Staying awake while driving all night?

[rjan67]

Unfortunately, the March break drive to Florida is an all nighter as dh can't leave work til Friday and we get our condo on Sat afternoon. We have done it many times and dh and I switch off. It worked great the year my Mom came, just to have one more person stay awake with the driver at times. Anyway, any tips that help you stay awake? We have coffee, music, sing along to the radio, open the window, pull over if you have to and walk around the car. But is there anything different you do that works for you? For example, my bil once told me he ate shelled sunflower seeds and it helped keep him awake. Just the work of shelling them helped keep you awake. We tried it and gosh darn it, it helps! We always have a bag in the truck for our summer trips. I especially enjoy the dill pickle flavoured. Just wondering if you do anything else? Thanks!

 

[meat37]

I like to listen to music and I like to keep a face cloth and water beside my seat and wipe my face when I am felling a little tired as I usually draw the night assignment.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

This may sound really weird, but I have found eating "baby bottle pops" - the sucker with the powered sugar inside helps. They take a while to eat, and aren't that bad calorie wise (much better than snacking on a bag of candy)

It gives you a continuous sugar high - coupled with a coke should keep you going until it's time for a potty break/walk around.

 

[hockey mom]

You know our trick...my Dh has a big bag of sunflower seeds while I like pistachios

 

[AverysMommy]

I find long drives work best if each person only goes a maximum of 4 hours - even if they arent tired, the driver shoudl switch off. then you stop, get gas, do bathroom breaks, snacks etc for a max of 15 minutes - and then the next driver goes.

Drivers sometimes like to push themselves to go 6-7 hours but then they are too tired for the next rotation.

 

[pkitty]

Big fan of RedBull!I did the drive home last year and at the last minute instead of stopping around 11 pm my dd asked me to drive straight through. I felt capable so I stopped and on her advice got some Reb Bull....that was the magic bullet for me....dh slept and I drove right through. Finally crashed at 9 am....26 hours later. Wasn't drowsey at all and not jittery....felt alert. I also find that stopping at the rest stops and getting moving helps...throw around a football, walk briskly or jog around the area...helps. Crazy tourists......

 

[candielips]

I find long drives work best if each person only goes a maximum of 4 hours - even if they arent tired, the driver shoudl switch off. then you stop, get gas, do bathroom breaks, snacks etc for a max of 15 minutes - and then the next driver goes.

Drivers sometimes like to push themselves to go 6-7 hours but then they are too tired for the next rotation.

I think that is a great idea. Now only if I could convince my stubborn DH of this.

 

[redrosesix]

We do much shorter shifts (2 hours tops) but we don't actually stop more than a couple of minutes to change drivers. We take a thermos of coffee and it's the navigator's job to do kitchen duty.

It really does take 2 people to keep one person wide awake, especially in the wee hours. But I definitely try to shut my eyes to rest them when not driving. Also, it helps to go with what each driver is best at. DH always has the midnight to 2 am shift, but I do the early morning/sunrise shift.

 

[rjan67]

Thanks everyone! Yes, we have found that 4 hours works well too. I do make dh promise though that through the worst time (approx 1 am til 5am or for me til I see the sunrise) if all we can do is an hour at a time each then so be it. Also to promise to wake the other if they start to fall asleep if they are unable to pull over. I can remember going through Atlanta one time. Everyone was asleep and I was right in Atlanta with no where to pull off. I promised myself I would pull over as soon as we were through. As soon as we were able to stop, the sun started coming up and I felt like a new person! I have also asked dd to load lots of songs on her ipod that I like that I can put on (just one earbud) and sing along too! Then no one will sleep!

 

[Disneyof3]

When we drove I took the night shift which was from 1am -6am. When I get excited for a trip look out. I stayed awake on drinking CocaCola and listening to disney music. I can't eat anything because my stomach is in a knot with the excitement. The closer we got the more excited I got. We had it all down to the hour we should be in each state (after driving 4 years in a row). When you aren't driving do sleep and relax and enjoy the scenery.

 

[Ham Ham]

In the wee hours of the morning DH & I are fans of the 2 hour switching of drivers.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I've heard that if you take off one sock and one shoe, it's harder for your body to regulate your temperature and therefore harder for you to get comfortable enough to fall asleep. Don't know if it's true, but it's certainly worth a try! Good luck and be safe everyone.

 

[iluveeyore]

Me and DH are driving down in a month, but we're stopping in Bristol for the weekend first (Nascar Race), and then driving the twelve hours to WDW. We have done the 21 hour drive straight through before too, and agree with the four hour shifts - one sleeps/naps while the other drives. If we're both tired and it's getting dangerous with the nodding off , then we find a rest-stop, put the seats back and have a couple hour snooze. Sure, it adds to the travel time, but at least we get there in one piece!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

I'd go with the red bulls too but with caution. One does the trick for me. After that I start to feel like bugs are crawling all over me. It certainly keeps me awake but I don't recommend it.

 

[MkyMws]

Friend of mine was driving late & said a little prayer..."Lord help me stay awake for a few more hours till we get home"

Not more than 5 minutes later BAM he nailed a skunk.

So after his wake up call, he closed the vents because the smell was blowing in on him.

About 20 mins from home he was dozing a bit so he turned on the air to get it blowing on his face...BAM the skunk smell was still in the vents, right in the face.

Tim

 

[momdad4kids]

My best advice is to stop every 2 to 3 hrs,get out stretch ,have a break,drink plenty of water and coffee,dehydration will make you as tired as lack of sleep. if theres more than 1 person in the vehicle, have some else drive as well or at least stay awake with you and if all else fails pullover sometimes a 15 minute nap can work wonders!I have driven proffessionally in the past and still still travel long days on service calls for work and this works well for me. Tried some of the energy drinks ect in the before and I felt the crash and burn after wasnt worth it in the end.