When planning a long road trip you should stop and rest every 100 miles?

When planning a long road trip, one of the most important considerations is figuring out a schedule for stopping to rest along the way. The general rule of thumb is to stop and take a break every 100 miles or every 2 hours of driving time. But is this really the best approach? There are several factors to take into account when determining optimal rest stop intervals for a long distance drive.

Purpose of Rest Stops

Rest stops serve several important purposes on a long haul trip:

Allow the driver to take a break from staring at the road – Driving for extended periods can cause fatigue, especially on monotonous stretches of highway. Regular stops give the driver’s eyes and brain a chance to rest.
Opportunity to switch drivers – When multiple drivers are sharing time behind the wheel, rest stops provide a safe place to rotate.

Use restroom facilities – Long drives mean consuming liquids to stay hydrated, necessitating periodic restroom breaks.
Get gas/food/supplies – Rest areas provide access to gas stations, restaurants, and convenience stores to fuel up and get snacks.
Stretch legs – Sitting for hours on end can lead to leg cramping and circulation issues. Short walks at rest stops reduce stiffness.

So in summary, rest stops make sense approximately every 2 hours or 100 miles to allow drivers and passengers to address bodily needs and reduce fatigue. But the optimal interval may vary based on the specifics of a trip.

Factors That Impact Ideal Rest Stop Distance

When deciding how often to schedule rest stops on a long haul drive, consider these influencing factors:

Number of Drivers

For solo drivers, more frequent stops are needed, approximately every 2 hours. With multiple drivers who can rotate, longer driving segments are feasible between stops, for example every 4 hours.

Type of Road

Driving for long stretches on straight, uncongested highways is less fatiguing compared to narrow, winding roads or congested urban areas. Consider shorter intervals on complex roads.

Time of Day

Nighttime driving is more tiring, so plan for more frequent rest stops and driver changes after dark. Driving from dusk to dawn should be avoided.

Traffic and Weather Conditions

Inclement weather like rain or snow will require greater focus from the driver and necessitate more stops. The same applies for dense traffic conditions.

Driver Experience

Less experienced drivers may become fatigued sooner. Error on the side of more frequent stops for new drivers. Experienced truck drivers can handle longer stints.

Passenger Needs

The needs of children or elderly passengers may require more bathroom or food breaks. Pets also need regular chances to get out of the vehicle.

Distance of Trip

Longer trips, over 8+ hours driving, warrant shorter intervals between stops to reduce cumulative fatigue.

Benefits of Regular Rest Stops

While it may be tempting to press on and limit total trip time, regular rest stops every 1-2 hours offer many benefits:

Reduced Driver Fatigue

Drowsy driving is a major risk, contributing to 100,000 crashes per year according to the AAA Foundation. Regular breaks prevent fatigue and wandering attention.

Improved Alertness

Short breaks to stretch, consume caffeine, or nap will boost energy levels and alertness behind the wheel.

Compliance with Regulations

For commercial truck drivers, mandatory break intervals are enforced after certain driving hours to maintain safety.

Opportunity to Check Directions

Rest areas allow navigators time to study maps or GPS to ensure the correct highway and exits are being taken.

Increased Trip Enjoyment

More stops build in time to admire sights, play road trip games, or listen to engaging audiobooks to make the drive go faster.

Peace of Mind

Knowing a rest area is coming up in the next hour provides reassurance and a motivation to keep driving.

Ideal Rest Stop Duration

So you’ve decided to schedule regular rest stops every 100 miles or every 2 hours on your upcoming road trip – but how long should you actually pause at each rest area? Some guidelines:

Short break (every 2 hours) – 10-15 minutes just to use the restroom, stretch your legs and get refreshed.

Long break (every 4-6 hours) – 45-60 minutes to have a meal or snack, switch drivers, refuel vehicle.
Extended break (overnight stop) – Minimum 8 hours for adequate sleep and recovery before hitting the road again.

It comes down to balancing efficient use of time on the road with adequate rest to stay energized and alert. Don’t cut breaks too short in the interest of saving time or you’ll end up drained.

Rest Stop Planning Tips

To maximize the benefits of your rest stops:

Pack Food and Drinks – Bring healthy snacks, meals, coffee to minimize time spent buying items.
Have Activities Ready – Games, podcasts, audiobooks to stay entertained during longer stops.

Research Stop Options – Know the upcoming highway exits with rest areas, fuel, restaurants.
Take a Walk – Do some stretches to stimulate blood flow; walk pets.
Hydrate – Drink plenty of water since air conditioning and closed windows can cause dehydration.

Limit Phone Use – Don’t get sucked into social media or email; focus on recovery.
Review Maps – Confirm directions and mileages to next planned stop.
Clean Out Trash – Take advantage of receptacles to rid the car of clutter.

