More than half of US parents experience stress and anxiety before road trips, the baby gear and auto experts are combining resources to help
LANCASTER, Pa., July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — New research from Chicco USA found that more than half (52%) of parents feel stress and anxiety in the days leading up to a family road trip as they pack and handle travel logistics. Further, 2 in 10 (23%) parents admit they only occasionally or never check that their child’s car seat is properly installed before hitting the road, highlighting the importance of taking extra care to ensure child passenger safety on extended road trips.
As millions of travelers take to the road this summer, Chicco and AAA have teamed up for the third year to spotlight the importance of effective car seat use and driver safety with a free resource to help parents of young children better prepare for summer road trips: a Family Road Trip Safety Hub. The one-stop resource, which makes it easy to access advice from the brand’s trusted experts, covers topics including state car seat laws, a simple test parents can perform to check for proper car seat installation, as well as car maintenance and defensive driving tips.
“A car seat that is properly installed and used correctly is the first line of defense that parents can take to keep young passengers safe in the backseat,” said William Hasse, Vice President of Marketing for Chicco USA. “Once again, by combining our expertise in child safety with AAA’s vast knowledge of road safety, we hope to make it easier for parents juggling it all to feel confident they’ve taken the steps needed to enhance the safety of their traveling family.”
Key tips from the Family Road Trip Safety Hub, credited to Chicco Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) Josh Dilts and Kellan Howell, AAA Media Relations Manager, include:
- Navigating Car Seat Laws by State: States vary in the exact requirements for a child’s weight, height and/or age to determine the correct car seat type. Reference the interactive map to be aware of the laws of any states you may be driving through.
- Road Trip Prep Tips for a Safer Journey: “When will we get there” is asked by kids once every 20-30 minutes (40%), and in some cases more frequently (31%), according to parents surveyed by Chicco. AAA’s Trip Canvas tool allows users to search local guides and recommended activities from experienced travel editors to make sure the whole family has a more relaxing journey to their destination.
- Safe Driving Tips for New Parents: Drive defensively and keep your eyes up and brain on. Always search the entire traffic scene so you see everything going around you in all directions and keep a huge donut of space around your vehicle – especially to the front.
- Tips for Alternative Methods of Travel: It’s always recommended to bring your own car seat when you can. If you must rent, like with rental cars and international travel, always check the expiration date and make sure you have access to a user’s manual.
For more tips and resources, parents can visit the Family Road Trip Safety Hub here.
“We anticipate that millions of families will be traveling by car this summer and road trips remain a popular method of travel for families due to comfort, convenience and cost,” said Kellan Howell, AAA Media Relations Manager. “Our continued collaboration with Chicco to help families feel confident as they navigate their journey is more important than ever during these peak travel seasons like summer weekends.”
For more resources and to follow along for safety content throughout the summer season, follow Chicco USA and AAA on Instagram or visit the Baby Talk Blog. Find the latest car seat innovations, like the parent-loved Fit360 ClearTex Rotating Convertible Car Seat at ChiccoUSA.com.
Methodology
Survey conducted by PollFish on behalf of Chicco to obtain a nationally representative sample of 1,000 U.S. adult parents with children 0-10 living at home. The survey was conducted in June 2025.
About AAA
Started in 1902 by automotive enthusiasts who wanted to chart a path for better roads in America and advocate for safe mobility, AAA has transformed into one of North America’s largest membership organizations. Today, AAA provides roadside assistance, travel, discounts, and financial and insurance services to enhance the life journey of 65+ million members across North America, including over 58 million in the United States. To learn more about all AAA offers or become a member, visit AAA.com.
About Chicco® Products and Artsana USA
Artsana Group, maker of Chicco products, is a leading European company with global headquarters in Como, Italy and worldwide expertise in everything for baby. The Chicco brand was founded over 60 years ago and is now in 120 countries. Chicco has become a household name for parents across the United States thanks to products like our top-rated KeyFit® Infant Car Seat, which has been recognized as the very best for safety, performance and style. Visit www.ChiccoUSA.com for more.
SOURCE Chicco
