Leave early (after loading the packed food you prepared at home). Day 1 is a 10‑hour on‑road block; average effective speed target ~62 mph will cover ≈620 miles today heading east on I‑10/I‑40 corridors. Start with baby essentials accessible (diapers, formula/breastfeeding supplies, shade).
First day you requested packed food only: suggest easy, non‑perishable items: breakfast burritos (pre-made, microwaved at home and kept in a cooler), Greek yogurt cups in a cooler, bananas, granola bars — quick, minimal stops and no restaurants.
Pack sandwiches/wraps, cut veggies, cheese, nuts, fruit, bottled water. No sit‑down or fast‑food — eat at a scenic rest area or park. Most rest areas are open 24/7; bring trash bags.
Refuel the Nissan NV. Today’s approximate fuel burn ≈ 44.3 gallons (≈620 miles / 14 mpg). Fill up, buy ice, extra bottled water if needed. Expect to pay ~USD 176–180 for today’s fuel portion.
Arrive at Hampton Inn in the Amarillo area (typical check‑in ~3:00pm). Reserve 3 rooms for the group (3 rooms cover 11 people including infant). Unpack, wash up, and use hotel amenities. Hampton usually offers free breakfast next morning (verify on-site), free parking and family friendly rooms.
No restaurants required: use groceries packed from home or small items bought at a nearby convenience store. Keep infant’s bedtime routine to get 8+ hours of sleep for all. Hampton rooms often have microwaves/refrigerators which are helpful for heated baby food.
Hampton typically offers complimentary continental breakfast (hours commonly ~6:00am–9:30am) — use this to supplement grocery purchases. Check out by 11:00am.
Per your rule, buy day‑of groceries at Kroger-type store (typical Kroger hours ~6:00am–11:00pm; local hours vary). Purchase breakfast items for later, sandwiches/wrap fixings, drinks, and snacks. Plan approx. USD 160 for the day for 11 people (sandwich ingredients, drinks, snacks, baby items).
Arrive at Hampton Inn near Springfield MO (typical check‑in 3:00pm). 3 rooms reserved again for the group. Let everyone shower and rest; use hotel fridge/microwave for baby food if needed.
Begin 8‑hour driving block for Day 3; expected coverage ≈ 496 miles. This gets you into the eastern Ohio corridor but still ≈429 miles short of Minford (see route math in header).
You will be close to the Columbus / eastern Ohio corridor, but still about 429 miles (≈7 driving hours) away from Minford. If you must arrive Minford within the 3‑day limit, this would require significantly longer driving hours on Day 2 or Day 3 (not recommended with an infant and large group).
Option A — Stop here for the night at a Hampton Inn (recommended): reserve 3 rooms and complete the final 7 hours the next morning. Option B — Continue driving tonight ~7 more hours to reach Minford (not recommended; driver fatigue and infant comfort).
If you stop for the night in Columbus area: 3 rooms at Hampton Inn, typical rate USD 170/room/night (3 rooms ≈ USD 510 pre‑tax). I estimated hotel taxes and fees bring that to ≈ USD 572/night for the set of rooms.