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

[Blues321]

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!

It probably depends on the length of the journey and traffic conditions. I can easily do a 3 hr motorway journey without stopping in good conditions, 4 at a push but if it's a longer journey, say 6 hrs I would probably plan 2 short stops rather than do 2 long stints. It also depends what you've been doing that day. Fresh out of bed with more energy and alert but after a long day of work or sightseeing you'd need more breaks or shorter sections, well I would. It also depends on the traffic.

As everyone says, so many variables. But on a familiar route, in good weather and with light traffic, I'd say 4 hours is very manageable.

I normally plan to stop every couple of hours or so although it's very dependent on conditions. I used to drive a lot in a previous job and found that long journeys on quiet motorways could be the worst as there's so little going on to keep your mind active. A busy A-road is slower and more annoying but keeps you much more alert in general.

I’ve done 6/7 hours a few times. but i do a lot of driving so im used to it.

We regularly drive just over 400 miles. We try to get to at least halfway before we stop. But obviously this is traffic-dependent. Usually takes about 3.5-4ish hours to get to that point.

I've driven it door to door without stopping before but it's more difficult with a partner and kids.

As a passenger, however, I am absolutely useless. On one of our more recent journeys, I could feel my eyes getting heavy before we'd even left our road 🙈

Max 2 hours but I personally wouldn’t do more than 1hr 45

I always work to around 2 hours, so look for a place to stop at around 1:45. Never leave it too late in case I get stuck in roadworks or an accident! But I'd only usually stop for a loo break and stretch my legs so maybe 15 minutes. So, on a longer drive, will probably stop a few times for short breaks, and maybe once for a longer break for a meal.

I can, and have, gone up to around 3 hours, but it becomes uncomfortable and tiredness/fatigue sets in. Wouldn't go longer than 3 hours as for me, I don't feel it's safe and I can't keep adequate awareness/concentration.

4 hours is my limit as then I get bored and need to pee and eat!

I regularly do 3 hours with my 3 kids when we visit my parents. They have spotify accounts, tablets and headphones. They pee and eat before we leave then are quiet for the entire journey!!

2-2.5hrs would be my max.

I am regularly doing 1hr45 and wouldn't want to do much more than that in one go. If there was a journey that I expected to take 2.5hrs I'd build a break in.

2.5 hours tops and we do a lot of very long drives across France and up north. If it's been an easy drive, the driver is en-pointe and nobody needs a wee, we will keep going a bit longer providing there's somewhere to stop within 20/30 mins. 100 to 150 miles / 200 km.

The older we get, the more unlikely it is that we can manage more than two hours without a wee.

About 2 hours for me

Regularly used to do 4.5 hours and only briefly stopped to refuel if I had to - I’m the kind of person who just wants to get there

Lorry drivers have to stop by law after 4.5 hours driving for a 45 minute break. They can also only drive for 9 hours a day.

I usually stop at services or similar around the 2 hour mark. At that stage I could go on longer but I think it's better physically to have a bit of a stretch. Plus a great idea to use loos, because you never know if there's a 10 mile tailback after the next junction. 😁

I regularly do long journeys for work. So much depends on road, time of day, my energy levels etc. Driving a quiet northern motorway is soooo different from M25 or heading through the Highlands
I tend to do 2-3 hours unless bladder tells me otherwise, but will when feeling OK and reasonable road do 4 hours.
YMMV.

I can do 4 or 5 hours without break generally, but will assess as I go and if I need to stop I will.

I did a 400-mile trip this week and stopped about every 100 miles. It's difficult with motorway services though as they are not generally restful places but at least there are loos and coffee!

I think every 2-3 hours is ideal. I've driven for longer and it was fine, but I do think there is a point at which it becomes irresponsible not to stop and have a break. Even if you think you're fine.

I work up and down the country, drive 4-6 hrs and then do a full days work, if I kept stopping I’d never get anything done, rule of thumb if you stop for half an hour it adds an hour on to your journey.

I can only do two hours as I have diabetes, we’re carless at the moment, so it often meant stopping earlier than two hours depending on the availability if services etc.

We regularly do a 6-7 hour journey and usually stop twice so roughly every 2-2.5 hours for a loo break and coffee

This is a really good point.
For me it's three hours, sometimes less. Also depends if I'm driving alone or not.

Ds really struggles with service stations so we tend to aim for ones we know have stand alone costa or Starbucks in them as they tend to be quieter (and have cleaner toilets!) and the promise of the drink helps him manage a bit longer!

Stoppong makes me tired.

I have a 3.5br journey i do reassonably regularly without stopping.

We drive 5 hours to the inlaws, almost exclusively on motorways apart from teh first 5 miles, and stop once.