What to do on a long car ride: Tips when you drive on your own or with family

The most important things that help to make a long ride interesting and not so tiring are:

• Plan regular breaks: Take a short break every 2–3 hours to stretch, walk around and rest your eyes for a few minutes.
• Stay hydrated and eat light: Drinking enough water helps maintain concentration and prevents headaches or dizziness. We advise you eating light snacks, such as fruit, nuts or yogurt, instead of heavy meals that can make you feel sleepy.
• Get enough sleep before the trip: A good night’s sleep before a long drive is essential for staying alert. 
• Choose the best driving position for comfort: Make sure your seat, mirrors and steering wheel are properly adjusted before you start driving. A comfortable posture reduces muscle pain and helps you stay relaxed and focused during long hours on the road.

Of course, the ultimate tip is to keep your mind engaged. Keep reading to find valuable ideas on what to do with friends, family or on your own!

If it’s your first time driving long distance, the experience can feel both exciting and overwhelming. A long drive requires more concentration, preparation and patience than a short trip.

Knowing what to expect and preparing properly can help make the journey safer and smoother:

• Plan your route in advance: Before you start your trip, take some time to review your route and check navigation options in order to know where you will stop for fuel, food and rest.
• Check your car before leaving: Make sure your vehicle is ready for a long journey by checking essentials, such as tire pressure, fuel level, oil and windshield washer fluid. 
• Start with manageable driving hours: If you are inexperienced to long-distance driving, avoid planning extremely long stretches. Driving for shorter periods and taking frequent breaks will help you gain the necessary experience.
• Avoid distractions: When driving for many hours, it can be tempting to multitask or check your phone. Keeping your attention fully on the road is especially important when you are still getting used to long-distance driving.

If you travel with kids, one thing you should always take care of: How kids don’t get bored.  

Some easy and enjoyable things you can do with young kids are: 

• Count passing vehicles.
• Listen to kids’ favorite music and sing all together.
• Play the Alphabet game, where everyone searches for words outside the car that begin with each letter of the alphabet in order, from A to Z. The first to finish wins.
• Create a story chain, where one person starts with a simple sentence, and each player adds the next part.
• Download kid-friendly movies or educational apps.

Older kids and teens need more independence and interaction, so the key is to organize collaborative activities that keep them engaged, such as:

• Plan the next stop together by letting them research nearby attractions, parks or restaurants.
• Build a shared playlist where everyone adds their favorite songs and explains why they chose them.
• Record short team videos or mini vlogs to document the journey.
• Play map navigator by letting them guide the route.
• Start a karaoke session and see who knows the most lyrics.
• Play car games like trivia questions.
• Take photos at scenic spots and post your favorite moments on social media.
• Chat about music and movies.

When you travel with adults, things are easier. However, it is crucial to keep everyone entertained, as that keeps also the driver in a good mood, avoiding boredom and tiredness.

Some interesting things you can do with other adults, whether they are friends or partners, are: 

• Create a playlist with songs that you really like.
• Sing with your friends to see who knows the lyrics best.
• Listen to an audiobook.
• Capture memories with short videos.
• Stop in breathtaking spots and take unforgettable, funny or romantic photos.
• Play 20 Questions game, where one person thinks of something (a celebrity, place, or object) and the other has 20 yes/no questions to guess what it is.
• Play the Movie game, where one person names an actor, the next must say a movie they starred in, and then another actor from that film and so on.

Discover: Fun things to do on a road trip for kids and adults

Solo car rides offer something rare, the complete freedom to do anything you want, as you can set your own pace and design the journey exactly the way you want it.

However, it may be boring and tiring to travel on your own and of course you should be cautious not to get sleepy.

The top things you can do on your own while driving for long hours are:

• Listen to inspiring podcasts or your favorite audiobook.
• Practice mindfulness while driving through scenic routes.
• Stop whenever something catches your eye.
• Take photography breaks to turn your trip into a personal adventure.
• Listen to your favorite songs and sing like no one is watching you.

Of course, apart from keep yourself or other entertained, the key is to drive a modern, safe and comfortable vehicle to have an enjoyable experience while driving. See our great variety with the ideal cars for long rides and rent a car with Abbycar to discover the world!

See our Road trips: One-stop guide to explore the world