It was so nice to have the car, to be able to come and go as we please without the pressure of getting to the airport early for ritual abuse. On the downside we had several close calls, one large truck tire in the middle of the road, one roof carrier in the road, one constructions zone deceleration challenge, 70mph to 0 mph in a screech and more than one 45mph driver in a 70mph traffic stream. There is literally nobody on the road after midnight in rural Alabama and Mississippi so the real challenge is to take enough breaks, stay awake and keep the speed reasonable. Twenty hours is a long time to drive straight through and there are a few tips for those of you who are considering taking up the challenge.
- Drink a lot of water - a hydrated brain is a sharp brain and you need to stay awake and alert to make it to your destination safely and filling your bladder will remind you to take a break every two hours to stretch your legs and change your visual focus.
- Minimize sugar - sugar makes you high for a few minute but it leads to a crash in your energy level. A smooth steady energy level is what you need to drive safely for a long period of time.
- Coffee - lighten up on the coffee, see "Sugar" above. Caffeine is similar to sugar in the boost that you get but it is a spike and crash boost that you can't afford.
- Don't stop to sit and eat - bring your own sandwiches or run in and run out and remember keep the sugar to a minimum. Driving is like exercise, once you get the moving a short break helps re-focus but a longer break make you want to quit! Keep it to 10 minutes and you won't blow the schedule.
- Engage your co-pilot - if you're like me you don't like to give up control try taking a nap while your spouse drives. Even a few hours of a long trip offline allows you to power through long distances.
- Stop at the rest areas - if you don't need gas most of the rest stops are conveniently set up in a pit stop configuration, drive in, drive out, usually they're clean, well lit and you don't have to get onto the surface roads and fight the traffic lights and locals for road space.
- Keep the gas tank half full - remember, less stress is better. Driving through Kansas on empty at midnight with 10 miles between exits is stressful! Stopping every couple hundred miles to refill the tank is a great excuse for a break.
- Gas stops - most rural gas stations are slow and quite in the middle of the night but be aware of your surroundings and keep your drive team in sight. I've been approached several times for cash at gas stations in the big city and it can be disconcerting. If things look strange, dimly lit or closed then try to find a truck stop. Truck stops are always open and provide consistent quality, semi-clean restrooms, snacks and gas at all hours
- Entertainment - bring along entertainment for the kids, it's a long trip. Ipod Touch, DVD player, etc. keep harmony in the cargo area.
- Don't speed - most of the speed limits are 70 mph on the interstates, 75 is more than enough, and you want to stay safe, save some cash and keep that stress level to a minimum, the blue light special is too stressful.
- Stay alert - look out as far ahead as possible because at highway speeds danger comes up fast and you may not be as awake as you need to be. With slower reaction times you need a bigger time cushion for margin of error.
- Big Cities - plan to pass through before or after peak traffic hours for example if you're trying to get through Washington, DC don't get there between 4 and 7pm.
