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Long Distance Driving Tips

For some of us, long distance driving is part of our day job, or even part of our regular commute. But for the rest of us, here are some tips and helpful advice to make sure that our drive is a smooth and stress-free one?

Let’s take a look at how you can prepare for a long drive, both in terms of your vehicle and yourself, to ensure that you arrive at your destination safely and comfortably.

Long Distance Driving Tips

There are a lot of small things you can do to make long drives more tolerable, and while an exhaustive list could fill a book, we’ll cover the most effective things you can do.

Plan Ahead:

A lot of the fuss around long-distance driving can be avoided with some planning. Try to plan your route in advance and use either a physical map or a GPS device to plan your rest stops. For trips away with family and young children, having an itinerary can really smooth over a lot of the bumps that come with being stuck in a car for long periods of time.

Have a pre-trip inspection:

If you’re planning a trip away with family, book the car in for an inspection or a service the week before to get a once-over. This service will look for obvious signs that something is wrong, and is a great time to inspect vital fluid levels and top up windscreen washer fluid.

If your trip involves driving at night, now is the time to make sure your headlights are working properly. Many brand-new cars will have auto-adjusting headlights, but if you’re in an older vehicle, adjusting your headlights is essential for avoiding eye fatigue.

Pack a road trip kit:

Things like extra drink bottles, car-friendly snacks that won’t leave greasy residue everywhere, a microfiber towel for cleaning spills or wiping windows, tissues, a roll of toilet paper, and some side window shades will all make a trip extra comfortable.

As far as a toolbag goes, there is no need to get crazy, but if you did want to know some advice on what tools we recommend, take a look at our previous article, all about what tools to take on a road trip.

The Human Dilemma

Some people find driving enjoyable or even therapeutic, but as a rule of thumb, it’s a generally accepted notion that people are terrible at paying close attention for repetitive or monotonous tasks, such as driving for long periods of time along a highway with not much to look at.

There are a few ways to make driving more enjoyable which indirectly help with both avoiding fatigue and making the drive pass more quickly.

Take Rest Breaks

It's important to take regular breaks when driving long distances to help reduce fatigue and ensure that you stay alert on the road.

Plan your breaks in advance: It's a good idea to plan your breaks ahead of time so that you can take them at regular intervals. This will help you stay on schedule and avoid getting too tired.
Get out of the car: Take a few minutes to stretch your legs and walk around a bit. This will help you feel more alert and refreshed.
Stay hydrated: Make sure to drink plenty of water during your breaks to help keep you hydrated and alert.
Eat a healthy snack: Bring along some snacks, such as fruit or nuts, to help keep your energy levels up during your journey. Avoid foods like chocolate, which include tryptophan, which is known to contribute to drowsiness.
Take a short nap: If all the other tips just aren’t helping and you’re feeling very tired, it can be helpful to take a short nap (no longer than 20-30 minutes) to recharge. Just be sure to find a safe, quiet spot to park before closing your eyes.

Set Course for Comfort

Before you set off, make sure that your mirrors, seat and steering wheel are properly positioned so that you’re comfortable and don’t need to shuffle around your seat to see what’s happening around your vehicle. There are many guides online on how to properly adjust your steering wheel and seat for maximum safety and comfort.

When it comes to climate control, the ideal temperature will vary from person to person, but setting your climate control at a comfortable level helps reduce fatigue and help you reach your destination refreshed.

Typically, avoid having the heater up too high or leaving your air on recirculate unless you require it in extremely cold conditions or you’re actively looking to block outside elements from getting in, such as bugs, dust, bad smells and so on.

If at any point you feel yourself becoming tired or uncomfortable, wind the window down as studies have shown that windy fresh air will help delay fatigue symptoms temporarily.

Drink Water

We mentioned it earlier, but it’s worth mentioning again. It's important to drink plenty of fluids, especially water, when driving long distances to help prevent dehydration.

If you start to feel thirsty or experience symptoms of dehydration, such as a dry mouth or yawning, it's important to pull over, take a break, and have a drink as soon as possible.

Book A Pre-Trip Inspection with Donnellans

If you’re planning a trip away, contact Donnellans and enquire about booking your vehicle in for a vehicle health check, inspection or preventative maintenance before you hit the road.

We have 4 convenient locations across the south-east Melbourne regions. Find your nearest store below:

Happy Travels - The Donnellans Team.