If you've driven straight through, what are your tips?

[Lewisc]

OOOORRRRR.... people with trips of more than 8-12 hours should plan their trips they feel is best for them and their family.. For me, leaving the house at 2AM and driving the 16-18 hours to WDW is a piece of cake, don't need anyone telling me what I should and shouldn't do considering they don't know me.. Just because you don't feel comfortable making the trip, doesn't mean I don't..

I have been driving overnight trips for many, many years and very rarely do I see accidents during the midnight-5AM time, most of the accidents are during the day when traffic is heavier..

Maybe I should limit my advice to those posters who are asking what energy drink or food will allow them to safely drive all night. People who aren't sure if they can drive all night or are looking for a magic way to drive all night shouldn't be driving all night.

There are some people who work the night shift. No problem driving all night. There are some people who can adapt to a different sleep cycle. No problem. Sounds like you're in that category.

JMO but a poster who's looking for a way to stay awake or who "thinks" he can stay "awake enough" is a poster who should be looking for a place to stay.

 

[HHSTigerFan]

Your comment was "People with a trip that's more then 8-12 hours should just get a hotel room. Safer."....

Not some people, not certain people...

 

[BigTigger]

From 2004 to 2008 I did this drive 2x a year from central MA to the central Florida area (22 hous each way on average). Others on here (Cranbiz comes to mind) did it much more than that. Lots of good advice if you search the history on how to prepare. A few points I'd add from experience:

1) If you get tired on a 3 hour drive, a 20 hour drive is not for you.
2) You will need two drivers for a trip over 10-12 hours. It doesn't need to be equal driving shifts, but you need time to relax/nap/sleep. The alternative is to plan some 1-2 hour power naps into your travel schedule.
3) You will need a solid 8 hours sleep before you leave. Any long drive needs preparation. Just like you wouldn't run a marathon without training, long distance driving needs some body training. If you leave at 9 pm, sleep so you sleep 6-8 hours and then are up at 9 pm for at least 5-6 hours of activity for a few nights before the trip. You have to shift the body's clock. No amount of Red Bull or No Doz can compensate for a body that wants to sleep.
4) Plan your trip so you stop every 2 to 2.5 hours. During your breaks eat light food and drink non-carbonated drinks. Also jog for about 5-10 minutes to get the body going. You need to balance activity with all the sitting or your body will hate you the next day.
5) Plan on being real tired for the day you arrive and the next day. A 20+ hour drive will take a lot out of you physically at any age.

All the best in your travels. You can do this drive with some planning and advance changes in how you eat and sleep.

 

[SarahKate]

My whole purpose of creating this thread is to get tips from those of you who have done this before. That's why I've asked questions about how you manage sleeping, naps, rest stops, etc. I fully intend to do this with a strategy in mind so as to keep it as safe as possible.

Thanks all for your tips! Definitely welcome any others who happen across this thread!!!

 

[Tara]

I think eating something will probably keep you awake enough, right?

Actually, it won't - there are studies that show that the brain is very sophisticated about the behaviors we sometimes use to stay awake and drowsiness can really just take over even when you think you're in control. There was a really great show about this on 20/20 or some similar news program a few years back - it was a real eye-opener to me.

To the OP - there's a great thread for 2,000+ mile drivers - I think it's been going since 2003. There are tons of great tips to be found there.

 

[Lewisc]

Your comment was "People with a trip that's more then 8-12 hours should just get a hotel room. Safer."....

Not some people, not certain people...

True but the context of my post was regarding people who were looking for a way to be "awake enough" to drive and regarding situations where the second driver isn't able to sleep in the car.

You may be able to safely drive but people asking for a way to stay awake should be looking for a hotel room.

BigTigger suggested those drivers would be tired the day the arrive and the next day.

 

[FINFAN]

well, my tip is one of comfort, literally. I am used to my comfy sweats or pj's by 9-10 pm, and just because I am in a car doesn't mean I don't need to be comfy! So I wear sweats, soft socks. I do not wear my contacts the day before, (wear my glasses) because I know I will be in my contacts longer than normal the next day. I have eye drops along. I also get a full 8 hours sleep prior to leaving, actually more like 10. I also allow myself the right to get a hotel if we are too tired to drive straight thru. I always have one booked, and just cancel if not needing it. We prefer to stop, pulling into our hotel by 9 pm so that we can indeed get a full 8 hours sleep so that when we get to WDW we are NOT dead tired from travel...we are usually more rested when we do this than flying because we stick more to our normal routine. I make sure we do not eat a heavy starchy meal prior to leaving, and we have fruit in the car. I also have a family member or friend call us if they don't mind...talking to someone other than each other is a great pick me up while driving in the middle of the night.