Tips for Driving Long Distances Alone

Once you have passed your driving test your first instinct will usually be to get out and about in your car as much as possible. Most undertake a few short journeys at first but, eventually, you will want to go further afield, which means you will need to be prepared to drive a long distance all in one go for the first time.

To help you along the way, we have compiled a few helpful tips to ensure you go the distance and make it to your destination safely.

Get Plenty of Sleep

Fatigue on the roads is a killer. As your body and eyes tire you begin to lose concentration, which lowers your ability to react to situations on the road and raises the possibility of an accident occurring. Make sure you get plenty of sleep before your journey and that you eat a good breakfast before setting out. If you do start to feel tired when you are driving, pull over at the next opportunity and take a moment to stretch your legs and grab a coffee of quick snooze before heading out again.

Bring Food and Water

Though it doesn’t seem like it, driving for long distances can take a physical toll on you, as well as a mental one. To make sure your mind and body stay sharp you should bring some healthy snacks along for the ride, as well as a few bottles of water. Take a sip or grab a bite whenever you start to feel hungry. Avoid fast foods, as these won’t give your body the nutrients it needs to perform to the best of its ability.

Check Your Car

You should always run a quick check on your car before setting out on a long journey, as you don’t want unexpected issues scuppering your plans and preventing you from making it where you want to go. Run quick checks on the oil, water, and fuel, in addition to checking all of your tires have the correct air pressure for the trip. This latter point is particularly important if the car will be carrying extra weight, such as luggage, for a long period of time.

Plan Ahead

Instead of relying solely on your GPS to get you where you need to go, bust out a map and plan your journey. Pick out some landmarks that you can use for navigational purposes and select a few places where you can stop for a moment and recover your energy. Further, planning ahead makes you feel more confident about the drive, so you won’t have to worry about nerves affecting your driving.

Use the Radio

Though some may find it a distraction, the radio can play a huge role in keeping you mentally stimulated, thus boosting your concentration levels. If you don’t want to have loud music playing during your trip, consider taking a book on tape or something else to offer a little bit of background noise. Some even recommend comedy CDs, as laughing will keep you awake. Just make sure you don’t pick anything so hilarious that it leaves you doubled over while you drive.