This isn't really a huge deal, I'm just looking for opinions on the best way to move forward, as this is probably the longest drive we've ever done since having children.
We've booked a very affordable caravan holiday just outside St Ives, at the very end of June. No half term, so traffic will probably be fairly bad, and it should take us around 7 hours (with a break) from where we live, which is just outside Manchester. We have an almost 2 year old (who still naps) and a 4 year old (who does not). Both kids are good travellers.
I've had recommendations of booking a hotel close to our destination the night before we're due to check in, and set off at the kids bedtime. With any luck, they will fall asleep, then when we arrive at the hotel we can have a trouble free transfer, grab some sleep ourselves, then wake up in the morning around 10 mins drive from the caravan site. We can grab some breakfast (kids eat free) to set us up for the day, then explore the local area before checking in.
Husband thinks we should set off at 6am on the day of check in, drive half way and have a break, at which point one of the kids should be ready for a nap, then aim to arrive there early afternoon for check in at 3pm.
I think both options have their advantages, but reckon the hotel option works best for us. It's only £31 for the night, and it means we're there on the morning and not spending all day driving, then ending up knackered for the first day.
Husband is adamant that it's a riskier option, and has read horror stories about children waking up during car transfer, then jumping around the hotel room until the early hours, leaving everybody grumpy and tired on the first official day of the holiday.
I could convince him, but I thought I'd reach out to some experienced mums who might have other suggestions, or have first hand experience of either way.
I am being unreasonable - drive down on the day, leaving early morning
I am not being unreasonable - hotel the night before, drive through the night (from 6pm)