Team-BHP - How do you keep yourself engaged on long night drives, when alone at the wheel?

Had done many extended night drives of more than 17 hours non-stop that stretched to next day noon. For me, the biggest challenge is between 2 am to 4 am. Some times mind manifest things on road that doesn't actually exists (say like some dog crossing the road or a sudden sharp turn on a straight road). That gives an indication that it's time to refocus.
Usually I use nuts (especially raw cashew nuts) without chewing them. The slow flavor keeps me awake. Initially I was using chewing gum which was also effective, but the downside is that chewing continuously for 15+ hours paralyze my jaws for the next 2 days and it will be difficult to eat anything.

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Originally Posted by SR-71 (Post 5286955)

I would be interested in learning other tricks that fellow members engage in under such circumstances.

One pro tip i always use when i feel a bit tired but at the same time have to drive to reach is this tip i received from a taxi driver and has also worked wonders for me. Drink water bit by bit until you feel a slight sensation to urinate . Don’t urinate , hold it as long as you can and drive . All drowsiness will be gone and we will be an alert driver again. For me i can hold back my urge to urinate for 4 hours atleast , this changes from person to person. I don’t know if this method is bad for your urinary bladder, i rarely drive when i am tired and use this method only when urgently required. Any doctors here can maybe validate if this practice is very bad or not?

I prefer starting at 3/4AM rather than drive the whole night, but having said that whenever it was necessary to stretch the drive and reach a destination well into the night, power-nap has helped immensely. Just stop at a nice, well-lit place, ask others in the car to go out stretch their legs, while you just sleep for 15mins. I've done this when I've about 2-3 hrs of drive left. It energises me enough to concentrate on my driving for next 3 hrs. Ofcourse if there is a driver give you rest for some time 15-30mins or an hr then that is best.

My most tiring experience has been starting from Manali to Amritsar at 5AM. Took a detour to cover Parashar lake, the road was horrible and took for ever to reach Parashar lake and join the highway back at Mandi. At around 6PM in the evening, I was near Hoshiarpur. 110kms to go but Google maps said 3hrs. We were 5 of us on Toyota Etios, so others were also looking forward to a break. They got down and had some lassi while I got a 15mins rest. It was a boon because lots of road work was happening between Jalandhar and Amritsar and being fresh helped to reach the destination safely.

In my 12 years of driving I did not have to or planned a drive at night after 9pm in highway (in city dove in midnight also), so cannot comment on what would I do. But many times after heavy lunch (specially if chicken tikka masala was so good that I have to have it with jeera rice at the end :D ) I feel drowsy. This normally happens 30 min to 1 hour after lunch. Not always, but if that happens, no type of music or coffee or tea can keep me alert. If drowsiness is less, I do following (may help in night driving also)
- chew chewing gum and I take two at a time, so that I need some effort
- trained myself to look on both side mirrors in frequent interval than required even if I am in empty stretch and not changing lane, keeps peripheral vison widened and help you keep awake
- take couple of deep breath in regular interval (helps pump oxygen to brain)

If I still feel this is not enough, somewhat trained myself for 10-15 minute power nap (you may not be able to do in first try). Park car in a shaded area - under a tree or shaded parking if available (at night this is not required, just park in a safe place), make the AC colder, set an alarm after 10-15 minutes. Recline in a comfortable position, legs must be stretched (I stay buckled up), close your eyes and just try to put all thought away (I prefer no music this time). Alarm is must for me, because that gives the brain a push after 15 minutes. May need little longer for night drivers. Also I understand this is possible for me as in highways it would be only two of us - my wife and I. Did it when I used to drive my Ritz and even now. In BS6 diesel there are worry of DPF clogging for idling for so long, haven't faced any issue though so far in my Seltos.

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Originally Posted by Malluspec (Post 5289531)

Would suggest you stop this habit, I know of a close friend who is no more who used to work on the ship and used to hold his urine for hours, his both kidneys failed and he died four years after a kidney transplant.

I used to drive at night a few years back but later I realised that it's just a waste of time and energy. As soon as I reach the destination I would be tired and would sleep till afternoon. This would ruin the first day and also mess up the sleep cycle. Instead I try to start at around 4:30-5 AM and reach the destination by late afternoon or evening.
The advantage here is avoiding the traffic in the city when you are exiting and reaching the highway. Traffic is much lower at 4:30am as compared to 9PM or even 11PM.
Also usually I still have energy to explore the destination and can go to sleep at regular times.
That said, when I used to drive at night, this was my routine.

Listen to music, especially familiar songs where you know the lyrics so that you can sing along. A mix of songs with not so good lyrics also help, as that may irritate you but still keep you alert.

Take a break every 200kms or when you feel sleepy. I have black coffee at the breaks and also carry a few satchels of coffee powder so that I can just ask for hot water and add coffee at places where coffee is not available. I never eat anything during these stops as I usually start post a light dinner.

I keep a count of the brands or types of cars that are overtaking me. This is like an alertness check for me, if I am have enough situational awareness and am not going into a trance.

I make sure I take a break every hour between 2AM to 5AM.
Even if I do not have coffee, I just stretch and walk a bit. Usually I stop near a petrol pump or soon after a toll booth.

As a backup I keep an energy drink like Red Bull or monster in the car, but I have never had it yet. Mostly I give it to one of my friends after a few months before it expires, and get a new can in the next road trip. However, knowing that I have it in the car, in case I don't find a tea stall is a relief.

