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How many hours of driving per day are recommended for a road trip?

I’m getting ready to drive cross country to California. I want to get there as fast as possible, but I also want to do it safely. Is there a recommendation for the max number of hours a day a person should drive on a road trip?

avatar
Sarah Gray · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
I love your commitment to safety over speed when it comes to taking your trip to California. And, yes—there is a recommended maximum number for how many hours you spend driving per day on a road trip.
As a general rule, it’s recommended you drive no more than 8.5 hours per day on a road trip.
This limit allows plenty of time for you to rest and stretch your legs when you stop for gas, food, and restroom breaks, or even to take a quick power-nap at a rest-stop to avoid drowsy-driving.
If you hope to peel off more miles per day, your best bet is to share the drive with a second person. If that’s not an option, try thinking of the trip to California as a vacation in itself—allow yourself to do a little sightseeing along the way, with a good audiobook,
podcast
, or
playlist
as you drive.
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