Designated Driver

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petra22

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We are thinking about making a road trip but DH can’t do the driving anymore. I’m a good driver-- but … I get so sleepy on long trips and sometimes short trips. Is there a trick for staying awake??? Naturally it drives DH crazy if he thinks I’m getting sleepy… Please I need any suggestions you have!
 
-make sure you have enough sleep before you drive your long trip
-drink coffee or black tea
-play lively music
-take breaks just to walk around, even if you don’t have to use the restroom at a rest stop
-don’t drive any further in any day than you feel comfortable with (in other words don’t push it just to get in a certain number of driving hours for the day)
 
It might help to use back roads or avoid highways - the monotony can lead you to switch off your brain, in a way that’s less likely if you have to remain alert for traffic signals, for instance.

Plus they can be more fun. 😃
 
Is it possible to stretch the drive into several days, get a motel and only do a bit of driving each day?

Would other means such as a train or a plane be an option?
 
PacificNorthwes said:
-make sure you have enough sleep before you drive your long trip
-drink coffee or black tea
-play lively music
-take breaks just to walk around, even if you don’t have to use the restroom at a rest stop
-don’t drive any further in any day than you feel comfortable with (in other words don’t push it just to get in a certain number of driving hours for the day)
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All good points.
 
Windows down for awhile (I can’t take it for long, but it does keep me alert)
Radio on (I do better with talk radio for keeping my brain from “zoning out”).
Books on tape (only a good option for me if I already know the story well)
Lively conversation.
Stop and stretch breaks every couple hours.
Crunchy snacks (carrot slices, apple slices, etc.)
And I never drive after dark on long trips (the dark just turns my brain off)

God bless you in your travels!
 
Don’t eat any sugar or high carb foods like bread or potatoes. High carb foods can make you sleepy.

Book CDs - humor can be an excellent way to stay awake. I listened to the Best of Car Talk all the way from Spokane to Portland - & I was very alert!

Lots of breaks - walk around & stretch. I stop at every rest area whether I need the restroom or not.
 
petra22 said:
We are thinking about making a road trip but DH can’t do the driving anymore. I’m a good driver-- but … I get so sleepy on long trips and sometimes short trips. Is there a trick for staying awake??? Naturally it drives DH crazy if he thinks I’m getting sleepy… Please I need any suggestions you have!
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There’s no trick. And if drive by drowsy is a concern please don’t do it. It is a safety concern not just for you but for others. Find a safe, better way to travel please if this is an issue.
 
When I have to do long drives, I’ve gone to Cracker Barrel and picked up an interesting book on tape. (CD) Listening to the story keeps be from feeling sleepy. YOu can rent these from Cracker Barrel and return or exchange them at any Cracker Barrel locations. Or you can get the from the library before you go. I also try to make sure that I’m well rested before hand so that I’m not legitimately sleepy.
 
petra22 said:
We are thinking about making a road trip but DH can’t do the driving anymore. I’m a good driver-- but … I get so sleepy on long trips and sometimes short trips. Is there a trick for staying awake??? Naturally it drives DH crazy if he thinks I’m getting sleepy… Please I need any suggestions you have!
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Wait until you’re on a relatively straight stretch of road before catching some nap time.
 
Definitely take breaks, once every hour or so. Get out and walk around.

Change the back and forth adjustment of your seat on the breaks. Change your own position. Drive with the seat back as straight up as you can make it; use a flattish cushion to keep you upright if your seat back doesn’t come up far enough.

Turn off your cruise control and speed just a bit. Don’t go so fast you’re zipping in and out like a lunatic, but pass a few of the slower cars.

If you are downright sleepy, not just spaced out, stop and rest for 20 minutes or so. When I say rest, I mean, park, put your seat back down, and close your eyes. Listen to something that normally puts you to sleep. Set an alarm for 25 minutes so you won’t be nervous about waking up. If your car has a small engine, ask your mechanic before running your engine to keep the a/c on while stopped for this length of time.

ETA: and tell your husband that he has to keep you awake!
 
If you start getting sleepy, then pull over and either go for a walk or take a 20 minute nap. I find the latter more useful. It is amazing how refreshed a 20 minute nap can make you feel.
 
Take the train.

Subscribe to Trains Magazine. They describe the many train lines that take passengers.

You can walk around, read, nap, sleep, have a meal.

