Depending on the nature of your trip, driving can either be an annoying chore or a grand adventure. When you have to travel a long way by car, the route plays a big part in your enjoyment. If you’re driving through scenic landscapes in the American wilderness with your best friend in the passenger seat, there’s no doubt you’re going to have a good time. But we all know the feeling of driving endless monotonous highways feeling like you could drop off at any moment.
Driving long distances can be dangerous if you’re not aware of the risks. One in twenty-five drivers have fallen asleep behind the wheel, and the longer your trip, the higher the risk. Whether you have to drive for work, to visit family or for an adventurous road trip, there are some steps you can take to ensure a safe and comfortable passage. This way, you can enjoy the journey without having to worry about the dangers.
Get plenty of sleep
Falling asleep behind the wheel is the biggest risk when driving long distances, so you want to be well-rested before starting your trip. Make sure you get plenty of sleep for at least two consecutive nights before your drive. You should sleep for seven hours at a minimum. Start your journey in the morning when you are feeling refreshed, rather than at the end of a tiring workday. If you feel tiredness coming on at any point along the way, you should stop immediately and rest. It’s better to prolong your trip due to fatigue than for an accident to cut it short. Take a flask of coffee or tea to perk you up and open the window to let the fresh air revitalize you.
Take regular breaks
When you’re driving for several hours at a time, it’s essential you make frequent rest stops. Take a break roughly every two hours to stretch your legs, visit the bathroom, and recharge your batteries. You could time these rest stops to coincide with points of interest or tourist attractions along the way to bring some variety to the journey.
Fuel yourself
Even though you’re essentially sitting down for several hours, driving is exhausting. You have to be constantly alert and focused on potential dangers as well as navigating so as not to get lost. You’ll need to fuel your body to keep yourself going. Bringing plenty of healthy snacks to munch on while driving will keep your energy up and prevent you from splashing out on costly fast food along the way. Keep a bottle of water close to hand so you can stay hydrated, especially if it’s hot outside.
Stay entertained
Driving can be tedious, especially when there is no exciting scenery to look at. If you have passengers, think of a wide variety of games you can play to keep everyone entertained. If traveling alone, why not make a playlist of your favorite music or listen to an audiobook?
Check your car
The last thing you want is for your car to break down in the middle of nowhere. Before you embark on a long drive, you should ensure everything is working order. Check your tire pressure and oil as a priority. If you haven’t had it looked at by a mechanic in a while, consider taking your vehicle into a dealership such as Empire Nissan for a service.