Snacks, Stops, and Sanity
Getting Ready for an 8-Hour Family Road-Trip to Tennessee
It’s been just over a year since we last made this drive — back then, it was for our youngest grandson’s baby shower. This weekend, we’ll make the same trip again, only now it’s to celebrate his first birthday.
This time, the plans feel a little brighter. Hubs found the cutest Airbnb for the weekend, and our youngest daughter — along with her husband and their two littles — will be joining us. We’ll be celebrating our youngest grand making his first trip around the sun and catching some good college football while we’re at it.
It’ll be a full house, a little chaotic, and a lot of love — the best kind of weekend.
Packing Smart for an 8-Hour Family Drive
I’ve been making lists all week — one for food, one for the car, and one for everything that needs to be done before we leave.
We’ll bring a hard-sided cooler for cold items and a soft-sided cooler for everything else. I’ve packed turkey and grilled-chicken wraps in veggie tortillas, fresh fruit, string cheese, mixed nuts, and pretzel thins — high-protein, handheld, and easy to eat in motion.
Drinks are equally planned: bottled water with Liquid IV and Crystal Light packets for me, and Coke Zero for my husband and son. Small details, but they make the miles easier.
Road-trip tip: Snacks and patience go further when you plan them ahead.
What We Keep in the Car for Every Road Trip
Over time, I’ve learned that comfort and convenience are the best travel companions. Here’s what always earns a spot in our car:
- A small trash can and baby wipes — because messes happen.
- Extra napkins and hand sanitizer — for quick clean-ups and rest-stop refreshes.
- Gum — simple, but always a must.
- Extra phone chargers and a power bank — nothing derails a road trip like a dying battery.
- Passenger-princess gear: my travel pillow, cozy blanket, eye mask, and MagSafe vent-clip phone holder — the trifecta of comfort and sanity.
Tip: Keep these items packed between trips. It saves time and makes the next drive that much smoother.
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What I’m Wearing for the Drive
Road-trip style is all about comfort that still feels put-together — especially when you’ll roll straight from the car into family time.
For this trip, I’m keeping it simple:
- My favorite black leggings and a ribbed Henley, layered with a denim shirt.
- Two pairs of shoes, because I’m extra — slippers for in the car and sneakers for stops.
- My Apple Watch and Ultrahuman ring, because even on the road, I like to keep track of my body rhythm.
I’ll also be bringing my 40-ounce HydroJug (hydration is non-negotiable) and my office in a bag — laptop, iPad, journal, and planner — everything I need for jotting down ideas or working on the blog during the drive.
Everything fits within my fall capsule wardrobe — muted neutrals, soft textures, and easy layers that travel well. The goal: look like myself, just a more relaxed version of her.
Leaving Home (and Keeping It in Order)
Before we hit the road, I always make sure the house feels calm and ready for our return — dishwasher loaded, laundry folded, trash out, bed made. It’s not about perfection; it’s about peace of mind.
Duncan and Charlie will stay home with our sitter, who loves them like her own and somehow manages to leave things even cleaner than she found them. Knowing they’re cared for lets me focus on the miles ahead.
The Plan for the Road
We’ll leave before sunrise — my favorite kind of start. The world will still be quiet, the coffee strong, and the car will slowly wake up with us. Every trip seems to find its own rhythm: conversation, quiet, a stop for caffeine, repeat.
There’s something about being on the road that sparks creativity. Maybe it’s the motion, or maybe it’s the rare stillness that happens when you’re simply along for the ride.
Looking Ahead
If all goes as planned, we’ll pull into Tennessee just in time for lunch and a weekend full of family, frosting, and football.
The miles may not be magical, but they matter — because showing up matters. Not every trip is about adventure; sometimes it’s just about being present for the moments that count.
Finding joy in the journey — even the ordinary ones.
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