Solo Road Trip Advice or Tips & Tricks

Lcuriousdog on 02/02/2022 - 17:14

I'll be needing to drive about 9 hours or so by myself and keen to hear any tips or tricks. Going from Sydney to Sale, Victoria.

I've been on family road trips in the past but that was when I was much younger and didn't really pay attention to the planning or actual driving part of the journey. Further I've only been driving around local metropolitan roads and expressways so not used to long stretches of country road.

Looking for perhaps ideas or recommended practices, things to take along which proved handy in your experience, maybe good snacks to eat while driving?

Any other related discussion also very welcome. Thanks for reading.

Travel

Comments

  • life is suffering on 02/02/2022 - 17:24
    +14

    Make sure you take sufficient breaks along the journey because it about the journey and not reaching the destination as fast as you can

    Have some snacks and water in the car and some warm clothes in the car in case your car dies etc. Atleast you are fed and warm

    Let someone know where you are after some distance. They will know where you are etc

    Find some good spots to chill along the way. Take some photos etc.

    That's all for a 9 hr trip ;) have fun OP !

    Oh and a good playlist while driving.

    Oh and download the maps offline in case signal lost etc

    • curiousdog on 02/02/2022 - 17:36
      +2

      Some very good tips!! Downloading the maps and my playlists so they are accessible offline as well. Cheers

  • Nugs on 02/02/2022 - 17:24
    +7

    stop every 2 hours (is what the experts say)
    .

    • curiousdog on 02/02/2022 - 17:37
      +1

      I remember this campaign being on the TV! Insisted on it when I was younger but definitely stretched out the travel time. Could well be worth it in the name of safety though

      • LFO on 03/02/2022 - 11:54

        When young I used to travel 3 (three) hours non-stop starting fresh, fed and very well rested.

        After that 3 hours marathon it was a "disciplined" break every 1 (one) hour. A 5 minutes break walking vigorously around the vehicle was good enough.

        Enjoy the drive.
        Focus on the joys of the drive not so much the destination.

        • derrida derider on 04/02/2022 - 14:14
          +2

          Worked fine when you were young. Once you're older your endurance is less - we old buggers need to stretch our legs every couple of hours; that way you will enjoy the drive.

  • bazingaa on 02/02/2022 - 17:25
    +8

    don't sleep at the wheel

    • life is suffering on 02/02/2022 - 17:29
      +3

      Oh yes for sure lol. The worst part is , happened to me once, is if you are thinking you are so want to sleep you are probably asleep.

    • curiousdog on 02/02/2022 - 17:39
      +1

      A very valid concern!! Probably will load up on a good amount of caffeine before and during the drive :)

  • jonagrah on 02/02/2022 - 17:29
    +10

    Download your route on Google Maps before you leave, just in case the mobile coverage is sketchy.

    Stop every 2 hours.

    Be wary of servo food.

    Be patient when overtaking or try to wait until there's an overtaking lane.

    • curiousdog on 02/02/2022 - 17:38
      +1

      Was worried about dodgy food places and considering to pack myself a cold lunch or something. Good tips! Thanks

      • bobbified on 02/02/2022 - 19:26
        +1

        No need to worry about that - plenty of KFCs, Maccas and Hungry Jacks (amongest many others) along the way.

        • gee-man on 03/02/2022 - 08:20
          +12

          Hey, he wouldn’t be the first to shit his pants at a Maccas.

          • bobbified on 03/02/2022 - 08:25
            +2

            @gee-man: I do a road trip every 2-3 months to between Sydney and Melbourne. Luckily there's only been once that I almost shit my pants! It was that bad that I was even driving wobbly! 🤣

            • Kangal on 04/02/2022 - 15:38
              +1

              @bobbified: Do you now carry a spare roll of TP in the car for those emergency moments?

              • bobbified on 04/02/2022 - 16:03

                @Kangal: I've actually got plenty of tissues in the boot. As disgusting as it sounds, I've got thick plastic bags in the car, just in case there are no bushes to take a dump in. I've drive a sports coupe so thank fk I haven't had to use it as cover yet! I can imagine it'll be quite difficult trying to maneuver around inside that tight space! 🤣

                I mean, I can't think of any other better way to plan for that kind of thing. When you've got to go, you've got to go! Have you got any other ideas? lol

                • Kangal on 04/02/2022 - 19:17
                  +1

                  @bobbified: Get one of those Army spades (also for camping). Find a tree, dig a hole, lay a brick, wipe yourself, cover it all up.

                  If you do it carefully, won't have to wash anything, and your excrement will be used up by nature. Better than walking around with a plastic bag full of runny crap, which could burst, and the chance of you getting some on your hand/fingers is too high.

