How to Be Comfortable on a Long Car Ride As a Passenger

Co-authored by Amber Crain

Last Updated: July 28, 2022

Long car rides can be physically uncomfortable and mentally unstimulating, but they don’t have to be. You can keep yourself feeling comfortable, rested, hydrated and entertained when you’re on the road by taking a little time to prepare before you set out on your journey. Dress comfortably and take small comforts like travel pillows and blankets with you. Reading material, writing material, games, devices and so on can keep you distracted and entertained. Plan for stops ahead of time so you can stretch achy muscles and get your blood circulating.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Keeping Yourself Relaxed

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Dress comfortably.^{[1]
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Research source} Choose loose-fitting pants and shirts. The other passengers may want the car to be colder or warmer than you find comfortable, so bring a few layers with you, too. This will allow you to adjust to any temperature. For instance, you can dress in a comfortable cotton t-shirt, but bring a long-sleeved button up or loose-fitting hoodie with you, as well. Wear soft socks and shoes you can slide off easily.
- If you get hot easily, consider wearing a tank top beneath your t-shirt – that way you can lose a layer, if need be. Consider packing a handheld fan, also.
- If you’re travelling in winter or to a much colder climate, be sure to bring your mittens, coat and a warm hat with you.
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Take a travel pillow and light blanket with you. A small travel pillow can be a great comfort on a road trip. You can prop it up against the window and lean on it, put it behind your head or put it between your lower back and the seat to support your spine and prevent back pain.^{[2]
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Research source} Take along a light blanket or two, as well. Choose blankets that can fit easily in the car and be folded up and put away easily.
- Avoid bringing huge, fluffy blankets. They take up too much room and could end up making you feel claustrophobic.
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Bring disposable pre-moistened body wipes. Riding in a car for hours on end can make you feel sticky and in need of a shower. Some trips may even be so long that you won’t have access to a shower for a day or two. You can freshen up easily while you’re on the go with pre-moistened body wipes. Buy disposable wipes that are alcohol-free – they are kinder to your skin. Look for travel wipes that come in resealable packaging for ease of use.^{[3]
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- Keep the wipes nearby, in your bag or backpack, so you can reach for them at any time. Always dispose of them after one use.
- Bring the wipes in with you at rest stops so that you can wipe yourself down more thoroughly in the privacy of the bathroom.
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Reduce stress with deep-breathing exercises.^{[4]
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Research source} Travelling long distances in a car can be stressful for both your body and mind. Simple deep-breathing exercises can help and they’re easy to do any time you want. Inhale slowly through your nose as you count to five. Then exhale slowly through your mouth as you count to five. Repeat. Do this for a few minutes at a time, whenever you’re feeling anxious or tense.
- Make sure to take deep breaths from your belly – this expands your diaphragm and allows for the greatest oxygen intake.
- If you’ve meditated in the past, you can pair the deep breathing exercises with mini-meditation breaks.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Staying Occupied

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Bring reading material. Take an assortment of options with you. Everyone enjoys different reading materials – bring along what you like and what you know you’ll read. Certainly pack that thick novel you’ve been meaning to read for months, but don’t force yourself into reading it by only bringing that with you. Give yourself some variety to keep things interesting.
- Bring a personal reading light if you will be doing any traveling at night.
- If you have limited free space in the car, considering loading books onto your Kindle or tablet. Aside from saving space, you’ll also be able to read from a tablet easily in the dark.
- Bring a couple of old favorites along that you’d like to reread, as well. If you find yourself unable to get interested in the new material you brought, you’ll have dependable materials on hand to turn to for entertainment.
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Pack a blank notebook and a few pens. You can use this blank notebook for anything you like – writing journal entries, sketching, making lists, taking notes, writing down song lyrics, putting your thoughts on paper and so on. Bring several pens with you, in case one runs out of ink. If you enjoy sketching, bring pencils, too. If you’re feeling stumped about what to sketch, try drawing things you see outside your window as you travel along.
- Your sketches don’t have to be masterpieces – just have fun with them. You’ll be inside a moving vehicle anyway, which could interfere, so keep that in mind.
- If you’re journaling, be sure to put your notebook away in your bag or backpack after you write in it, so the content stays private.
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Load your iPod with new music/podcasts/audiobooks before you leave. A long car ride is the perfect opportunity to listen to all the albums you’ve been meaning to check out, explore new podcasts, listen to audiobooks, watch videos and more. Fill up all the usable space on your device(s) and give yourself a wide assortment of things to choose from. Don’t forget to bring along your best and most comfortable headphones.
- If you’re an audiophile, bring noise-cancelling headphones.
- Keep the volume reasonable or you could end up with a headache after a few hours of listening.
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Make sure you have chargers and other gadgets.^{[5]
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Research source} Bring a USB car charger so you can keep your mp3 player, smartphone, tablet, Bluetooth speakers and other devices fully charged and ready to use. Make sure you pack all of the adapters and cords required to operate and charge your devices. If you forget any of them, don’t worry – you can probably pick up whatever you need at a gas station or truck stop.
- If you have several devices, pack them safely in a padded case to prevent damage.
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Bring solo and/or group games to keep you entertained. If you’re the only passenger, bring games and other forms of entertainment that you can do by yourself, such as crossword puzzles, Sudoku, handheld video game devices and so on. If there are other passengers, consider bringing a large board and a deck of playing cards, and any other games that can be played by two or more people. You can also pass the time with games that require no props, like 20 Questions.
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Come up with a rotation system for the car stereo. Travelling with multiple passengers on a long car trip can present a challenge because they probably aren't going to agree on everything, especially when it comes to what's playing on the car stereo. This kind of frustration can be avoided by coming up with a system of rotation, allowing everyone a chance to play whatever they want during their "turn."

