Some of the best things I have found is:
1) CB Radio, not only to let you know where the cops are, but also to let you know best places to stop.
2) Good rest before the trip.
3) Stopping every 2 hours for at least 10 mins. This helps to keep you awake and alive.
4) Talk Radio, for the reason mentioned above.
5) Cell phone for emergenecy. Altho my Nextel & Cingular doesn't like to catch a tower in the lower part of Illinois until West Memphis, TN and then again at Little Rock.
6) Taking breaks.....It WILL keep you alive

 

One other thing...

If you drive where you need high beams, you might want to take some masking tape or something to cover over the high beam indicator.

Those blue ones are really irritating after a long drive in pitch dark. And they look you right in the eye. So I cover mine now when I plan a long trip.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

My high beam indicator is red, luckily, and easily coverable.
I'll have to get a cb (do i need to get a channel number?)
I'll start changing my sleeping habits at least a week in advance (going to bed later and getting up later and sleeping all day before the trip)
I may have to get a coffee maker for the truck...lol..or just stock up on some and put the coffee above the heater.lol
I'll have at least 10 if not 20 gallons of extra gas in case i run out but i'll definently get my fuel guage and speedo working, have to get a custom cable made for it.
I'll take a lot of gas stops just to insure i don't run out and stretch at every stop, and also take the breaks at every 2 hours if i have to drive non-stop for a while.
I'll have plenty of snacks, coffee, and a few red bulls, not to mention a talk radio station and someone to talk to on the headset.
What else should i take along with me
Dustin

 

All i can add it: Take some apples, they´ll give you fast energy and have substances wich help you stay awake, even more than coffe (i readed this on a Nat. Geographic issue). Also, some Bengay or other muscular ache reliever, just in case the "every two hours" stop isn´t enough, you don´t want a cram (is this the way it´s spelled?) in you leg while driving at 75MPH.

The longer i´ve drove was 16 hours, but i´m a young guy still and that was when i had 23 (i´m 25 now).

 

I've never heard about the apples, but i'll take your advice and take a few apples along. I'll be 18 when i go on this drive. I wonder how much a good cb will cost me. I'm a night driver, less stupid people and it'll be daylight once i hit Wisconsin but at least i'll be 144 miles away from my destination.
I'll make sure to have a muscular ache reliever along, although i really dont get cramped up driving, but better to be safe then achy and sorry.

Dustin

 

My suggestions: go to the library and checkout books on tape/cd (FREE). Order in advance if they don't have what you like (STILL FREE). Buy some "Turbo Truffles", it's supposed to be like candy but they taste terrible cause it's 1/2 chocolate and 1/2 caffine. Easier to handle than coffee and fewer retroom stops. Advertise a ride for sale if you want a passenger, you can screen in advance and cover some expenses. Spare key. If you get tired - stop and sleep, or eat a couple habanero peppers . Avoid eating turkey. Emergency cash. Good maps.

 

In my younger days, I drove nonstop from Corpus Cristy, Texas to Virginia Beach (approx 1900 miles). It took me about 30 hours to do the trip.

The biggest problem I noticed was leg cramps. The only cure is to stop, get out and walk.

Apples are a great form of energy and I did use them on the trip. Definate avoid anything made with turkey. It will put you to sleep. A heavy caff drink like Mountain Dew will revive you, but the sugar rush will dry you out, so also take plenty of water.

Remember this. It is just a road trip and an adventure. The main goal is to have fun doing it and arriving safe. Sit back, set the cruise control, watch the idiots screw up and don't let the idiots tick you off. Take frequent breaks and enjoy the ride!

 

I take all my long road trips at night, but then again, I'm a vampire, and work nights.

Heres my tips, and I spend at least 25hrs a week in a truck at night.

1. Turn your interior lights all the way down, after you've set the cruise (I usually feel safe at 5 over).

2. Don't drink to much caffine, get some good cold water, I don't do bottled, thats a waste, just tap in a gallon milk jug.

3. SATELITE RADIO, I love that I can pick one radio station, and leave it there without searching for a new one every hour or so.