                  But keep spare water, snacks, napkins, plastic bag, torch, ductape, etc etc in the car. Those are items that have thousands of uses/scenarios.

                • Hangryuman on 05/02/2022 - 09:34

                  @bobbified: 'When you've got to go, you've got to go! Have you got any other ideas?'

                  sounds like a plan - or lack thereof

                  how about stop every 2-3 hours at a Maccas - for 1. toilet break, 2. refresh/stretch the legs break, 3. coffee and snack pickup - possibly closer to 1 hour intervals or even a 20 minute pullover at rest stop nap when fatigue sets in

                  easy as - 'if you fail to plan, you plan to fail' ?

                  • bobbified on 05/02/2022 - 12:15

                    @Hangryuman:

                    sounds like a plan - or lack thereof

                    How do you plan a stomach ache followed the sudden urge to take a watery dump?

            • cookie2 on 05/02/2022 - 13:14

              @bobbified: Gave me a good laugh. I wanna see some wobbly driving.

          • BartholemewH on 04/02/2022 - 16:31

            @gee-man: I understood that reference.

  • apsilon on 02/02/2022 - 17:29
    +5

    Lots of breaks, long stretches alone can be very boring and is an easy way to drift off.

    I'd also recommend taking the coast route. It's a bit longer and slower but there's more places to stop and things to see IMO.

    • curiousdog on 02/02/2022 - 17:38

      Was considering the coast route myself even though it adds a bit of time. Good tips, cheers

      • stumo on 04/02/2022 - 16:00

        The inland route is boring AF. I'd seriously consider going coastal but Id stop somewhere overnight because its not as easy a drive.

    • Kista on 04/02/2022 - 16:38

      +1 for the coast route, would rather driver extra hours than get stuck on Hume hwy

  • Muzeeb on 02/02/2022 - 17:42
    +2

    It's pretty much a goat track from Sydney to Sale so be careful.

    • curiousdog on 02/02/2022 - 17:50

      Thanks for this link - reading through the comments there now

  • Quantumcat on 02/02/2022 - 17:43
    +7

    Battery for your phone in case your car dies
    Make sure tyres are inflated correctly
    Make sure you are a current member of NRMA or equivalent
    Bottles of water
    Little esky in your boot with freezer packs and cold drinks
    Thermos cup that fits in your drink holder and is comfortable to drink from without looking. When you stop you might want to get a coffee before you get back on the road. Cardboard cups where the lid falls off as you are about to take a sip could cause an accident!
    Pre-download your podcasts, audio books and music to avoid disappointment when travelling through a signalless patch

    • curiousdog on 02/02/2022 - 17:54
      +1

      Good tips - definitely mindful of the thermos cup that I can operate one handed! Got one of them zojirushi ones with the flip cap lid.

      Cold drinks is a good one - don't have a proper esky but might make do with a lunch box and ice packs.

      Great idea about tyres and NRMA - will have to double check those

      • Quantumcat on 02/02/2022 - 18:06

        See if someone on your buy nothing group has a foam box - will keep cold better. Most food deliveries give stuff in foam boxes and people have no idea what to do with all of them

      • fredk1000 on 04/02/2022 - 22:50

        Check the tyres, oil, coolant, window washer levels and top up.
        NRMA is cheap insurance if you run out of gas or have a breakdown. Calling someone in an emergency costs a lot otherwise.
        Also leave early in the morning like 6am, the trip will not feel as long, plus you miss the peak hour traffic.
        I recon you won't feel you need a break till lunch, then the next three hours will go quick.

    • camr00 on 04/02/2022 - 15:53
      +1

      Make sure your spare tyre is also inflated to the correct pressure!!

      • Hangryuman on 05/02/2022 - 09:36

        yep - highway speed tyre inflation is often recommended maybe 2-4psi over city

        e.g. my car I might run 32 PSI city, 36 PSI on the highway

        risk being higher from underinflated tyres than overinflated

  • Lexus101 on 02/02/2022 - 17:44
    +7

    Always give way to anything bigger than you.

    Never dive into a blind bend at full speed, keep your eyes on oncoming traffic and cowboys overtaking in the bend.

    Don't even think about looking at your phone when your going say 100km/h. You're going 28m/sec!

    Keep your music down so you can hear other traffic or car horns around you.

    Switch on your daytime driving lights for visibility.

    Good luck and enjoy the journey.

    • curiousdog on 02/02/2022 - 17:56

      Fantastic tips! Definitely going to be cautious on the roads.

