Driving long distances...

[MarkI]

Planning a drive from New York to Florida in a couple of weeks, for the guys who've driven extended amounts, suggestions, thoughts, comments...?

 

[globetrotter]

books on tape

 

[gnatty8]

take up smoking..

 

[Harold falcon]

Originally Posted by globetrotter

books on tape

Lol, tape.

 

[Huntsman]

Originally Posted by MarkI

Planning a drive from New York to Florida in a couple of weeks, for the guys who've driven extended amounts, suggestions, thoughts, comments...?
The car you're driving matters. I like to bring along a contemplative mind, a digital recorder, and a Valentine 1.

Originally Posted by harvey_birdman

Lol, tape.
Yeah, man I hate tape. I just really, really, really, hate that medium. I'm actually not kidding. It's a real peeve of mine. ~ H

 

[Navi]

A **** ton of CD's as well as a pillow for naps if you're going to be doing it in one go without stopping at a hotel. I drove from MA to Florida in one 20 hour go, it was hell but totally possible. Just be sure to pull over and take a quick 30 minute nap if you find yourself "resting your eyes"... Ruined my car because I was so tired I closed my eyes for a second on the drive home.

also +1 smoking

 

[Bhowie]

amphetamines

 

[Dakota rube]

marital aid

 

[bdeuce22]

done many 12 hour drives.

red bull, monster, coffee, mountain dew.

 

[ErnestoG.]

pound of slaw, pound of tater salat, pound of weed

 

[acidboy]

did pittsburgh-lebanon-philly run alone, st. louis-houston on a convoy (me alone in the penske truck) and houston-hattiesburg/petal with the wife in the past. my suggestion:

stop and rest everytime you start feeling groggy
nicotine
don't use a styrofoam cup as an ashtray when you smoke, they burn real fast
don't count the miles in front of you
bring music you love to listen to
no alcohol during breaks
avoid greasy/***** food
if you're using rental, it pays to have the extra insurance cost

 

[RedLantern]

Having driven by myself from Knoxville to Seattle in a moving truck in 3 days, my advice is this:

1. Get started early - pre dawn twilight
2. Do not drink any coffee or have breakfast in the morning - it will just make you need to stop sooner.
3. Get in at least 300-350 miles before you stop for "breakfast" which should be gas station coffee.
4. Sunflower seeds work better than anything for keeping me awake at the wheel.

5. Optimal traveling is done in a dehydrated and slightly hungry state.

 

[darnelled]

Valentine One
David Sedaris audiobooks

 

[Fang66]

I've done many multi-day trips over the past 30 years and I don't agree with the dehydrated and hungry part. Stay hydrated but don't over do it and eat enough without being stuffed.

Most important things are

1. Don't speed
2. if sleepy or droopy eyes stop immediately.
2. If you feel tired stop.
3. if you have little experience driving long distance stop every 2 or 3 hours.
4. gas station coffee sucks, bring a thermos or stop at a restaurant.
5. get there safe not fast.

 

[JohnGalt]

Satellite radio
If you've slept well beforehand you shouldn't need tons of caffeine, keep hydrated with water
Apples (really a good quick energy boost)