Unless you’re a maniac who loves driving 10 hours straight (like me), you’re probably not the biggest fan of long drives. 

Rightfully so: they drag on and on, you sometimes have no interesting scenery (I’m looking at you, I-5 going to Disneyland), you end up stuck with travel companions for who-knows-how-long with not much to do, or your body just doesn’t like to sit in one place for very long. I’m not here to tell you to suck it up and just do the long drive. And buying a plane ticket isn’t always the cheapest or most convenient option. At some point, you’re going to need to drive somewhere to get to your destination.

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that bad! You can get to your destination with less aches, less stress, and more happiness.

Here are my top 4 tips for surviving your next long drive and getting through them with ease.

Strategically Choose Your Rest Stops

On a long road trip, the only places you will be spending time in are 1) your car and 2) rest stops. 

Unless you’re driving through the middle of nowhere (like Central California… or Texas), you likely have the ability to choose a decent spot to take a mid-drive break. As tempting as it is to try and power through 6 hours of driving, I recommend stopping every 1 to 2 hours to keep your body from getting too stiff. If you’re dealing with pain or injury, take more frequent stops.

The thing is, not all rest stops are created equal!

The last thing you want is to arrive at a rest stop only to find that their bathroom is closed or the entire area looks like it came straight out of A Nightmare Before Christmas.

Generally, when it comes to road stops, I look for a few things:

Do they have staff around? This tells me that the area is cleaned regularly and that it’s safer

Is it relatively clean?

Is there a lot of space to move around? If so, I can go for a short walk

Are there benches or tables to hang out at to break up a long drive?

Is it pet friendly?

Don’t Forget About the Unconventional Rest Stops

Remember, while a designated rest area with a bathroom is usually a solid choice, local parks or beaches also offer other great rest-stop options! 

Of course, some rest stops are better off skipping.

Here’s a few areas I tend to avoid:

Busy gas stations

Restaurants directly off the highway

Not only will you have to navigate a large crowd of people, you’ll also have to walk into potentially dirty areas – bathrooms included. Nobody wants to have to relieve themselves in a bathroom full of unwelcome items… or fluids.

There are lots of good resources for mapping out your rest stops. Of course, Google or Apple Maps both offer great information. Additionally, mobile apps like iExit and Rest Stops Ahead and websites like InterstateRestAreas.com offer more in-depth information on rest stops along your trip. 

You’ve got plenty of resources to make your rest stop much more comfortable so you can be on your way!

Keep the Body Moving at Rest Stops with These Movements

Motion is lotion.

The key to a happier body while on long trips is to keep the joints moving. Try these exercises at your next rest stop. They were specifically chosen to perform while standing – you know, so you don’t have to worry about the rest of your body touching the dirty ground.

Pro-Tip: If you like stretching on a yoga mat, do yourself a favor and buy yourself a mini yoga mat for traveling. It’s easier to take out and put away when on road trips, and when combined with a towel, makes a full-sized yoga mat to use in your hotel room!

My Top Exercises to do in the Car

You didn’t think I’d stop at exercises to only perform at rest stops, did you?

Here, you’ve got a selection of exercises for joints throughout your body.

Give any (or all) of these exercises a try on your next long road trip!

Looking for more tips on how to have a pain free, soreness free, exhaustion free vacation? Make sure to listen to Happily Ever Active on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.