I live in Texas, so to get anywhere, it’s going to be a drive. Personally, I just want to get where I’m going. The only time I stop is for the normal things: restroom, fuel up, and I’ll buy whatever at the gas station to snack on. I’ll try to stay no more than 8 to 10 minutes.
What about yourself?
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Minimal stops
Four hours? That’s a relatively quick “road trip”. Drive straight through, stop for gas if starting on anything less than a full tank, no other stops.
straight through unless there’s something worth stopping to see.
It depends really
I like to break it up and stop for food at least. Or just starbucks if it’s between mealtimes.
Point A to B with as few stops as possible.
I’ve driven in excess of 1,000 miles multiple times on trips to see family (and return trips home) and I am very intentional in trying to make every stop as productive as possible. When I’m driving for that long, I just want to get it done with.
There is no direction I can go where I won’t hit water in that time lol.
If its over 2 hours I’m stopping for a break.
if there is a cool scenic nature view, i’m stopping 100% of the time, if not, im driving until my bladders about to burst
It depends is the answer for me.
If it’s a work thing, I just want to get there as quick as I can and get it over with so I’ll only stop if I need to pee.
If it’s visiting family or something then I might take a detour along the way if there’s something worth seeing or as is usually the case, somewhere that’s meant to have great food – I’ll skip breakfast, drive to the place, eat, then continue driving
On the drive TO somewhere, I’ll stop places sometimes if it looks nice scenery. Minimal stops on the way home.
If, however, im driving back to the office from working far away, I suddenly want to stop everywhere 🙃
I’ll stop to piss and grab an energy drink but that’s about it generally
4 hours, try to go straight through.
While I havent had anything past 4 hours, I might stop at an outlet or something for a stretch
It depends on where I’m traveling and if there’s anything worth stopping for where it’s worth it.
It’s about the journey not the destination, man.
But that journey is going to have as few stops as possible because I just really want to get to the destination… But I will compromise and at least take the back roads instead of the interstate, because I at least like to see cool things while I’m not stopping anywhere.
It depends on the situation.
Ive been overlanding since I retired almost 4 years ago. Sometimes I’ll drive with minimal stops. Sometimes ill stop randomly and frequently just to get out and look around. Depending on the road conditions and how much Im hauling, I can go anywhere from 600 to 1200 miles between stops if I have to. But yeah. It depends on what’s going on and how in a hurry I am to get to my next stop.
I used to drive from the San Francisco bay area to the southern Los Angeles area; a good 8 hour drive at least. For such a long drive I find that taking breaks makes it less “painful”. Another thing that helps a lot is to get an audio book. Even if it’s one you’ve already read. Check your local library which may have audio books on cds.
Depends if there is stuff worth seeing. Four to six hours is usually.a small 10min stop. If I have wife and kids I typically find something of interest every two hours or so.
Having lived in three states (none as small as Texas) I’m quite comfortable with long drives.
Depends what car I am in. If the car is comfortable, I don’t want to stop.
Get where I’m going
Typically one stop for that amount of time since I have a babies bladder and usually have some coffee before the drive lol. I also have a small tank and will get gas around 5-6 hours
I’d probably do one or two quick stops in that amount of time, just enough time to stretch my legs or get gas if needed. I have driven that longer, and longer without stopping, but my legs feel so stiff after sitting that long.
I tend to regularly make 16-22 hour road trips to visit family 5-6 times a year.
I prefer minimal stops : pee, get gas, get a protein bar and Gatorade and hit the road again. Fewer stops the better.
I’m destination bound, with just stopping for the basics. No sightseeing. I too live in Texas as well, and you gotta have driving endurance to get around.
Non stop
Stop every 200 miles, stretch and piss.
4-6 hours depends on my reason for the trip. If it’s to do something in particular, minimal stops. I take trips like this regularly to different race tracks with my buddies, we stop for fuel and food.
Going someplace for a weekend to unwind, maybe an Airbnb or a cabin? Nothing in particular to do there? I’m taking my time. Looking up cool restaurants on the way, maybe even checking out things to do while I’m there before I even check in where I’m going.
For me it depends on the type of trip.
If it’s for business or with a specific agenda I rather have minimal stops.
