Rethinking the Road Trip: Amtrak Auto Train with Kids – A Stress-Free Family Adventure
Editor's Note: The above video and below story were based on a trip taken by influencer @Lauren.Stewart_DC in February 2020 with her family. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Amtrak has enacted several cleaning, contact-free, and convenience measures, including new capacity guidelines to allow for better distancing on trains. We've included details about those changes in the accompanying video and story.
The Great American Road Trip is an iconic family vacation tradition, especially popular during the COVID-19 era. But for parents packing up young kids for a multi-day drive, the reality often feels far from relaxing.
Even flying comes with challenges: squeezing stuffed animals, pool toys, TSA-compliant sunscreen, and diapers into suitcases; navigating garages, security, and aisles while masked and sanitized; and enduring judgmental glares from fellow passengers as you manage Paw Patrol backpacks, iPads, and wriggly toddlers.
Yet, if you value travel's horizon-expanding magic for your children—and want to minimize your carbon footprint on their future—you'll find a way to go, safely.
Enter Amtrak's Auto Train, a unique service that transports you and your car nearly 900 miles between Virginia and Florida—traffic-free, no backseat battles, and no rest-stop emergencies.
This snowbird favorite is perfect for reinventing family road trips year-round, as travel influencer and YouTube mom @Lauren.Stewart_DC discovered on her February 2020 family trip (kids ages 8, 5, and 1). Here are her expert takeaways and tips.
"It's Like Arriving at Your Hotel—Without the Drive."
Long family trips typically mean cramming into a car for endless hours or battling airport chaos with shrinking seats and judgmental stares. Getting there rarely feels vacation-like.
The Auto Train changed that for Lauren's family: "We boarded, found our rooms easily, got cozy in pajamas, and it was like checking into a hotel," she shares. "The kids didn't even notice the 18-hour journey."
Her one-year-old, Dawson—a notoriously fussy traveler who hates car seats and planes—was miraculously content.
They booked a Superliner Bedroom Suite—combining two Superliner Bedrooms among several room types with comfy bedding, towels, turndown service, and complimentary dining (including wine).
After early dinner, Lauren settled Dawson and partitioned the rooms, letting Dad and the older kids relax undisturbed—even at his 2 a.m. wake-up.
The setup solved common travel woes: device charging, Wi-Fi, leg-stretching, and napping comfortably.
No bathroom emergencies either—Superliner Bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms, showers, and sinks; Family Rooms and Roomettes access shared facilities per car.
Lauren loved the roominess, planning a Pack 'n Play next time.
Private rooms are family-friendly and cost-effective: Accommodate 2-4 (combine for more); no baggage/Wi-Fi/food fees; car travels with you (no parking/rentals); kids 2-12 travel at 50% off per adult.
Bonus: Mask-free in private rooms. These options surged in popularity post-pandemic for private relaxation. (Click here for Amtrak's enhanced cleaning protocols.)
"An Adventure in Itself."
The journey entertained the kids, ditching screens for train explorations. "Moving between cars felt epic," Lauren says. (Current guidelines encourage staying in rooms, but social distancing is maintained.)
Unlike flights, aisle wanderers were welcomed—social five-year-old Lilah made friends, bonding over car-spotting on the train.
By trip's end, "each kid had adopted grandparents."
Face coverings required outside rooms or in coach; contact-free ticketing via app; enhanced capacity limits for distancing.
"Reliable Meals, No Mealtime Drama."
Picky eaters? The dining car impressed (included with sleeper fares: dinner, continental breakfast). Mac 'n' cheese was a hit—even for connoisseurs. Kids loaded cheesecakes with toppings.
"Great picky-eater options," Lauren notes. Bring snacks for grazing.
Dining available with distancing; reserve at check-in or get room delivery.
"Skip the Drive, Save the Planet—and Sanity."
Annually, Auto Train removes 117,000 cars from I-95, saving 95 million driver miles (nearly four Earth circumferences) and 8.5 million pounds of CO2e. Accepts most standard vehicles like SUVs/minivans.
Parents relaxed fully—reading stories, playing games, spotting alligators along Florida's St. John's River. Lauren avoided motion sickness; car was ready upon arrival for seamless continuation.
"I love my car on vacation—we were off within an hour."
"Our New Go-To Travel Hack."
"I never knew this existed," Lauren says post-trip. They'd done short Amtrak but not long-haul.
Followers flooded her DMs: "It doesn't feel like 18 hours."
Would she now? "Hands-down over planes. Private rooms are key—easier than driving."
"We'd do it again."
Plan Your Auto Train "Road Trip."
Explore Auto Train details, Amtrak's long-distance routes, and enhanced safety measures.
Lauren's Pro Tips for Train Travel with Kids
From DMs during her February trip:
1. Pack cozy clothes/PJs—quick changes in private rooms.
2. Lots of snacks—kids + food = happy travels. (Dining car/delivery available.)
3. Small "kid bags" per child: books, puzzles, games, juice.
4. Pack light—leave bulky items in the car.
Have a great trip!
