Long car rides alone

[LostAndConfused]

It's looking like Hudson and I will be driving back to Ohio for Thanksgiving by ourselves in 2 weeks. The husband is flying out a few days early and will be meeting up with us after we get there.

What are you favorite ways to occupy the time, alone, in a car? Favorite music? Favorite audio books? I would say, favorite car games like "spot as many purple roofs as possible" but it'll be dark for most of the drive.

 

[stardogs]

I listen to a LOT of NPR on long drives - the discussions keep my brain from going into auto pilot. I also have a cd or several with music that gets me dancing in my seat to keep me awake, take breaks whenever I'm feeling zoned out, and I pack little snacks (granola bars, crackers, fruit pouches, etc.). On really long drives, I try to plan for a longer break for a meal where I actually go into the restaurant to eat for at least 20-30 minutes vs going with drive thru.

 

[iriskai]

I honestly talk on the phone quite a bit for long car drives alone.. catch up with people and such. When I drive at night, I end up catching myself bouncing or dancing to keep from zoning out. Busting out 90's music and belting it out, too.

 

[Gypsydals]

I do alot of talking on the phone when I'm driving. I also listen and sing to music alot. Frequent breaks at gas stations/fast food places, just so Ivan and I can get out potty and stretch our legs.

 

[BostonBanker]

I like to do long musicals while on longer drives; with my iPod on shuffle, I tend to flip through songs a lot, but if I put in an hour or two hour musical, I listen straight through (fine, or sing straight through) and it passes a big chunk of time without me really noticing it.

I did intentionally save the newest book in my favorite series (Dresden Files) to listen to on audio when I drove to Kentucky. I generally don't like audio books, but it was nice to have.

 

[Saeleofu]

I listen to musicals (ones I can sing along with) and Doctor Who audios.

 

[Brattina88]

Come visit me? lol

 

[LostAndConfused]

Thanks guys. I've done this drive once before alone and it was the worst! At least this time I'll have Hudson.

Bratinna - I"ll be passing through your area sometime between "Really, really frickin' early" and "Still pretty dang early".

I am hoping to get most of the way through PA before stopping for the night, but if I'm feeling good, I'll just keep driving!

 

[sillysally]

I'm a big audiobook fan. Go to your local public library and see what they have available-they might surprise you with their selection. I've gone through the Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings series, The Hunger Games, most of The Women's Murder Club series, a few Michael Crichton books and several of the Dresdan files books on audiobook, and all but The Hunger Games were checked out from the library.

 

[joce]

I want to try books on cd or iPod(thy do it somehow from what I understand but tech stupid!) but never have. Even have one sitting by the door in the book stand for years.

I usually talk or listen to talk radio. I am bad at long rides with just me though. When with the husband he drives three hours to my one.

Where in ohio? You'll pass by me shortly after brattina lol!

 

[LostAndConfused]

Joce,

I'm heading to NW Ohio. So I take 76 to 71 into Mansfield and then 30 across.

 

[lizzybeth727]

I make a 15-hour-drive alone every year at Christmas to visit my parents. Because it's the same route I've been making for 6 years, I've got it pretty well down to a science - I know where I'm going to stop for gas, I know the good rest stops vs. the ones to avoid, etc.

The only thing that keeps me going on the drive is audio books. I was never a fan before, but then one trip my friend lent me one and it was so nice, the time passed by so fast. I went from pulling off the interstate (for a bathroom break, snack break, just a stretch, really any excuse) every 1 1/2 to 2 hours, to now usually going about 3 or 4 hours without stopping.

I do get tired of listening to the book occasionally, so then I'll make some phone calls, listen to the radio, etc., but usually a book will hold my attention for pretty much the whole ride.

I rent books from Cracker Barrels, their system is really easy to work with. The downside is that you never know what they have in stock until you get there, and occasionally they simply have nothing I'm interested in (especially after all these years, I've listened to literally most of the good ones), but for the most part I'm open to listening to anything.

 

[Zoom]

I take along RedBull, coffee, beef jerky and gummy bears and split my time between signing along to music, calling people and being wholly absorbed in the landscape. That last is hard to do at night though. audio books are also good.

 

[Tortilla]

Sirius 90s on 9 on my trips to Ohio! (all my fam-jam lives in NW Ohio so we go often too )

 

[LostAndConfused]

Sirius 90s on 9 on my trips to Ohio! (all my fam-jam lives in NW Ohio so we go often too )

Where in NW Ohio, if you don't mind me asking?


I'm off to look at new music & audio books. Now I just need to teach Hudson to carry on a conversation with me.

 

[Tortilla]

Port Clinton. :headbanger:

 

[Snark]

Snacks, music and occasionally an audio book. Also like to listen to some of the old time radio mysteries or shows (Cracker Barrel carries those, too). Kinda fun to hear some of the old movie stars 'acting' on the radio (Boris Karloff is a favorite), and listening to classic comedy from someone like Bob Hope or Jack Benny is fun, and pretty timeless, too.

 

[Red.Apricot]

Jim Dale's reading of Harry Potter is excellent.

 

[Laurelin]

I looooove driving by myself way more than long trips with people in the car. I'm really used to it commuting between states for school and I actually miss having long drives now. The longest is around 3 hours and usually someone is with me and it's just not the same.

I crank up the radio and just go. I think a lot, get lost in thoughts/stories in my head. Sometimes I just sing at the top of my lungs. It's such a nice relaxing experience.

 

[sassafras]

Ha, I just got home from a trip by myself up North so this is timely.

I have a couple of short fiction podcasts I follow, and I load up my iPod with episodes. When I know I have a trip coming up I "save up" some episodes but will re-listen to old ones, too.