Travel Tips for Road Trips with a Child with Autism

Medically reviewed by Holly Raftery, Psychiatric Social Worker, Lurie Children's Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 

Family trips can feel like a daunting task with children, especially for children with developmental differences, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Parents may ask themselves; how can we make it through a long drive? Use these tips to help you prepare for your next family road trip.

Planning Your Road Trip

When it comes to a successful drive, planning is key. Here are some tips on how to prepare: 

• Plan your route. What are safe and easy stops along your drive? Identify rest-stops, playgrounds, or other enjoyable way points along the way. 
  
• Schedule breaks. How long does your child sit successfully usually through car rides? Anticipating frequent breaks can break up the discomfort of a long ride. Consider using time at rest stops as ways to get some energy out. 
  
• Pack a special bag. What car-friendly toys, games, preferred comfort items, or sensory activities can you plan to be available in the car? Breaking out a different activity option periodically during the drive can help to reduce boredom. Additionally, packing car-friendly snacks or drinks can also help to reduce your child’s anxiety and promote control over safe or healthy food choices, as it can be difficult to predict what food options will be available along the way. 
  
• Create a safety plan. What safety concerns do you have for your trip? Making a handout with identification, contact information, and need-to-know information about how to best communicate with your child can be a handy tool to give others in an emergency moment. Don’t forget to safety check your child’s car seat or safety buckle!   

During Your Road Trip

You can’t control everything and everyone while on the road but with these tips, you can help make your trip go smoothly for the entire family: 

• Communicate with your child. The unknown can be scary. Talk with your child about the purpose of the upcoming trip, where you are going, how long it will take, and the stops along the way. Keep it positive as something to look forward to. Make it clear why you’re taking this trip together. Social Stories are a great way to present this information clearly and with visuals. Here are some tips for creating a Social Story.   
  
• Keep your child updated. Find a way to show your child how long until the next break or to the destination. Timers, moving a picture along a drawn map, or map phone/tablet apps can be effective at showing your child the progress of the drive and how much longer they must wait to get out of the car.   
  
• Practice safe driving. Remember to follow the rules of the road and take your time while driving. This will help keep everyone in the car calm and help prevent any accidents on the road. 

Once You Reach Your Destination

Great, we made it! Here are some tips on how to keep the positivity going on our trip: 

• Enjoy your family time together. Remember that not everything has to go perfectly. Adapt as much as possible along the way to prevent any stress. 
  
• Plan to limit activities. Trips can be draining so try schedule only a manageable number of activities a per day. Be sure to keep an eye on your child for any signs that they are overstimulated or tired. 
  
• Keep morning and bedtime routines consistent. Try to keep your routines as consistent as possible to how they usually work when at home, including opportunities for downtime and regrouping. 
  
• Customize the plan. Remember to keep your child’s special interests on the agenda periodically during the visit so they stay excited and engaged. 

With a little extra planning, family road trips can become a positive experience for the whole family, including children with developmental differences. By preparing ahead, communicating clearly and staying flexible along the way, you can help your child feel confident and comfortable from start to finish. Safe travels!

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