can 3 car seats fit in a chevy traverse

[DelCecilia]

Yes, three car seats can fit in a Chevy Traverse, but the configuration is critical and depends heavily on which car seats you choose. The most successful setup typically involves placing two car seats in the second row and one in the third row. If you want all three in the second row, it's only possible if your Traverse is equipped with the 60/40 split bench seat, not the available captain's chairs. Even with the bench, it will be a very tight squeeze requiring specific, narrower car seats.

The key factor is the vehicle's hip room measurement—the width across the seating area. The Traverse's second row offers approximately 61.0 inches of hip room. While this sounds generous, three car seats often exceed 20 inches each in width, making the total needed space over 60 inches. This leaves almost no room to maneuver or securely tighten each seat.

Car Seat Type	Typical Width	Notes on Fit in Traverse
Infant Rear-Facing	17 - 19 inches	Narrowest option, best for a 3-across attempt.
Convertible (Rear/Front)	18 - 22 inches	Wider; three may not fit on the 2nd-row bench.
Booster Seat (High-Back)	16 - 19 inches	Slim profiles can work, but check belt buckle access.
3-in-1 Combination Seat	19 - 22+ inches	Often the widest; most challenging for 3-across.

For a practical and safe solution, use the third row. Install one car seat there, which still leaves the other 50% of the third-row seat and the entire second row for additional passengers or cargo. Remember, you are legally required to follow all car seat manufacturer instructions for installation, which includes ensuring the seat is not pressed tightly against a door or another car seat unless the manual explicitly allows it. The best advice is to take your specific car seats to the dealership or store and test the installation before you buy.

[VivianAnn]

We just went through this with our 2022 Traverse. We have the bench seat, and we managed to get two Diono Radian 3RX seats and a Graco SlimFit3 in the second row. It’s tight—like, you have to really work to click the seatbelts—but it’s doable. The key is getting seats marketed as "slim" or "3-across." Forget the big, plush ones. Our lifesaver was using the LATCH system for the window seats and the seatbelt for the middle. It’s not a daily setup for us, but it works when grandma visits.

[McJosephine]

As a technician who installs these daily, the answer is conditional. The Traverse's LATCH anchors are only on the two window seats in the second and third rows. The center seating position must use the vehicle's seatbelt for installation, which is perfectly safe if done correctly. The real challenge is the "bulk" of the seats. Wider seats can press against each other, which may void their safety certification. Always consult each car seat's manual for rules about side-to-side contact. A 2-1 split (second and third row) is almost always the safer, more correct installation.

[Cruz]

I sell Chevys, and this is a common question. If you know you'll need three car seats, I strongly recommend ordering the second-row bench, not the captain's chairs. The captain's chairs are great for four kids, but limit you to two car seats in the second row. With the bench, you have a fighting chance. My advice? Bring your car seats to the dealership for a test fit before you sign the papers. It’s the only way to be 100% sure they’ll work with your specific models.