If you’re getting ready to make a long drive on a road trip, then there are definitely a few things to keep in mind.
Road trips are super fun. And even though the drive can sometimes be long, piling into a car with your friends, family, loved ones, or even by yourself to prepare for some serious scenery-rich drive time is always a fantastic activity to look forward to.
With that being said, driving does present some risks.
Statistically speaking, driving is actually more dangerous than flying.
So safety is an important consideration if you’re going to be on the road for more than a couple of hours.
But it’s also true that staying comfortable can be another challenge.
Long road trips will require you to sit in a small car or truck interior, in a particular position, for an extended period of time—maybe even six to eight hours or more, depending on where you’re traveling to.
So in this post, we’re going to explore seven road trip tips for a safe and comfortable drive.
There’s no reason to be unsafe or uncomfortable anymore on your road trips.
Let’s dive into it.
1. Get Plenty Of Sleep
One of the most dangerous risks associated with driving long distances is drowsiness and sleepiness.
Dozing off at the wheel can be a real problem.
But you can help to protect yourself from this by getting plenty of sleep the night before.
2. Avoid Distractions
Whenever you drive a car, there’s a certain amount of time that you spend paying close attention to the road—and there’s a certain amount of time you spend paying attention to other things.
Here’s the tough truth.
Anytime you’re paying attention to anything other than the road, you’re putting yourself and your other passengers at risk.
Therefore, cutting out distraction is paramount to road trip safety.
3. No Drinking Or Drug Use
For the most part, this should be a no-brainer.
But it’s still important to mention.
Drinking alcohol and/or consuming any other mind-altering substances of any sort before a road trip is an incredibly bad and dangerous idea.
If you’re going to have a drink, make sure that you plan to enjoy it after you’ve arrived at your destination, and that you’ll no longer need to be behind the wheel.
4. Wear Comfortable Clothing
Wearing comfortable clothing that won’t restrict your movement or cut off your circulation while you’re seated in your car could mean the difference between being extremely comfortable and being extremely uncomfortable.
For example, opt for stretchy, comfortable pants instead of those tight jeans if you plan to be in the car for more than 30 minutes.
5. Pack Some Healthy Snacks
Everyone loves to go through the drive-thru.
This is a road trip, right?
A little bit of unhealthy fast food is par for the course!
Well, even if you do plan to stop for lunch or dinner on the way, it’s also a good idea to balance out that grease burger with some healthy snacks to help keep the hunger pangs at bay, and to provide you with some crucial essential nourishment for the duration of your trip.
You can even pack some fruits and vegetables in a cooler with some ice, and enjoy them chilled while heading down the highway.
6. A Little Caffeine Never Hurt Anything
Sometimes driving can tend to make you drowsy—at least, more so than you would otherwise be.
And there’s a good reason for this.
Driving can be a monotonous activity. And sometimes, a little boost to help keep you alert is a good thing.
For this reason, consider buying yourself one or two lightly caffeinated, healthy drinks to help give you a little boost of alertness in the event that you start to feel the drowsiness creeping on.
7. Make Sure To Adjust Your Seat
When it comes to staying comfortable during a road trip, a misadjusted seat can really take its toll.
Make sure that you have proper lumbar support, that your neck isn’t strained or crooked, and that you’re able to maintain at least somewhat proper posture while you’re driving.
If you notice that your seat just doesn’t seem to feel right, it’s definitely worth it to pull over and spend a couple of minutes adjusting the controls to make sure that you won’t end up with sore and fatigued muscles.
Conclusion
These seven tips will help to keep you safe and comfortable on your trip.
Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
For example, if you’re traveling for business, you may want to check out this detailed post by Hotel Engine about how to manage your mileage with these outrageous gas prices!
There are few things that are as fun as an exciting road trip with friends and family. Have fun and be safe!
