Going the distance: 7 tips for long-distance driving
As summer road trip season heats up, Driven offers 7 tips for driving long distances.
There’s something special about a long-distance road trip. Traveling by car allows you to unplug from everyday life. You get to be present – whether you’re by yourself, with a partner, or with your family – and soak up all the sights on the journey.
But anyone who has traveled a long distance by car knows that things don’t always go to plan. Sometimes unexpected traffic pops up. Fatigue starts to set in. Or the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Being prepared is your ultimate defense for a smooth and successful long-haul drive. Here, we’ve outlined our top tips and tricks for driving long distances.
Plan your route in advance
Keep your driving distraction-free by setting up your route on your in-vehicle GPS or mobile device ahead of time. This can also help you spot where you might run into some traffic due to construction or potentially closed roads. Our hot take: always bring an old-school paper map with you too in case you lose a cellular signal or the technology starts to glitch.
Monitor weather conditions
While you can’t control the weather, it’s a good idea to check conditions before you venture off. Make sure you top up your washer fluid, ensure your wipers are working well, and have an alternate route in mind should the weather impact yours.
Take your vehicle in for maintenance
Bring your car to a repair expert for a standard check before you go – this is a great opportunity to get an oil change, check essential fluids like coolant and brake fluid, check your vehicle's alignment, and have someone examine your brakes and engine.
Driven research shows 7 out of 10 consumers choose to get a car wash before they hit the road. There’s nothing better than hitting the road with a clean car – and a clean windshield to see the road clearly.
Use cruise control to reduce fatigue
Long-distance drives are what cruise control was made for. Cruise control helps reduce driving fatigue by imitating the way you drive, without having to press down on the accelerator pedal. Having one less thing to concern yourself with while driving can help you stay more alert and focused on the road.
Adjust your seat and mirrors for comfort
When driving a long distance, small discomforts can add up quickly and leave you feeling stiff and perhaps even in pain upon arrival at your destination. Establishing proper seat and mirror positions before you buckle up can ensure you experience a more comfortable drive. Other easy ways to keep comfy? Dress in loose-fitting clothing and wear layers to stay warm or cool off.
Get plenty of sleep and take breaks
Sometimes when you’re trying to get somewhere quickly, you want to “power through” even though your eyelids are growing heavy. But driving while fatigued is a serious safety risk. Get a good sleep the night before you depart, and if you start to feel drowsy on the road, pull over. You can take a power nap in a parking lot, leave some room in your budget to stay overnight in a hotel, or share the driving duties with your road trip companion.
Avoid distractions
Your vehicle should be as distraction-free as possible to set yourself up for a safe ride. Remove any objects that might obstruct your view from your dashboard, tend to any chips in the windshield that might grab your attention, take the time to sit down and eat instead of dining at the wheel (make your meals a part of the adventure!), and only fiddle around with the radio or your phone when you’re pulled over and the vehicle is parked (or ask your co-pilot to handle these details for you).
By following these tips, driving a long distance can be an enjoyable experience. Remember to take in all there is to see and do along the way and enjoy the ride, rather than just focusing on your destination.