It I’m on vacation I will take my time an visit interesting places on the way. Try restaurants. Eat some Ice-cream.
Under 3 hours and I’m not stopping for any reason except an emergency.
3-6 hours and I’ll likely plan a stop about halfway to get out and move and buy unhealthy snacks and get gas.
6+ is a wild card, and I try not to drive this long anymore…
Depends where I’m going and for what purpose but, generally, I prefer minimal stops.
Depends on where im going. If genuinely something cool to see ill stop off but normally a 4-6 hour drive is a 1 stop MAX!!! Even then Id need to be close to pissing myself haha or have the kids with me🙂
Minimal stops
Id probably make 1 stop in 4hrs
But if im routinely doing similar 4hr drives id focus on getting them done asap
Depends.
By myself I’ve driven 28 hours only stopping for gas and to take a leak every 6.
With my gf in the car, I need to get her out and away from me at least once every 3 hours or I will not make it.
Minimal stops, though with a family the stops are pretty long which I also don’t mind.
depends where I am going and with who.
If i am with the wife and our 3yo. We will need to stop a few times for lunch, toilet and stretch the legs.
if I am going solo. I am just stopping to gas up and piss.
Same, I just wanna get where im going asap.
I do like to get out and stretch, pee and get a snack now and then. With my electric car I need to stop more often to recharge than previously so it works out well for me. My dad on the other hand has a truck with over 700 mile range and will go the entire distance without stopping.
It better be something cool and it better be on the way. I’m not stopping at any old scenic overlook.
If a trip is going to be 5 hours plus and covers a meal, I’ll try to pick some sort of nice spot for that
It depends on the trip and time I leave. I prefer to travel at night so I hit less traffic due to I’m usually towing a trailer. For me a 5hr drive is nothing, hop in and go. But if I’m heading through the Rockies or Appalachian mounts then I’ll pull off from time to time. Same with driving through deserts. With that said, those stops have a purpose usually, checking straps, tire heat, bearing heat, and checking trailer tire wear. Just giving everything a once over before hitting a long stretch of driving. I never mind stopping but if we have several thousand miles to go, then you better have used the bathroom before we hit the road.
Depends on what the trip is for. If I’m with the purpose of getting somewhere, I just stop for a rest/refuel, but if the trip is to smell the flowers, then I stop and smell the flowers.
A lot depends on the purpose of the 4 – 6 hour road trip. If it’s business or if it’s to see a sick relative, etc… get there as quick as possible.
When it comes to a pleasure road trip, I have ALWAYS been one to stop at every opportunity to see whatever there is to see. I’m one of those losers who reads every historical marker we are within 5 miles of.
I much prefer minimal stops unless it’s an actual sightseeing trip. Then I wanna see things.
I do a two way 6 hour drive at least 3 times every year. Twice on my own, once with my wife. On my own, it generally takes me 6 hours +/- 15 mins to fuel up. With my wife, it’s easily 7+ for bathroom and snack/coffee stops.
We actually just came back from that trip yesterday and it took us 7.5 hours because she wouldn’t stop drinking coffee and water. I was fairly annoyed.
Depends on the circumstances. Do I have somewhere I need to be or do I have time? Are there cool things to see along the way? Is rushing pointless due to late hotel check-in?
I drive this long a few times a year and stop exactly one time at the half-way mark.
5 minutes for gas. 10 if using the restroom (15 if I’m not alone on the drive). 30 max if getting food.
….. Then I’ve got to pass all those cars again….
Young me- plough through.
58 year-old me now – fuck that. I’m stopping. So is my prostate.
When it is just me, as few stops as possible. The one caveat being a motorcycle trip because I need to stop more often for water.
With the wife and kids, we’re going to be stopping frequently anyway
I stop only when I need gas, I will use the toilet then as well.
Unless there’s something really cool to see, power through, pee in a bottle and keep going!
Not only am I stopping a whole bunch, I’m doing research on good local food spots along the way so I don’t have to eat at a gas station or the same fast food I can get at home.
I would always rather add an hour or two to a long drive and enjoy the trip than turn it into some weird personal Canonball Run where I’m racing against no one.
