Are you about to embark on a long car journey and worried about how you’ll keep your sanity intact? Don’t worry, we’ve got you! Whether you’re going away for business or pleasure, being behind the wheel for endless hours can be an exhausting experience for anyone. While road trips can be exciting, boredom can quickly set in. What’s more, if you aren’t concentrating fully while in the driver’s seat, you’re putting yourself at risk of having an accident.
Wherever you’re off to, here are some useful tips on how to stay sane during your long car journey and ensure you arrive at your destination in high spirits.
Plan, Plan, and Plan Some More
Before hitting the open road, allocate plenty of time to map out your routes and stops. Knowing where you need to stop off to get petrol, food, and have a bathroom break will keep you in control, not to mention lower stress levels. What’s more, planning ahead and knowing your route inside out will help you discover interesting places you can pull into along the way to explore.
Bring Plenty of Snacks and Drinks
Once you ignite the engine and get on your way, the last thing you want is to find you’ve got nothing to keep you well-fed throughout the journey. Hunger and thirst can quickly set in and turn a pleasant trip into a disaster. Therefore, make sure you pack lots of snacks and drinks. They’ll keep your energy levels up while keeping your stomach full in the process. It’s wise to avoid processed, junk food too. Instead, opt for healthy treats like fruits, granola bars, and nuts. All three will keep you fuelled without the worry of feeling sluggish. If you run out of snacks, there is always the option to pull in somewhere along the way to stock up.
Pack Entertainment
To ensure you stay occupied throughout your long car journey, don’t forget to bring along some entertainment. Maybe you’ve got a new podcast or audiobook you want to listen to as you drive or a playlist of all your favourite songs? When you’re having a break, why not use your smartphone to play on some exciting online casino games? Check out PlayLive’s free spins that you can use on games. These promotions can accelerate your gaming experience and potentially increase your chances of winning. If you’re riding solo, you’ll want as much entertainment as possible to keep your spirits up!
Stretch Your Legs
As you can imagine, being sat in a car for hours on end can be tough on your body. If you’re in any discomfort, allocate time to pull over, get out of the car, and have a chance to stretch your legs. Getting some fresh air is important during your trip. Having some time away from driving will help you feel more energised and refreshed once you get back into your car. As we’ve mentioned, just make sure to map out your stops along the way.
Dress Comfortably
If you’re going to be behind the wheel for hour after hour, you’ll want to ensure you’re wearing comfortable clothing. This means it’s wise to ditch the suits or high heels and instead, stick something on that keeps you cosy. Wear clothes that allow you to breathe easily and move freely. Tight-fitted clothing is going to make you feel uncomfortable and restricted. If you’re going to experience different temperatures along your route, it’s wise to dress in layers. That way, you can take something off or put a garment on depending on the weather.
Keep Hydrated
This one is a biggie that we cannot stress enough – make sure you’re drinking plenty of water during your long car journey. For the driver in particular, drinking water keeps you alert and refreshed. Make sure you’ve got a water bottle on hand and take regular sips. Should dehydration set in, you may start experiencing headaches and fatigue that can hinder how you drive. Not only can these unpleasant symptoms make the trip miserable, you may not have full concentration on the road ahead, meaning you could be putting yourself and others in danger.
Use a Map or GPS
Missing an exit or getting lost can be incredibly frustrating and add unwanted stress to your trip. Therefore, make sure you’ve got a map or GPS on hand to help navigate you along your route and lower the chance of getting lost. It’s wise to have backup plans in place in the event of road closers or unexpected detours. If you’re using a GPS, brush up your knowledge on how to use it before hitting the open road. The last thing you want is to be fiddling with the device while you’re driving!
Take Breaks from Tech
While tech like those above can be excellent for navigation and entertainment purposes, they can also be a source of stress and distraction. With that in mind, it’s wise to take breaks from your smartphone or other devices. When you do, you can take in the glorious scenery around you. Taking breaks from tech can help you feel more relaxed and present during your car journey.
Get Plenty of Sleep
It’s crucial that you get plenty of sleep the night before your long car journey. For passengers, you have the option to nap along the way. However, for the sole driver, you need to be in full control of the vehicle from point A to point B. You don’t want to get behind the wheel if you’re feeling fatigued or rundown. Try and aim for at least 7 hours of shuteye the night before your travels.
Enjoy the Ride
Finally, remember that a long car trip is going to be an adventure in itself. Try your best to enjoy the journey and appreciate all the experiences and sights along the way. Remember to take lots of photos, speak with your travel companions, and make the most of the journey, instead of focusing solely on the destination!
Long car journeys don’t have to be a slog. As long as you’re fully prepared for the trip and take our advice into account, you should have a pleasant experience and arrive at your destination feeling fresh and alert.
Photo by
