What Do You Need to Travel With a Child for a College Visit?

Sending your child off to college can be an emotional time for any parent. Once high schoolers begin to narrow down their choices for colleges, parents often want to take an active role in the decision-making process. Part of this may involve traveling with your child to visit potential schools.

If you’re planning on taking a road trip to tour some campuses, there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind for this potentially life-changing road trip. In addition to traveling with your teen who is about to transition to adulthood soon, you may have to travel with one of your younger kids. So you’ll have to take the necessary steps to prep yourself, your car, and more. So, what do you need to travel with a child for a college visit? Here are some tips.

1. Make Sure the Car Is in Good Condition

Before you hit the road, make sure your car is in good condition. This means having it serviced and checked for any potential problems. Even if you already did your usual car check recently, you should have it serviced again before a road trip, according to AngiesList. Look out for problems like low tire pressure, engine trouble, and more. If there are any issues with your car, get them fixed before you go on your trip.

A typical car service will check your brakes, change your oil, and do a general inspection of the vehicle. This will help ensure that your car is in good condition for a long road trip. You may also want to consider getting a car towing service in case you run into any problems while on the road.

2. Have Emergency Supplies

If you’re wondering what do you need to travel with a child, before you start driving, gather emergency supplies. This includes things like a first-aid kit, flares, a flashlight, and blankets. Flares will come in handy if you have car trouble and need to signal for help. A flashlight will also be useful if your car breaks down at night. Make sure you have a spare tire in your trunk and know how to change it, just in case you get a flat while on the road. It’s always better to be prepared for the worst.

You may also want to have emergency food and water in your car, just in case you get stranded somewhere. According to the Red Cross, you should have enough non-perishable food and water to last you for at least three days. Sites such as Best Reviews and PrepScholar have lists of recommended emergency supplies for road trips.

While GPS and Google Maps are standard tools on our digital devices and in-car dashboards, it is important to also bring along a physical map. A physical map is a lifesaver in case of emergencies such as a power outage or if technology fails you for some reason.

3. Map Out Your Route

Before you start driving, map out your route. This will help you avoid getting lost and wasting time on the road. Google Maps is a great tool for mapping out your route. As mentioned earlier, you should have a physical map as well, so also plan the route out on paper. Once you have your route planned, make sure to take into account any rest stops, gas stations, and hotels along the way. It’s also a good idea to have a backup route and a number for car repair service in case you run into any problems on the road.

If you’re traveling with a younger child, you’ll need to make sure there are plenty of stops along the way. Kids can get restless on long car rides, so it’s important to plan for bathroom and stretch breaks. According to Parents, you should plan to stop every two to three hours. This will help keep everyone happy and comfortable on the road.

4. Make Sure You’re Comfortable

When you’re planning your road trip and wondering what do you need to travel with a child, make sure you’re comfortable. This means having enough space in the car for everyone to sit comfortably. If you’re traveling with a larger group, you may want to consider renting a van or SUV. You should also make sure you have enough legroom so you’re not cramped up while driving. In addition, you’ll want to make sure you have a good view of the road. If possible, upgrade your car insurance to cover any potential accidents. This will give you peace of mind on the road.

Another way to make sure you’re comfortable is to bring along pillows and blankets. This will help you stay warm and comfortable on the road. And if you’re traveling with a pet, make sure you have everything you need for them as well. This includes food, water, a leash, and any other supplies they may need.

5. Bring Along Entertainment

Bring along some form of entertainment for the long car ride. This can include things like books, magazines, music, and movies. If you’re wondering what do you need to travel with a child, make sure to bring along some games and toys to keep them occupied. You may be able to get toys specifically for travel at your local toy store or on Amazon. If you’re traveling with a laptop or tablet, make sure to download some movies and TV shows before you leave.

6. Sanitation and Cleaning Supplies

When you’re packing for your road trip, don’t forget about sanitation and cleaning supplies. This includes things like hand sanitizer, hand wipes, and tissues. You’ll want to have these things on hand in case you need to clean up a spill or mess. You should also pack some garbage bags to help keep your car clean. When traveling with children, you may want to bring along some extra wipes and diapers as well.