After several Mangalore-Pondy and some Mangalore- Mumbai trips I do have a lot in common. Due to nature of my profession I am unable to sleep at an early hour and too dead to get up early. Prefer to start at night so that the fresher part of my trip is whilst it is dark and as fatigue sets in, the bright day light keeps you going. The other factor being, you would be in known territory in the dark and unknown in the day light adds to safety levels. Of course a shot of black coffee and yes stopping at a safe point the minute you feel exhausted or start to get sleepy. As earlier mentioned a hungry stomach and some snack to munch on and singing(bathroom singer that I am in the car) with the "prime"

The topic is quite interesting. Night driving: yes or no and what to do it you have to do it.
Let me start with a simple fact not known to many. There are three types of people, one those who can make good decisions and work wonders during the day. The other who can do the same during the night and the ones who overlap the two.
It is not my research, it is beautifully explained by Daniel Pink in his book 'When: The scientific secrets of perfect timing' .
Hence, the first thing to do is to understand who you are. The one who study throughout the night and give the exam or the one who sleeps full six hours before giving the exam.
Once you are self aware, take the decision of whether to drive in the night or not. I for one avoids night driving, but if I have to, I always try to drive at night when I am concluding the journey rather than starting with a night drive.
This helps me concentrate better as my fully active mind during the day while driving, pushes my sleep further and the hyper active brain doesn't want to sleep when I should (basically when the night starts).
It works for me.
The other suggestion is to focus on areas which are brightly lit, and don't see too much at the dark horizon. Your mind will be fooled into thinking it is still daytime. I am not joking, you can fool your mind with this occasional splashes of bright light.
The other ones are already captured, like drinking tea. I step out while taking tea and walk a little. The tea is basically the highly concentrated tea which I prepared before starting the journey. The Tmax (time taken by body to achieve maximum concentration in blood) for caffeine from tea or other caffinated drinks is 30 mins. Give this window to your brain to get recharged by tea or other caffinated drinks.

The more drowsy I get, the faster I drive. Nothing works better than scaring yourself! Just kidding!

I rarely do any marathon drives but some routes tend to be very boring and easy to nod off. I try different driving modes by constantly monitoring the instrument cluster for fuel efficiency and average speed, etc. It's like for two hours I drive to achieve maximum fuel efficiency by focusing a lot on anticipating the traffic and monitoring the live fuel consumption info. It's like my primary task is not driving but getting achieving maximum fuel efficiency. I even take photos of the instrument cluster as my trophy.

Sometimes when I spot a car of similar segment as mine, I try to drive very briskly, often involving other brisk but not aggressive drivers - we take turns to lead and follow. Lot of experienced drivers understand when you attempt this with them - basically you overtake and also allow them to overtake. You are not racing, just taking turns to lead and follow. Trying to send such signals and getting the other driver to acknowledge and join the fun itself keeps me alert.

I look for beautiful scenery, like a patch of bright Bougainville or windmills etc and then stop by to take pics.

I rarely stop for meals or coffee - somehow I don't need them (I don't take tea/coffee normally also) and I enjoy driving and look forward to a very relaxed and sumptuous meal at my destination. I drink water and snack a bit while driving.

Have had my share of long night drives. Some I enjoyed immensely, some I detested. Over the years have grown apprehensive of night driving.

Anyhow, my two cents on this issue.

- Never drive alone at night. Have someone accompany you. Loquacious company works best. If your shotgun likes to drive, cherry on the cake.

- Caffeine. Sweetened. The rush will keep your lids from drooping.

- Water. Carry enough water to keep yourself hydrated. Its amazingly refreshing. And you will be forced to take the stops even if just to take a leak.

- Hourly breaks, if possible, just to stretch and get the circulation going. Will reduce muscle stiffness and fatigue.

- Maintain decent speed. No need to floor the accelerator on seemingly empty roads. You may be amazed by moronic tanker drivers who still park at odd, unexpected places on the highway.

- Songs and music help but not for long, none the less one can keep a playlist handy.

I had to make a 500kms night run without as much as a warning due to some medical emergency. Took off at mignight and reached the destination around 8am. Didn't have the luxury to catch any extra wink the previous day.

But don't let the co-driver sleep. Or don't slack off when someone else is driving. Two alert pairs of eyes always help. Sleep is very infectious. It creeps up on you. So might as well take a longish break and get your heart rate up before resuming the journey.

Safe travels people.

I ensure that I had a good rest and sleep the day before. And while driving at night, I'll be constantly conversing with the co passenger if there's one, listen to upbeat music. Also look away and don't directly stare at oncoming headlights.
Lastly I keep a decent pace without crossing limits to keep myself engaged and away from boredom, cause boredom while driving at night is the step before falling asleep behind the wheel.

I would say you better don't drive while sleep-deprived. Over the years I developed insomnia, but I really love long drives and exploring new places. Especially I really enjoy night driving, I am can focus well and better communicate with my fellow drivers with headlights on.
But it can be very dangerous if you get sleepy.
While I really appreciate what others have suggested, of late I have observed one thing that works really well is 'chewing gum'.
It may sound a little funny but try it out, it worked for me, could work for you as well.

Well, I open all four windows to feel the cold air and get out of my comfort zone.
Turn off the screen /music completely and try to notice the other things like rpm, fuel economy, rattle noises (tin can owner this side)
Try to sing/bark as loud as I can to the song which I hate obviously( Only whenever I am alone ):D
Change the genre of the songs to the ones which I never listen to usually.
Ask Google assistant weird questions .