Don't wear corduroy and other long distance driving hints
Replies: 29 - Last Post: Oct 11, 2012 1:37 AM Last Post By: ianw6705
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Don't wear corduroy and other long distance driving hints
For anyone planning longer-distance drives, what hints make your trips easier? I'll start with these:- Don't wear corduroy trousers when driving. They stick to a cloth car seat, making it tough to shift your seating position small amounts as you tend to want to during a longer drive.
- Take off your jacket before getting behind the wheel, even if it's chilly out (gloves and hat can stay on). Your heater will soon have the car toasty, and you need to be an acrobat to remove a jacket while the seat belt and steering wheel are in the way.
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... and you're not a wuss because you didn't drive X hundred miles.I agree ... in your absence there has been a strong tendency for the punters to be advised to do vast distances, either on particular days, or as an average over a longish road-trip. I have played the conservative wuss - arguing that 150mi (250km) should be the max, if you wish to enjoy anything and everything.
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Keep a plastic bag somewhere near the front seat for the trash that inevitably will accumulate on, under and around the seats during a long trip. This is annoying, potentially dangerous (anyone ever have an empty bottle or can roll under the pedals?), and generally shameful. Toss and replace as needed.Use the interstates only when you need to get somewhere quickly and efficiently. Otherwise, take the two lane roads and accept that you'll make a little less mileage each day. You'll be glad you did.
IMHO, there's nothing wrong with the occasional marathon day behind the wheel. Sometimes you gotta do that to make room in the schedule for the things you really want to do. It's OK. But more than one or two will get old, fast.
If you're travelling with kids, you're on their schedule. Just accept this, work with it, and everyone will have more fun.
Take the time to find something interesting or pleasant wherever you are. Even if that just means getting your meal take-out and having a pic-nic lunch at the city park. Skip the Taco Bell by the freeway and ask someone local where a good place to eat is. It might not be all that good (or it might be), but it'll be more interesting than the inside of a Wendy's.
Audiobooks or podcasts are more engaging over long distances than music, at least for me. Load up your player with episodes of a variety of audio programs, in addition to your usual music. It'll also give you and your companion(s) something to chat about.
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Sure - I agree that sometimes a long haul can be a useful strategic option - I was talking more about (a) a routine day between two places being recommended, even though a very long drive, as if it were trifling, and (b) more particularly, trying to maintain a high average over 10, 20, 30 days or more. That does get rushed.10
I definitely second the audiobook/podcast recommendation. Much more engaging than music while driving (though I like music at times too).Even if you have many miles to cover, stop and get out for a walk. You need the break.
if you're driving in certain parts of the country, especially on the east coast, keep a bunch of change and small bills handy to pay tolls.
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Stretch before entering and upon leaving the vehicle. If pavement's not smooth, bicycle gloves. A baseball cap gives you an additional easy way to block glare. AAA and others sell head tilt alarms, good safety feature for a night drive, especially solo or if others are asleep. Benadryl is a safe and effective way to get passengers to sleep (but read the label). Listening to a portable device through sound-admitting headphones lets you crank the volume while others are asleep. The start of a long drive may be the worst possible time fora marital spat.
