I'm planning a road trip -- click here to see -- and I wanted some suggestions on things like .
-How long between sleep is safe?
-Where should I shower? (I'll be sleeping in the back of my van)
-Anything else that you think would be important...
I'm planning a road trip -- click here to see -- and I wanted some suggestions on things like .
-How long between sleep is safe?
-Where should I shower? (I'll be sleeping in the back of my van)
-Anything else that you think would be important...
Last edited by B0bDole; 10-02-2005 at 08:54 PM.
Hmm
I have a friend who drove from her home in Myrtle Beach (SC) to California without sleep. She stopped once at a hotel, laid down for 2 hours and couldn't get to sleep, so she went on driving. I don't know whether or not she was lying, but she didn't really have a reason to lie about it.
Finding where rest stops are located is important. I believe for commerical truckers its 10 hours of drive time, 8 hours of sleep. I'd try to find places to stop every 4 hours at the min though, to stop, strech out, get something to eat, and to gauge your ability to keep driving.
For showering see if there are any public campgrounds along your route with a shower facility.
Also, I don't keep up with where it snows (never seen snow since I've lived in florida my whole life)... Does it snow anywhere on that route in January?
Hmm
When you get out west, you'll see snow because of the mountains, but that's the only place I can think you'd see it.
Also, truck stops sometimes have showers.
-Govtcheez
[email protected]
I wouldn't be surprised if you saw snow in Tennessee in Jan. And there have been studies that show that driving tired is worse than driving drunk. Make sure you get sleep along the way.
EntropySink. You know you have to click it.
Some of my suggestions are that you have to be prepared
with a lot of water/ some trashfood and money basically.
So be prepared with food and money just in case the car breaks in the middle of nowhere.
If you want to sleep in the car, because you are tired , you can do it where you see the trucks stops, usually in places where you can find food or in gas stations. It's worked fine with me.
well if you need the restroom you can find in local stores, or use the gas station that usually is in bad shape
Also you can stop in the night and walk around your car to wake you up.
Finally i just wish you good luckand don't drive tired.
and if snows i suggest you to don't drive , and if you do never use bridges, it's pretty dangerous, I got a car accident last december. Is it horrible to lose all the control of the car , and move all over the weel and the car goes to anywhere and other cars crashing on yours. You just can't control it. I am alive but it was pretty scary experience.
Last edited by abyssphobia; 10-03-2005 at 12:25 PM.
Have I crossed the line?
If you are going to do something that fits the definition of "criminal negligence", it's better not to post evidence of it on the web!Originally Posted by B0bDole
Don't stop at places that have names like Crystal Lake and Elm Street.
And if you do, make sure you don't have sex. At least that way you'll survive until you can run through the woods and trip over a root. You won't die naked with a dumb look on your face.
-Govtcheez
[email protected]
Darn southeners and their lack of snow-driving abilities. That's why everyone should have to learn to drive up in a northern state during winter, spring, or fall (sometimes summer too).
To code is divine
>Darn southeners and their lack of snow-driving abilities.
Exactly, and my lack of snow tires, is why I want to avoid areas where there will be snow. Thing is I have no idea where it snows.
Hmm
Essentials:
- Cup-holder(s). Don't leave home without 'em.
- One cold/cool beverage whose main purpose is to keep you from dehydrating. Stay way from anything with caffeine, "sport beverages" like Gatorade (however it's spelled) should do the trick. The amount varies with the length of your stints. Calculate half a litre per hour (one gallon = 3.8 litres, roughly).
- One beverage to keep you awake. I like coffee, some don't. Tea or anything with enough caffeine in it will do the trick. Amount varies depending on how much you gulp down. I usually have one cup of coffee per hour when I'm driving long distances.
- Optional/Depending on your planning: Snacks. If you plan on driving longer stints without stopping, bring snacks with you so you can eat a little something every hour or two.
Planning:
You'll want to plan your stops and driving stints. If you stop too often you'll make crap time, if you don't stop often enough you'll lose concentration.
For shorter trips (<= Four hours) I make one stop only, somewhere in the middle. Pee, refill coffee/beverages/snacks and possibly get some chow.
For longer trips (> Four hours and <= 8 hours) I try and make two stops, one for peeing, refilling coffee/beverages/snacks and the other one for eating proper food.
8 hours is about the maximum you'll want to drive in one day, assuming you want to have a vacation-type roadtrip. You could do 10 hours a day, but that would leave room for nothing but driving.
If you want to make good time, buy something you can eat in the car, like sandwiches, and only make one or two quick "pee-stops".
If you want to be absolutely sure you won't tire yourself out, I would suggest 7 hours of driving per day with stops at the second and fifth hour.
Other tips to consider is first to keep a consistent speed. You'll make better time driving 55 mph for longer distances instead of going 50 mph some stretches and 60 mph other stretches.
Vary your seating position every so often. If you have cruise control, turn it on as often as possible and make sure to move your legs around. Extend them as far as you can, retract them, etc. The biggest problem with driving for extended period of times is that your body sort of 'locks up' in the same position, which is both tiring and gnaws at your concentration increasing the risk of an accident.
Yeah, because all us Northerners buy snow tires!
EntropySink. You know you have to click it.
In Sweden, it is mandatory by law to have snow tires from December 1st until March 31st if you are driving in "winter conditions"...
It's just silly not to use snow tires if you're driving in winter conditions.