Method 3

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Avoiding Discomfort

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Pack anti-nausea and headache medication. Anti-nausea medication is a must if you get motion sickness. Even if you typically don’t experience nausea while traveling, pack some anti-nausea medication just in case. Keep in mind that many brands will make you drowsy, so check the label first. Reading or listening to music for long periods of time can cause headaches – take breaks every few hours and have headache mediation like aspirin or ibuprofen on hand.
- If you’re expecting to experience motion sickness, bring a paper or plastic bag with you and keep it nearby, in case you need to vomit. It’s not pleasant to think about, but it's best to be prepared.
- A basic first-aid kit is also helpful to have with you on road trips.^{[6]
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Plan for stops along the way.^{[7]
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Research source} Sitting in one position for long periods of time can lead to cramps, aches and muscle spasms. It’s important to stop every few hours while you’re travelling to use the restroom, stretch your legs and walk around a bit, which will get your blood circulating normally.
- Plan ahead to stop at rest stops, parks and gas stations along the way.
- Get out of the car and walk around briefly. Do some light stretching.
3
Keep your body moving. While you’re sitting in the car, remember to move around periodically and switch positions occasionally. Even adjusting the position of your seat every now and then can help to prevent aches and pains. Get the blood flowing in your legs by pumping your ankles and move your arms around to improve blood flow and circulation.^{[8]
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Be mindful of your posture.^{[9]
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Research source} Even when you’re relaxing in the back seat as a passenger, slumping can cause muscle aches and strains. Remember to sit up straight in your seat and make sure you have lower back support. Use a small travel pillow between your lower back and the seat if you need extra lumbar support. If you have your head bent down in order to read, make sure to stop periodically and stretch your neck.
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Bring sunglasses and sunscreen. Not all cars have tinted windows, and long hours of day-travelling can lead to a lot of squinting in bright sunlight and sun exposure. If you’re travelling in areas with a lot of snow, the bright light and glare can be even worse, which can result in discomfort, headaches and even sun burns. Be sure to pack a pair of comfortable sunglasses. If you catch yourself squinting, put them on.
- Bring sunscreen and apply it to your arms, face and any other areas of exposed skin while travelling.^{[10]
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Take water and healthy snacks on the road. If you leave for a road trip with no water or snacks in the car, you will end up stopping for fast food, soda and other unhealthy fare along the way. Bring a small, portable cooler with you and pack it with water and healthy snacks to keep your energy up while you’re travelling.^{[11]
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Research source} Avoid drinking alcohol while travelling, which can lead to fatigue, nausea and dehydration.
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Alternate driving duties. If you are traveling with a group, share the driving duties with the other passengers. That way, one person doesn't have to shoulder the entire responsibility. Come up with a system of rotation and switch out every few hundred miles. Since you're stopping to switch drivers periodically, this also gives everyone a chance to get out and stretch their legs.

Community Q&A

Question

What if I'm in the backseat and the seat is adjustable, but I only have about 1-2 feet of space? What position do I need to be in to fall asleep?

Community Answer

Just try your best to get comfortable. Put the seat back as much as you can and try to recline. Use a pillow if you have one, or ball up an extra article of clothing to rest your head on.
Question

Is 'laid down' sleep, bad for passengers? Should I keep a sitting sleep position?

Community Answer

Although lying down is more comfortable, it's not recommended even if you're a passenger. Try finding a decent position sitting up or maybe adjust the seat making it lean back a little.
Question

Should I take my shoes off for a 7 hour drive?

Community Answer

As long as your feet don't smell, that's probably fine. You could also wear some kind of slip-on sandals so you can easily take them on and off.