best way to stay sharp on long drive

[Tobra]

Altoid peppermints, peppermint works for nausea or fatigue

[LeeH]

Mt Dew or 5 Hour Energy for me. I typically don't consume anything with caffeine so in the rare event I do, it REALLY works.

[Brando]

When working long hours as a chauffeur, chewing gum works. No calories and the process of chewing/eating does not let you sleep. You can still be fatigued, however. So when you start to get the feeling, pull off and take a 30-45 minute nap. When I would have an hour or so between a drop-off and a pick-up at LAX, I would sleep in the hold lot. For SNA, there's IHOP across the street.

[porwolf]

I heard chewing something keeps you awake. Makes sense. I have tired it on occasion. Kept a bag of almonds handy and it worked for a while.

[cantdrv55]

I drive 35k miles a year for work. The following works for me:

Starbucks Venti black iced tea - no water, no sugar
Sunflower seeds or pistachio nuts in their shells
Spit cup
Large bottle of cold water to wash down the salt
Gum for stank breath

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Altoid peppermints, peppermint works for nausea or fatigue

Originally Posted by Christien

When I get tired I pull over and nap for 10-15 minutes. Anywhere that's safe will do. Works like a charm, gets me at least a couple hours before I need to stop again.

^^^^^ These.

Plus some calisthenics just before you get back in the car to get going again.

If you can't find Altoids, just get some cheap hard candy, maybe cinnamon and/or Atomic Fireballs. The good thing about them is that unlike rotgut coffee, they won't keep you from sleep once you get to your destination.

[manbridge 74]

We used to make epic road trips whilst cycle racing. I would always....

-Have no caffeine for a few days before trip. Don't drink any until tired on trip.
-limit eating to just a few nuts. Ever notice it is hard to sleep if you are hungry?
-gum helps a bit
-At night on lonely roads with good visibility I often turned on interior light to fool the body's circadian rhythm. Careful with glare on this one.
-Math. I like to do conversion problems in my head.
-Anger. Thinking about something that makes you mad can keep you up for a long time.

[manbridge 74]

We used to make epic road trips whilst cycle racing. I would always....

-Have no caffeine for a few days before trip. Don't drink any until tired on trip.
-limit eating to just a few nuts. Ever notice it is hard to sleep if you are hungry?
-gum helps a bit
-At night on lonely roads with good visibility I often turned on interior light to fool the body's circadian rhythm. Careful with glare on this one.
-Math. I like to do conversion problems in my head.
-Anger. Thinking about something that makes you mad can keep you up for a long time.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Some good suggestions here. My take is to do anything to keep your brain engaged. Favorites:

Talk, either to your passenger or on the phone. When on a long trip I frequently call friends that I haven't spoken to in a while.

I always grab a big bag of pistachios (in shell). The action of cracking them open in my mouth keeps me engaged.

Loud music, sing along!

Windows down.

Stop and stretch or look around.

I honestly don't find caffeine to be effective, maybe because I drink too much coffee daily? I love a road trip, lets go!

[widgeon13]

Nap as needed!

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Hot girl riding shotgun?

Winner!


Coffee/caffeinated drinks, snacks to nibble on, semi-loud music, cold A/C or windows open some to get fresh air, co-pilot to shoot the breeze with and talk about stuff you see along the way. Have a great, but safe trip.

[gr8fl4porsche]

I always do audio books. They usually last 12-14 hours. Find one read by a good actor with lots of action and suspense.

[GH85Carrera]

I alway have a ice chest with my on long trips. I find a piece of ice in the mouth will help keep you awake. No calories and not much fluid. If I am close to my stop for the night just eat some ice and I will stay awake.

[Aggie93]

Only thing I would add and have not done it in 20 years. While in college I'd typically drive back home starting after work at midnight. I found Copenhagen would keep me wired for hours. This is the only time i would use tobacco. I still remember the time I spilled a can in the car.

[flatbutt]

redbull and gummi bears. gets me from NWNJ to Pittsburgh in 6 hours.

[72doug2,2S]

Caffeine, Exchange drivers every two hours, play loud music (something you don't necessarily like, can make you angry enough to keep you up), think about that judge's restraining order that keeps you away from your true love, if all these fail pull over and sleep.

[tweezers74]

I play loud music and car dance and sing like a banshee!

Lollipops. Works great! I usually buy different varieties: tootsie pop, blow pop, dum dums. Caffeine. Icees. The cold keeps me awake.

[craigster59]

A friend from Thailand told me the truck drivers there would eat lemon slices when they felt drowsy. I tried it and it seemed to work.

[vash]

i am a marathoner on the road..i cant sleep when driving or if sitting in the passenger seat.

music helps me tons..i'll listen to whatever..country music, yodeling..whatever. NPR kicks ass too, but reception is a crap shoot.

having said that..i dont mess around. i get plenty of rest.

[krystar]

have your girlfriend call you "umm..i'm late"