      Going with Apple car play which hooks up to my infotainment screen. Not gonna be fiddling around with it though. Set and forget for sure, at the very most will skip/next/volume adjust with the steering wheel controls.

    • kiitos on 03/02/2022 - 07:39
      +1

      I was driving down the M5 once, rounded a bend in a cutout or under a bridge and found traffic banked up to the blind spot in the curve, was able to stop in time but scary.

    • terrys on 03/02/2022 - 15:25
      +2

      "Never dive into a blind bend at full speed"

      The Kiwi rules were simple and understandable - Don't travel at a speed where your stopping distance is more than the visible road ahead on dual-lane roads. Don't travel at a speed were your stopping distance is more than half of the visible road ahead on single lane roads.

  • pharkurnell on 02/02/2022 - 17:56

    Didnt someone ask this week or 2 back about buying a car in Vic…. think it went 3 pages.

    • curiousdog on 02/02/2022 - 17:57

      Was linked by another commenter and i'm reading through that thread now

      • pharkurnell on 02/02/2022 - 18:02

        btw, the 8hrs 45 google suggests is without stops sticking to speed limits which nobody does..

        • capslock janitor on 06/02/2022 - 12:32

          without stops sticking to speed limits which nobody does..

          guess it somewhats equalizes then ..

  • Ghost47 on 02/02/2022 - 18:04
    +2

    Don’t be one of those idiots that don’t use cruise control.

    When overtaking others wait until you have a large gap so you don’t flick up stones onto their car.

    If driving at night it’s good to use high beams when it’s dark, then turn them off if traffic is coming the other way.

    • curiousdog on 02/02/2022 - 18:12

      Yeah cruise control for sure, good call.

      Thanks for the overtaking tip - wouldn't have considered the stones but now you mention it i'll be mindful of that.

      Hopefully will arrive well in time before sunset, but if plans change i'll remember the high beam tip cheers

      • Hangryuman on 05/02/2022 - 09:44

        safety on the roads - assume every other vehicle is trying to kill you

        if you see two vehicles close together, assume the one behind is going to pull out to overtake, without looking, just as you are about to pass it

        if you ever have to pull off the verge onto loose gravel edge at speed to avoid an oncoming vehicle or animal, DO NOT hit the brakes when one tyre is on bitumen and one tyre is on gravel - that's how you spin/roll the car and get killed - happened to a classmate when I was a teenager.

        if you suddenly see an animal on the road in front of you at dusk when they like to come onto the warmer surface, do not swerve wildly - another way to kill yourself - steer relatively straight and most of the time the animal will jump out of the way at the last moment - if you swerve there is an equal chance the animal will jump the same way and you'll still hit it AND crash your car - so don't do that.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 02/02/2022 - 18:17

      Til I’m an idiot haha sigh

      • Ghost47 on 02/02/2022 - 18:24

        Lol OzBargainers can have a pass on that one.

    • apple2016 on 02/02/2022 - 21:36

      What the teadon for high beam? I dont see a need for it. But most of my night time driving is in country vic.

      • Ghost47 on 02/02/2022 - 22:52

        Safety reasons mainly, to see if there is anything on the road ahead.

      • redvaldez on 04/02/2022 - 15:08
        +3

        At 100km/h, you are travelling 28 metres per second. Your reaction time to an event is around 2 seconds - 1 second for it to register, 1 second for your foot to move to the brake. Braking from 100km/h takes around 40 metres.

        Your low beam probably have a throw of around 50 metres, maybe a little longer. If something jumped out at you at the edge of your low beam or if there was a pothole or rock on the road, etc and you were doing 100km/h, you would not be able to stop in time.

        I live in a regional area. I use my high beam religiously. I also have good driving lights on my current car and they are worth their weight in gold… you can comfortably see the road (and table drains) for a good couple of hundred metres.

      • No ONE on 04/02/2022 - 20:05

        you definitely need high beam at night when there aren't any vehicle in front of you or incoming.

      • YellowDieselGolf on 05/02/2022 - 12:04

        …
        What’s the reason for high beam?
        …

        This is why we can’t have nice things.

  • knasty on 02/02/2022 - 18:16
    +2

    Avoid heavy stodgy food - it makes you feel tired. Eat lighter food and often to keep alert.

    • curiousdog on 02/02/2022 - 18:17

      Good one - was thinking of packing wraps / sandwiches

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 02/02/2022 - 18:20
    +2

    I did paramatta to brisbane in a day once. Without cruise control. I 500% do not recommend.

    • curiousdog on 02/02/2022 - 18:23

      Haha not likely to!

