I’ve done more solo road trips than I can count at this point, and let me tell you, the first few were rough because I had no idea what I was doing. There’s something about being alone in a car for eight or ten hours that either becomes incredibly peaceful or drives you completely uncomfortable, and a lot of that depends on how well you prepare.
So let me share what what to do on a long car ride by yourself I’ve learned after driving coast to coast more times than any reasonable person probably should. So stick around until the end as I explain to you how to be safe, things to do, as well as the basics you must follow in a solo car ride.
Table of Contents
Planning is everything
Plan Your Entertainment Way Before You Leave
This may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people just get in the car and figure they’ll wing it, and then two hours in, they’re bored out of their minds scrolling through radio stations trying to find something decent.
The thing is, when you’re driving through remote areas, your cell service can get really spotty, so you can’t always rely on streaming whatever you want in the moment.
Keep the music downloaded
What I do now is spend like an hour the night before downloading a bunch of different stuff onto my phone so I have options depending on what mood I’m in while driving.
Sometimes I wake up thinking I’m going to listen to podcasts the whole way, and then an hour in, I realize I’m not in the mood for people talking and I need music instead, so having variety saved and ready to go makes a huge difference.
Podcasts can also be a good option
Podcasts are great because they keep your mind engaged without being too distracting, and if you pick the right ones, they can make the time fly by faster than you’d think.
I usually download maybe four or five different podcasts covering different topics, so I can switch between them if one starts getting boring. True crime podcasts are weirdly perfect for road trips, or anything with good storytelling that pulls you in and makes you forget you’ve been driving for three hours straight.
Music is obviously a must-have, and I’ll usually put together a few playlists before I leave so I’m not fumbling around trying to pick songs while I’m driving. Some days I want something upbeat and energetic to keep me awake, other days I’m in the mood for something mellower that lets me zone out a bit, and having those playlists ready means I can just switch between them without thinking about it too much.
Try listening to stand-up comedy specials
But here’s my favorite thing to listen to on long drives, and I’m telling you this changed everything for me – standup comedy specials. There’s something about listening to a good comedian that keeps you alert and engaged in a way that music or even podcasts sometimes don’t.
Most comedy specials are about an hour long, so if you’re doing an eight-hour drive, you can get through several of them, and laughing while you’re driving somehow makes the whole experience way less exhausting. I can’t explain it, but comedy just hits different when you’re on the road by yourself.
Try listening to Audiobooks
Audiobooks are another solid option, especially if there’s a book you’ve been meaning to read but haven’t had time for. It’s like killing two birds with one stone – you’re getting through your reading list while covering miles at the same time.
I’ve gotten through so many books this way that I probably never would have read otherwise, and it makes you feel productive even though you’re literally just sitting in a car.
You can learn while driving, too
And this might sound weird, but sometimes I’ll download educational content like language learning programs or courses about whatever random topic I’m interested in at the moment.
There was one trip where I spent the entire drive listening to conversational Spanish lessons, just repeating phrases out loud to myself in the car, and while I’m definitely not fluent or anything, I picked up way more than I expected. There’s something about having nothing else to do that makes your brain actually absorb information better.
The Meditation of Driving
Here’s something nobody tells you about long solo drives – sometimes the best thing to listen to is absolutely nothing at all. I know that sounds boring or maybe even unsafe, but believe me.
There’s this weird meditative quality to being on the road for hours with just the sound of your engine and the wind, watching the scenery change gradually as you move through different landscapes, and letting your mind wander wherever it wants to go.
Some of my best thinking has happened during those quiet stretches of highway where I just turn everything off and exist in that space between being focused on driving and letting my thoughts drift.
It’s almost like moving meditation, and in our constantly connected world where we’re always consuming content and information, those hours of silence can be surprisingly refreshing. You don’t have to do it the whole trip, but even just an hour or two of quiet driving can clear your head in a way that’s hard to achieve otherwise.
