Tips For Long Highway Drives in India

swadesh · Jul 16, 2015

:)

Haha, All my Long drives had considerable part in Night ! I usually take good sleep of about 4-6 Hrs prior to Journey. Mostly I leave by 1 AM, as by that time, all of the local traffic goes off the roads, Many smaller/medium sized trucks, park at dhabba ! what i get is smooth empty roads, with heavy Vehicles, which do not move sideways. :)

safarian · Jul 16, 2015

Well Swadesh, I also like this at short city & suburb run, escaping from conjustations, a quick dash, say at most 100 to 150 kms. But for 2000 or more, I won’t.
I am sure, one thing most of us here would like to learn from you,’ The Art of Sleeping at Will’.

@ Akash,
Probably you are 100% right, But from my experience a boring speed on a boring road, particularly in long drives got to overpower your first A in certain times, then using your second A, you can easily derive that you will be no where to use your the third A. ( On a light note).
Regards.........

swadesh · Jul 17, 2015

safarian said:

Sure thing dear :), that's an Art that I mastered since my High School days, can sleep any time :).

sethumurugan · Jul 18, 2015

Had a solo long drive in entire 8 years of driving experience.

Officially planned for Special VIP Dharshan at thriuapathi today morning. So me and my colleague planed to leave yesterday morning. But for reason, my colleague asked me to leave early. I have to start alone since am not able to pick him up due to the distance from my house and his house (both are staying in different ends and am closer to the starting point)

Left at 7.45 in my sparky to Thirupathi. Took Chennai - Thiruvallur - Thiruthani - Thirpathy route. Upto Thiruvallur road was congested and lot of local traffic. But after Thiruvallur, the road was empty, but 2 way road. But less traffic. Chennai to thiruvallur 1 hour. Thiruvallur to Thiruthani - 1 hour. Thiruthani to Thirupathi 1 hour. Thirupathi to Thirumal - 30 minutes (you are forced to climb up in 28 minutes. if you go earlier you would be fined and banned to. Saw to KA registration vehicle climbed up faster - in 15 mintues - paying fine)

being day time travel mostly cruzed on 100KM/Ph some times when i feel am safe in a straight stretch and i found that the road is streight i reached 110KM/PH. not beyod that.

After reahing Thirumala found that the dharshan was cancelled and had to return back on same day. I would have started immediately by 12pm. But decided to stay back and have dharshan on my own. Some how managed to get in line by 4 and done with dharhsan at 6 (With some help). Around 6.45 started climbing down. While coming down the time limit is 40 minutes. Came 3 minutes earlier but they let me go. I think some tollerance is there.

Refilled gas and started back at 8.30 and reached home at 11pm.

Night driving in 2 way road is horrible even though the traffic is less, head lights makes me crazy. some times you dont even know whether they are coming in your lane or other lane. Had roadworks in couple of place which forced for some off-road driving and apart from that everything good.

In my night drives, in 2 way roads, I maintain the left white lane as guidance. mostly it will be visible even if it is glaring due to high bean head lights. that makes me safe. if i feel nothing is visible on road, I just stop my vehicle. I think that is better than going and hitting on something.

Whether it is day driving or night driving, please careful with vehicles (two wheeler mostly) coming from side lanes. They don't even look at the sides before joining the highways. They just come as if they are alone on the road. This happens even in city also, but in city you will be on controllable speed. in highways minimum we would be going on 80. I got to meet 4/4 such idiots during this drive.

In thirupathi, Ghat driving was divine, mainly due to one-way. you need not to worry about on-coming vehicles. but be careful on hairpin bends. some are very dangerous and strip at the bends. So in bends anticipating the strip, reduce the gear and turn. Now most of the guys know the time/speed limit. So no speeding vehicle. Everyone goes on their speed. Very few go on lessor speed (might be first time on ghat roads or old vehicle). So you can have very safe driving and enjoy the ghats for sure.

sethumurugan · Jul 18, 2015

svenkatesh said:

Want happen to your Thirupathi trip? I just had a solo drive to Thirupathi yesterday unexpectedly. Read my post here.

svenkatesh · Jul 21, 2015

sethumurugan said:

First of all, sorry for the late reply as I had some personal commitments. Thanks for all the replies that helped me a lot. I successfully completed my first highway trip. I maintained in the speeds of 80 kmph and it took 3 hours for the dharshan . I planned in such a way that the entire onward and backward are day trips. The route taken for both onward and return is the routine one from Bangalore via Chitoor bypass. While climbing down, from Tirumala to Tirupati, there was heavy rain. I don't have dashcam and thereby, no photos.

I had great confidence but at the same time very nervous too and sincerely followed almost all the suggestions mentioned here. [cheers]

sethumurugan · Jul 21, 2015

svenkatesh said:

Good. Its great to know that you had wonder drive as well dharshan.

The great advantage in Thirupathi-Thirumala ghat road is one-way. so you can climb up or down without any worries of on-coming vehicles.

hemantp · Oct 27, 2015

Getting a good sleep and at predefined time before early morning drive is a bliss - I miss it always!

Last week, was going to Munnar and wanted to start at 4 AM from Bangalore. Ended up sleeping at 2 AM, woke up at 6 AM!

