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Original poster

AIBU to ask how long is safe to drive on a motorway without a break?

111 replies

Blues321 · 14/08/2026 11:32

How long would you feel is a safe time to drive on a motorway without a break?

I appreciate it's different person-to-person but on average, what is a safe time limit.

Sparked by a discussion on a long motorway journey!

OP posts:
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Beachbeach · 19/08/2026 19:37

I get tired at the 3 hour mark

NELEAF · 19/08/2026 19:37

Not very long for me - as long as my bladder will hold out!! Usually a couple of hours max.

Whyhaveibeencutoutofmamsnot · 19/08/2026 19:18

Every two hours - dog's and my bladder needs and with a leccy car can stick a few dozen miles on in the meantime.

Allseeingallknowing · 19/08/2026 19:09

OneNewEagle · 14/08/2026 15:33

My partner can drive for hours like that. I need to stop every hour due to my health, normally allowed a break every 3 hours,

It’s so risky to drive as long as that. There’s no way the concentration doesn’t wane.

Slightyamusedandsilly · 19/08/2026 12:29

I've done a push-through 5 hour drive before now. Depends on how I'm feeling.

FinallyHere · 19/08/2026 12:27

Jasmin71 · 14/08/2026 16:20

Until we get to Tebay services as all the others are wank

This.

just wish there was another one much further south for the return journey

JaceLancs · 17/08/2026 09:13

I regularly used to do a 300 mile journey due to LDR - it was nearly all motorway
At quiet times I would do it in one go - if busy or hold ups I would stop half way
Now I’m older I usually stop for a drink and toilet stop after 2 hours 3 would be maximum

BeWarmKoala · 17/08/2026 09:10

I wouldn't do more than 2 hours without a break I need to stretch my legs and use the loo. When dd had an insurance black box she got penalized for doing 2hr 5 minutes. Son in law drives alot and trains emergency services drivers and he insists a break is needed every 2 -3 hours

apapuchi · 15/08/2026 00:01

I drive from Basingstoke to Newcastle (upon Tyne) and back three days laters every month and stop at Leicester services most times. It's approx two hours from leaving and three from home and works really well. I have done the whole drive 5-6 hours without stopping when we've left first thing in the morning and felt fine but usually we need the stop due to hunger or popping to the toilet. I'd say typically 4 hours before I would need to stop in average circumstances.

ResilientWallflower · 14/08/2026 17:37

Blues321 · 14/08/2026 14:32

Interesting - it seems that about 2 hours is the most popular and the Highway Code recommendation. I can do about 1 hour 45 mins (less if the M25 is involved)

DBIL is of the opinion he'd rather just get there asap and this is what sparked the discussion.

I'm with your DBIL but my limiting factor is the size of my petrol tank. I'd generally try to do 4ish hours but I top up with petrol regularly (and go to the loo while I'm at it).

Ilikebluewhataboutyou · 14/08/2026 16:40

We have often driven from London to Cornwall and know the road well. We have our usual motorway services that we always stop at - the same ones every time. Not sure how long between services in hours as of course it depends on the traffic flow. We tend to stop for coffee, then for lunch and then push on for however long it takes. Once past Exeter and off the motorway there are less places to stop anyway. With 2 drivers there is also always the option to share the load if necessary.

FckThisShit · 14/08/2026 16:22

I regularly do 6 hours however, I have done 9.5 thanks to an overturned lorry, I wouldn't advise that though.

Jasmin71 · 14/08/2026 16:20

Until we get to Tebay services as all the others are wank

maddiemookins16mum · 14/08/2026 15:33

We stop roughly every 2.5 hours.

OneNewEagle · 14/08/2026 15:33

My partner can drive for hours like that. I need to stop every hour due to my health, normally allowed a break every 3 hours,

usererror99 · 14/08/2026 15:30

4-5 hours generally

UserM6 · 14/08/2026 15:10

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 14/08/2026 13:14

The thing is, the research suggests that driving competence typically starts to decline after around 2 hours of driving. And the research also suggests that people aren't generally very good at assessing the impact of their tiredness on their ability to drive safely. So even if someone feels fine driving for 5 hours without a break, that doesn't necessarily mean that it's safe to do that. Even if they have done it umpteen times previously and not had any problems.

I think DH needs to stop because his driving deteriorates after a couple of hours - he will just sit in the middle lane pootling along. He’s a different driver at the beginning and after lunch.

It definitely depends on what you are used to. I’m “on” in my job literally all day. Well used to no food or loo breaks.

Darlinghag · 14/08/2026 14:46

Did a 4 hr 50 journey last week and stopped at about 2h40 in each way.

I could have gone longer I suppose - mainly because it was the kind of journey where there was plenty of changing motorways etc - so felt alert enough. - if it had been one continuous stretch, I might inclined to have stopped at least every 2 hours.

Original poster
Blues321 · 14/08/2026 14:32

Interesting - it seems that about 2 hours is the most popular and the Highway Code recommendation. I can do about 1 hour 45 mins (less if the M25 is involved)

DBIL is of the opinion he'd rather just get there asap and this is what sparked the discussion.

OP posts:
UniquePinkSwan · 14/08/2026 14:31

4 hrs easily for me. Time flies when I drive

muddyford · 14/08/2026 14:27

I stop every two hours, do some stretching, use the loo, walk the dog round the grassy bits, have a drink from my flask.

SupaStah · 14/08/2026 14:15

I can do about 1 1/2 hours before I want a quick stop at least. However I am still a fairly new driver so I’m constantly on full concentration (which I know we should all be anyway but when you’re a new driver it is more intense i think!) and cant relax even a jot. So I often jusy need 5 mins to breathe and relax my hands, let go of tension etc.

Allseeingallknowing · 14/08/2026 14:13

Amazed that those doing very long stretches because they think they can cope with them, or want to get the jou over with don’t realise or don’t care how dangerous it is. Those who drive for a living have limits applied for a reason!

chocoluv · 14/08/2026 14:11

I drive almost 2 hours to work and so I can easily go 3-4 hours on a motorway.

I tend to just stop to break the journey up and make it seem quicker.

I have driven 4+ hours without needing a break regularly but then I’ve had times where I stop every hour because I’m tired or my backs hurting.

It’s completely person dependent and how you feel on the day.

I don’t think it would be safe for any of us to advise you on what’s safe for you because you’ll only know at the time.

If you need to stop every hour then do it.

ColdAsAWitches · 14/08/2026 14:09

SinnerBoy · 14/08/2026 11:40

I normally stop every 2 hours or so. A few days ago, I drove a hire car from Yarmouth to Newcastle, from working away.

After 2 hours, it was nagging me to stop, for fatigue. I hadn't even got to the A1! Eventually did and traffic was nose to tail and slow.

It nagged me more and more. I eventually stopped at Wetherby, over 4 hours, I felt fine, but it's the longest I've driven without a break.

I'll stop sooner, if I feel fatigued.

Most cars with fatigue detection systems don't just work on a timer. If you kept getting nagged to take a break, it was because you weren't paying attention to the road and were driving dangerously!