Stay Alert and Know Your Limits
The entertainment stuff is important, but I need to talk about something serious for a minute because this actually matters. Drowsy driving is no joke, and when you’re by yourself on a long trip, it can sneak up on you faster than you think.
I’ve had moments where I thought I was totally fine, I was just three hours from my destination, and then suddenly I caught myself drifting and realized I absolutely should not be driving anymore.
What really helped me was learning to wake up way earlier than normal when I’m planning a long drive, even though I’m naturally more of a night owl. Driving during daylight hours makes such a massive difference because not only does the sun keep you more alert, but you’re also seeing changing scenery around you instead of just staring at the same dark highway with those white lines going by endlessly.
Night driving has its appeal, and sometimes you can’t avoid it, but if you have a choice, starting your drive early in the morning will make the whole experience so much better.
Never let your gas run low
And here’s my rule that I never break anymore – the second I hit double digits on my fuel gauge, meaning when it says I have 99 miles left or less, I’m stopping at the very next gas station I see. Gas stations can be way farther apart than you think, especially in remote areas, and the last thing you want is to be stranded somewhere trying to figure out how far you can push it on an empty tank. It’s just not worth the stress or the risk.
Make Yourself Comfortable
One thing I learned the hard way is that being comfortable in your car makes an enormous difference when you’re spending all day in it. I’m not talking about anything fancy, just basic stuff like having a good phone mount so you’re not constantly looking down at your GPS, which is dangerous and also terrible for your neck. You can get a decent mount for like ten bucks, and it’s one of those small investments that improves every single drive you take after that.
Keep water with you at all times, and I mean way more water than you think you’ll need. For some reason, driving dehydrates you like crazy, even if you’re just sitting there, and I usually bring an entire gallon plus an electrolyte drink to start with. Staying hydrated keeps you more alert and just makes you feel better overall, which matters when you’re trying to stay focused for hours.
The cruise control feature in your car is your best friend on long straight highways, and using it consistently will save you gas money while also making the drive less tiring because you’re not constantly adjusting your speed. Just set it and relax your right foot, though obviously you still need to stay completely focused on the road and your surroundings.
Things to do on a long car ride by yourself without electronics
As I already mentioned, driving without electronics might seem dull initially, but at least it is quite impressive after one gets into it. When you are always plugged in, your mind begins to wander, and you have no idea how much your mind will think when you give it such space.
Talk to yourself, even aloud, about whatever you are thinking of- it sounds strange, but this way you get to solve problems and think in a different way, not the same as thinking to yourself. Sing terribly, at the top of your lungs, when you know the songs by heart, whether badly or not, since no one is around to criticize you, and it is strangely liberating.
What I do is assess the landscape that surrounds you and the way it varies with the location you are driving by, observing some of the details that you would not be able to notice otherwise. Count objects in your surroundings, such as red cars or certain license plates, or play games with yourself, such as trying to remember a movie quote or a song lyric.
Take time to think of all the things you want to do in your head about your next holiday, what you want to do with your career, or how you want to organize your apartment. It also allows you the continuous thinking time, as you can hardly get in normal life, and some of your best thoughts will come when you are driving in those silent hours.
Final Thoughts
Solo road trips can be incredible experiences once you figure out how to make them work for you. There’s this freedom in being alone on the open road with nothing but time and miles ahead of you, going at your own pace, stopping when you want, changing your plans on a whim if something interesting catches your eye.
Some of my best memories and clearest thinking have happened during these drives, those long stretches where it’s just you and the road and whatever’s playing through your speakers or the thoughts running through your head.
The key is preparation mixed with flexibility – have your entertainment downloaded and ready, know your limits and respect them, keep yourself comfortable and hydrated, and be willing to just see where the road takes you. Every long drive teaches you something new about yourself and about how to do it better next time, and eventually you’ll find your own rhythm and routine that works perfectly for you.
So download your podcasts, queue up some comedy specials, make sure your car is in good shape, and just go. The road is waiting, and trust me, once you get the hang of solo driving, you’ll understand why so many people become addicted to it.
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