Oh My God, I thought I had the only child that liked car rides. My daughter is 17 and we have been doing car rides for 11 years. She is obsessed with them. On a average weekend we go on about 12 rides. They have to be at least 30 mins long and we have certain routs we go on. If I go on a different rout then that ride did not count. The winter is the worst because she does not understand that we cannot go out in the snow. I have had many white knuckle rides in the snow just to make her happy.
I have tried everything. Only a car ride will do for my daughter.

What do you do when your child has a meltdown if they don’t get a car rides?

My child just turned 16. She STILL loves riding in the car. When she was young, it would put her to sleep when nothing else would...the droning and vibration.

I have found, that she also currently loves SITTING in the car. I can sit on our front porch, and she will sit in the car, windows closed and doors shut, a few feet away. She will peruse her iPad AND BE HAPPY AS A CLAM FOR UP TO AN HOUR. That is an immensely long time in our world.

It may be sensory, like closing out external stimuli, or it may be cocooning...or, she just may like being in the car. Doesn't matter.

I use it as a tool, now. "FIRST we brush your teeth, THEN we go for a ride in the car." :-)

Our son was obsessed with riding in the car as well. It was the calming effect for him. He felt very safe and away from everything and everyone. It also relaxes him.

You could use this as a reward or treat to motivate him.

My 3 1/2yo loves rides as well...it goes in spurts. Some days he's obsessed and wants several others he's easily distracted. Very often he get's off the bus and walks straight to his car door and waits for me. What I've gotten into the habit of doing is trying to combine errands with his ride. Honestly sometimes I just suffer through the meltdowns when I can't take the time. Good luck!!!