7. Laptops and Tablets

If you are traveling during the school year, you may want to bring along laptops or tablets. This will allow your child to keep up with their studies while on the road. You can find educational apps and websites that will help your child learn while on the go. You can also find sites that offer online class options. This is a great way to make sure your child doesn’t fall behind in their studies while on the road.

There are online tutoring sites like Tutor.com that can help your child with their studies while on the road. You can also find an online preparatory school like Kaplan that offer courses for children of all ages. If your child is enrolled in the best private school, they may also offer access to an online class. You can check with your child’s school to see what options are available.

8. Camera

If you’re wondering what do you need to travel with a child, make sure to bring along a camera to document your road trip. This is a great way to capture memories and moments along the way. You can buy a disposable camera or bring your digital camera. If you have a smartphone, you can also use that to take pictures and videos.

You may want to take photos along the drive at certain stops to document your trip. You can also take photos of your child in front of the car or at different landmarks. This is a great way to create a scrapbook or photo album of your child’s road trip. Of course, once you reach the college campus, you’ll want to take plenty of photos there as well.

9. Clothes and Accessories

Of course, you’ll want to pack clothes and accessories for your road trip. This includes things like pants, shirts, jackets, and shoes. You’ll want to make sure you have enough clothes to last the entire trip. If you’re wondering what do you need to travel with a child, pack extra clothes for them.

Make note of the climate and weather so you can try to plan your outfits accordingly. It is always best to bring rain boots, a coat, and an umbrella just in case the weather changes while you’re on the road. If you’ll be driving through different climates, make sure to pack clothes for both warm and cold weather.

10. Any Medications

If you’re wondering what do you need to travel with a child, if your child takes any medication, make sure to pack them before you leave. This includes prescription medication and over-the-counter medication. You’ll want to make sure you have enough to last the entire trip. It’s also a good idea to pack a first-aid kit in case anyone gets sick or injured.

11. College Visit Checklist

There are a few things you’ll want to remember to do when you visit a college campus. Make sure to bring a college visit checklist with you. This will help you remember to do things like tour the campus, talk to the admissions office and attend an information session. You can find college visit checklists online or in college planning books. Play it safe and have a paper copy printed out.

12. Contact for Possible Child Care

While visiting the campus with your teen, it’s a good idea to have the contact information for professional child care in the area. This includes babysitters, daycare centers, and nannies. If you’re visiting a college campus with younger children, you may need to find childcare so you can tour the campus without them. This is especially true if the campus doesn’t offer child-friendly tours.

13. Gas Options

If you’re wondering what do you need to travel with a child, before you leave on your road trip, make sure to map out the best route to take. This includes finding the best gas options along the way. Some apps can help you find the cheapest gas prices in the area. This is a great way to save money on your road trip. You can also find gas station rewards programs that offer discounts on gas.

You should also check for fuel delivery service options in case you run out of gas. This is especially important if you’re driving in a rural area. You can find fuel delivery services online or through apps.

14. Hotel or Lodging Options

If you’re planning to stay in a hotel or other type of lodging, make sure to book your reservations in advance. This is especially important if you’re traveling during a busy time. You can find hotel discounts online or through apps. You may want to consider Airbnb or other vacation rental options. This is a great way to save money on your lodging. You can also find discounts on vacation rentals through apps.

15. Paper Work

If you’re wondering what do you need to travel with a child, make sure you have all the necessary paperwork for your car before you leave. This includes your registration, insurance, and driver’s license. You should also have a copy of your car’s manual in case you need to reference it while on the road. If you’re renting a car, make sure you have the rental agreement with you.

You may need to bring some paperwork for the higher education admissions software, such as the Common App. This will help you complete your application and submit it to the colleges you’re interested in.

16. Prep for Events

When you do a tour of a college, there are certain events you should be prepared for. The first is the information session. This is usually led by an admissions officer. They will give you an overview of the school and answer any questions you have.

The next event is the campus tour. This is usually led by a student. They will show you around the campus and tell you about student life. You may also want to visit the dorms, classrooms, dining halls, and other buildings on campus.

Are you wondering, what do you need to travel with a child? Going on a college visit can be a lot of work. But if you’re prepared, it can be a great experience for you and your family. Taking the right steps will help everyone maintain physical health and safety, enjoy the road, and have questions answered on campus.