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Hoosier_Daddy said:
There’s no trick. And if drive by drowsy is a concern please don’t do it. It is a safety concern not just for you but for others. Find a safe, better way to travel please if this is an issue.
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Yeah, there is no trick.

Some people can drive forever.

Some people fall asleep.
 
Monte_RCMS said:
Yeah, there is no trick.

Some people can drive forever.

Some people fall asleep.
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I disagree. I’m the type of person that “spaces out” when driving at night through rural areas. The hypnotic yellow line floating in blackness makes it almost impossible to keep myself awake. But there are things I can do to “break the spell”. Listening to something interesting on the radio really does help. I’m focused on what I’m listening to instead of spacing out. Books on tape, comedy albums, and new music that I haven’t heard before help a lot. Also, music I like to sing along to. And of course, having other people in the car to have conversations with helps too. And when my kids fall asleep in the backseat and my husband falls asleep in the passenger seat, leaving me alone to drive, my resentment keeps be awake. I really only have the “spacing out” issue when I’m driving alone at night. Which never happens anymore and may never happen again.
 
YOU guys are full of it! I mean full of useful information!!! And I thank you one and all.

Train is not an option or flying… drive or nothing. I’m looking into books on CD as I think that will help me! Also I will stop often even if I don’t need to and take a walk around… I appreciate all your suggestions… Thank you so much!
 
Could you go on a road trip with another couple?

Otherwise, I’d suggest you plan to break up your drives with stops. You cannot accept the possibility of driving when you are getting sleepy and might lose your focus. As others have pointed out, this is how people get themselves and other innocent travelers killed. It is irresponsible. If you can’t predict when you’ll get too sleepy to drive, then have a plan for what you’ll do if you need to pull over more often than you thought you would.

forbes.com/sites/tanyamohn/2016/08/08/nearly-83-6-million-american-drivers-are-sleep-deprived-new-report-highlights-dangers-high-cost/#9ec45a54007a
 
petra22 said:
YOU guys are full of it! I mean full of useful information!!! And I thank you one and all.

Train is not an option or flying… drive or nothing. I’m looking into books on CD as I think that will help me! Also I will stop often even if I don’t need to and take a walk around… I appreciate all your suggestions… Thank you so much!
Click to expand...
Twice I have been the sole driver on a trip and become overwhelmingly tired. I had to drive at night, which is always makes me sleepy on long drives. If you do start to feel drowsy, pull over and sleep if needed.

The first time I had been driving in the mountains for hours and we were only 30 minutes from home. But I knew I was getting drowsy. So I pulled into a gas station parking lot, put my seat back and took a short nap. When I awoke, I got some coffee and a bag of chips and was able to safely and alertly drive the last 30 minutes.

The other time, my son suffered a injury while camping with the Scouts in the mountains and I had to take him to the nearest ER for stitches. After he was taken care of, we were going to stay in a hotel, but the small town was having a major music festival and there was absolutely no place to stay.

What should have been less than a three hour drive home took me all night, because I stopped three times to take a nap in a parking lot. Books on tape, coffee, snacks helped keep me alert most of the time. But as soon as I started feeling drowsy, I pulled over and slept for an hour.

If you do start to feel drowsy, pull over someplace safe and take a nap. Not only is there no shame in this, there is honor in protecting yourself and those sharing the road with you.
 
Gertabelle said:
Twice I have been the sole driver on a trip and become overwhelmingly tired. I had to drive at night, which is always makes me sleepy on long drives. If you do start to feel drowsy, pull over and sleep if needed.

The first time I had been driving in the mountains for hours and we were only 30 minutes from home. But I knew I was getting drowsy. So I pulled into a gas station parking lot, put my seat back and took a short nap. When I awoke, I got some coffee and a bag of chips and was able to safely and alertly drive the last 30 minutes.

The other time, my son suffered a injury while camping with the Scouts in the mountains and I had to take him to the nearest ER for stitches. After he was taken care of, we were going to stay in a hotel, but the small town was having a major music festival and there was absolutely no place to stay.

What should have been less than a three hour drive home took me all night, because I stopped three times to take a nap in a parking lot. Books on tape, coffee, snacks helped keep me alert most of the time. But as soon as I started feeling drowsy, I pulled over and slept for an hour.

If you do start to feel drowsy, pull over someplace safe and take a nap. Not only is there no shame in this, there is honor in protecting yourself and those sharing the road with you.
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Thank you for sharing your story. I really appreciate it! I’ll take your advice about stopping.
 
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