In 2 days, I'll be driving the longest trip I've ever done. Tips for the big cities?

If u are not thinking about taking a break thats your first mistake. Good luck.

You're probably going to have to stop for gas at least, if you're driving 900 miles and plan on getting stuck idling in traffic. Also I get stiff on a 3-5 hour drive, no reason to make the trip without stopping. And unless you're wearing a diaper, you'll need a bathroom break.

Know your route before you go, so you know which lane you will need to be in and at which time.

Ignore road rage. If you're in an accident, stop and exchange insurance information.

As for bad weather, that's on you to navigate. Bad weather should only slow you down, unless you're talking about tornadoes or massive flooding. You always want to be watching the weather stations in the days and hours up to your trip so you know what to expect.

As people have said you're going to want to take breaks. No breaks is just kind of dumb, you'll need gas, you'll need to piss, you'll probably get a little groggy/tired by hour 8. Take breaks, stretch and walk around at gas stations, even park and take a quick snooze if you need to.

I do long drives pretty often, From Minnesota to Colorado I do like once a year, doing one to Indianapolis later this summer. I personally hate getting stuck in city traffic and will map out alternate routes that hit as much of the boonies as possible, easier driving and more unique sights to see. You can go and set filters for your route on Google maps, I'll usually set it to no toll roads and that routes me away from a lot of cities. Sure it adds 30mins to an hour onto a drive, but if we're already talking 13 hours I'll take that to save on the stress of big city driving.

Personal pro tip is to find a small cafe in some super small town whenever you stop to eat. It can be fun getting a little slice of life from some random 500 population town, plus I've had some absolutely delicious food at the most unsuspecting places. Makes the drive itself a little more memorable.

You need to take breaks.

I always try to stay in the middle lane / right lane whenever in cities. People fight over the left lane and are aggressive as shit; let them get grey hair over 2s saved. Right lane is a safe bet but there are turtles there so you do need to get in the middle lane. Also, some really aggressive drivers abandon the left lane and use the right lane as a ladder of sorts to inch their way through so you need to be mindful of that too. If you're either in the right lane or middle lane you're usually going to have a more peaceful time and you'll be able to take the exit you need without changing lanes.

A long trip is a marathon. Steady as she goes. Be a boring driver; don't stand out. Safety is paramount because your reaction time will dwindle as you get more tired, and you are exposing yourself to more driving time and more aggressive driving. So your driving habit is a safety protocol you should stick to.

Again, breaks are absolutely necessary.

I'm an OTR trucker. On long runs, I'm only allowed to drive 11 hours a day. I'm required by law to take a 30 minute break every 8 hours (so once a shift if it is planned correctly ). With that in mind, it takes me 12 hours to drive for 11. 11 driving, 30 minute break, plus two fifteen minute stops (really it's more like one 15 minute fuel stop, and 3 5 minute bathroom stops).

I'll do a 14 or 15 hour drive in my car on my own personal time without hesitation.

Here's my advice...

1- Don't fuck around with being sleepy. You won't wake up until it's too late. Especially dangerous if you dream that you're driving.

2- Stop at rest areas for bathroom breaks. Timewise, It's better than getting off and on the highway.

3- Try and avoid the big cities during morning and afternoon rush hours (generally 7am to 8am and 4pm to 6pm). If you're driving through Atlanta, time of day really doesn't matter. There's an accident backing traffic up about 25% of the time.

4- Leave as early as possible. A 13 hour drive started at 04:00 a.m eastern puts you at your destination at 4.:00 p.m central or 3:00 p.m mountain assuming you're driving easy to west and cross one or two timezones. Crossing one tz puts you into central time, crossing 2 tz puts you into mountain time (stops not included).

Driving west to east puts you in later time zones. Starting in Pacific time, you'd end your day 5pm mountain, or 6pm central (stops not included).

Planning to ending your day early will give you more room for error. If your stops end up adding 2 hours, you're still done by 8:00 pm at the latest if you're driving west to east.

Driving east to west, you might be done before the 5pm rush hour really gets going.

As far as weather goes, don't worry about it. This time of year we're talking about rain. Just get off the freeway if it gets bad enough (it probably won't). Highway patrol rarely shuts down the freeway in the summer. If it's winter in the Rockies, that advice wouldn't apply.

Most reliable advice on preventing fender-benders? Don't fuck around with your phone.

