PCS Orders or Summer Vacation? Travel Tips That Work for Both

Summer is officially here, which means two things if you’re part of military life: PCS season and vacation season. Sometimes you’re packing up for orders, sometimes you’re packing up for fun… and sometimes it’s both at the same time. Either way, living out of a suitcase can get old fast, so today, we’re sharing some travel tips that work whether you’re headed to your next duty station or just sneaking in a well-earned break.

If you’ve ever traveled with kids, you already know this: things will go wrong. That’s why preparation is everything. One of the most helpful things you can do, especially when you’re juggling multiple people and destinations, is create a reusable, printed master packing list. I have one that breaks things down by person (me, my husband, each kid) and by category (clothes, bathroom, entertainment, etc.). It’s not fancy, but it saves me from having to reinvent the wheel every single trip and prevents the classic “we forgot the toothbrushes again” moment.

Another thing that lives permanently in my car during travel season? Medicine. I keep both adult and children’s medications with me at all times. For kids, I specifically go with chewable pills, because liquid medicine sitting in a hot car all summer? Not ideal. It’s one of those small decisions that makes a big difference when your child inevitably gets a fever two hours into a 10 hour drive.

Speaking of long drives, let’s talk road trip survival. We plan our food stops around regular meal times, but instead of sitting down at restaurants, we use it as a potty break and grab food to go. I keep food trays in the car (like the kind you’d get from a restaurant) so the kids have a solid surface to eat on – no more balancing chicken nuggets on their knees. Eating in the car is one “activity” that can buy us 30 minutes or so. Our last stop of the day is usually a bedtime reset: everyone goes potty, changes into pajamas, and gets cozy with a movie. And yes, sometimes we sneak in a melatonin. No regrets.

To keep the kids entertained on the road, we play the license plate game, but we stepped it up a notch with a $5 magnetic version from Walmart. It’s simple, fun, and the kids take turns putting the license plates on each state. If you’re stopping at a hotel for the night, here’s an underrated tip – ask if they have a first-floor room. Lugging bags, sleepy kids, and snacks up an elevator at midnight is no one’s idea of a good time. Ground-level access makes a surprising difference when everyone’s half-asleep.

Of course, if you’re PCSing, some of this goes double. You already know your belongings might not show up exactly on time, which is why your “first night” bag becomes a sanity-saver. Pack like you’re going on a short trip: clothes, toiletries, chargers, pet gear, favorite comfort items for the kids, and a folder with all your documents (orders, IDs, vaccine records, etc.). I also recommend a mini kitchen kit with paper plates, plastic utensils, a decent knife, some Tupperware, and Lysol wipes.

And here’s one more piece of advice, especially after a slightly embarrassing experience of my own…always bring a spare car key. On our 10-year anniversary trip to Nashville, my husband and I parked the car, and I put the only key in my pocket. Well, I managed to drop it… and flush it down the toilet before I could even react. We were 13 hours from home, and thankfully, AAA helped us get a new key the next day, but since then, we always pack a spare key when we’re traveling far. Lesson learned!

Whether you’re on orders or vacation, remember that flexibility is your superpower. Military life teaches you to expect delays, detours, and surprises, and the same mindset can turn a travel meltdown into a funny memory. Some of the best stories come from the chaos. If you’re in the middle of a PCS and feeling overwhelmed, don’t forget we’re here to help. Military No Stress PCS offers free concierge support to take some of the pressure off your move. And if you’re lucky enough to be on vacation right now… enjoy every second. May your snacks stay within reach, your hotel have a working ice machine, and your kids sleep through the night.
Safe travels, and hey, may all your bags arrive on time. (We can dream.)