Road trip questions thread

[wallace03]

Originally Posted by elenien

closing your eyes either seems perfectly logical or just happens without your consent.

I can see how it can happen, but at the same time ive never been so tired to fall asleep at the wheel so it boggles my mind that it happens to other people. I love my sleep, but if i need to i can stay up for as long as i need. i guess people are just genetically different when it comes to sleep deprived behavior.

[Draco-REX]

Twice a year I drive from OH to MA and back. That's 800+mi each way. I do it in one run which ends up being 13-14 hours including stops. There are a few things I've learned doing this.

Pre-game: Check all your fluids the night before, also check your tire pressures; including your SPARE! Get a safety triangle, a spare quart of oil, and a ratchet set with a couple screw drivers or one that's reversible. You could also run a fuel system cleaner through the car since you'll be running at least a full tank through it all at once.

1. Most important is DO NOT hold yourself to a schedule! Never think that you have to be some place by a certain time. Delays will happen; traffic, construction, missing a turn-off, etc can will happen to you. If you're trying to hold to a schedule you'll get stressed out which will turn your trip into hell.

Instead, turn the road trip into a something special. If you want to stop and look at something, do so. Find some cool place along the way to stop for meals, even if they're off the beaten path. Make the trip fun or you'll end up at your destination stressed out, worn out, and just plain hating life.

2. Start early. Hit the road at 6-7am. You'll get more ground covered and be less likely to try and cover more distance on unfamiliar roads while you're tired. Leave at 6am and you could cover 1000mi by 10pm which will give you a good 7-8 hours of sleep before setting off on the next leg of your trip (if you have a second leg.)

But ultimately, if you start feeling sleepy, stop and rest, or hand-off driving to your passenger if you've got one. Because of point #1, there's no need to try and pack in more miles if you're nodding.

3. Get a CB radio. You can get a cheap radio and magnetic antenna at Radio Shack or similar. (Don't get a hand-held, you need an external antenna) Truckers are better than radar detectors on the interstates. You'll know about speed traps and delays miles before you ever get to them. Channel 19 is the common trucker's channel.

A second benefit is that if you run into trouble in an area without cell coverage you can call for help. Channel 9 is the emergency services/roadside assistance channel.

4. Have plenty of music to listen to. Radio is a PITA to work with as you travel. You will find some odd stuff, but it's distracting to be hunting for new stations as the old ones fade out. And you don't want to get sick of what you're listening to. I went to Niagra Falls on a family trip as a kid and we only had ONE cassette to listen to. Needless to say I never want to hear that album again.

5. Toll interstates are your friend. Yes, you may find a route that's slightly longer or slightly shorter without tolls. But are you sure you're going to be able to find a gas station when you want one? If you don't like playing gas-station roulette a toll interstate provides regular and predictable service areas with plenty of warning to help you figure out if you can get to the next one comfortably or not. On an open interstate they depend on the towns you drive through to provide services which will be inconsistent.

If you are on an interstate that doesn't have service stations, start looking for gas stations at 1/4 tank. That's about 100miles of fuel. Better to stop more than you need to, than to pass the last gas station for 50 miles and roll the dice. Especially if at the end of those 50 miles you find the station is a podunk no-name station with questionable fuel... or closed.


Hope these pointers help and have fun on your trip!

[FRiSson]

The problem with driving more than 10 hours or so is that you are not that aware that your driving is impaired. They have studied the phenomenon and a tired driver is very similar to one that is drunk - slowed reaction time, poor decisions - the whole thing. So don't do the cocky 1,000 mile marathon deal, but stop before you get to the point where you are impaired. The flip side of this is if you stop once a day to see something cool (e.g. Wall Drug, the Grand Canyon, Devils Tower, Graceland, whatever) it will make it a memorable and fun trip that you will remember all your life. And it will only cost you an hour or two per day.

[Laika]

Originally Posted by FRiSson

The problem with driving more than 10 hours or so is that you are not that aware that your driving is impaired. They have studied the phenomenon and a tired driver is very similar to one that is drunk - slowed reaction time, poor decisions - the whole thing.

This is important to note. Beware of microsleep.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsleep

(Interesting read, I encourage everyone to check it out if you aren't familiar with it)