I don't care if you take a break or not. You'll have to stop at least three times, maybe four for fuel. Don't rush those stops. Relax a little bit. Reset your head. Road brain is a thing. Grab a coffee or a Monster. Stretch. And if you see a place that looks interesting, stop and give it a quick visit. I like to stop at odd-ball restaurants when I'm on personal time road trips.

Are you driving east to west or west to east? What big cities are in your path?

Why wouldn't you take a break?!

Plenty of good advice here, the only thing I'd add is empty your back pockets before heading out. You don't want to be sitting on your wallet for 14 hours.

Are you in a rush to get there? Because if not, why not take some breaks? I know 900 miles in one go might seem like a flex to your buddies, but it really isn't worth it if you get into an accident because of fatigue.

Get a dashcam if you don’t already have one

Stop for gas or bathrooms or whatever before you get to a big city. Do NOT stop IN the city. Ever.

OP you need to take breaks. Me and my girlfriend together drove straight from New York to Colorado for on a roadtrip nonstop (literally across the entire dam country). Theres times where we even felt sleepy snd thats extremely dangerous to drive. Stop and rest for an hour or 2 at best. Walk around and stretch too that will help keep you awake!

Don't rush it, please! I once drove from San Diego to Portland Or non stop except for gas. I fell asleep 3 times and almost killed someone. At least stop for some good food and stretch a lot.

Might take you more than 13 hrs. Closer to 19. Now depending on a lot of factors times will vary. Don't count on going a certain speed. Your gonna encounter cars slower than you want n you have to deal with it. Take a rest if you feel you need it.

Listen I’ve done plenty 14 hour treks across the US and depending on your age and driving abilities it’s totally fine. Yes of course breaks are favorable and I recommend you take a few. For me, I was always jacked up on some caffeine beverages so I’d have to stop about once every hour or 2 to piss, get out stretch the legs. People in this thread are for some reason assuming you literally mean you’re never stopping the car 😂you’ll have to get gas and piss idk what they’re on about lol

You’ll be fine, know your limits.

As far as your route goes, I don’t have any other advice than trusting your phones route it plans for you. If it changes, take it. If it says you can save x amount of minutes, do it. I used to think I knew better than Apple Maps but after a few hard learned lessons I’ve learned to trust it.

My mom is afraid of flying, but we would always visit my grandparents every summer and it was around an 800 mile drive each way. We never ever ever would’ve honestly without breaks no matter how many times we did that drive. My dad has probably done that drive at least 50 or so times in his life. It’s not even something where the more you do it, the longer you can go without stopping. It’s dangerous to drive that long without breaks. Driving fatigues is real and unavoidable.

Please, take breaks every couple of hours. At least two. I’ve driven 7 hours without stopping before, but I really shouldn’t have. You are planning to do double that.

For your safety as well as people in cars around you, I’m really asking you to reconsider.

I’d recommend 3 stops at least. Try to get a couple of short naps in when you stop for fuel. 

Just so one of the cities isn’t Atlanta. That place is traffic hell

Your questions clearly show your not an overly experienced driver (especially the weird one about cops and weather).

13 hours straight is long haul trucker territory.

You will need rest breaks. Don't be an idiot.

If Google maps tells you 13 hours non stop, add on at least 2 more hours for breaks and unexpected events. I would plan to add on 4 hours.

Now your looking at a 15-17 hour day, not including any time before you get on the road.

Do you see why everyone is telling you to take breaks?

As for city traffic, a lot of cities on major routes have bypass highways that go around the actual city. Check for those.

Try to avoid entering city core areas, that's where you'll get stuck in traffic the most.

It's better to go 100 miles at highway speed than 50 miles at whatever slow speeds are in the cities.

The idea that you pre packed food will save you money, but it won't/shouldn't save you much if any time. There is no way you are driving 900 miles without MANY breaks, it's an insane amount of driving. Half of that is a long day on the road. This will be so much harder and take a lot longer than you are thinking.

Plan your route and study maps so you know your way through the cities, and where any exits or interchanges are that you will need are located. Know whether you have a left or right exit. Check state DOT sites for any closures or construction that may have a detour involved.

Then put "Life is a Highway" on a loop and have some fun.

What cities?

If you can try leaving around 1800 that way you’ll miss most of the bullshit but that probably one of the hardest shifts in trucking to pull.

Take regular breaks: Get out of the car and stretch your legs every couple of hours. Breaks are especially important at night when driving requires more concentration. Have a safe trip 🛣️

Short brisk walk and stretch (and washroom) break every 2 hours, doesn't have to be long but you don't want blood clots.

