How to Stay Awake During a Road Trip

Road trips can be fun and very memorable trips. Whether it is to a landmark like the Grand Canyon, amusement park like Disney World, or even out of the country to Canada, road trips are great vacations. The key thing about them though, is the road. If may be easy to get drowsy and fall asleep during a long ride, so there are many key factors to remember when hitting the highways.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Company: If you are taking a road trip, always try to have company. That does not mean picking up every hitchhiker you see, but bringing a friend or relative on the trip can make it that much more memorable. To avoid getting drowsy on the road, driving shifts can be made, and company will help keep you awake with conversations, singing, and other things.
2. Games: The roads may seem endless, but one of the things that can help pass the time are many car games. You can play the license plate game, where every state must be found, and whoever has the most wins. Punch Buggy is a game where you find the Volkswagen Beetles, shout out “Punch Buggy (Color of Car)” and give your opponent a nudge on the shoulder. Padiddle is fun night game where the people in the car identify cars with a headlight out by shouting “Padiddle!” and having their points added. There are many others as well, and try coming up with some of your own.
3. Songs: Loud music and singing is a great way to stay awake. Sing along with songs on the radio, CD, or iPod, and even sing classic car songs like “Wheels on the Bus” or “99 Bottles of Beer.” If your throat gets tired, just keep the radio loud to help stay awake, but avoid slow jams like Kenny G.
4. Resting: Take a rest every hour or two. Stretch your legs, grab a bite to eat, and fill up on gas. It will help keep you motivated for the rest of the trip, and there may be many memorable stops along the way.
5. Day Driving: Try to drive during the day as much as possible. Your body will on its normal schedule and at night, it will be more prone to want to rest. If possible book motels and hotels along the way to rest at night and relax for a full day of driving.
6. Caffeine: If everything else fails, you could always rely on a big cup of coffee or a can of Red Bull for the extra kick that you need to stay awake. Just be careful when the coffee wears off and the fatigue sets in. You want to save as much energy as you can for when you actually get to your desired location.

Who Can Help: