Have you ever taken a long-distance (driving) trip by yourself?

Question

I am going to be driving from Richmond, Virginia to Minneapolis, Minnesota this summer (a total of around 18 hours) with a stopover in Chicago for a night (I'll be staying at my aunt's house). I usually fly (my dad lives in Minneapolis and I visit him often), but I just got a new car and decided to drive.
That's about 13 hours + stops one day and 6 + stops the next day, and I've never been in the car that long by myself before.

If you've ever taken a trip this long alone, what did you do to keep yourself busy, and more importantly, alert? I have a ton of good music to listen to, and I was thinking of bringing along snacks, but I'm at a loss for other ideas.

Answer 1

I have driven from Richmond to New Jersey and back. That is about 6 hours each way. I listen to Books on Tape (or CD). For me, that really makes the drive go fast. Make sure you stop every few hours to stretch your legs and maybe get some coffee or a Coke. If you feel like you are getting sleepy open the window for some fresh air or take off your shoes. Do not drive at night.

Answer 2

If Fairbanks, AK to Austin, TX qualifies as a long trip then I have done so. Honestly your trip is not that big a thing. It is to you but for an old man like me it is a piece of cake. I have driven solo from Phoenix, AZ to Sacramento, CA more times than I can remember. Additionally I have a motorcycle that has seen 586 miles in one day. That is my current record for a one day ride.

Radio, music, talk shows, a talk show on politics will keep me awake. If you drink coffee, get a travel mug and a thermos. Stop every 100 miles or so, just to stretch and wash your face. Other bodily functions as necessary. A big meal requires a lot of blood to digest, that reduces blood pressure and makes you drowsy. Eat lighter meals and have four a day instead of three. I usually eat as early in the morning as possible, usually around 5:00 AM, then again around 9:30 AM, again at about 2:30 PM and a nice dinner before an early bed time. Use your cruise control. It will help you make good time, save gas, reduce the leg fatigue and keep the guys with the red lights and ticket books interested in someone else.

Good luck and have a safe trip. Hey, if you have any specific questions I can be reached through my profile.

Answer 3

do yourself a favor and listen to jaden, when tired STOP and take a quick walk at one of the rest stops.

I do a lot of long distance driving so here are a couple of tips.

take snacks that you can munch on easily because they temporarily make you alert: key word is temporarily!

take two-three water bottles as you don't want to drink too much caffeine (except for coffee when you are stopped)

invest in a CB radio as it is amazing how alert you become when you are listening to some truckers talking: LOL very funny conversations.

also the cb is handy in case you run into an area where you cell phone does not work and you need help.

take a car charger for your cell phone as well.

before you leave get a hands free kit for your cell phone and sign up for a roaming plan with your provider, that way you can talk and drive (as long as it is legal in that state and you are not getting distracted).

eat something before you start your trip but not too large but you do need the energy or you will get distracted easily. sip water from time to time as it helps with alertness.

there are also websites where you can post where you are going and sometimes someone will ask to get a ride to that city and they will split the gas with you (cheaper that way and sometimes you can meet really freaky people, joking)

i'd leave really early in the morning for the first part of the trip and maybe half way through find a good rest stop and maybe close your eyes for 1/2 hour or so.


good luck on the trip and don't worry...highway driving sounds a lot harder then it is.

one other point, make sure you find a car traveling about the same speed as you and follow behind 1/2 km or so. that way you have something to look at and it will keep you sane. better if you can join a group of cars that is close by just in case.

Answer 4

First you want to get a good night's sleep for at least a couple of days leading up to the trip. Protein snacks are best and lots of Water. Save the caffeine such as coke or coffee for later in the trip when you are more likely to need it.

You will want to stop and rest and get out and stretch your legs every 1 and a half hours. This is important for many reasons. It keep your from getting tired and keeps the blood circulating to your legs and feet.

Don't eat a big meal. Turkey sandwiches are a good low fat protein choice. You might want to listen to some talk radio from time to time, that always get my attention and keeps me awake. And up beat music is good. Vary it so you don't zone out.

If you find yourself getting tied it helps to have some gum with you. Chew this until you can get off the road to a rest stop or a McDonald's. Park where a lot of people are around. Lock your doors and take a nap. If you take a big floppy hat and put it over your face no one will see that you are a young lady alone. Dress kind of boyish too helps. Drive in the day time as much as possible.

I love to drive and have trouble doing it for long stretches now that I am older. Enjoy your trip.

Answer 5

I've done Long Island, NY to Newport Beach, CA in 1991. It took me 4 days total, but I'm a Road warrior at heart. I bring books on tape, music works for awhile but sometimes you wanna hear a human talking.

Sunflower seeds, pop a hand full in your mouth and practice splitting and spitting them out. It also help with hunger and you won't have to stop to eat as much.

18 hours isn't bad, honestly, you could leave at 2 in the morning and arrive at 8 pm. this also helps because most of your driving will be in the daylight and you'll have things to look at. The problem is traffic in toward the cities.

let people know where you are about every 2 hours or so, it's a nice piece of mind you, plus if you get detoured, they can plot an alternate route on Map quest for you.

Best 'o luck, take pictures, you'll treasure the memories of your first loner road trip along time from now.

Answer 6

If he gets car sick, get him a pet carrier or crate. There isn't really much you can do about that. Just make sure that his carrier is comfortable, and it has something that you can toss in the washing machine, after he pukes on it. Make sure you get a harness and leash for the cat. They have them for cats, yes. Stop every couple hours, and take him out to go potty. Stop somewhere that will have sand, dirt or wood chips. Cats dont' really like going on grass or rocks. Get him a special water container. Pretty much like what you'd get for a hampster or mouse. They can smell the water, so don't worry about him getting thirsty. He won't be feeling well, and will be a little scared, so don't worry about if he eats or drinks or not. He'll eat and drink once he's in a house, or at least out of the car. Also, make sure that you have his carrier either in a seat belt, or tucked tight between suitcases/bags, or whatever. He'll feel a little better knowing that the box holding him in won't go anywhere! If you have any other questions, or concerns, you can always contact a vet, or pet store. They can give you some good info! Good luck, and have fun!

Answer 7

I drove from Southern California to the middle of Oregon once. It was about an 18 hr drive. I took a lot of fun upbeat music with me and just rocked out the whole way there. I actually loved doing the trip on my own because no one was there to tell me my music sucked! When I started getting tired I would stop in funky little towns and grab a coffee and go for a brisk walk. This will help keep the blood flowing!!

The most important thing is... if you are really tired... STOP!! Please pull over and rest!! Getting there is the goal.

Have fun!

Answer 8

Just be sure to drive during daylight hours and know what hotel you are going to stop at each night, in advance .. Have a cell phone handy ; and a good motor club to rely on . You might also take along a book on tape or CD . I do 3-day trips ; and love it .