best way to stay sharp on long drive
 

Obviously, if/when I get tired, I'll stop. I'm not going to push my luck at all.

That said, I'm driving from San Antonio, TX to Byers, CO shortly and was wondering what's the best way to stay sharp. Are there any tricks?
I'm half considering chocolate covered espresso beans. Dumb idea?

Thanks,
Skip

I've got a buddy that swears eating pickles will work. I can't get the nerve to try it!

You'll definitely get an adrenalin rush when you wake up bouncing along on the shoulder. Stay safe.

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.

Once a year I make a long drive. This year it was round trip to Salk Lake City. The drive home can be tough. This year I took one dose of the 5 hour energy drink. It did just what I wanted. I did not feel wired at all, just normal. I slept fine that night. I figure one dose a year should be safe.

I do ALOT of road trips both for work and personal adventure!

Rule #1 - if you are tired, stop and sleep. Sometimes 15 or 20 minutes of a nap is all you need to stay frosty. Limit your total driving time and don't exceed it. Sleep in the car if you have to, don't risk your life or anyone else's when you are driving.

Now about the keeping sharp. Great music is a must. Even better if you aren't embarassed to sing out loud. :D No big meals, small or snacks only. Big meals make me really sleepy.

Stay curious along the way. If you see something of interest, stop, get out and take a look at it. I live in Oregon, the first time I saw a dead armadillo in Texas - I STOPPED! DANG! THAT WAS A WEIRD CRITTER!

Enjoy yourself. Find beauty in the country you pass through. It makes the miles go by.

angela

I wanted to see the wast cost after college and drove from Virgina to up Niagra Falls. After two days (dumb youth) I was falling asleep on the wheel. So I ppulled over and nap for a little. it was about 1pm. When I woke, thinking it was 15-20 minutes? No, it was dark and I was hungry. I checked my watch and see it was after 1030pm. so much for my 10 min nap.

I have used a spray bottle and give my face a little blast right in my eye. that will prolong it for about 30minutes to another hour.

Be good and stay safe.

http://img.21food.com/img/product/20...g-00460350.jpg

Actually, I find singing along to music is good. Audio books work well for me, too.

I almost always drive with the window open, which keeps me alert.

Sunflower seeds, coffee, salty food ( French fries), favorite podcast/ talk radio....

I've been driving 20+ hours a week for the last three months, and that's what I'm doing. But I've been known to stop for a 5pm siesta on occasion.

Hot girl riding shotgun?


Eating's pretty effective. It's rare to fall asleep while you're eating.

its after you eat (that big fat burger for lunch) that gets you. I know what you mean about snacking.

by all means,, stop and walk, take a nap,, coffee and loud music

Jeez, I guess. I've looked for that stuff. It's not in my grocery store. (Ralphs, Kroger)

Keep the brain active. Do math problems in your head. Try and figure out how many acres a golf course is.

Yes, there are times I get back in my car and am shocked at how loud it is...

I like to switch between music and podcasts. I load up the iPod with music playlists and sports talk radio. When the topic has been completely analyzed by Mike and Mike, kornheiser, Wilbon, Bill Simmons, Jim Rome, Scott van Pelt, and Hill and Schlereth, I'll switch back to music. Repeat as needed.

All those podcasts are free from the EspN pod center. That way you don't have to wait on commercials or search for content on the radio. And switching from music to talk and back seems to reboot my energy and reduce fatigue.

I found arguing with the wife works well.

Eating Pickles? Not sure what the connection is there, but you're saying you can't get the nerve up to EAT a Pickle! Well, I guess Potted Meat is out of the question, Lol! 15 minute Power Naps is the ONLY way (but not everybody can do them) jmo

Thanks all. Good tips...

Altoid peppermints, peppermint works for nausea or fatigue

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.

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.

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.

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

^^^^^ 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.

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.

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.

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!

Nap as needed!

Winner! :D


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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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