If it's not an absolute must to do it in one go it will be a much nicer drive split over 2 days. Traffic, accidents and roadworks can easily turn a 13 hour drive into a much longer one

Ok, I’ve done this when I was younger. Austin TX to Tampa FL, no stops, by myself.

Here are tips:

Only go to the bathroom when you stop for gas. Get your drinks and food at the same stop.Otherwise, no stopping. Also, if you have to pee, you cannot fall asleep, so let the discomfort work for you. And I have to stop to pee because I’m female. I can’t just pee in a bottle like males I know.if you absolutely have to stop while not getting gas— use rest areas. You are in and out faster

Have the air conditioning blasting on high straight at you. If you are freezing, it will keep you awake.

Audio books, podcasts, or sports games— pick your poison. They keep your attention and keep you from falling asleep.

If you like to free, clear traffic, start your trip at 9 pm or so. Driving through the night means the roads tend to be deserted, including in the cities

Rookie mistake . Take breaks , all it takes is 1 second for fatal accidents

13 hours is a lot and driving really drains you. I would suggest taking a break halfway through to nap for an hour to recoup.

Also bring a can of energy drink and sip at it anytime you get drowsy. This method worked for me when I drive after a long haul flight. Keeps you alert enough to finish the trip, but doesn't affect sleep at night.

Seriously reconsider doing it all in one go because chances of fatigue accidents will be high by the 7 or 8 hour mark if you don't rest.

It is very tiring driving that long when not accustomed to it.

When you start feeling tired, have a small coffee then take a 15 minute nap directly afterwards. (Tell your phone 15 minute timer)

You will be good to go for another bunch of hours.

2 or three 15 minute naps along the drive would make a big difference in your alertness on a drive like that.

You’re looking at averaging 70mph for 13 hours while driving through 4 major cities. That’s a tough task to legally accomplish. I drive from Nashville to St. Louis fairly often & it’s 5 hours on average for 330 miles.

Jesus, this is so odd.

Things to do in a hotel without a car: watch movies on tablet or smartphone, masturbate, take a super long shower, go to hotel bar, go for walk, take a nap, relish time without girlfriend, etc.

That’s it?

Alternate routes. Use Waze or Google for guidance to avoid jams and hazards

Use the rest stops to stretch your legs.

I have done many 900 mile runs. They are more tiring that you think. It is a mental drain.

I'm sure someone else has mentioned it - don't worry about trying not to stop. First - you'll need to relieve yourself. Second - the vehicle will need gas. Third - you'll want a break from sitting in the car.

It's not like flying - unless it's a tornado you're not likely to need to detour for bad weather. Slow down, drive through and if visibility becomes an issue find a safe place to pull off. Use Google Maps for navigation and you'll get traffic and road closure updates.

13 hours is a few energy drinks, some water in a cooler, and an audio book for me. I have a toilet in my van so I can stop for gas only.

I will happily add 30-45 minutes to a drive if I can take a route that doesn't put me right through a city.

If your exit is coming up change lanes early. Be content going slower for the few minutes it takes to get to your exit. I have a dash cam with a sign on my car telling people I have it so I let other people be idiots and just laugh at them. I don't respond in any way. Leaving more space between your car and the one in front of you should help avoid fender benders.

Weather forecasting has improved significantly so if it says a severe thunderstorm is on the way check in with a weather app. The radio weather stations can be hard to follow if you aren't a local. They often call out counties pretty quick. Easier to pull up a weather app and check the satellite IMO. Gives you a better idea of the storm size and intensity as well.

Should ask this in the truckers Reddit

sleep

Is there an update? I really want to know how it turned out since the comments were so sure it'd be a disaster, and OP was so sure it would be a piece of cake.

What cities? Because the ones on the East Coast of US the major highways go around the cities you only get in traffic if you get off the exits

If you're asking questions like "how do I know what lane to be in" or " will the police be directing traffic around bad weather" then my advice is take a buss or a plane. You sound like you're barely experienced enough to drive across town let alone 900 miles in one shot. If you do,trust me, you'll regret it.

You need to take a break every 2-3 hours. Don’t take the lunch enjoy some junk food and snacks on the way.

I run Waze on my phone and watch movies on my tablet while driving. Helps keep me much more alert.

I really do not understand all these people getting so physically and mentally exhausted from driving their car.