Model Y

Make
Tesla
Segment
SUV

The sun won't be up for a few more hours, but excitement hangs in the air as you pack your vacation luggage into the car. You'll hit the road long before sunrise and be at least halfway to your holiday destination before it gets light. There's no better way to make a long drive feel shorter, and it also means less risk of traffic, accidents, or getting bored, right?

Not always.

No matter how cautious a driver you are, long road trips are physically and mentally exhausting. And while the above scenario is a good way to avoid heavy traffic and other hold-ups, it's not risk-free. In fact, tackling a road trip in such early morning hours can be even more dangerous, in many ways. Drowsy driving is a leading cause of car accidents, with thousands losing their lives annually because someone fell asleep behind the wheel. To help you get to your destination safely, we've compiled some of the best tricks for staying awake while driving and some useful facts you need to know.

Drowsy Driving Facts

If your plan of action is to get a head start on your road trip in the early morning hours to avoid traffic and arrive earlier, you should know that your sleep/wake cycle will be out of sync. This means that you may feel initially alert, but as you settle down, your body will want to return to it's habit of being asleep while it's dark. So, not only will you be driving in low-visibility conditions on less sleep than you're used to, but you're likely to feel sleepy quicker than you'd imagine.

It also means that by mid-day, you'll have been awake for numerous hours longer than you're used to. Research shows that staying awake for too long is comparable to drunk driving - being awake for 20 hours plus yields impairment on the same level as someone with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%. Staying up for 24 hours and then trying to drive is, therefore, the same as trying to drive while being over the legal limit in the USA.

While there's no easy breathalyzer to check for drowsy driving, there are those who are more at risk of dozing off behind the wheel. But if you don't have any medical or sleep-related conditions that see you constantly falling asleep and driving simply makes you feel sleepy, here are ten tips for staying awake while driving.

How to Stay Awake While Driving

Whether you're heading out on vacation or on a long drive for work, the risk of feeling sleepy behind the wheel remains the same. And, while cars like the Tesla Model Y market their full self-driving capabilities, this isn't a reason for you to shift concentration from driving - fully autonomous driving is still some time away. Here are our suggestions for how to stay awake while driving:

1. Plan Ahead

While the idea of starting early isn't a bad one - particularly if you've got intense traffic or disruptions on your route - driving in low visibility conditions is extremely taxing on your eyes, which makes you feel even more drowsy. At the same time, research with commercial truck drivers tells us that feeling sleepy is up to eight times more likely between midnight and 6 am. We found that, despite any excitement inherent at the start of a trip, the early morning hours before sunrise saw a substantial dip in our ability to focus and a significant increase in feelings of tiredness. It's better to plan around these times and ensure you have enough time to stop and rest before needing to be at your destination.

2. Stop And Smell The Flowers

Literally. Stopping regularly along the way is the best way to stay awake while driving. Whether you're stopping to stretch your legs, have something to eat, or see the sights, the break from the monotony of long stretches of road is essential. Take twenty minutes to walk around, splash some water on your face, or even take a short power nap if you have to. A great tip is to do jumping jacks or a couple of squats. We're not kidding - physical exercise gets the blood flowing and will help jolt some endorphins into your system. Finding a safe place to stop when you're feeling tired is essential, and planning convenient rest stops along your route will help ease the boredom for the rest of your companions, too.

3. Have You Got Snacks?

Planning road-trip snacks and packing a basket and cooler is part and parcel of what makes family vacations so fun. Eating the right foods while you're driving long distances will help stabilize your blood sugar and prevent dips in your energy levels, so make sure to have something to much on. Avoid excessively sugary foods, though - sure, sugar gives you an almost instant rush of energy, but it can also cause a slump that leaves you feeling tired after a while. Instead, a good combination of protein, whole grains, and fresh fruit and vegetables is ideal for maintaining blood sugar.

4. Coffee?

Caffeine is notorious for keeping you alert, and for those who adore coffee, it's a road-trip essential. Whether you fill a thermos with it or stop along the way for a cup, it will go a long way to keeping tiredness at bay. Alternatively, consider an energy drink, although too many of these have been known to trigger the jitters or even cause you to feel a little 'floaty'. Much like having too much candy, too many energy drinks can also leave you with a heavy slump after a while, so don't overdo it. Consider isotonic drinks, water, or even green tea in between energy drinks and coffee. Staying hydrated prevents lethargy, and as an added bonus, you'll need to make more stops to use the bathroom - two birds, one stone!

5. Tag - You’re It

If possible, travel with a partner who can switch out driving duties with you when necessary. Never attempt to drive for a 24-hour shift on your own. It's always a good idea to travel with someone, from a safety point of view and having the option to trade places when you need a nap or just a mental break is essential. And, if your traveling companion isn't able to do any driving themselves, they can help keep you awake. Taking on extended journeys alone requires a lot of planning and extra precaution, and overnight stops are generally recommended.

6. Driving Tunes

One of the things that helps with staying alert is singing along to upbeat music. Most music, in fact, is excellent at helping to stimulate your mind and keep you from zoning out while you're covering long distances. Naturally, you want to avoid soothing music that will have the same effect that a lullaby would have on a baby, so add your favorite party jams to a playlist and crank up the volume if you're feeling a little out of it. Even the top trucks these days have banging sound systems, so make use of the tech!

7. Fresh Air

Cracking a window, turning up the AC, or having the sunroof open are great ways of helping you feel less sleepy. If you've got the heater cranked up and the cabin is warm and stuffy, you are much more likely to doze off. Instead, make sure you have a steady supply of fresh oxygen into the car and rather wear warmer clothing if it's cold. Some of the top-rated crossovers make this easy with climate controls up front that is separate from those for your rear-seat passengers, so they can be snug without you feeling like you're about to nod off.

8. Avoid Meds That Make You Drowsy

If you know you're heading out on a long road trip, avoid any medications or treatments that could have drowsiness as a side effect. Stop taking any medications the night before and resume when you've arrived safely. If you can't delay taking meds, get someone else to take the first driving shift after having taken your meds so you can nap and switch out with them when the side effects wear off. If you're unsure whether your medications cause drowsiness and whether they can be delayed, consult your healthcare practitioner.

9. Gym For Your Brain

Just like doing jumping jacks stimulates blood flow and endorphins that give you a second wind, activities that require you to think out of the box are a great technique for jolting you out of the twilight zone while driving. Podcasts and audiobooks are excellent options for keeping your mind active while you drive without having to take your eyes off the road. And, if you're traveling with your family, don't negate the effectiveness of games, quizzes, and other fun activities with your kids - as much as it keeps them entertained, it also keeps your brain wide awake while covering miles.

10. The Night Before

Possibly the most important tip is to make sure you're well-rested before you leave. Going on all-night benders right before a long road trip is a recipe for disaster. And we hate that we have to say it, but driving with a hangover is almost as bad as driving drunk - just don't do it. Get a good night's sleep, pack and plan in advance, and wake up at a reasonable time. If you're well rested, you are far more likely to remain focused, maintain good reflexes, and be able to concentrate for longer stretches of time.