With the impending summer months come road trips galore, but one thing a lot of drivers miss when getting caught up in the excitement and romanticism surrounding a big, long trip is the nitty-gritty fact of the matter – you’re driving for a LONG time. If you’re covering long distances across multiple states, chances are a bulk of this time is spent on the highway through some pretty boring scenery. So how do you stay alert when you’ve got miles upon miles ahead of you? Here are some of our best tips – many of which will help you avoid the need for auto body repair.
Caffeine
If you’re starting early (or even if you’re not), we recommend having caffeine on hand. A good cup (or 5) of coffee can make all the difference in how awake you feel when you’re starting to lack energy. The downside to this particular tip is that you’ll probably be making more pit stops for potty breaks, but the trade-off is often worth it.
Good Music
We already discussed the mechanics of creating an amazing playlist, but we stand by the suggestion. Good music with varied beats and a general upbeat rhythm is the key to keeping yourself awake and engaged. Plus, who doesn’t love a good car sing-along to get the blood flowing and make you focus a little harder on the task at hand? Bonus points if you’re belting out the high notes in “Defying Gravity” from the musical Wicked.
Frequent Breaks
We know, you want to get to the destination as quickly as possible, but taking breaks is paramount. You need to stretch your legs, give your vehicle a moment or two to breathe, and wake your body up. Moving around helps keep you alert and lets you take stock of any muscles that might be getting a little too fatigued. If you’re bound and determined to get there as fast as possible, maybe it’s time to adjust your view of the journey. After all, it’s supposed to be just as exciting and fun as the destination, and it can be if you let it!
Swap Out Drivers
At the end of the day, it’s important to know your limits. Going on a road trip with friends or family is great for many reasons, but one of the best is that you have multiple drivers available. There’s just no fighting the fatigue past a certain point, and when you hit that point you need to own up to it and swap out. Never put your safety or the safety of your passengers at risk in favor of “powering through.” Take turns at the wheel. Staying alert comes much easier when you have the chance to take a cat nap or two.
Hydration
Again, this may contribute to the necessity of point number three, but staying hydrated is important, even (and in some ways, especially) on long road trips. A dehydrated body can slip into fatigue quickly, as well as encountering other unpleasant side effects if left alone for too long, so keeping a few full water bottles in the car with you while you drive is a must-do when you’re traversing the country.
Summer road trips can create some of the best memories you’ve got, but it’s important if you’re doing long legs in a single trip that you watch out for your safety, the safety of your passengers, and the safety of everyone you’re sharing the road with. Highway hypnosis can be a very real and very dangerous thing, so avoiding it at all costs is best.
