7 Tips for Long Car Trips

Many people drive a long distance for a weekend getaway or perhaps they want to take a cross-country journey that takes much longer. Like any type of travel, a road trip of any distance can be a challenge and this is especially true with long journeys. In this article, we will present seven tips that should make the trip successful and safe for everyone.

1.Prepare the Vehicle

Some people simply pack their vehicle, leave at their appointed time and hope for the best. This is a bad way to start a long car trip and it could make the trip much shorter than you’re expecting. It’s best to adopt a proactive mindset and ensure that the vehicle is ready for the upcoming trip. Many maintenance tasks are relatively simple and they will make the vehicle run smoothly and efficiently. They are:

• Ensure that the vehicle fluids are topped off.

• Inspect the tires for proper inflation and signs of damage.

• Check the AC and heater.

• Change the oil.

• Perform some general maintenance.

• Bring a road trip emergency trip, include: a toolkit, jumper cables, a spare tire and emergency blankets.

2.Bring (Healthy) Snacks

Many of us pack our vehicle cabins with our favorite junk food to keep us entertained and packed with sugary carbohydrates for the journey. Frequent fast food stops may be the order of the day and yet we can avoid these stops entirely with some advance planning. It is possible to feel nourished, full and energized if you bring healthier snacks with you. Some of our favorite healthy road snacks include protein bars, trail mix, grapes, carrots, beef jerky, popcorn and more. As an added bonus, you will save money if you buy your snacks before your trip and avoid the fast food.

3.Remember to Hydrate

It’s common to feel hungry or experience headaches and dizziness if we are not properly hydrated. It’s easy to forget to drink water during a car journey because we’re sitting in comfortable seats with the AC or heat running. But, you will need to drink regularly and water is the best option for good health. Although you may need to add a few bathroom stops to your journey, you will feel more alert and healthier. 

4.Get a Good Night's Sleep

All human adults require 7-9 hours of good sleep to feel rested for the day ahead. This is especially true when it comes to being alert for driving a long distance. We recommend that drivers get at least 7 hours sleep for the 2 days before the trip. This will be essential to build up some energy reserves to stay alert for longer. The drive should start in the morning after a good night's sleep and breakfast. Try to avoid departing after a long day at work to drive overnight unless you’ve planned a stop. This can be a great way to beat weekend traffic, but it’s a stressful way to start a trip and it can be dangerous. When you drive, remember to take regular breaks every couple of hours or 100 miles (whichever comes first). During the break hydrate, eat a snack and close your eyes for an hour to get some much needed rest. 

5.Route Planning

There are different ways to plan your route depending on the type of journey you want to take. Some prefer a direct route to save time and others want to take their time and enjoy the scenery. Perhaps there is something that you want to see along the route or maybe you want to reach your destination quickly to make the most of a precious weekend. For both options there are some questions to ask yourself to make the route planning easier:

• How many miles can you drive in a day?

• How much time do you have to reach your destination?

• Will you use the freeways or back roads or both?

Now that you have a clearer idea about the road trip it’s time to look at the map to see how you can make it work. Use your favorite mapping app, input the starting point and final destination and look at the various routes. This will help you to avoid toll roads or highways if you prefer. They choose your route and plan your rest stops (see below).

6.Rest Stop Planning

A driver should stop the car and walk around to stretch their legs every couple of hours. This can coincide with other essential needs, such as: meals, naps, visiting interesting places and stopping for gas. For frugal drivers, the cheapest states to buy gas are: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The most expensive states to buy gas are California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. The cheapest day to buy your gas is typically Monday, and Wednesday and Thursday tend to be more expensive. If you fill up early in the morning or late at night, it may be possible to save a couple of dollars because the stored gas at the pump is cooler. 

7.Stay Alert

A long car journey can become monotonous and this is especially true at night when there isn’t much to look at. Many drivers chew gum to tickle their taste buds and to stay alert with improved blood circulation. Another strategy is to sit in an upright position and drive with the window cracked open to get some cool air in the vehicle. If you have passengers, enjoy a conversation that doesn’t take your attention away from the road. Adding some energizing music or an interesting audiobook to a journey can be an excellent way to stay alert and pass the time. If you have kids in the car, you can play spotting road trip games, sing songs or get everyone a puzzle book to keep them quiet. Family-friendly games and educational apps for their preferred devices can be a godsend if arguing becomes a problem. 

In Conclusion

If you follow these seven tips and tricks and ensure that you are fully insured you can enjoy your long car journey. If your vehicle has cruise control don’t rely on it, use it for long boring sections and then disengage it to drive for more involvement and movement. We highly recommend that you share the driving with another person to get some rest if that’s possible.