traveling with a 10 month old, drive or fly?

DH and I go down to Myrtle Beach, SC every year. This year we are thinking of going in June with our DS who will be 10 months old at the time. We are debating whether it would be easier to drive there (about 11 hours road trip!) and this way we can pack pretty much everything we need in the car, or fly. How difficult will it be to fly? Will there be extra baggage fees, etc since I will have to probably check additional items like a stroller? Will TSA let me go through with liquid formula? Also would I need to get some sort of identification card for him? Thanks!

traveling with a 10 month old, drive or fly?

Since DS is under 2 he flies free--that is a plus! You don't pay to check any of the baby gear. I packed my DD's clothes in my suitcase since DH and I were taking one each. We always fly Jetblue, so the first checked bag is free.

The only things I brought with me were the stroller, car seat and base. In my carry on (I had two..my purse and a big bag for all of DD's stuff) I packed all of the bottles, formula, baby food, diapers, wipes I would need for that travel day. Oh and a few extra outfits for the baby and toys.

When I got to my destination, I went to Target and bought formula, bottled water, diapers and wipes for the week.

Driving to Myrtle is a long drive and my DD isn't the best passenger. I kept her occupied on the plane with toys and a DVD player.

HTH!

traveling with a 10 month old, drive or fly?

We go every year in May and I fly with DC and DH drives.

You are allowed to bring a reasonable amount of formula with you - they usually don't say anything - and ice packs, etc. You also get to check your stroller and carseat for free (either at the gate or with baggage).

I bought diapers and formula when I got down there as well from Target or Walmart.

The only bad thing is that the main airline direct out of NY is Spirit and I had a horrible experience with them on my last trip out (they cancelled my outbound flight and told me the next option wasn't until Saturday - and DH was there already!!!)

Re: traveling with a 10 month old, drive or fly?

Re: traveling with a 10 month old, drive or fly?

I would definitely drive but leave at night so that he sleeps the bulk of the trip.

Re: traveling with a 10 month old, drive or fly?

traveling with a 10 month old, drive or fly?

I would fly for sure. Being in the car that long with a baby would be torture for me. I'm not a fan of driving through the night on no sleep though.

Re: traveling with a 10 month old, drive or fly?

I think you could do the drive - especially overnight.

We took both sons on a 5 hour flight and 4 hour car ride (in a row) at that age.

and DD at 11 months this summer did LI-Niagra-Toronto-Montreal-New Hampshire-Li without a peep. day time driving too

Re: traveling with a 10 month old, drive or fly?

Thanks all, I am still considering both. If I fly would it be advisable to take my own car seat with me (is it a pain to lug through the airport? I am thinking by this age my DS will be too big for the infant carrier which snaps into the stroller) or just rent one from the rental car company?

Re: traveling with a 10 month old, drive or fly?

I would definitely bring the car seat because you should really buy him a ticket anyway and plan to use it on the plane. It's much safer that way.

traveling with a 10 month old, drive or fly?

I would bring my own carseat. We usually check it with our baggage though instead of lugging it around the airport (still free).

We use a CARES harness for DS (who is over 2) and DS 2 (under 2) is a lap child.

Message edited 12/11/2012 8:50:11 AM.