Road trips are a Canadian rite of passage. Pretty much everyone has been on at least 1 long trip on Canada’s highways. But they can also be loud, unpredictable, and full of the exact kinds of sensory and scheduling chaos that can make travelling with Tourette Syndrome genuinely hard.
With a little planning, road trips are absolutely doable and often wonderful. This guide is for anyone with TS hitting the road, as well as for the parents, partners, and travel companions who are making the trip with them.
Before You Leave & On the Road
Map your route with flexibility in mind
One of the best things about a road trip is that you’re not locked into a rigid schedule, unless you’re that type of go-go-go planner. For many people with TS, that flexibility is genuinely helpful. When planning your route, build in more stops than you think you’ll need. A rest stop every 90 minutes or so gives everyone a chance to move, reset, and release tension that can build up during long stretches in a confined space.
Look for stops that offer some room to stretch and move, like a park, a trail, or even a large parking lot, which beats a cramped gas station. Apps like iOverlander or even Google Maps can help you spot good pull-off points in advance.
Talk to your travel companions
If you’re travelling with others, an honest conversation before you leave goes a long way. You don’t owe anyone a full medical explanation, but letting companions know what to expect (and what actually helps) means fewer awkward moments on the road.
This might include explaining that tics can increase with excitement, fatigue, or stress; that drawing attention to tics usually makes things worse; and what, if anything, you’d like them to do if things get overwhelming.
For parents travelling with a child with TS, this conversation might extend to siblings or other kids on the trip. Simple, matter-of-fact language works best: “Sometimes [name]’s body makes movements or sounds they can’t control. It’s not a big deal, and the best thing to do is just keep doing what you’re doing.”
Medications and medical information
If you take medication for TS or associated conditions like ADHD, OCD, or anxiety, pack more than you think you’ll need. Ideally, enough for several extra days in case the trip runs long or plans change. Keep medications in their original labelled containers, especially if you’re crossing provincial or international borders.
It’s also worth having a brief written summary of your diagnosis and medications in your bag. Most of the time, you won’t need it, but it can be useful at border crossings or in the unlikely event of a medical situation far from home.
Prepare for the sensory environment
Cars can be surprisingly intense sensory environments, with road noise, music, air conditioning, confined seating, and hours spent in close proximity to other people. Think through what helps you regulate and pack accordingly.
Noise-cancelling headphones, a favourite playlist, a neck pillow, or a fidget tool can all make the difference between a manageable ride and an overwhelming one.
Honour the unpredictable
Even the best-planned trip will have moments that don’t go as planned.
Having a loose plan for when things go sideways (a go-to coping strategy, a signal word with your travel companion, permission to call it a day early) can make those moments much easier to move through.
At Your Destination
Give yourself time to settle in
New environments take adjustment. A new hotel room, a busy campsite, or an unfamiliar house can all temporarily increase tics as your nervous system orients to the new space. This is normal.
Give yourself time to walk through the space, identify where everything is, and get comfortable before diving into activities. If you’re staying somewhere for more than one night, try to establish a small routine quickly; familiar micro-routines can create stability when everything else is new.
Sleep matters more on the road
Prioritize sleep where you can. Bring whatever you use at home to sleep well: your own pillow, a white noise app, an eye mask, or anything else that’s part of your routine.
If you’re a parent, know that overtired kids with TS can have a harder time than usual. Building in a slower day after a long travel day can help everyone recover.
Eating and routine on the road
Irregular meals and different foods can be a factor for some people with TS, particularly those who also manage sensory sensitivities around food. Try to keep mealtimes reasonably consistent, and have some familiar snacks on hand so that an unexpected restaurant closure or a town with limited options doesn’t derail the day.
On the Route Home
There’s no single right way to travel with Tourette Syndrome.
Some people find road trips to be one of their favourite ways to travel precisely because of the flexibility and control they offer.
Beating yourself up because you missed out by taking too many breaks? There’s a real difference between a trip where you missed one attraction and a trip where you pushed too hard, and everyone had a rough time. The former is just a road trip. The latter is something you remember for the wrong reasons. The things you skip will still be there next time.
What matters is that you know yourself (and your companions) well enough to plan around what actually helps. The road is wide, and there’s room on it for everyone.
For more resources on living well with Tourette Syndrome, visit Tourette Canada.