The Way I Road Trip: Part Compass, Part Soul
*Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you book or buy through them. For more information, check out our full disclosure page.
My first official cross-country road trip came just a few months after college graduation—Florida to California with the wide-open world in front of me. It was my first time meeting the Rockies, setting up camp in the backcountry, and walking among giants in Sequoia, Yosemite, and the Redwoods. I can still picture myself lying beneath the stars, tucked under a canopy of towering sequoia trees, half-terrified of wild animals in the night, yet oddly at peace. There was no tent—just sky, and stillness, and the sense that I was being held.
That trip lit something in me. Since then, road trips have been more than a way to get somewhere—they’ve become part of how I listen. To God, to the land, to the rhythm of my own life. Some seasons have been filled with solo drives and spontaneous stops. Others have required more structure (especially now, traveling with a toddler in tow). But through every mile, there’s been wonder, surrender, and snacks. Always snacks.
What Road Trips Look Like (Then and Now)
Some of my favorite road trips began with little more than a destination in mind and a rough sense of timing. I’d hit the road with just a start and end date scribbled down and let the space between unfold however it wanted to. There was something freeing about it—waking up in a new place, finding a cozy coffee shop or local diner, and planning the next leg of the journey with a hot mug in hand. I loved that rhythm of deciding as I went. That’s how I stumbled into gems like Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park—stark, beautiful, and haunting in its stillness—or Deadwood, South Dakota, a place that felt like stepping directly into the pages of a Western, frozen in time and rich in stories.
Other trips were more structured, especially when I had friends or family along for the ride. Holiday weekends or quick getaways meant tighter timelines, which required campsite reservations and a mapped-out plan of key stops. These kinds of trips taught me how to find balance—between spontaneity and structure. We’d choose which parks to visit or cities to stop in ahead of time, but leave space for small discoveries: a trail we hadn’t researched, a local spot that caught our eye, or even just the decision to stay one more night in a place that felt like it needed more time.
Now, road tripping with a toddler adds an entirely new rhythm—and a deeper sense of intention. Gone are the days of “let’s just see where we end up.” I still crave flexibility, but I also know the value of planning ahead—especially when it comes to bathroom breaks, meal stops, and places where little legs can run and stretch. I search for family-friendly parks, libraries, zoos, and play cafes that offer short bursts of fun (and rest) along the route. I look for places that let my son engage with the world, not just sit in the backseat watching it pass by.
Yet even with more planning, I still leave room for what I call “divine detours”—moments where we stop just because the light looks beautiful through the trees or because a roadside sign promises something delightfully strange. Road tripping with a toddler has slowed me down in the best way. It’s no longer just about reaching a destination—it’s about seeing it all through his wide eyes, hearing his laughter echo across a canyon or under a waterfall, and remembering that wonder doesn’t live in a checklist.
A Day on the Road (Our Kind of Flow)
No two road trip days look exactly the same, and honestly—that’s part of the magic. Some mornings start slow: campfire coffee, the soft rustle of trees overhead, maybe a sleepy toddler still wrapped in a blanket. Other days begin at a local breakfast spot that smells like syrup and fresh biscuits, where I pull out a map or jot a few notes in my journal while the day quietly unfolds.
If it's a driving-heavy day, we load up the car with snacks, settle in, and let the road lead. That's when a solid playlist or a compelling audiobook becomes more than background noise—it becomes part of the experience. My son might nap in the backseat while I soak in the ever-changing views or talk to God out loud as the miles pass. These drives offer space to think, to process, to breathe.
Other days are slower and filled with scenic intention—the kind of days where the journey is the destination. We pull over at scenic overlooks, follow signs to short hikes or quirky roadside stops, or let curiosity guide us down a dirt road we hadn’t planned on. We stretch our legs, grab our Junior Ranger booklet, listen to a ranger talk, or just watch the light change across the landscape. My toddler gets to run, explore, splash in a stream or dig in the dirt—and I get to see the wonder of the world through his eyes.
Sometimes we stay in one place for a few days to really settle in—swimming in a mountain lake, hiking shaded trails, watching the stars emerge one by one. Other times, we move daily, riding the rhythm of the road.
But always, there’s a kind of unspoken balance between motion and rest, structure and spontaneity. And that balance, more than the route itself, is what makes the journey feel whole.
What I Always Pack (or Keep in the Car)
Comfort Essentials
A cozy blanket – For impromptu picnics, breezy overlooks, or car seat naps. I still travel with my favorite woven blanket from a street vendor in Mexico—picked it up on a high school mission trip for 5 pesos, and it’s joined me on every road trip since. Two decades later, it’s still like new.
Travel mug & water bottle – Caffeine for me, hydration for both of us. I never leave home without both. And I am a huge fan of Hydroflask and Simply Modern!
Snacks… and more snacks – We don’t mess around here. Sweet, salty, protein-packed, and toddler-approved.
