of 2 to 3 hours per day . Obviously, there may be longer days when the route requires it, but with a toddler, we find it really important to take our time.
Remember that the driving time shown by Google Maps isn't necessarily the actual time you'll spend in your day. You also need to factor in breaks, meals, stops for the kids, gas stations, and of course, all the little discoveries you'll make along the way.
And besides, you're in the United States: the goal is also to enjoy the road trip and not to spend your days behind the wheel!
Consider offline maps
Another piece of advice we always follow: download your itinerary in offline mode before you leave .
Even though rental cars are now often equipped with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you can quickly find yourself without a network in certain areas, especially in very isolated places like Yellowstone or Death Valley.
We have actually dedicated a whole article to this subject to explain how to download your Google Maps offline before your road trip .
Find our guide here: 🌍 How to download Google Maps offline (Video Tutorial + Step-by-Step Guide)
Plan your budget
Obviously, the budget is a big part of planning a road trip in the United States. And there isn't really a "typical" budget: it all depends on the length of the trip, the time of year, the itinerary, and especially the level of comfort you're looking for.
For our part, we have chosen to prioritize comfort in certain positions.
For flights, we generally take direct flights with checked baggage and choose our seats in advance. Naturally, this increases the ticket price, but it's a choice that allows us to travel more comfortably as a family.
This does not mean that it is impossible to reduce the cost! You can, in particular, compare dates, departure and arrival airports, travel off-season or accept a flight with a stopover if it suits your family.
The rental car
For car rental, we have been using BSP Auto since 2019. It is a comparison tool that allows us to compare offers from several rental companies and more easily find the rate that suits us.
And since we are working with them today, we also have a promo code: UNEFAMILXP via the link below.
Compare offers here:
Hotels
For hotels, we mainly book through Booking, but we also look directly at the establishments' websites.
And to find great places, we love to get inspiration from travel blogs and Instagram . That's actually how we discovered some of our favorite spots in the United States.
Our advice: don't just focus on the price. Look at the reviews, the location, the amenities, and most importantly, what's important to your family.
Activities
Also remember to set aside money for activities and visits .
Depending on your itinerary, this can quickly affect the budget: excursions, visits, activities with children, amusement parks, guided tours… some experiences are free, others can represent a significant budget.
For our part, we book certain activities in advance when we know we absolutely want to do them. For others, we decide directly on site depending on our schedule and the weather.
Again, don't necessarily try to fill every day with activities. Some of our best days in the United States were simply those where we took the time to discover a place quietly as a family.
We always book our activities through GetYourGuide. Find all our favorite activities here: https://www.getyourguide.com/fr-fr/explorer/creators/-cs2385?visitor-id=DVLNCBA55N3GSAL7R6AEMU4ZWOLMYA4N
PROMO CODE: UNEFAMILLEAUXSTATES5
A little transparency about our budget
Today, our situation is different from that of our first road trip.
As content creation and our travel business are now my full-time job, we are fortunate to benefit from certain collaborations, particularly with hotels, activities and rental cars.
This means that our current personal budget is not necessarily comparable to that of a family preparing for their first road trip .
Therefore, we want to make it clear when we share our budgets or experiences: we always try to be transparent about what we paid for ourselves, what was given away, and what was simply discounted.
For your first trip, the most important thing is to build your own budget, according to your desires and your level of comfort.
Health and travel insurance
This is a subject we really don't take lightly when we go to the United States, especially with a child.
Since our first road trip, we always travel with health/travel assistance insurance and we have already had to use it several times.
Medical expenses in the United States can quickly become very high. We therefore strongly advise you to take out insurance tailored to your trip and your family, and to carefully review the coverage, limits, and conditions before you leave.
We have also dedicated a whole article to health in the United States with a child , in which we explain in particular how it went for us during visits to Urgent Care, what to do in case of a problem and how the care works.
Find our complete guide to healthcare in the USA here : Travel insurance USA: the complete guide for peace of mind.
For us, this is clearly one of the points to be settled before boarding the plane.
Telephone and internet in the USA
Another thing to consider before leaving: how will you have internet access in the United States?
We use Holafly and we're really happy with it. For our road trips, it's become our go-to solution for getting internet directly on our phones without having to look for a SIM card locally.
This is especially useful for using Google Maps, searching for an address, checking a reservation, communicating with your family, or simply having internet access while you're on the go.
We also have a promo code: UNEFAMILLEAUXUSA .
Find all the information about Holafly and take advantage of our code directly here:
And a quick reminder: even with an eSIM, remember to download your offline maps before you leave. In some very remote areas of the United States, you can quickly find yourself without network coverage.
Grocery shopping and meal planning with a toddler
So rest assured: you will absolutely find enough to feed your child in the United States!
Our biggest passion during our road trips is definitely Walmart . We almost always stop there at some point during the trip.
You will find a huge selection for children: diapers, wipes, milk, baby food, snacks, fruits, vegetables… in short, everything you might need during a road trip.
We also really like Whole Foods, especially for its baby section and the selection it offers.
And contrary to some misconceptions, yes, there are fruits and vegetables in the United States!
Moreover, if you are attentive to the composition of products, you can also use an application like Yuka to scan certain foods and compare their composition.
Our advice: there's no need to pack enough food for three weeks. You'll find plenty of products there, and this will save you from carrying unnecessary weight right from the start.
And besides, grocery shopping is also part of the American road trip experience!
What should I pack in my suitcases?
Through experience, we've learned one thing: there's no need to take the whole house with you!
For our daughter, we have a soft-sided suitcase in the hold, purchased from Decathlon. This is where we put her Deuter hiking baby carrier, as well as items we don't need to have with us during the flight.
For the cabin bag, we mainly keep her clothes and the essentials we might need during the trip: something to change her clothes into, a few things for the flight and anything else we prefer to have on hand.
In our carry-on luggage, we always keep our small first-aid kit , including Doliprane and a thermometer. For us, it's essential to keep medications and supplies we might need during the flight with us, rather than putting them in checked baggage.
In our luggage, we are also planning to pack:
clothing suitable for the weather;
our Deuter hiking baby carrier;
a small first aid kit;
a thermometer;
sunscreen;
mosquito repellent;
a hat;
sunglasses;
good shoes;
a few changes of clothes.
A hiking baby carrier is absolutely essential for us when we go exploring national parks. It allows us to hike with our daughter without having to take the stroller everywhere.
And most importantly, we learned not to overpack . If we need something once we're there, it's very easy to do some shopping in the United States.
Our advice: tailor the contents of your suitcases to your itinerary and the season . In the American West, temperatures can sometimes go from very hot to much cooler in just a few hours!
Our advice after several family road trips.
If we had to give you some advice after several road trips in the United States with our daughter, the first would simply be: don't stress too much!
A baby or young child can adapt to travel very well. Of course, every child is different and you know your child's needs better than anyone, but you shouldn't necessarily imagine the worst before you leave.
Our second piece of advice: don't try to do too much.
If you're only going for 10 or 12 days, don't try to see 15 different places. The United States is huge and travel time can quickly add up.
Opt instead for an itinerary with fewer stops and more time at each location. You'll enjoy your trip much more and, most importantly, you'll spend more time with your family.
The goal of a family road trip isn't to tick off as many boxes as possible on a map. It's to create memories together. ❤️
After several trips, this is what we finally learned: take your time, accept that things don't always go as planned, and enjoy the trip as a family of three.4
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