Had to do late evening + night driving in Munnar ghats as reached hotel by 8:30 PM :(

swadesh · Oct 27, 2015

For my Long drives, of over 1000 kms, I ensure to have a good Sleep of at least 6 Hrs before starting. I always start at 1 AM for Longer drives, to ensure that I reach same day at my destination. for that I make sure to get rest/sleep of 6 hrs. If any trouble, i take a paracetamol or Citrizine and sleep for 6 hrs peacefully.

safarian · Oct 30, 2015

Dear Swadesh,

I really envy you for your mastered Art. Anyway can you please elaborate - How an anti-allergic & a paracetamol help sleeping? Your tip could be very helpful to me.

Regards ......

swadesh · Oct 30, 2015

Hi Safarian,
Any Paracetamol or Anti - Allergic tablet has elements that, make you feel sleepy. I don't advise or promote over use of any drugs. I use them as last resort, as it helps me to the much needed sleep, before my Drive. Some of the common OTC medicines available are - Sinarest(helps in common cold/running nose) , Paracetamol, Citrizine, Alegra, etc.
In fact, Today, I'm leaving from Vadodara to Delhi once again. I'll reach home from Office,by 6, and straight off to sleep. Will try to get good sleep and get up by 12 AM and leave by 12:30 or 1 AM.

kuwaronline · Nov 21, 2015

I take coffee breaks whenever I feel sleepy or tired. I did drove to Delhi-Mumbai last nov 2014. In single stretch but when I reached near Thane (about 50km before) I felt really sleepy so I stopped road side as it was day and had good sleep in car for 3hrs. I m night owl so I never had problem driving full night [:)]

between @Dr MUDHAN also posted about it in Honda city Bible... really nice thread!!!

SIMPLE TIPS FOR A BETTER ROAD TRIP

Sometimes, we decide to go for a long trip, want to enjoy every moment with our car, but should never miss to prepare for the same.

We always do a mistake, we give the car for service just before the day which I feel should have been done at least two weeks before to ensure that we are comfortable and to avoid getting into a new problem after a service, especially with older vehicles. Yes, sometimes it happens… loosening of hoses after a heavy pressure water stream wash!

Maintenance packages with an oil change, tire rotation and mechanical inspection should never be done in the last moment. This way, there will be ample time to fix everything and make the necessary adjustments.

Let us see some important points required while we get ready for the long drive trip. We may be able to verify some of them on our own, for the most part, we may have to rely on a competent mechanic. So better to keep the check list.

FOR THE CAR:

• Under the hood: - Engine oil / filter - Transmission fluid- Engine coolant
- Battery & terminals - Air filter – Fuel line
• Lights and Mirrors
• Windshield Wipers
• Tires
• Steering, Suspension and Drivetrain Belt components
• Air conditioning
• Spare tire (Check the spare tire pressure), wheel wrench and the jack, Tire sealer-inflator can, manual air pump.
• Basic emergency kit, include spare bulbs, fuses, electrical tape.
• Glass cleaners like Colin to ensure clear windshield.
• Consider a GPS Navigation System / Map & guidebook
• Have enough fuel from your regular petrol bunk. Get idea about good petrol bunks on the way if need to be top upped.
• Owner's manual / Authorised service station details.

You may also read more from this illustrated article - How to prepare for a Road trip @ https://snapguide.com/guides/prepare-for-a-roadtrip-ultimate-car-checklist/ (Don't miss to read the comments also)

FOR YOU:

1. Keep First Aid Medicines for fever, body pain, cold, diarrhea, nausea and allergy. The driver should avoid sleep inducing drugs. Always keep your regular medicines , the best antiseptic ointment Betadine and some anti-inflammatory ointment like Volini.
2. Avoid tight dress especially tight under garments / Avoid over loading & crowding of persons.
3. Keep some good cups and tumblers which you can use to get coffee / tea to avoid unhygienic cups and health hazardous disposable plastic cups from tea shops.
4. Always keep a good fully charged torch light.
5. Enough tissues / Pillows
6. Mobile phone /charger
7. Music, games (not for drivers!) & energy bars & snacks
8. Secure the seat belt / child's seat properly / Pet Care if needed.
9. A refreshing car perfume
10. Stop the car intermittently at unpolluted environment under a shade, breath fresh air and do some quick 5 minutes exercises like safe twisting & stretching.

REMEMBER, Three important things that make for a successful road trip are Comfort, Safety and Fuel economy & the CAR should be overall an agreeable traveling partner.

Road trips are Fun & Adventurous , Enjoy the journey ! [:D]

Dr MUDHAN said:

mohitshetty · Jan 15, 2016

The safety tips are seriously fantastic but what I think that missing is 'What mistakes does people make while driving' would have been like a cherry on the cake. It would be great if you could list few points on it.

VISHNUCARCRAZY · Jan 15, 2016

In non dusty highways,i occasionally change the recirculation mode to fresh air mode,this helps in Entry of fresh air- I will say it improves the freshness in you too.

During highway rides,my position of seat is bit more into comfy feel,seats reclined and pushed to bit more back,so that i am well comfortable.

swadesh · Jan 16, 2016

mohitshetty said:

Yep, We all could list out points on " common mistakes that people do while driving"

Tips For Long Highway Drives in India

swadesh

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safarian

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swadesh

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sethumurugan

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svenkatesh

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sethumurugan

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hemantp

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kuwaronline

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mohitshetty

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VISHNUCARCRAZY

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