Driving long distance.... any advice?

[gregmcc]

One other thing: check for jack and wheel spanners,

Especially if you have locking nuts. Don't want to be in the middle of no where and can't even get the wheel off.

 

[minkukel]

Interesting tools and spares etc are second nature for me.

 

[azbob]

yeah sorry im used to business class life

Ya Metrorail metroplus cabin.

 

[N@t3]

Personal experience,
1. Plan your route. What roads to take and what service stations to stop at.
2. Decide the time you want to leave home. 4am roads are still quite.
3. Carry a cap to use just incase you get this nasty winter sun in your face.
4. Coffee up and maybe drive 3-4 hours at a time, rest is very important.
5. use you CC for the tolls much faster.
6. topping up your car for fuel helps so you don't loose time to refill. when you rest you can top up.
7. Very important if you driving on cruise control be extra cautious if you tired as you may fall asleep.
8. Get a lekker playlist for you car radio.
9. Carry 2 tins of Tyre Jack foam and sealant, incase you get a flat tyre.

Safe journey mate.

 

[jezzad]

no flying is best for work

you wake up 3am for a 5am flight and get home 9pm or so

thats not work

For a 45min meeting

 

[The Darkness]

Stanley thermos. Job done.

 

[D tj]

I have re read your drive, and don't know your car but many many years ago rode a motorbike from Ct > Rundu> CT via Luderitz ,Walvis etc. I think it was Aus? > Luderitz my bike ,visor and headlight got sandblasted....pitted it really badly..It was afternoon IIRC....either vinyl wrap your car or early morning ??? or drive in still air.... worth checking for.
I also liked using regular road book maps....sit at a coffee shop and plan....gps has many great features but can be a bit soulless for route planning . I liked driving slowly around each town before departing for next.

 

[Geoff.D]

One other thing: check for jack and wheel spanners, and maybe a strong piece of board to put under the jack if on soft ground, but most importantly check your wheel nuts!!!
Not so much that they are tight, but that YOU can undo them ALL with the tools available you!!
The last person on those nuts may have over tightened and you can find yourself stranded.
My mechanic's assistant did this to me ....I broke a 17 socket and bent a spanner trying to get x1 nut off not fun.

I avoid that problem by NEVER allowing those idiots at tyre places to use impact drivers on my vehicles! Frankly, I can't remember when last a tyre place did anything for me except change tyres and wheel balancing. I have 2 spares and never have to replace more than two tyres at a time, and then I fit my own wheels.

 

[D tj]

^ Absolutely agree, but this was the workshop I use to service my vehicle .....had them service the brake cylinders. x1 wheel over tightened...they claim to use a torque wrench.

 

[Leo_]

I love freeways though

Long distance driving is very relaxing

Highways are great - but - South African drivers ruin it. The lack of highway etiquette is appalling.

Most of your stretches are two lanes. The left lane is reserved for slow moving trucks, and the right lane is for everyone else … that includes slow moving trucks and people doing twice the speed of sound.

This is just my experience with the N3 - and I’m often just seeking my destination as soon as I can. But when I’m not, the real beauty is when you take a random off-ramp. Yes there is a tractor in front of me - but it’s all right, because the scenery is spectacular. You will inevitably find a small town, or stall, or street vendor. The people in these parts are so pleasant and lovely to engage with. Stop and take it in.

 

[Leo_]

So guys the time is fast approaching. I intend to do my longest road trip ever. The drive from Durban to Swakopmund, Namibia. it is roughly 2500km. Any recommendations or advice before starting the drive? I am so excited and a bit nervous too. I have always wanted to do the drive but 2500km is not a joke. What would you recommend to someone driving such a distance? I have never driven such a distance before. maybe max of 500km to jozi.

The only thing I can add from everything that has been said in this thread, is do a bit of sight-seeing planning before your trip.

So map out your rough route and then see nearby attraction along the way. Safarinow is a nice starting point for attractions. You can also use google maps “attractions” feature.

So maybe from Durban take an off ramp past Maritzburg and drive through the Midlands Meander. See and experience and then jump back onto the N3. Then maybe take a following off ramp and stay the night at Drakensburg. . . and so on … until you reach your destination. Just as an example.

A lot of it down to being spontaneous about where you go, but a good plan before hand is always good.

 

[neoprema]

Nice road trip. What u gonna do on your own when you stop? It might get boring just hanging around doing nothing. Maybe vlog or something about your trip.

 

[Leo_]

5. use you CC for the tolls much faster.

After my card got cloned, I try to avoid it. But it is very convenient if you don’t have a passenger readying up the cash.

Also some say cash might be useful for random acts of charity you might encounter along the route. Some say…

 

[supersunbird]

Personal experience,
1. Plan your route. What roads to take and what service stations to stop at.
2. Decide the time you want to leave home. 4am roads are still quite.
3. Carry a cap to use just incase you get this nasty winter sun in your face.
4. Coffee up and maybe drive 3-4 hours at a time, rest is very important.
5. use you CC for the tolls much faster.
6. topping up your car for fuel helps so you don't loose time to refill. when you rest you can top up.
7. Very important if you driving on cruise control be extra cautious if you tired as you may fall asleep.
8. Get a lekker playlist for you car radio.
9. Carry 2 tins of Tyre Jack foam and sealant, incase you get a flat tyre.

