Previously, I wrote about preparing my car for college and making sure it was safe and reliable for longer trips. If you’re like me, until the age of 18 I had only driven locally, often accompanied by another person.
My first long drive was to college this past year. The college I attend is in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a three hour drive from where I live in Maryland, three and a half hours with traffic. Driving myself back to school after being home for Thanksgiving break was when my first long drive occurred.
Driving on my own for 3 hours was daunting, but there were ways that I prepared which made me more comfortable. I planned to stop once during the ride to break up the drive, but just in case, I did not drink much before the ride so that I would not need to use the restroom or be uncomfortable waiting to do so.
Once I had eaten and my car was packed, I embarked on my drive to Bethlehem. I left after rush hour so there was less traffic, and the road would be less crowded. My phone was fully charged and mounted on my dashboard so I could see the directions clearly.
I filled the 3 hours by listening to my favorite music and podcast. I recommend having something to listen to if you struggle with boredom during long drives. Music, podcasts, or audio books can provide entertainment without being a distraction from driving.
It was a bit tiring driving for so long, but in the end, I did not feel too bad, so I decided that I did not need to stop and drove the whole way uninterrupted. I felt a sense of accomplishment when my car was finally parked on campus.
Now I make this drive every month or two, and every time I do it gets easier. I prepare the same way I did for my first long drive, in order to make the journey as smooth as possible. Long car rides are now a way for me to relax and enjoy some alone time on the way to my next destination!
