Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

Driving from DC to Colorado with a 7 month old. Am I crazy?

Driving from DC to Colorado with a 7 month old. Am I crazy?

Old Jun 7th, 2016, 09:48 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Driving from DC to Colorado with a 7 month old. Am I crazy?

My 97 year old great-grandmother was just released from the hospital in Ft Collins, CO. While she was released, the family was told she had "weeks, not months" left. My wife and I were planning a 20 day trip in August to take our son to meet family members in Colorado, Texas, Arkansas and Tennessee. Our plan was blown up this week and it is VERY important to me that he meets his great-great-grandmother. We are making the trip.

Question is, fly or drive? We have 9 days if we want to drive. Its a 26 hour trip. Flying will cost much more (tickets, baggage fees both ways, airport parking, rental car and hotel) than driving ($190 in fuel roundtrip and hotel) but will be much quicker (7 hours vs. 26 hours each way).

Opinions? Tips?

I've read some other posts about traveling with babies. He tends to travel well on 4 hour trips, which we've taken a few of to visit family or go skiing. 26 hours is a new game entirely. We plan on taking lots of toys, snacks like puffs and mum-mums and we have XM radio so kids music wont be a big deal. Problem is that he is crawling and is trying very hard to stand and walk.

If we drive, we plan on leaving Friday around his bed time and driving the night. Then pushing through until mid afternoon on Saturday and getting a room, having dinner and a good nights sleep and then finishing up on Sunday. We plan on the trip back to be the same, adjusting for lessons learned.

Thanks for reading.
eodbrand is offline  
Old Jun 7th, 2016, 10:02 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would fly. I understand the cost differential, but I'd pay anything to skip four days (minimum two days one way) in a car with a toddler. Look at it this way: you'd spend as much time driving as you'd have on the ground, and the time you're in the car is unlikely to be pleasant, overall.
NewbE is offline  
Old Jun 7th, 2016, 10:31 AM
  #3  
cd
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,981
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would fly. I just can't imagine that little one being comfortable for that long of a time in his car seat. To have to sit up in his seat and sleep all night Friday and then still sit up until mid Sat has got to be very uncomfortable on the bottom.
cd is offline  
Old Jun 7th, 2016, 11:21 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,965
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you have a 7-month-old child, you are probably fairly young. You will survive the drive. Do what is best for the family budget.

However: "It is VERY important to me that he meets his great-great-grandmother." Do you expect your child to remember this encounter?

HTtY
happytrailstoyou is offline  
Old Jun 7th, 2016, 11:33 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Fly. Too many variables in his sleep patterns for you to bank on your plan working.

And make family come to you next time. That'll help recoup the savings.
BigRuss is offline  
Old Jun 7th, 2016, 11:39 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,876
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It can be very important to say to the child--you met your great great grandfather in years to come. Our son barely met his great grandfather. It is a memory for the family.

If one parent sits in the back (rear facing seat) to play with the child, change him, etc., it isn't an impossibility. He has done fine on the short trips, 'cause that is what you have asked of him. I am amazed at how kids now can live in their car seats!!
Our kids drove with their 7 month old from Ohio to Florida. You may want to stop. All through Kansas and missouri there are cheap motels right along I70 if you just want to stop and sleep.
Flying WILL be a budget breaker--and that may be a memory you don't want to keep.
Good luck.
Gretchen is offline  
Old Jun 7th, 2016, 12:11 PM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Happytrails- I don't expect for him to remember meeting her. I do know that she has looked forward to meeting him since he was born. Photos will preserve the moment.


We are in our mid-30's, so not too young. I can handle the drive, I'm just not so sure about the kid.
eodbrand is offline  
Old Jun 7th, 2016, 12:59 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
That is really a great age for traveling a long distance--it will only get harder from here!

As long as you have realistic expectations, it might not be THAT bad; when our DD (now 28!) was in her first year, DH traveled frequently for business so we often tagged along and it was fine. She slept well in the car (she still does!) and in strange places, like motels.

Flying in the summertime, with the crowds, security delays, and stress of trying to placate a possibly fussy baby on a full plane could make a car trip seem like a walk in the park.
musicfan is offline  
Old Jun 7th, 2016, 05:28 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It could be a piece of cake or a nightmare no matter which option you select. I believe 26 hours is actual driving time - not total time on the road. Summer is prime construction time on interstates, so roadwork could slow you down. If you plan to stop for gas, rest rooms, change a diaper, feed the baby, etc that will add time. Realistically, this is really more like a 3 day trip. I would fly and just be prepared with entertainment and lots of extra food and diapers for the baby.