4. CB is nice, channel 19 is the trucker channel, just remember the phrase, "How bout ya there north bound, can I get a bear report" You may or may not get a response, as truckers can usually tell one another, and will ignore most normal drivers. Oh, the direction is whatever opposite direction that you are going.

5. Try not to stop at rest stops, its a waste, you can't get gas.

The talk radio stations are good, I listen to free fm to pass the time.

IMO Radar dectors at night are almost USELESS. With less traffic on the road, that cop in the bushes might clock you before your dector will ever go off. You need them clocking the other idiots on the road. The CB is the best radar dector, you can get live updates.

 

I travel long distances pretty often, and usually all in one shot.

It's best, IMO, to ditch the Radar detector, unless you have one of those $300 units.

The el cheapos will do nothing but make you jittery. If you must speed, 5 over is all I reccomend pushing it.

If you get tired, pull over! Get out and move around. If you are really tired, and finding your self wanting to close your eyes, immediately pull over! Try to take a 15-20 min cat nap if needed.

Trust me you don't want to fall asleep behind the wheel at 65 mph with your cruise set...I've done it, and I'm dam lucky to be alive. Those Dukes of Hazzard style of jumps are not fun.

 

I drove from Clearwater, FL to Chicago, IL last weekend. About 1,300 miles. I left around 5pm Florida time and drove until I got a little tired. Pulled over somwhere in Tennessee around 3am slept until 6am. Got up drove a little while. Pulled over in Cave City, KY for my breakfast at Cracker Barrel. Then continued the drive to Chicago. I was home with plenty of time to watch my beloved Bears lose.

I would say just have plenty of music, snacks and drinks with you. If and as soon as you feel tired pull over and at least take a little nap.

Also try to have a cell phone with you. I found that talking to people really helped pass the time and kept me awake.

Good luck.

 

Also, plan your route very well and carry a map, GPS, or whatever device you can afford, and if you have the slightest doubt... stop and ask! you don´t wanna stray 100miles from your path and end up in the middle of Nowhere

 

this may sound stupid but you may want to have a new windshield installed. the ones that we get up here in canada yellow over time. i was having problems with headlight glare at night. i happen to have the windshield replaced and noticed the problem was gone. i went to ask the glass place if it was a tinted window because i wanted the same kind put in my truck and the counter person told me about the yellowing. just a thought . i to find that driving with my dash lights on the lowest setting( still able to read the guages of course) helps me alot.

 

I already have one map from mapquest, but i'll get a regular map and highlight the roads i'm taking. I'll have to see about getting a cb, may come in handy. I'll have the truck in tip top condition, the front windshield is in good shape. I'll have plenty of minutes on my tracfone, and i'll have drinks/snacks and a type of radio. I'm going to rebuild my seat springs for a better ride, my butt doesn't wanna be sore. I'll be running on a engine that i'm rebuilding this year and a 5 speed tranny along with some new front wheel bearings and tie rod ends not to mention a steering stabilizer. I may also be able to buy this apple laptop from the school, maybe, they're not in good shape but oh well. I'll definently take the breaks when i need them. Thanks for all the advice so far and for the future advice

Dustin

 

Drove to St. Joseph, MO from South Florida (25 hrs). One thing I found out was that heat makes you sleepy. So what I did was turn on the a/c (this was summertime) with the vents pointed righ towards me whenever I felt myself dozing off. Kept me up physically, and to keep my mind alert, personally, talk radio was more effective than music. Don't hesitate to pull over at any rest stop if you have to take a walk around. While you're doing that, take 5 min. to do some intense stretching. This will help recirculate blood and wake you up! Make sure you check your tire pressure, and change your oil before you leave.

Dan

 

I got a good Cobra cb from Summit Racing for $70 a couple of years ago. I didn't have a radio in Hoss at the time and I needed to hear something other than the tires howling. I moved from Reno to Billings 2 days later and drove 1100 miles in one shot. I started on Thankgiving night after eating TURKEY, so I don't suggest that. It was a very boring trip. 1100 miles, no radio, a whiney Lab slobbering on the other seat and me full of turkey and drowsy while driving across Wyoming is not what I call stress free.