I've noticed in recent years that driving long distances (like 200 miles to visit a relative, almost all

[raccoon]

the way interstate), is very tiring.

Yesterday I had to go on an interstate for like 15 miles. For whatever reason, traffic was just inching along. It really tired me out. Plus I hadn't had my usual nap.

I know I'm not in the best shape and need to start walking for exercise again.

Other than that, anybody here got any experience, strength, hope, hints, to share?

[jimfields33]

1. Driving long distance in my 20's and 30's was so much fun.

Today at 55, I find it tiring and quite frankly boring especially on the interstate. And traffic has gotten significantly worse for sure. But since my 20’s, we’ve added a hundred million to the country at least so no surprise. I’d bet in 30 years, the country as a whole will all have LA traffic.

[True Dough]

2. It won't take away the physical ailments

but I like to listen to podcasts while driving. I find them stimulating. Makes the miles go by faster.

[samnsara]

3. same here..not so much any more tiring physically, but I just

...dont have the patience to deal with the wasted time of driving far away. I already live 10 miles from town and hubby and i now combine everything into as few trips as possible. Sometimes (many times) I just send him to town with a list to get him out of the house. Most weeks I only leave the house 1 time a week to go to a small gathering of women crafters for a cpl hrs.

[synni]

4. I avoid interstates like the plague

It makes driving a lot easier, and much more pleasant.

[Joinfortmill]

5. I'm 75. I do grocery runs and doctor runs.

Long drives are out, way too tiring and dangerous.

[MiHale]

6. Used to love road trips...

But after years of driving on the interstates I now like taking the back roads. Yes, it’s slower that’s part of the charm. Racing by a 70 mph you have little idea of what the area is like it all looks the same. On the byways you get the flavor of the area, there’s more to see, more to keep you mentally engaged. Instead of an exit sign you get to really see the town you’re passing through.

[Bmoboy]

7. DC to NYC

Took 6 hours. Stayed in NYC for a week after a medical procedure. Getting ready for the ride back in a couple hours.

Just riding, not driving. Paid a guy for door to door service.

Long boring drive. Fooled with our phones and tried to nap. We were exhausted when we got to NYC.

It's hard at 73.

We only drive ourselves for shopping, local doctors, and grandkids.

[cyclonefence]

15. I think you're very wise to pay

someone to drive you.

I just can't bring myself to pay someone to do something I could do for myself. Stupid, I know. Before covid, I took long rides by train. I was brought up to be frugal, I guess, and I need to get over it. It really gripes me that my son blithely orders food instead of going to the grocery store--even buying a frozen meal, or salad bar, would suit me better than spending so much money on something he can do for himself. But that's another conversation.

Hats off to you for being sensible.

[SilverDawg]

8. I know exactly what you mean!

I don’t drive the interstates anymore because it’s just too fast, reckless and dangerous due to the insane speeding and the pompously oversized “ get the hell outta my way” pickup trucks!

These days any trip past an hour or so of driving tires me out, too. I recently had to decline an invitation to a family event because of the driving distance.

[livetohike]

9. I feel the same way. The last time my Uncle drove

to see us, he said it would be the last time because he couldn’t drive for two hours anymore. He was 75 at that time. I’m 72 and driving 25 mi is a hassle 🙄.

[2naSalit]

10. I have always hated...

Driving on the interstate highways, since I was a kid, for all the reasons you claim.

Having used them for my living over many years I can honestly say that if you can make some of your drive on surface or even frontage roads, it give you a bit of distraction for your brain while still traveling on with your trip. Plus, you can find food and fuel easier too. Break up the monotony, plan ahead to take the extra time at a slower pace, most people forget to do this and then feel anxious and, therefore, the need to speed.

Also, it gives you more incentive to stop, get out and move around a bit, reinvigorate yourself a little.
Use the rest areas too, they are getting nicer and many have walking paths.

[XanaDUer2]

11. I'm 59 and can't long-drive anymore

I mean if i really had to, I could. Driving around town tires me out. Feel better

[GreenWave]

12. Sing crazy songs

I'm back in the saddle again
The long and winding road
etc,

[drray23]

13. It also depends on your car.

If you have a comfortable car designed for driving long distances, its way easier on you than in an older or uncomfortable vehicle. My wife drives a Nissan Rogue. It's good for everyday commute, however if you try to do 300 miles with it, it is horrible. The seating, driving position, car suspensions, etc.. is not optimized for long distance driving. On the other hand, doing 500 miles in a Cadillac CT6 does not feel tiring at all.

[eppur_se_muova]

14. I used to drive long distances frequently -- job interviews, visits home, even interstate commutes for Summer jobs.

It can really wear you out. When I was younger, I worked out a standard MO:

Never more than three hours at a stretch; two is better. I would estimate travel times from Google Maps and break it into 2- and 3-hour blocks. Lunch and dinner were obvious extended break times, but I always took a break -- not just a trip to the restroom, but a get-out-and-walk-around, stretch-my-legs, get-some-fresh-air break of 15 min or so. Made travel times a bit longer, but very much worth it. Depending on when meal times were, I would do the longest stretch as either the first or final leg -- never the last for really long trips, though, to minimize the effects of fatigue. When you're getting off the Interstate and merging into local traffic, you don't want to be too tired and lose alertness.

Oh, and I had chemical help -- a big sugary chocolate bar, followed by a Diet Coke and Red Bull (this was before the better flavors came out), usually past the halfway point. I kept meals modest -- a full stomach can lead to drowsiness.

Always carry aspirin, and something stronger, especially for eyestrain headaches. Vanquish or generic equivalent were the strongest I ever used.

I managed to survive more than ten years of that -- often driving rental trucks with all my belongings -- but hope that if I ever have to do that again, it will be to a take a position with my very last employer, and never have to relocate again. I count myself lucky I almost never had an accident on such trips (oh wait -- I did total my car on one long commute), especially in a moving truck, or a breakdown in the middle of nowhere. Came close to both, including one time when I thought the truck would overturn ("uneven lanes" sign should have been posted BEFORE the off-ramp, dolts!).

All part of the price of not finding extended employment anywhere. Commutes included south GA (near the FL border) to OH every two weeks, and WV to western MA every week. All living and driving alone most of the time. Just the kind of thing I thought I could avoid by spending years in grad school to get a PhD. Just doesn't seem to work in this country anymore.

[Arne]

16. It was an adventure for me to drive cross country in my youth.

Many times NY to LA and up and down East and West coast.
After 50 yrs old my circle started shrinking to tri state or
in state.
Now it's just around town.
I'm 70 with a decent older car.

No more motor cycles for me.

[slightlv]

17. When I was in my 20's,

I'd leave work in San Antonio, pick up my daughter, and we'd immediately head for family to spend the weekend with them. 750 miles each way. And I didn't think anything of it!

I made a trip to our capitol city to see a concert this past week. About an hour away. Grandson drove, and we took the backroads to get there. Lots of curving roads. Besides thinking "oh, my aching back" all I could think of was how much I would have enjoyed this road when I was using my motorcycle to get everywhere.

No, I have to drive 45 minutes to get to my doc every 3 months. Another 45 minutes in the other direction to get to my neurologist. By the time I get back home from either of these appointments, I'm drained and ready for a pain pill and a nap. I've given up on the idea of vacation driving. I guess I'm in "nesting mode" now!