Also, I gather you are planning to take this trip prior to your planned trip in August . Take my word for it, the health of a very elderly person can change extremely fast. The sooner, the better. It is wonderful that this trip is so meaningful to you, and you are making such an effort to do it for your son.
breckgal is offline  
Old Jun 7th, 2016, 05:56 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Have you looked for flights to price them? Southwest has fares for June 14th at $348 and June 17 at $312 to Denver from BWI

Returns as low as $252 starting June 22; sligtly higher before then. their lowest fares are 14 days out, that's why return is less. Sooner booked, less $.
DebitNM is offline  
Old Jun 7th, 2016, 07:06 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,030
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Personally I think it is crazy. A kid at that age needs to move around some just to wear them out so that he sleeps well later. Forty years ago we use to do those 16/18 runs with a son in those age ranges. Had a MBenz sedan and actually built a level "play pen" in the back seat, well padded, his toys, pillow and got along fun. Mostly just played in the back seat area, sleep some, and fine. Now with child seat laws you cannot do that. Three years ago we traveled with our one year old granddaughter and her parents. Actually felt sorry for the poor little girl because she was strapped in so tight she could hardy move. Think of it - could you ride for hours on end strapped in a car seat so you can hardy move. She was good for about three hours and then was miserable for the rest of the day, didn't sleep well. Personally think it would border on child abuse.

If it is that important to you, fly and thnk, first, of your child's welfare instead of your fixation on a picture with a gggparent. Don't do it.
fmpden is offline  
Old Jun 7th, 2016, 08:14 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,633
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
I would fly -- Southwest is great -- and no baggage fees.

When you figure the 3 days each way including hotels/meals, flying probably won't cost any more than driving and be a hecka lot easier.
janisj is online now  
Old Jun 7th, 2016, 08:48 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,994
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Agree with Fmpden and Janisj.

When my kids were little, I also created a play area, surrounding them with crib mattress and pillows.

When GD was three, we did a four hour trip, Baltimore to NYC. Her Mom sat with her, reading and playing. The first two hours were fine. After the bathroom stop, things went downhill fast. It was all that time strapped down. By the end, she was crying and when we stopped again, she would not let her Mom strap her in. Against the law, she finished the trip unstrapped.

I am an adult, and I am constantly moving around in the seatbelt. It is super tough on a little one.

She has always been fine flying, actually enjoys it.

Southwest is great - especially the no fees for baggage. Be sure to take a morning flight, much less risk of delays due to weather. Summer storms are more likely in the afternoon or evening.
Sassafrass is online now  
Old Jun 8th, 2016, 02:17 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 23,138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
When our kids were that age, we took some 6-8 hour road trips. Anything longer would have been hell. The problem is not starting out - if late in day, the kids sleeps. If earlier in day, everyone feels happy and playful. Problems occur after you try to get s squarely, squealy kid into the car seat after the 2nd or third stop. They realize they are back in baby jail - and do that arching the back thing while shrieking in your ear that makes you question you decision to become a parent.

And your schedule of driving may maximize sleep time for your child, when exactly do the drivers get to sleep? Leaving at bedtime while child sleeps provides a nice quiet car - but unless the non-driver is really good at sleeping in the car, when you switch you will have a driver who has been awake for the better part of 36 hours. Not especially safe. And baby-entertainment needs and baby-shrieking may greatly limit ability of alternate driver then to sleep.

Fly. You will not regret it. (And we have photos of great grandfather with both our kids - he died when older one was 4. Neither of them remember him. It makes me smile to see the photos and to know how thrilled he was to hold each of his great grandchildren)
gail is offline  
Old Jun 8th, 2016, 02:48 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,876
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ah, yes, the days of the kid roaming around the back seat on a trip--OR in plastic POS in the front seat where I could always reach out to keep him from flying through the windshield!!! so NOT LOL!! We all wonder why we still have our kids.

Our grands have always been fine in car seats and expectations are everything. It IS a long trip--and the person who said it could be a nightmare either way is correct. Flying--2 hours before departure AT the airport plus however long to get there and park..4 hours in the air, time change. 2 hours to get off plane and to rental car. 2 hours to FT. Collins. Repeat. All shuffling with child in arms.
Gretchen is offline  
Old Jun 8th, 2016, 06:19 AM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,994
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
A three year old will be walking, not carried. They can play or walk during time at the airport. They will be belted in the seat only during take off and landing. They can walk off the plane. Even if the total trip does take 10 hours, the child will be moving freely a lot of the time and there is a big difference between 10 hours and 26 hours. Our GD has been flying since she was a baby, at least 7 times, with not a single tear. Car trips of more than three or four hours have been miserable.
Sassafrass is online now  
Old Jun 8th, 2016, 06:24 AM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,633
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
>>A three year old will be walking, not carried.
janisj is online now  
Old Jun 8th, 2016, 07:33 AM
  #18  
cd
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,981
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
When we traveled with our young children it was so different than it is today. We had a station wagon with the back fixed with one of the seats up for the child that wanted to color or read and the rest down with pillows and blankets for sleeping. Not allowed to do that anymore so I do feel sorry for those little ones in car seats for hours.
cd is offline  
Old Jun 8th, 2016, 08:06 AM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 58,297
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I drove with my boyfriend back in 1983 from Virginia to Colorado. It was exhausting and we were 18 & 19 respectfully.

If you can swing it financially, fly.

With a 7 month old you are going to be making more stops than you would with two adults.
JanetKMR is offline  
Old Jun 8th, 2016, 08:52 AM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Aside from the logistics points, if this is very important to you, I'd suggest the sooner you get there the better.

Your grandmother is 97, just out of the hospital and they said she had only weeks to live. Why are you fooling around with road trips?
Christina is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -