I just got back from a four day trip to the Midwest (I live in eastern PA 10 miles from NJ), two days of which were spent driving. (Why the hell drive that far for 2 days you ask? Well, my pop won a Freedom Fighters award and was a grand marshal in a parade – couldn’t miss that slice of Americana or his big day!)

Most people ask me why I’m doing it, including my dad – they think I’m nuts, they can’t believe it, to drive that far in one day, first, and to drive it alone, second. This is nothing new for me, have done it (traveling alone cross country) many times, so I’m always amazed at their amnesia.

One reason is that I want to save money on airfare and car rental. While the current price of gas makes it tougher, it’s still more expensive to fly and rent a car. I prefer being in my own space rather than packed into a small uncomfortable seat next to people I don’t know. Driving also is less environmentally damaging than flying, if that’s a concern to you.

But, back to the point of writing about it: I love it. The solitude, seeing the country (it’s all beautiful, so don’t let anyone tell you otherwise – I’ve driven in or through 40 states so far, so I feel pretty qualified to make that statement), my own music, or not, talking on the phone, or not, being amazed at all the vehicles (where’s everybody going?), being frustrated at the chances some semis take by driving erratically (I was hit by one last year, so I feel pretty qualified to be concerned), and time spent in contemplation without interruption. Perhaps you don’t want to or need to drive 1000 miles in one day, but even short trips can be more enjoyable and less taxing mentally and physically by preparing ahead of time.

How do I do it? A little planning goes a long way. And, I’m all about not wasting time, and saving money.

1. Gas up the night before so you can get going right away in the morning.

2. Get cash and change ahead of time. (Tolls, at least in the east.)

3. Assemble a stockpile of food. Food on the road is terrible (taste and nutrition) and costly, and it wastes time waiting in line: get a small to medium size cooler, have your frozen packs ready to go at least the day before, use food containers with easy access if you have to open it one-handed, and you will, have napkins (serviettes) and paper towels within arm’s reach. Choose stuff you can eat with one hand, obviously, sandwiches, fruit (but not too juicy) and dried fruit, veggies, chips, nuts, chocolate, etc. But don’t overdo the sugar – the crashes, highs and lows, make it tough and won’t net you anything but a headache usually.

4. Bring your own beverages: Thermos for your hot beverage of choice (mine is green tea), a couple gallons of bottled water (gallon jugs, not the individual bottles, as there’s few recycling bins on the road; have a good water bottle you refill as needed), bottled other stuff you like to drink (tea, soda, juice). It’s stupidly expensive on the road and you’ll waste time waiting in line behind rude, loud, and/or smelly travelers (yes, they’re out there). Drink water more than anything, especially if it’s hot.

5. The passenger seat system: It is your desk while you’re at the job of driving and navigating, so creating an efficient work space is really important. Sit in the driver’s seat and place things within arm’s reach – purse or wallet, phone and charger, CDs, cooler on the floor but able to be accessed with one hand, map, beverage, sunblock, lip balm. (If you have long arms, you’re at an advantage. You can use the floor behind the passenger seat for some things.) Make a nice little nest of things you will need the most. Don’t have too much – just what you will need for a few hours, changing things out as you go.

6. Maps and directions: Crucial to have a good, up to date map of all the places you will be, and more crucial to write down in big letters your directions, or highlight your map from the internet (if you know it’s accurate – we all have stories about that). This is really important if you’re taking a route you haven’t taken before. By reviewing the map and directions side by side prior to the trip, you will save time and stress on the road. I am someone with a really good sense of direction and that has saved me at times when I’ve been lost. If you have no sense of direction, spend careful time reviewing your travel route prior to getting in the car.

7. Use a credit card for purchasing gas so you don’t have to go inside to prepay. Saves a ton of time. Don’t let your gas tank go below half full. Easier on the fuel pump so you get better gas mileage, to my knowledge, and you also don’t have to worry about running out if you’re in the middle of nowhere for a while.

8. Stop every 2-3 hours no matter what: Get gas, use the restroom, throw out any garbage, refill your beverage, and STRETCH all parts of your body. Shake your hands and feet a bit, walk around a little bit, jump up and down if you don’t care about people looking at you funny. You want to keep your circulation going.

9. As you’re driving, don’t just look straight ahead. Be careful but be sure to look to both sides and focus your eyes on the farthest thing you see. Also helps your neck from getting stiff.

10. Maintain good sitting posture. Don’t lean way over and sit too slumped or it will make you sleepy, and stiff.

11. Have happy feet: your feet and ankles may swell by the end of the day just because you’re sitting that long. It helps tremendously to tap your feet and move them around in every direction, to stretch your whole foot and ankle. I ‘walk in place’, lifting my feet up off the floor, I fidget, bringing my knees in and out quickly, flex my leg muscles, anything. It really works to keep you alert and blood and oxygen pumping. Another way to keep happy feet is to put a pillow under them in bed when you are finally at your destination for the night. Will help a lot.

12. Really check out your surroundings: It helps keep you alert and engaged. I get a huge kick out of signs I see. I sometimes write them on postcards to send to friends. (My favorites: a billboard in the middle of nowhere that just listed an 800 number and said “Our Drivers Are People” – as opposed to… Non-people? And in Southern Canada above the Great Lakes, a bait and tackle shop simply named “Bite Me!”) I enjoy seeing what’s different and what’s the same from state to state, and learn a lot, too.

13. Great photo opps: There are so many beautiful and weird things out there to shoot. Just beware it eats time, so either take mental pictures or build shooting time into your schedule.

14. Don’t drive beyond your limits: If you are tired, stop. There is nothing scarier than seeing cars and trucks weave back and forth on the road. Whatever you’re driving to can wait for you to sleep for a while. Get a good night’s sleep the night before a drive. Don’t rely on caffeine to keep you awake – it just makes you jittery, not really more alert. The road can be mesmerizing, lulling you into spacing out, so again, use the suggestions above to avoid zoning out and endangering yourself and others.

15. The Phone: Don’t talk on the phone while driving. Check out which states have laws against it. That being said, of course people out there will do it. If you’re one of them, please be very careful, use a hands-free device, keep it short, don’t be on the phone in heavy traffic, construction areas, hilly-curvy areas, at night, in fog or rain or snow… animals can dart in front of you, cars will cut you off and the phone is a huge distraction. You can miss an exit because you’re not paying attention – and that can lose you a ton of time.

16. Music: Only change CDs when you’re stopping for a break, not while driving. Plan on a variety of music – stuff you like to sing to at the end of the trip will help a lot. Perfect place to listen to the stuff you don’t tell your friends you like. iPods and other digital music devices: same as the cell phone – be careful and check out which states have laws against having earbuds in.

17. Before the age of iPods and movies in the car, people actually played games like The Alphabet Game, where you look for letters either in signs or actual things. You can play this alone, to keep you actively engaged if getting tired. Yes, it’s nerdy, but so what. I’m sure your clever mind could create a hip game, which would also help you on the drive.

18. Driving at night: My dad always tells me never to drive at night. I just roll my eyes and smile. Riiiiight. But, he does have a point. It’s easier to get sleepy at night, and if you break down, you will feel a lot more vulnerable. The night just does that. But, it’s hard to avoid, and usually you’re driving at night when you’re most tired toward the end of your 1000 mile trip. Do the happy feet thing, make sure your glasses are clean if you’re wearing them, have some really upbeat music on, make sure you’re cool as warmth will make you sleepy, drive safely and leave more room between vehicles – it’s easier to misjudge distance at night. Review your trip directions to be prepared for signs you need. Be very very careful. If you do have a problem and have to pull over, stay in your car and call 911 and AAA and whomever else is appropriate. Don’t take chances.

19. Have two empty grocery or other bags handy: One for garbage and one for recycling. Empty them as you go. Saves time from having to collect it all when you stop, or stuff rolling under the seat and getting stinky because you forget about it.

20. Wear comfortable clothing. Funny to add but choose what’s easy and quick in the restroom. (I guess this is for women primarily, huh.) Loose clothing keeps you comfortable and saves time.

21. Maintain a steady speed: Use the cruise control! And don’t go more than 5 miles over the speed limit. Your heart rate goes up when you speed, so save yourself stress. Saves on gas, too. (Did you know for every 5 mph that you drive over 60, you lose about 20% of your mpg?) There are always lots of troopers out and they like to give tickets. If you’re behind schedule, consider finding a hotel rather than risk speeding tickets. At a certain point, it’s not worth it.

22. Sunblock: Mentioned earlier but can’t be overstated, especially for your left arm, face and that whole left side. There was just a study out showing that drivers had more skin cancers in those areas due to exposure on the road. Nothing’s worse than a sunburn on that left arm if you have a lot of driving to do. Car windows only protect so much from harmful rays, so best to just apply it everywhere.

23. Decide not to have road rage: Nothing will make you miserable quicker when faced with a long day of driving than letting rage get the better of you. There will be stupid reckless drivers, there will be construction, weather happens, you may forget something, you may get lost… Stay calm, quickly problem solve, detach, stay on course. Don’t let something outside of your control get the better of you.

24. Schedule maintenance for your car: If you’re taking a long trip, it eases your mind to have an oil change and the usual checks of all the systems right before you leave. Plan on another visit when you get back, as you’ve put on a lot of miles. Keep some maintenance supplies with you – tire gauge, coolant/antifreeze, oil, and make sure your spare has air. Be smart so you don’t get stuck. Repairs are costly on the road – been there, done that, it sucks – and your trip will likely be delayed.

25. Think and dream: It’s great to process through things going on in your life. Amazing how clear my thinking can be when I’m out of my usual surroundings and patterns. Dreaming up plans and goals and just fantasizing is great, too – just don’t lose focus on the road! I have gotten a lot accomplished this way, setting goals, making plans, clearing out the cobwebs in my mind by letting the wind blow right through.

When I decided to write about this, I had no idea the list would be that long. But that’s how I have managed to travel 1000 miles in one day, and even back-to-back 1000 mile days (not recommended though!) It’s not for everyone… but I say try it once. Time alone with yourself is usually in short supply and does wonders. And it makes you feel really capable, and just plain great (once you’ve slept well afterward).

If you want further dirt on this topic, or about driving around this country, just honk as I’m driving by.

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