Toddler Gear
Diapers or pull-ups & wipes – Pack what you need and a little extra. Remember though, unless you're heading somewhere remote, there’s usually a store nearby if you run low.
Quick-change grab bag – A small pouch with a couple of pull-ups, wipes, and a change of bottoms for easy bathroom stops (trust me—lesson learned). I’ve used this same one since my son was 3 months on our first road trip to the mountains.
Well-loved books & toys – Familiar favorites with buttons or textures keep little hands busy.
Soft blanket & comfort item – Something that brings a bit of home to the car seat. We love this National Parks quilt from Clementine Kids and use it on every trip!
Toy rotation bin – I keep a small bin of toys in the front seat so I can hand back something new when he gets bored. As he gets older, I’ll move it within his reach in the backseat.
Adventure Tools
Hiking boots – Even short trails deserve solid soles. You never know when a quick overlook turns into a full-on toddler-led expedition.
Camera – For the golden light, sweeping views, and those wide-eyed “wow” moments from the backseat. (Phone photos work too—just don’t forget the charger!)
National park maps + Junior Ranger book – We collect stamps and memories.
Navigation & Backup
Paper maps – Grab them from rest areas or ranger stations. GPS tends to vanish in all the best wilderness spots.
Charger + portable power bank – Road trip rule #1: no one panics at 2% battery if you're prepared. I’m a huge fan of this solar powered option! I have two and bring them on every trip.
Emergency kit – First aid, jumper cables, flashlight, and a few just-in-case prayers (because flat tires don’t check your itinerary).
My Road Trip Playlist: Songs That Ride With Me
🎶 "Gratitude" – Brandon Lake
This one grounds me. I play it when the beauty gets overwhelming or when I need a reminder to breathe in grace and say thank You.
🎶 "Oceans" – Hillsong UNITED
Perfect for winding roads and soul-searching stretches. It’s my go-to for surrender, especially when the road ahead feels unknown.
🎶 "As We Ran" – The National Parks
It sounds like a movie soundtrack for a spontaneous detour. Hopeful, wild-hearted, and full of movement.
🎶 "I Can Feel It" – The National Parks
A slower, emotional build—great for sunsets, solo drives, and those moments where you’re feeling everything all at once.
🎶 "Wagon Wheel" – Old Crow Medicine Show
Mandatory in the Carolinas. It’s like a country hymn for wanderers—foot-tapping, sing-along magic that feels like wide-open windows and gravel roads.
🎶 "Here We Go" – WILD
Bright, fresh, and full of momentum. It always makes me want to roll the windows down and chase the next horizon.
🎶 "Home" – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Whimsical, nostalgic, and perfect for singing loud—especially when you’re with someone who feels like home.
🎶 "Follow the Sun" – Xavier Rudd
For the mellow mornings or winding down after a long day. It reminds me to move with purpose and peace.
🎶 "Explore the World" – Brainheart
Instrumental and energizing. It makes me feel like the road is endless and anything is possible.
🎶 "Don’t Stop Believin’" – Journey
Because no road trip playlist is complete without a little 80s magic. It's the anthem of keeping on, even when the map gets messy.
Final Thoughts: Where the Road Meets the Heart
Road trips, for me, have never been just about getting from one place to another. They’ve been about rediscovering wonder, chasing stillness, and letting the landscape speak into the places I didn’t even know needed words. The road humbles you. It teaches you to slow down, to stay curious, to listen—not just to the world around you, but to the Spirit within you.
I’ve road tripped through seasons of celebration and seasons of searching. With plenty of time, and with hardly enough. Alone, and now with a toddler in the backseat who reminds me daily that the smallest detours often hold the biggest joy. Some miles pass with worship music and prayer. Others, with goldfish crackers and backseat lullabies. Every mile teaches me something. And every mile reminds me: I’m not the one fully in control—and that’s a good thing.
Maybe that’s the real invitation for all of us—not to plan the perfect route, but to travel open-hearted. To let go of the pressure to do it all “right,” and instead show up to the journey with hands unclenched and eyes wide. To find God not only in the grand views and majestic stops, but in the gravel pull-offs, the foggy mornings, the quiet stretches between towns. To believe that beauty doesn’t only live at the destination—it lives in the movement. The middle. The moment.
So wherever your next trip takes you—may it draw you deeper into wonder, slower into the moment, and closer to the One who always travels with you.
Are you a spontaneous road tripper or a spreadsheet-and-highlighters type?
What’s your go-to driving song? The snack you have to bring?
Or a moment that made you pull over and just be still?
Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories, your rhythms, and your road wisdom.
Your words might just spark someone else’s next adventure.
Ready to start planning your own adventure?
Check out How to Plan a Road Trip Like a Pro (Even If You Hate Planning) for a step-by-step guide to planning a road trip that fits your season, your rhythm, and your real life—not just your schedule.
Need inspiration on where to go?
This guide rounds up some of the best road trips to take in the U.S. this year—coastal drives, mountain escapes, and everything in between.
Travel Well,
