I mentioned in the last Weakend that I’d be doing some traveling over the next month.  Since way back when I started college I’ve acquired thousands of highway miles.  Going to and from home, visiting The Sheconomist (different schools freshmen year), road trips, weddings, job hunting, and vacations are among the many reasons for my travel.  I know the roads of my state like Einstein knows physics.  I’ve learned a number of tricks to make the drives easier, safer, and faster and since I’ve been using them lately I’d like to share them with you as well.

Traffic Observation

• In some states and in other countries it is illegal to hang out in the left lane on the highway.  The farthest left lane is reserved for passing only.  Additionally, if you’re going slow in the left lane you might have to yield to someone going faster, even if they are speeding.  These laws are sometimes referred to “keep right” laws so check the laws in your state and any state you may travel to.
• When traffic starts to congest due to some kind of bottleneck there are two types of people.  There are the jerks that speed on ahead to take advantage of the lane about to close and there are people like me who want to inconvenience as few drivers as possible by getting over sooner.  If you don’t know what lane is closing yet pay attention to the tractor-trailers.  Those drivers talk to eachother and often give a heads up.
• You can draft behind vehicles to improve your gas mileage.  It really does work.  Make sure you are smart about though.  When it comes to drafting behind tractor-trailers make sure you can see their side mirrors.  If you can’t see their mirrors they can’t see you.

Staying Alert

• Coffee contains caffeine which is great for staying awake but the side-effects may not be worth it.  Coffee makes you have to use the restroom a lot and caffeine has an ADD effect.  You don’t want to be easily distracted while driving.  Make sure you have predictable reactions when you drink coffee.  I’ve been drinking it for so long I know exactly what coffee does, however someone like my fiance, who does not drink coffee, it’s not advisable to drink before or during a drive.
• To stay awake without coffee, eat.  The chewing process and the consumption of calories will energize you better than coffee.  Something sweet is best and the healthier the better.  Grapes are a really good one, but energy bars are also a good option.
• I love my iPod and I listen to a lot of podcasts.  However the talk radio format can really put you to sleep.  If you start feeling a little drowsy turn off the talk and crank up the tunes.  Play songs you know and can sing to.  Sing your heart out.
• Most importantly, stop.  Take breaks, stretch your legs, and take a leak.  Which leads to…

Bathroom Breaks

• Don’t stop at a gas station and just pick up a Mt. Dew or coffee to keep the energy going.  Food is more important, and if you consume a bunch of liquids without eating you’ll need to flush your pipes a lot sooner than you normally would.  Food with fiber will use any liquid in your stomach to aid in digestion.  The liquid then takes longer to reach the bladder.
• Know where the rest stops are.  They are the fastest way to get off and back on the highway.  If you don’t have to go to the bathroom consider stopping anyway for a stretch or be smart enough to know you might have to go in 10 minutes.

Miscellaneous Tips

• When descending a mountain, do not ride your breaks.  Your brakes were designed to bring you to a stop or to slow you quickly, they are not designed to control speed as you go down a mountain.  Modern brakes shouldn’t have any problems but you’ll prolong the life of them and not look like a mountain newbie by downshifting your transmission.  Use the 3 or 2 depending on transmission.  The RPMs will go higher however the engine speed and gearing will keep you from going any faster.
• GPS systems are the most fantastic convenience for automotive travel since the invention of the interstate.  They are great for predicting destination times and telling you where to go.  However they are not perfect.  Sometimes they might give you a route that seems different or tell you to turn earlier than you think you should.  If you’re in an area you know somewhat or are just smart enough to read the signs near-by, apply common sense and trust your instincts.  I’m guilty of following the GPS to dead-ends and just about everyone with a GPS has a similar story.  Just don’t blindly assume the GPS knows best.
• Sometimes you just can’t get the window to defrost.  Heat doesn’t work, AC doesn’t help, or you have to keep turning them on and off to keep from sweating or freezing to death.  Try putting down the windows.  This works sometimes.
• When you’re on the highway and it’s hot outside go ahead and run the air.  If you keep it on low you aren’t going to save gas by putting down the windows.  Modern cars are designed to be aerodynamically slippery at high speeds and putting down the windows compromises this.
• When at speeds between 20-50mph crack both windows on the right side of the car.  Do this instead of putting down your window.  The air moves around the cabin towards the back of your head more efficiently.  This doesn’t work with every car, but will for most sedans or coupes.
• We’ve been told to turn off the AC when accelerating to because the AC saps power from the motor.  The AC does sap power from the motor but the ECU in a car is smart enough to know when you’re accelerating hard and it will either pull back on the AC for a second or cut it off completely.  Don’t worry about turning it off to accelerate.

That’s it for today, time to get on the road again.

Photo: bensonkua

By The Weakonomist

The Weakonomist is the founder of Weakonomics. Clicking the picture of the puppy will tell you more about him. If you like what you're reading consider subscribing to the blog, following him on Twitter, and checking out the related posts below. Please consider a donation if you really enjoy Weakonomics.

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