Safe journey mate.

10. Bubble/chewing gum can ward off drowsiness. If you chew something, your brain will not easily let you can asleep, as it's a hazard.

 

[Gozado]

1. Know how to do all the basic checks and repairs on your car, as others have listed, above. If you do not already know all these, then ask someone to teach you and practice before you leave.
2. Take 3x the amount of water that you think you will drink. Just in case you're stuck somewhere longer than you'd like to be. 500ml bottles are safer to manage, while driving, than litre bottles. Prefer water over any other drink. Do not drink alcohol. Do not drink alcohol. Do not drink alcohol while on the road. Wherever you stay, ask whether they would be kind enough to freeze some of your waterbottles overnight. That way, you might still have cool water in the afternoon. Lukewarm water can be rather yuck.
3. Take at least one thermos flask. Before you leave your accommodation in the morning, ask to fill the flask with boiling water. Don't poor tea or coffee (and especially never milk!) into your thermos. Take these along separately, in tupperware, bottles or tins that seal very well (against leaks getting out, and insects getting in), and stop to make your own hot drink along the way. Have your own mug, plate and cutlery.
4. Keep a plastic bag tied up in the car, as a litter-bag. Throw it away every time you get out of the car, and mount a new one. That'll help to keep the car tidy and avoid bad smells.
5. Whenever you stop, do not leave any item lying loose and visible, anywhere in your car. Remember to unplug and pack away your gps. Pack your snacks in flat bags that you can slide under your seat when you stop, so that you can avoid opening your boot in less-than-ideal places.
6. Take maps on paper, in case something goes wrong with your electronics.
7. Pack a blanket and a pillow.
8. Pack a reflective triangle and/or flag an a reflective vest, in case you get into trouble at night and need to be visible.
9. Take a wide-brimmed hat and good sunglasses. Staring into the glare can make your eyes tired. The hat can protect you from sunburn. I also travel with a thin cloth and, depending on the sun, drape it over my arm to prevent sunburn.
10. When planning your stops during the day, see if there's a swimming-pool you can use. Even just 10 or 20 minutes can be very refreshing! Accordingly, pack your swimming costume and a small towel in a separate, easily accessible bag. Once those are wet, do not put them back in that bag in the boot, or they will stink. Instead, hang them up in the car to dry. Apart from public pools, sometimes you can find a pool at a guest-house, and even if you're not going to sleep over, if you pay for a meal or coffee, they may let you swim.
11. Keep some money separate from everything else, clipped or zipped into a concealed pocket. With that, on a card, the main telephone numbers and addresses.
12. Besides your dashcam, stop to take photos. Take photos of signs: Route signage, how many km to the next town, and the names of any shops, garages, town halls, libraries or hotels with the town's name in their name. Later, that'll help you to understand your photos and remember what was where.

 

[RedViking]

The talk in this thread is making me want to do a roadtrip now

Agree. Imagine a MyBB raodtrip.

I haven't read the thread so I don't know if it's been suggested, but I listen to a novel when I drive long distances. Two weeks ago for example I drove from Hermanus to Humansdorp and back the next day, 7 or 8 hours each way. I only stopped once and actually enjoyed the journey because the book was great.

I just listen to my wife talking.

 

[RonSwanson]

Your cellphone battery is going to be around 4000mah, so you'll safely get two full charges if that's all you're charging with it. You should be good

Trust me, don't leave the planning for the road. Book your accommodation now in advance, and do it in three days.

I find that driving 800km in a day is on the outside of my comfort limits ... even doing that three days in a row will be super tough for you, but you can keep your brain stimulated by stopping for proper lunch and coffee breaks along the way and exploring the new areas. Do NOT try and do it in two days, you will lose attention and die.

I do realise that I am more adventurous than most, but I have found that B&Bs in larger towns / cities are quite plentiful and service levels are generally good. Considering that the OP is travelling alone, he may wish to wing it.
Saves a bunch on costs, and he could have a better choice selecting an actual B&B / guesthouse in the flesh vs photographs.

 

[RedViking]

I do realise that I am more adventurous than most, but I have found that B&Bs in larger towns / cities are quite plentiful and service levels are generally good. Considering that the OP is travelling alone, he may wish to wing it.
Saves a bunch on costs, and he could have a better choice selecting an actual B&B / guesthouse in the flesh vs photographs.

Airbnb also made it super easy to find some affordable and interesting places.

 

[ponder]

Agree. Imagine a MyBB raodtrip.

I would bury the bodies all over SA...

 

[Foxhound5366]

I do realise that I am more adventurous than most, but I have found that B&Bs in larger towns / cities are quite plentiful and service levels are generally good. Considering that the OP is travelling alone, he may wish to wing it.
Saves a bunch on costs, and he could have a better choice selecting an actual B&B / guesthouse in the flesh vs photographs.

Yeah that's fine for short trips, but when you're halfway into your second day of driving 800km, the last thing you might want is finding a bed for the night. It gives you a goal to aim towards, knowing where you're going. Otherwise you're just driving from somewhere to nowhere in particular, and that's psychologically difficult no matter how much you "enjoy driving".