Many travellers can testify that long distance trip using cars can be quite exhausting and gruelling. If you want to go to different places along the road, you need to drive a car. However, you need to understand a number of factors if your road trip will last for 12 hours or more. You need to prepare your mind and body for this situation. The trip should be made less daunting for the driver and passengers. An obvious thing that the driver needs to be aware is that he needs to have enough sleep before the trip. He could start driving no more than 3 hours after a fitful rest, so the driver will have the physical and mental capability to continue driving for about 12 hours. However, if the driver already feels tired after 6 hours of driving, then he needs to rest immediately.
It is important to rest each hour, only if it is only for 2 or 3 minutes. You could walk around a bit outside the car and try to move all your major muscle groups, including in your neck, back and shoulder. Enter the car, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and calm your mind for 30 seconds, then you can continue driving. This simple method will be able to recharge your body and mind. If you plan to have long-distance driving trip, it is important that you are able to stay alert during the duration of your drive. If you are tired and sleep, you may end crashing into a ditch. If you consistently tell yourself to drive just a little further, then it means that your body is already tired and need a rest immediately. Your safety can be enhanced even further if you have a companion or friend for the journey.
Having someone that accompanies you during the trip can make a huge difference. It is also a good thing if the companion agrees to actively talk about anything and everything. Even the most random of topics could end up becoming an in-depth conversation. If the companion no longer talks and starts to get sleepy, then it is quite likely that the driver becomes sleepy and tired as well. It is also important for drivers to stay hydrated during the long driving session. This may cause you to urinate more often and it will give you an excuse to stop to stretch your leg and relax your mind. If the road is relatively empty and straight for many miles ahead, then it’s a good idea to use cruise control. You will be able to feel less tired and focus more on the road.
It is also essential to make sure that all tires are properly inflated and they have proper tread depth. This is another case where should be safe instead of sorry. You should be aware that long distance trips could cause wear on your tires. If tires are not in optimal condition, they could burst suddenly during the long distance trips.
