Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

How frequently should you take breaks when driving long distances?

I’m planning a cross-country road trip for the summer, and I want to stop the least amount possible. How many breaks should I take when going a really long distance?

avatar
Olivia Rose · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Wow, we’re super jealous of your summer cross-country road trip—and we may just have to follow suit!
The general rule of thumb for driving long distances is to take a 15-minute break every two hours.
Now, we’re no strangers to road-tripping and we know it might be hard to get in this many stops if you’re really trying to cut down on time.
To be ultra-efficient, your best bet is to travel with friends and drive in shifts. This way, you can decrease the amount of time you spend at rest stops or gas stations while also giving yourself a break from behind the wheel. We recommend rotating driving shifts every two hours to avoid fatigue.
If you take turns driving, we also recommend that you make sure the rider in the passenger seat is always awake and alert to maximize your safety on the road.
Keep your road trip fun and stress free by getting roadside assistance. Roadside assistance with
Jerry
brings you help amidst a slew of potential roadside emergencies—be it a dead battery or an empty tank of gas.
Plus, we can help you find
affordable car insurance
while you’re at it.
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings