Michigan to the Carolina Coast & back with 3 kids?

You already have lots of good advice. I would agree with the person who said you should check your travel times. As a rule of thumb I use an average of 50mph which includes driving the speed limit and time for food, fuel and rest stops. Traveling by myself I can easily do 500 miles per day but with wife and dogs 400 max. And those trip distances would be mostly Interstates and/or 4 lane highways without a lot of small towns.