Sometimes you have to drive through the night. It’s not always an ideal way to drive, but it is sometimes a necessity. If you know that you’re going to be driving all night, it’s good to have a plan. Make sure that you follow the tips below to increase your chances of safely making it to your destination.
It’s vital that you know your route when you are driving at night. The better you know your route, the fewer mistakes you’ll make and the less likely it is that you’ll have to drive through unknown territory after dark. Make sure that you not only have your directions loaded into your GPS but that you have a backup physical copy of the information just in case something goes wrong.
Allow for Extra Time
Don’t try to speed through the night. While many people choose to travel by night because it’s faster, it’s always wise to give yourself a little bit of extra time if you plan on driving on an overnight trip. This reduces some of the pressure on you as a driver and gives you a much better chance to make smart decisions when you are on the road.
Give Yourself Breaks
If you’re going to drive all night, you’re going to need to give yourself some time to stretch and catch your breath. Try to plan your route so that you can stop at a diner to get something to eat and a cup of coffee, for example, or make sure that you know where there’s rest stops along the way. The more time you can give yourself to relax and gather your wits, the better you’ll drive.
Be Prepared to Stop
Finally, make sure that you understand that your primary goal is to arrive safely rather than to arrive quickly. If you get too tired to drive, pull over and take a nap. If you know that a power nap isn’t going to be enough to get you to your destination, don’t be afraid to throw in the towel and get a hotel room. Any forward progress you made is great – it’s always better to get there in one piece.
Always make safety a priority if you are going to drive at night. Give yourself extra time, familiarize yourself with the map, and make sure to take breaks. Above all else, stop if you get too tired – there are very few situations that can’t wait until the morning for your arrival.