The Travel Stroller I Wish I’d Bought from the Start (Plus 4 More That’ll Fit in Any Car!)

My kids are 2 and 4 years old, and they’ve quickly become travel champs, keeping themselves entertained on road trips all around the West Coast, and flying both cross-country and to Hawaii.

As such, my husband and I have gotten our packing routine down to a near science, learning to load luggage into the trunk like pieces in Tetris. Though it’s a lesson we learned the hard way — i.e., running late to the airport and unable to close the overfull car. Now, to save space, we do things like leave our Pack N Play at home, since most lodgings provide them free of charge. 

But one thing we always need that isn’t complimentary, is a stroller. Our everyday Uppababy Vista is great for family walks and park playdates, but it’s just too big and bulky when there’s a lot to pack, even in our midsize SUV. If the Vista is in the car, it can even become tricky to tackle a lengthy grocery list or any other errand that involves hauling large items.

So whether we’re on a road trip, driving to the airport, or doing a mega Costco run, we leave it at home in favor of a more storage-friendly option, like a travel stroller. They can be serious space savers when folded down compactly, and I’ve tried many, ranging from a flimsy umbrella stroller I bought in Disneyland in a pinch to a no-frills budget one, and a newer, premium stroller I wish I invested in from day one. 

Here are the best car-friendly, slim-fitting strollers whether you have suitcases to stack or groceries to cart home. 

Remember that stroller I wish I had earlier? This is it. I started using it this summer ahead of a busy travel season with two kids and only one travel stroller. Needing a second one, I brought it on a 10-day trip to Maui where we stayed in three different hotels, and it served us extremely well while navigating airports and sprawling resorts with tired toddlers.

But my good impression started far before we ever landed in Hawaii. For starters, the stroller folds and unfolds one-handed, all in a mere second with the push of a button. When folded, it has a super slim profile that takes up a fraction of the space of our regular stroller. It also slides into tight spaces well, fitting overhead on an airplane and on super packed car rides. I’ve even slipped it into the space between the driver’s seat and our daughter’s car seat in the back, which really maximizes what we can pack into the trunk.

Plus, it’s a joy to use with a supersize shade, an extra-padded seat, an adjustable harness, built-in footrest, a storage basket, and smooth gliding wheels. I like it so much, I’ve started using it at home as well, as it’s quicker and easier to get set up than my regular-two piece stroller and leaves plenty of room for groceries. 

For a budget-friendly pick, this is the trusty option I’ve been using for over four years. I purchased it when I was still just a mama of one without any saved-up funds to splurge. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of my top pick above — the shade doesn’t extend very far, for one — but it does the job well. 

It’s accompanied us everywhere from theme parks like Disney and Legoland, as well as to Mexico and on trips around the country. I also used it at home as a second stroller in the past when needed. 

When folded down, the frame is ultrathin and easily goes in the trunk or between the seats in the back of the car. We’ve also fit it overhead on smaller airplanes without a hitch. And even with such a diminutive silhouette, I love that it includes features like a storage basket and a seat that can lie flat for on-the-go naps. 

A new, souped-up version of their previous parent-approved Joolz Aer+, the Aer2 is a travel stroller that can rival any regular stroller, removing the need to have two, and ensuring space in the car is always available in spades. 

This one closes in one second and with one hand, weighs just over 14 pounds, fits newborns to toddlers, and when folded, measures down to a minuscule 9 inches high. And somehow, it still manages to incorporate necessary elements like a storage basket, a deep recline, a far-reaching shade, and adjustable harness. As a bonus, it includes a travel pouch (helpful for airplane bins, where it will fit, by the way) and arrives in reusable cardboard packaging that’s designed for kiddos to repurpose into large-scale animals or airplanes for extra fun play.

Uppababy stans like me should strongly consider their travel-friendly option, the Minu, which is designed to take up less space than my Vista. When folded and standing upright (which it can do on its own without toppling over), it measures just 21×10 inches, which is small enough to occupy a sole corner of any car. 

It’s also IATA-compatible to fit in an overhead airplane bin, and unlike other travel strollers that skimp on storage space, the basket beneath the seat can hold up to 20 pounds. This one can also be used from birth and includes a three-position footrest, an extendable canopy, a five-point no rethread harness, full recline, and a hidden pocket meant to hold an AirTag tracker so this investment never goes lost while in transit or at the park. The addition of adapters also make it travel-system compatible with most car seats.

For parents of infants looking to pare down their required baby gear, I’m not sure if it gets any more thoughtful than this. Designed as a car seat and stroller in one, the Doona removes the need to pack two big pieces of equipment into the car in favor of this single versatile option. 

The push of a button transforms it from a car seat to a stroller in seconds, and vice versa, leaving your trunk blissfully free of any stroller at all. It’s especially ideal for those who reside in urban areas or while traveling as it can install quickly in different cars or taxis. However, I’d recommend it to anyone who wants something incredibly functional that will allow them to travel with less stuff. Just keep in mind that the design is only meant to accommodate rear-facing infants up to 35 pounds, so this one is best for babies.