For a lot of people, the long drive is the worst part of any holiday. Hours stuck in the same seat, watching the miles crawl by, just wishing you were finally there. I felt exactly the same way for years.
But since we take the car for almost every trip — for holidays, day trips and often for work too — I eventually realized something: a few tiny habits can make an enormous difference.
These days I don't just survive long drives. I genuinely enjoy them. Here are the five things that helped me the most.
1. I prep filling but light meals before we leave
Before we set off, I always make something easy to grab and genuinely nourishing. It's so much more relaxing to travel when you're not sitting there starving, counting down to the next stop — and not relying only on gas stations and fast food.
Last time we had a roughly ten-hour drive, I made a tuna salad with cucumber, tomato, mixed greens and a little olive oil. Simple, but filling, and it didn't leave us feeling heavy and sluggish. I wrapped the leftovers in a tortilla that evening at our accommodation, and just like that the first night's dinner was sorted.
I love little solutions like this, because they save me time, money and energy all at once.
2. I always bring something to read
As a passenger, reading is one of the best ways I've found to make time fly. If I don't have a book with me, I scroll through interesting articles on my phone, or catch up on saved pieces I never had time for.
More often than not, though, a good book ends up in my bag — because a long drive is the perfect excuse to finally lose yourself in a story. Before I know it, we're already much closer to our destination.
3. The right music completely changes my mood
A well-made playlist can work near-miracles. We often play songs that put us in a "holiday mood" before we've even arrived, or simply our old favorites.
Music helps make the trip about more than just reaching the destination — it turns the journey itself into part of the experience. Often, just a few songs in, I already feel like the holiday has truly begun.
4. We leave earlier so we can stop without stress
There was a time we tried to get there as fast as possible. Now we much prefer not to rush. So we often set off a little earlier, which gives us time to build in a few stops along the way.
Sometimes it's just a quick pause at a gas station or a diner. Other times, if the destination isn't too far, we'll plan a short detour or a little side trip. These breaks help us recharge, stretch our legs, and make the whole journey feel far more varied.
5. I look around and gather inspiration for future trips
I used to just count down the minutes until we arrived. Now, the journey itself is often just as interesting to me. I love watching the landscape roll by — the small towns, the mountains, the stretches of coastline — and I often discover new places to visit along the way.
We only made it to Dubrovnik once, for a single day, but on the drive there I saw so many beautiful spots that I decided then and there: one day I want to go back and give the area at least a full week. It's often exactly these spontaneous discoveries that spark the idea for the next trip.
What finally made me fall for long drives
Of course, I can really make the most of a lot of this as a passenger, since my partner does the driving. That's exactly why I always try to make the trip as comfortable as possible for them too: I prep the food in advance, help with the planning, and I'm glad when the frequent breaks work in their favor as well.
For me, a long drive is no longer a necessary evil — it's part of the trip or the holiday itself. With a little awareness, a few tried-and-true habits and an open mind, the journey can be every bit as enjoyable as finally arriving.
How do you stay comfortable on a very long car journey?
Prepping filling but light meals beforehand helps you avoid hunger and heavy fast food, while planning a few relaxed stops lets you stretch and recharge instead of racing to the finish.
What can passengers do to pass the time on a road trip?
Reading a book or catching up on saved articles is a great way to make the hours fly by. A well-made playlist also helps set the mood and turns the drive into part of the experience.
Why leave earlier for a long drive?
Setting off a little earlier takes the pressure off and gives you time to build in extra stops — from a quick pause to a short detour or side trip — making the whole journey feel more varied.
