It’s road trip time! You have an exciting trip all planned. For weeks, you have been putting together every tiny detail of this vacation. You’re hoping the whole thing will go off without a hitch.
What’s the first step in your perfect trip agenda? Sleeping away the car ride. It’s a long drive. Luckily, you aren’t stuck behind the wheel. Maybe you’re taking shifts or maybe you won the vacation lottery and aren’t responsible for any driving at all. Basically, all that stands between you and your vacation fun is a long snooze.
There are so many reasons to sleep away a road trip. A long nap can make a trip go by much faster. Sleeping can help you avoid the nasty symptoms of motion sickness. If the trip will take multiple days, taking naps between driving may actually be a necessity.
If you have the chance to snooze in the car, follow these tips for how to sleep comfortably in a moving car.
Tip #1 – Stay Buckled and Upright the Whole Time
Read the tip again. It’s number one for a reason. This advice won’t keep you comfortable, but it will keep you alive. As you feel yourself drift off to dreamland, it will be tempting to unclick that seat belt – but don’t. A seat belt isn’t exactly conducive to restful sleep, but you’ll appreciate it in the event of a car accident.
In 2022, over 42,795 people died in motor vehicle crashes, according to the United States Department of Transportation. A large numbers of these weren’t wearing seat belts. Airbags are intended to work in conjunction with seat belts, not without them. If you’re in the backseat, you don’t typically have airbags anyway.
Believe it or not, you also don’t want to recline in your seat either. Your car’s owner’s manual probably includes a warning to not recline a seat while the car is motion – but you probably didn’t read your manual! Being in a reclined position removes you from the proper protection of both the seat belt and the airbags.
Tip #2 – Announce Your Intentions to Everyone in the Car
One of the biggest obstacles to a road trip nap is the people traveling with you. All your efforts will be thwarted by a loud conversation or a blaring radio. If you’re with family, hopefully, they’ll respect your wishes and let you sleep in peace. Fingers crossed!
However, if you’re traveling with a large group, such as in a tour bus, you probably won’t be convincing everyone to keep it down. All hope is not lost! These next tips will work on blocking the world out.
Tip #3 – Put up a Sunshade
While driving every day, you have surely noticed the sunshades commonly placed on car windows next to infant car seats. Obviously, these are intended to keep bright sunlight out of a baby’s face. Guess what? Car sun shades work for adults too!
Sunlight pouring into your vision isn’t going to help you sleep. For sunshades, the cheapest variety is a cling one. Enovoe makes this wrinkle-free cling shade. For less than $15, you can stick instant sun protection onto your window. It’s easy and it’s fast. Downside? It’s not an attractive look on a car.
If you’d rather have something sleeker for your car, try a so-called net window curtain. It’s made of a nylon mesh and stretches completely over your window. You get privacy and UV protection in a snap. Plus, you can even still roll down your window! The mesh allows adequate airflow, while it keeps the bugs outside. This one can fit most car models but not SUVs. This model will work with SUVs, though.
Tip #4 – Sleep on a Full Stomach
We have all experienced the irresistible urge to nap after a big meal. Something about a full stomach makes us ready to rest. For this reason, don’t travel on an empty stomach. A satisfied belly can help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Plus, a full stomach can help offset motion sickness. It’s true! An empty stomach makes you susceptible to nausea and dizziness in a moving car.
If you don’t feel like indulging in a full-blown feast before traveling, then just be sure to snack. A healthy snack like granola or almonds will keep you fuller longer.
Do you still get motion sickness on a full stomach? Don’t let vertigo keep you awake. Dramamine, an antiemetic, can stop your motion sickness symptoms on the spot. Likewise, you can try Sea-Bands. This drug-free option uses acupressure points to relieve your nausea.
Tip #5 – Wear a Sleep Mask
The sunshade from tip #3 can’t filter out all light. No, for complete darkness, you need a sleep mask. If you’ve never tried one, now is definitely the time. You will feel like you’re in the peaceful darkness of your bedroom. Plus, the absence of light signals to your brain that it’s time to sleep.
This simple sleep mask gets the job done. It’s made of soft silk and has adjustable straps. Plus, it’s light and breathable. Simple may not be enough for you, though. Go all out with this contoured memory foam sleep mask from MZOO. This comfortable sleep mask fits the shape of your face while blacking out all light.
Tip #6 – Wear Headphones
You have now effectively blocked out all the light, but what about the background noise? That’s an easy fix with headphones. If you already own a pair of noise-canceling headphones, you can use them. Still, for some, the bulkiness of pairs like that can hinder sleep. Ear buds can cancel out noise just as well. These Beats Studio Buds are a great choice. These mighty little ear buds will reduce environmental noise for up to 8 hours straight.
Once you have the ear buds popped in, it’s time to pick a listening selection. YouTube is full of sleep aides, from white noise to sleep stories to AMSR. Go ahead and pick your poison.
Tip #7 – Use a Neck Pillow
We all recognize the infamous travel pillow. It tends to be the butt of jokes, but it shouldn’t be. There’s a reason these ridiculous things have persisted: they work. You wouldn’t go to sleep in a bed without a pillow, so why not have a pillow? This is how to sleep comfortably in a car, everyone!
Travel pillows come in so many styles. There is the traditional horseshoe shape we are all accustomed to, of course. This MVLOC pillow is made of cushy memory foam and has a machine-washable cover. Meanwhile, this twistable travel pillow by Dot&Dot will literally bend to your will. It will support your neck, back, or shoulders – the choice is yours. Lastly, keep upright and safe with a collar-like pillow. BUYUE’s travel pillow prevents your head from falling forward.
Tip #8 – Cuddle Up with a Blanket
If your driver is particularly liberal with the air conditioning, you’re going to appreciate a blanket. It’s pure science, after all, that it’s easier to fall asleep when you are snuggly and warm. For some, simple is best. If that’s you, you’ll love this plush velvet throw. It feels luxurious, but you wouldn’t know it by the price tag. Really, this blanket is a steal.
To enhance your experience, go for a weighted or heated blanket. This cozy blanket includes a cord that plugs right into your cigarette lighter. You’ll instantly melt into the toasty warmth of this car blanket.
On the other hand, a weighted blanket isn’t electric, but you’ll still love it. These blankets are lifesavers for people with certain conditions, but everyone can reap the benefits of these magic blankets. They are pricier than a normal blanket, but you’ll find them to be worth their weight in gold. Get the best-selling model from Luna here.
Tip #9 – Assume the Position
Through hours of hands-on research, citizens of the Internet have found the optimal position for sleeping in a car. It is best to find a surface for your elbow, like an armrest or the car’s middle console. From there, allow your head to rest in the palm of your hand. In a pinch, you can rest your head on a car window. Some find this position causes neck pain, but your mileage may vary.
Once in position, it’s time to rest your eyes. If you are going with a sleep mask, it’s time to lower it over your eyes. If you are foregoing a sleep mask and don’t want to close your eyes prematurely, stare off into the horizon. Boring? Absolutely. This isn’t the time to seek out pastures of cows or funny vanity license plates. Let the dull horizon lull you into snoozeville.
In Conclusion
That’s it! There are nine simple tips on how to sleep comfortably in a moving car. In the end, it’s about making your seat as similar to your bed as you can. It’s not difficult, surprisingly. Go ahead and wrap up with your blanket and travel pillow. We’ll see you at the destination.