Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. (Photo by Mauricio Alanis/Getty)
A long-distance road trip offers the thrill of adventure, helps you make new friends, and adds wonderful memories to an otherwise ordinary life. But sitting in a cramped car for a thousand kilometers can leave you sore and exhausted.
To make your next long drive more memorable, we turned to the online Q&A community Quora and found some tips to help ease the journey.
Plans Are Meant to Change
Sticking to the highway is the easy route. But if time allows, slow down and fully enjoy the freedom and fun of road tripping.
“On a long drive, sometimes it’s worth veering off your planned route to visit a place you’ve always wanted to see or read about,” says Quora user Ken Miyamoto. “Or, stop at interesting spots along the way. Just be careful not to get lost, but also don’t be too rigid—don’t stick to the plan blindly.”
Nick Nguyen and his wife broke the rules on their recent road trip. They picked up a Chevrolet Corvette Stingray directly from the factory in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and drove it back home to California. Their secret to a successful long drive? Not over-planning the route ahead of time.
“If you drive through a cool little town, stop and check it out. For example, we stopped at the U.S. Air Force Museum and spent 30 minutes taking a quick look around,” Nguyen wrote. They had planned a one-week cross-country road trip, but soon realized that to really enjoy it, they needed three weeks.
The treacherous Stelvio Pass in northern Italy. Don’t take your eyes off the road here. (Photo by Tim Graham/Getty)
How to Stay Alert While Driving
Driving on straight, open roads can often make you drowsy. Anthony Drewitz shared a tip to avoid nodding off. “Coffee when you wake up in the morning? Probably not the best idea. A Coke at lunch? Also not ideal. What about when you’re sleepy at night? That’s when caffeine really comes in handy!”
He said the later you consume caffeine, the more effective it is. “My favorite road trip pick-me-up is dark chocolate-covered espresso beans. They taste great, and chewing on a handful instantly wakes me up,” he wrote.
Some people prefer listening to audiobooks on long drives. “Last week, I drove for 20 hours straight without getting tired while listening to Boris Akunin’s The Diamond Chariot. When I arrived, I even stayed in the car for 15 more minutes just to hear how the story ended,” said Quora user Benjamin Okopnik.
Harmonious Communication Is Key
Among those traveling with others, few Quora users emphasized resolving potential points of conflict before hitting the road. Britt Smith shared how he once had to pull over because of a disagreement with his travel companion.
“If you’re traveling with family or a significant other, make sure you start the trip on good terms. Never drive angry. In a small, enclosed space, even a tiny spark can lead to a huge argument.”
Many Quora users stressed the importance of staying connected. Some even adopted more advanced communication methods. If traveling in a convoy, David Kendall recommended equipping the group with walkie-talkies or CB radios. “It helps everyone stay coordinated. Radios work even where there’s no cell service and allow faster communication between vehicles,” he wrote.
You might be excited by roadside snack stands—but others in the car may not be. (Photo by Maureen Sullivan/Moment Mobile/Getty)
Make the Most of Your Travel Time
Quora user Jack Johnson said he never worries much during long drives. His advice: when you reach a new place, invite a local for a beer or get a haircut and shave at a neighborhood barbershop—basically, find ways to connect with the locals. Johnson said these small moments are often the most memorable and can make your trip truly worthwhile.
“Along the way, you can change direction anytime and go wherever you feel like,” he said. “A full tank of gas can take you hundreds of kilometers in any direction. Where to go is entirely up to you.”