12 Long Distance Driving Tips

Road trips are often unavoidable when moving cross country. While shipping a car is more economical in many cases, driving gives homeowners greater control over their schedule, allowing them to accommodate the needs of family members or pets. It also provides additional space for electronics, heirlooms, and other fragile items - and ensures at least one vehicle is available when they arrive at their new home. More importantly, it gives them a chance to sightsee, turning the drive into an adventure. But before you hit the road, make sure your journey is safe, comfortable, and stress free by reviewing these long distance driving tips.

Prepare Your Car

Always make sure your vehicle is in good condition before a long car ride. To avoid breakdowns, check and service all of its critical systems. These include:

• Fluid Levels. Top up your engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid, and transmission fluid.
• Brakes. Squealing noises when you stop indicates your brake pads are worn and need to be replaced.
• Windshield Wipers. Run the blades a few times to make sure they’re capable of cleaning the windshield effectively.
• Lights. Test the high and low beams. Activate your tail lights and brake lights to see whether they light up as intended.
• Tires. Check your tire pressure and tread. (Tread should be at least 1.6 mm if you’re driving in summer and 3 mm if you’re driving in winter.) Check your spare tire for damage and wear as well.
• Battery. Examine the battery for signs of rust or corrosion and confirm it’s fully charged. If the battery is more than 3-5 years old, ask a service center to run a diagnostic, to determine whether it needs to be replaced.
• Belts and Hoses. Manufacturers recommend replacing engine belts every 60,000 miles, or sooner if you or your service technician notice any cracking or glazing. Soft, brittle, or bulging hoses should be replaced as well. At the same time, check for leaks in any of the parts they feed, such as the radiator and water pump.
  

The final step before you leave is to fill up your gas tank. Moving day is hectic, so to avoid a late start, fill it up the night before. The fewer errands you have to run, the less stressed you’ll be.

Plan Your Route

Study the road you’ll be traveling and outline your trip. Keep in mind that the most direct route isn’t always the fastest. Going a little out of your way may help you avoid traffic or construction that could add extra time to your journey. Map out at least one alternate route in case you encounter a road closure, weather complications, or other unexpected hurdles.

At the same time, take the opportunity to research potential rest stops. You might want to mark out gas stations as well, if you’re driving through a particularly remote area. For real-time updates, install a GPS device in your car or download an app like Waze or Google Maps onto your cell phone. They’ll alert you to changing road conditions and help you navigate around obstacles.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Driving is physically and mentally taxing, especially in unfamiliar areas, so make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before. Doctors recommend 7-9 hours a night. Try not to exert yourself in the days leading up to the journey either. Several consecutive nights of good sleep improves reaction time, boosts energy levels, and alleviates the negative effects of stress. Being well rested allows you to remain alert and respond quickly to unexpected events, reducing the likelihood of a crash or accident.

Wear Comfortable Shoes and Clothing

Since you’ll be driving for an extended amount of time, choose clothes that are loose, safe, and practical. Tight clothing restricts movement and traps heat. Light, breathable fabrics keep you cool and allow you to operate the vehicle comfortably. If you're planning a winter drive, bring a few extra layers you can add or remove as needed.

Wear shoes with thin, flat soles to maintain control over the pedals. Avoid sandals and high heels, which reduce foot control and can slip off your feet. Heavy boots also make it hard to feel the pedals and gauge the pressure you’re applying to the gas or brake.

Check the Weather

Besides worsening driving conditions, bad weather can also close roads and highways. In some cases, you might be forced to backtrack or become stranded in a secluded area, far from town. Stay aware of weather conditions in the days leading up to your trip, so you know whether you need to take extra precautions, plan a new route, or wait a few extra days for things to improve.

Share the Drive

Having a friend, relative, or spouse in the car beside you is the best way to combat driver fatigue. Besides sharing driving duties, having someone to talk to during the long trip helps keep you focused and awake.

Adjust Seats and Mirrors

When switching drivers, always take a few moments to reposition the seat and mirrors. Your seat should be a comfortable distance from the pedals, forward enough so your knees bend slightly when pressing down on the gas or brake.

Make sure the seat is high enough for you to see over the dashboard and tilt it upright, so your elbows are bent while operating the steering wheel. Position the rearview mirror so you can see out the back windshield without turning your head and adjust the side mirrors so you can see the road behind you, along with a tiny sliver of your car.

Take Regular Breaks

Though driving may seem mundane, it actually requires quite a bit of concentration. Besides scanning the road, you also have to monitor traffic, manage speed, and anticipate lane changes. Though none of these activities are particularly arduous, they can wear you out over time. Sitting for long periods without any physical activity, interesting visuals, or mental stimulation can take a toll as well. Stopping to stretch your legs or admire the scenery every few hours helps keep you refreshed and alert throughout your trip.

Snack and Stay Hydrated

Hunger and dehydration affect your ability to concentrate. They also slow your reaction time, increasing the likelihood of an accident. A U.K. study found dehydrated drivers were twice as likely to make a mistake as hydrated ones. Many drivers drink tea, coffee, and soda to stay awake while they’re on the road.

But while caffeine provides a brief surge of energy, it leaves you feeling tired after it wears off. Drivers should avoid junk food for the same reason. Stick to plain water and healthy snacks instead. Jerky, nuts, cheese, fruit, and protein bars are a much better option than chips, pretzels, and candy bars.

Food and water is especially important if you’re traveling through a remote region, where you might have to wait a while for help in the event of an accident. Dehydration starts to set in after only a couple of hours, but can occur even faster in hot or dry conditions. 

Create a Playlist

Listening to music, audiobooks, and podcasts is one of the best ways to stay sharp on long distance trips. They stimulate multiple areas of the brain, specifically the ones associated with memory, emotion, and movement. What’s more, upbeat music triggers the release of dopamine, which improves your mood, raises energy levels, and makes you more attentive.

Follow the Rules of the Road

Though it might be tempting to cut corners in order to reach your destination a little faster, remember that traffic laws exist to keep you safe. Don’t drive over the speed limit. Keep your seatbelt on at all times. Signal clearly when changing lanes. If you’re driving at night, dim your high beams when you see another car approaching. Obeying the law is the best way to protect yourself and other drivers, and avoid costly tickets.

Pack an Emergency Kit

Even the best drivers know that despite their precautions, the risk of an accident or breakdown is never zero. Make sure you’re prepared for unexpected situations by packing some basic emergency gear, such as:

• First Aid Kit
• Flashlight
• Batteries
• Duct Tape
• Jumper Cables
• Tire Sealant
• Air Compressor
• Reflective Warning Triangles
  

If you’re driving through a snowy region, you’ll want a shovel and ice scraper for your car, and a few blankets as well, to help you stay warm in case you get stuck by the side of the road. Contact your car insurance provider and see if they have a roadside assistance number you can call in case of an emergency. If they don’t, consider joining AAA or a similar automotive service.

The Leading Choice for Long Distance Moves

North American has been helping people relocate for over 90 years. Our comprehensive moving services include professional packing, secure transportation, and affordable storage options. We can even help you disassemble and reassemble your furniture. So no matter how far you’re going or how big the move, our team has the skills, resources, and experience to get you there safely. Contact us today for a free quote!