    • AnneThrope on 02/02/2022 - 20:29
      +2

      Newman to Perth, one day, in Summer in an unairconditioned 1975 Torana.

      Longest stop was to change a tyre that had delaminated to the point where the steel belts were 3/4 out like a porcupine.

      Would not recommend that to anyone, even in a modern car.

      OP is getting plenty of advice here so it should be more of an experience than a trial.

      • trapper on 04/02/2022 - 16:19

        I did Perth to Newman, slept one night on the floor, then Newman back to Perth… :/

    • beefmaster on 04/02/2022 - 15:11
      +1

      I know a couple would drive up from Sydney to Brisbane\Gold Coast casino to gamble. Obviously that was long time ago.

  • Ughhh on 02/02/2022 - 18:22
    +1

    Don't watch wolf creek beforehand.
    Keep in mind of your cars ability, especially if it's an old old car. I would hate my car breaking down in the middle of no where.

    • curiousdog on 02/02/2022 - 18:24

      It's a 2018 model so hope that's recent enough. Always good driving habit to know a vehicle's limit though. Good tips thanks

  • Tovers93 on 02/02/2022 - 18:40
    +6

    I think safety has been covered. Now from an Ozbargain perspective…..

    • Check whether you can plan your route to avoid the Sydney tolls. Consider leaving outside peak times to reduce the time delay of a non-toll route
    • Prep your car beforehand. I'm talking tyre pressures and removing excess weight but also check your oil, lights, driver comfort etc
    • Pack your snacks. Cheaper to do at home than buy on the way. Always recommend having an emergency red bull on hand
    • Plot your route, considering distance, terrain, speeds and traffic. A slightly longer but flat highway route may be more economical than the ups and downs of a rural route. Also note I think the Snowy River Road (Jindabyne South to Wulgumerang) is unsealed, so don't go this way
    • Check the fuel saver apps (Fuel Check NSW etc) to plan your fuel stops to fill up where is cheapest. Consider 7/11 fuel lock, My Toyota Ampol Discounts, Shell Coles 4c voucher, Woolies Caltex 4c voucher etc etc
    • Is there anybody on CoSeats (like BlaBlaCar) you could give a ride to and earn extra $?
    • Download maps, music and podcasts in advance to save mobile data (consider free trials for spotify or amazon prime)
    • Optimal speed for fuel economy is around 90-100kph. Obviously priority is driving to the road conditions and speed limits to ensure safety
    • Have a charger for your phone or battery pack
    • curiousdog on 02/02/2022 - 19:26

      Awesome, very thorough thanks. Will go through one by one and check off the ones I can, cheers

    • Specialist Diaz on 04/02/2022 - 17:45
      +1

      “I think the Snowy River Road (Jindabyne South to Wulgumerang) is unsealed”

      Yes, can confirm this is unsealed.

  • Hugh G Rection on 02/02/2022 - 18:41

    stay on the left side of the road, and let people pass you on the right as they zoom past and get a speeding ticket.
    take a break every 2 hours.
    do the speed limit
    try not to drink too much because you will pee a lot.
    have little things to much on (skittles, nuts, etc…) chewing keeps you awake as you drive.
    battery pack and phone cord to run gps
    listen to a playlist to keep you awake.
    check tire pressure and top up fluids.

    • curiousdog on 02/02/2022 - 19:27

      Good tips thank you!

  • djones145 on 02/02/2022 - 19:09
    +3

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/679097

    keep left
    unless u see the op, if so keep right and drive slow infront of him lol

    • curiousdog on 02/02/2022 - 19:28

      Haha! I will be chilling in the left lane unless very confident to overtake

  • bobbified on 02/02/2022 - 19:29
    +2

    Download Waze onto your phone and leave it on - It's not 100%, but it'll tell you where a lot of the mobile cops/cameras are, along with other potential hazards such as stopped vehicles.

    • curiousdog on 02/02/2022 - 19:30

      Good point thanks, might do both Google maps (using apple car play onto the infotainment) and then a cradle for phone running Waze.

      • YellowDieselGolf on 05/02/2022 - 12:06

        Waze works on CarPlay and has navigation.

        Just use Waze.

  • afoveht on 02/02/2022 - 19:51
    +4

    Drive during the day, not night.

    If you are doing it in one day leave earlier so night doesn't catch up with you.