Proper planning will ensure you utilize rest stops to their maximum potential.

Signs It’s Time To Stop and Rest

Don’t just rely on your scheduled mileage markers, pay attention to signs that indicate it’s time for break:

Yawning or eye strain/discomfort – vision issues signal mounting fatigue.

Wandering thoughts – inability to focus indicates a rest is needed.
Stiffness or cramps – your body is tired of sitting still.
Hunger/thirst – take a break to replenish with food and liquids.

Irritability – short tempers among the crew suggest pausing to refresh.
Passenger requests – attend to needs of those relying on your driving.
Trouble staying in lane – weaving or wandering is a dangerous red flag to stop immediately.

Never try to push through to the next scheduled stop if signs of fatigue arise. Stay in tune with your mind and body and pull over when required.

Typical Rest Stop Facilities

Not all highway rest areas are created equal in terms of amenities and facilities offered. Typical features include:

Restrooms – Virtually all stops have basic toilet and hand washing facilities.

Vending machines – For cold drinks, snacks, coffee when stores aren’t available.
Picnic tables – Allow you to get out of the car and enjoy a snack or meal.
Dog walking areas – Specifically designated places for pets to relieve themselves.

Gas stations – Approximately 50% of rest stops have adjoining gas stations.
Convenience stores – Around 25% have convenience marts onsite for supplies.
Fast food outlets – Some large rest areas have national chain restaurants.

Travel information – Many provide maps, brochures and visitor info.
Wi-Fi hotspots – Over half offer free public wireless internet access.

Don’t expect all locations to have full amenities. Some smaller or older rest stops provide only minimal conveniences like bathrooms. Know what to expect at your upcoming stops on the trip route. Modern interstate rest areas generally offer the most extensive facilities.

Rest Stop Safety Tips

While rest areas provide a welcome respite from traveling, they introduce some safety considerations to keep in mind:

Park under lights at night and lock your vehicle.
Don’t leave valuables visible in your car; stow them in the trunk.

Use the buddy system if walking pets – don’t go alone.
Wash hands thoroughly and use hand sanitizer after touching surfaces.
Keep close watch over children and don’t let them wander.

Avoid resting in isolated, obscure areas of large stops.
Keep keys in hand when walking back to vehicle.
Do a lap around your car before reentering to check for suspicious persons.

Be cautious of strangers approaching you or your vehicle.
Report any concerning or criminal behavior to the authorities.

Follow your instincts and remain alert to stay secure during rest stops. Don’t hesitate to get back on the road if a location gives you bad vibes.

Rest Stops vs Other Stopping Point Options

Official designated highway rest areas aren’t the only places to pause during a road trip. Some other options to consider:

Stop Type	Pros	Cons
Rest Areas	Designed for highway stopping Generally well lit and secure Offer basic amenities Regularly spaced intervals Often well maintained facilities	Can be crowded during peak travel times Limited food options Not always pet friendly
Gas Stations	More frequent intervals Offer fueling Usually have convenience stores Typically pet friendly	No designated rest zones Must buy something to use facilities Less secure overnight
Fast Food Chains	Known brands and menu Indoor seating and Wi-Fi Long hours of operation Kid-friendly options	Less healthy food choices Must make a purchase No designated outdoor rest areas
Hotels	Secure overnight lodging Full amenities and services Opportunity to shower and laundry Could split trip over multiple days	Added cost Takes more time checking in/out Must detour off highway Pets not always allowed

Evaluate your trip requirements and budget to select the best options for rest stops and breaks. A combination of locations is ideal to remain safe while maximizing conveniences along the route.

Rest Stop Apps

To enhance trip planning and improve rest stop experiences, take advantage of mobile apps that provide details on upcoming stop options:

iExit App – Provides complete interstate exit info, including location of food, gas, lodging.
Rest Area Apps – For iOS and Android pinpoint locations of upcoming rest stops.
Roadtrippers App – Helps discover points of interest, RV parks, tourist sites.

GasBuddy App – Finds gas stations along your route and prices for fuel budgeting.
USA Rest Stops App – Database of 14,000 rest areas with user ratings and reviews.
Trucker Path App – Reviews of truck stops, including parking availability and amenities.

AllStays App – Identifies thousands of truck friendly stops along interstates.

Leverage the information at your fingertips to maximize rest stop utility. But don’t become overly reliant on mobile apps in case you lose signal. Bring backup printed maps.

Conclusion

Rest stops continue to serve an important function on lengthy road trips. While 100 miles or 2 hour intervals are a reasonable starting point, the optimal distance between stops depends on many variables. Listen to your mind and body, pull over when needed, and leverage stops to stay safe, healthy and energized throughout your travels. Smart utilization of rest stops can transform the long haul driving experience.