We embarked on the Epic Mount Rushmore-Yellowstone-Rocky Mountain Grand Adventure as the ultimate family road trip for 2020. Our goal was to make memories and see new places while staying socially distant and protecting our family.
We traveled with a toddler, two nearly 40-year-olds, a crazy, fun aunt, and grandparents. This was the perfect trip for this group. Little Man is obsessed with animals and all things little boy. So, tractors, windmills, plants, cows, horses, and wildlife were easily seen from all our windows. We could distract the long days with lots of new things out the window. Yes, it was a lot of car time but Little Man was a trooper and asked lots of questions, expanded vocabulary, learned new skills, and saw a TON of new scenery.
Check out these tips for Toddler and Preschool Road Trip activities that made the car time pass faster.
General Reminders for a Family Road Trip
- Grocery pick up is your friend
- Wear pants with pockets so you can keep your mask within easy access
- Duct tape can be used for everything
- Do whatever you can to ease the grumpies, traveling is stressful
- Research as much as you can before you go, internet and cell service are not great along most of these routes.
- Back up pictures and your phone before you leave and give yourself space.
- Pack a lot of snacks and add more to grocery pick-ups
- Throw a change of clothes in the car backpack if you are traveling with littles
Check out this post I did about 11 Safe and Sanitary Social Distancing Travel Tips. We learned a lot and I’ve shared these tips with several friends who are still trying to stay safe from coronavirus germs.
Four recommendations to remember before you start any day of travel
- fill up your car even if you aren’t nearing empty
- have an idea where you are headed in case your maps are not reliable
- get something good to eat to start the day and have snacks with you, including water and something to drink
- stop and go potty – ladies, I’m talking to you.
Check out each day and our links to the ULTIMATE FAMILY ROAD TRIP – aka the Epic Yellowstone Family Road Trip and Beyond.
And, now for what you came for.
- Traveling South Dakota to Yellowstone
- Badlands National Park – highlights, outlooks and stops
- Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park – one day
- Yellowstone National Park – 2-day itinerary
- Jackson Hole and Grand Tetons – in one day
- Rocky Mountain National Park – in one day – ideal toddler stops included
- Exploring Estes Park, CO – and, now I’m ready to retire here!
Other posts about our trip you may find helpful.
and, if you want to see more about other fun trips we have shared, check out these links!
- Southwest Screensaver Road Trip – Durango, Co Daytrips and The Grand Canyon
- New England Fall Road Trip – 6 states in 7 Days
- Ultimate Family Road Trip through Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, and Rocky Mountain National Park
- Anniversary Weekend in San Antonio
- 12 Things I wish I knew about Disney
- Branson at Christmas with a Toddler
- Exploring Historic Park City Utah
- Travel Tips for Savannah, GA