    • curiousdog on 02/02/2022 - 19:55

      Good tip, thanks! Planning to leave at the crack of dawn

  • Ocker on 02/02/2022 - 20:11
    -8

    Seriously?
    A drive of just 900km should be like a drive in the park - one break at Macca's for a feed and it's done.
    Without bragging, decades ago I would drive from Cairns to Melbourne - dep CNS at 6:00pm Friday to BNE, 24 hours later a few hours kip at BNE and then to MEL to arrive Monday morning
    That was before all of the driver "aids" like cruise control etc etc
    Seriously, if you cannot and plan such a short trip without mum looking over your shoulder for guidance then maybe you should not be driving - take the train instead!!

    • curiousdog on 02/02/2022 - 20:31

      Fantastic, glad to hear its so easy

    • BuyoTheCat on 02/02/2022 - 22:00
      +2

      He has never done it before. Maybe he is as pro as you. He drives from syd to sale in one go and discover there is no sale in sale and drive back the same day.

      Asking or a little advice has never hurt anyone.

    • WT on 03/02/2022 - 12:24
      +2

      was this before they could test you roadside for amphetamines?

  • jakka on 02/02/2022 - 20:40
    +2

    I do the drive to Melbourne from Sydney once or twice a year. I normally get up and leave at 4am and can be in Melbourne by lunch. I find it easiest to drive straight through, stopping just makes the trip seem like it takes forever. I have found listening to podcasts a good way to keep entertained, break it up with some music and you will be there before you know it.

    • curiousdog on 02/02/2022 - 21:03

      Love me some podcasts, got a few episodes downloaded so I can queue them up. Cheers for the advice. Was considering going all in one shot as well but might have to react to how I feel on the day.

      • Hangryuman on 05/02/2022 - 09:54

        on highway drives with my noisy old car I like to listen to podcasts with my Bose QC35ii noise cancelling headphones - I like 'This American Life' downloaded at around 1 hour each so good for long drives.

        it cuts the background noise level significantly changing a tiring journey to a relaxing one

        and tho' it risks police attention in NSW for 'driving without due care and attention'

        my answer would be 'sir, it actually improves my ability to hear spike sounds like other car horns as it reduces the regular noise from my car engine - I listen to podcasts on the lowest clear volume so I am definitely NOT driving without due care and attention'

        but I take them off in built-up areas/traffic as I don't want to attract the attention of other drivers who are unlikely to hear that explanation.

  • Peter Enis on 02/02/2022 - 21:03

    I heard from a trusted source to never rev your car above 4k rpm. Suits me in my diesel car just fine.

  • BuyoTheCat on 02/02/2022 - 21:56

    Pack a sleeping bag in your car just in case.
    I also have a portable stove to boil water for coffee or tea or instant noodles. (It is part of my camping kit)

    I have audio books and podcast to keep me entertained. I do not always listen attentively, but it is something to have in the background.

    Dawn/dusk on country roads, watch for deers and roos. Perhaps someone can give advice on how to deal with them.

    • curiousdog on 02/02/2022 - 22:31

      Good advice, thank you! I don't have a sleeping blanket but packing a Rumpl blanket which I hope will do in a pinch if needed.

      Got a few different kinds of podcast downloaded - definitely can relate to not always listening attentively. Music is tiring sometimes so switching it up to a podcast helps I think.

  • racer1234 on 02/02/2022 - 22:24
    +1

    It is a good idea to stick to your normal time schedule. Don't get up super early or plan on driving really late. This makes sense from a tiredness point of view and sticking to a normal routine or wakefulness. BUT a lot of people ignore this to miss traffic etc so maybe just be aware that if you start really early then expect to be tired and need to stop for an extra rest break in the afternoon.

    • curiousdog on 02/02/2022 - 22:33

      Very good idea from body clock / circadian rhythm type of thing.

      I'm slowly adjusting in the lead up to the trip to wake up and match my natural bodyclock to the day of the trip.

      Hope I can fall asleep easily the night before! Else i'll be planning an extra break like you mentioned, cheers

  • subydooby on 03/02/2022 - 08:07

    I read once the best thing to keep you alert while driving was a cold flannel on the face, the second best was picking your nose, third was chewing gum. Combine the three and your on a winner, just don’t get the gum up your nose…

    • HelpMeiCantSee on 03/02/2022 - 08:18

      I’ve heard amphetamines work rather well too. So if OP can cook, make some amphetamine cookies, sub some sugar in the coffee for some amp, and all is right in the world?

      • [Deactivated] on 20/09/2022 - 01:41
        -1

        Can you even get that without prescription?

        • HelpMeiCantSee on 20/09/2022 - 11:30

          Sure can, Keithy down the road gets in touch with Dazza, and bam- you’ve got amphetamines.

    • curiousdog on 03/02/2022 - 12:08

      Great tips - I like the idea of chewing gum for focus. Cheers!

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