Depends on the purpose of the trip. If I have extra time and there’s an interesting place to stop, I’ll stop for 30 minutes
Minimal stops unless I’m specifically on some sort of site seeing road trip.
Four hours is pretty easy, that’s like 1 tank of gas or less. Six hours is probably 1 stop for gas/lunch/bathroom.
My husband and I just like to get where we’re going, when we stopped to get fuel, then we will stretch our legs and take a piss and get a bite to eat.
Minimal stops. Preferably beating. the GPS estimate.
Depends. Is there a kickass buffet on the way?
For me, I shift gears if there’s an overnight. If it’s only 4-6 hours, I’ll just want to get it over with. If it’s a situation where it’s significantly longer or just the scheduling makes me have to get a hotel, I’m apt to indulge more in some minor sightseeing if there’s something worthwhile nearby if I don’t have a deadline.
Straight through
It depends on the purpose of the trip, but typically minimal stops.
If the purpose (set ahead of time) is to sight see on our way from point A to point B, and sight see/vacation at point B, I will plan a route with some interesting stops.
If the purpose (set ahead of time) is to just travel straight through, minimal stops. This is my default.
No stops
I don’t drive for longer than 2.5hrs without a break. I could, but it just makes things so much easier as I usually have my dog with me. A quick break at a gas station or food spot is fine, then back in the saddle.
I have a car but my default vehicle is motorbike. I see any trip as an opportunity to get out and ride. And I’d generally ride the most scenic and twisty way. So a six hour back road ride over a four hour highway ride any time. Short stops every 90 mins or so.
You can’t beat the GPS time if you make unscheduled stops along the way.
Only stop when gas is needed. That is when I grab snacks, coffee and use the restroom.
I never developed the road trip turn off bladder skill…so I’ll be stopping to pee.
Stop every 2-2.5 hours, because it’s good for your back, hips, legs, back and circulation to do so. This iron man driving crap is unhealthy.
Since you’re from Texas, I’ll say that I’ve driven nonstop from Killeen to Northwest Ohio. I routinely drove nonstop 8 hours or more.
I’ll usually drive straight through for a length like that. Only way I’m stopping for sure is 10+ hours
Depends on the scenery. Car will do 500-600 miles on a tank, though — so probably 6 hours before needing fuel.
If im driving through somewhere cool, ill stop and sight see. Mountain / cliff overlooks, beaches, etc.
Depends on who I’m traveling with and stuff like that. But if I am alone, minimal stops unless there is stopping I judge worth stopping for. I also casually take pictures so yk.
That length of trip is just stop to use the restroom and get a drink or what have you. Longer ones probably the same as well, I just want to get there.
I prefer minimal stops But depends on what I am driving….if the car is comfortable or not.
Just me, straight there. Stop to piss and get caffeine once.
With kids, absolutely worth it to stop for a picnic lunch at a playground or stop at a restaurant with a play place or whatever. 4 hours we’d still go straight through, but more than 5 you need to break it up. We do that going from Raleigh to NYC.
Depends on my time line. I prefer to drive straight through unless there is a good disc golf course on the way.
With kids, we stop every 4 hours.
When I was younger I could tuck in and go for 6-8 hours with minimal stops.
Now that I am older, stops every 2 hours for rest and alertness, along with something to masticate on, usually gum.
I just stop for charging and bathroom breaks.
4-6 hours? Straight through.
4-6 days? See the sights.
Depends on the where and why. I think if I was going somewhere with no actual rush for the when I get there, I’ll get out and check the sights, stretch my legs, things like that.
The problem is there’s no such thing as a “short stop”. There are weird relativity-like time inflations that happen during roadtrips. Even stopping to get gas and hit a bathroom somehow adds a half hour. The whole ordeal of getting off the freeway, finding the place, parking, etc…
Stopping at even one sight seeing stop is somehow going to add like 3 hours lol. It’s just roadtrip math
If I’m on a road trip, then stops are part of the trip.
If my goal is at the end of the journey, minimal stops.
Depends what’s on the route. I always check to see if there’s anything of note and if so I make sure to add time for it. Historical monuments, museums, “must eat” restaurants, etc. I also get sleepy on drives so stops to walk are pretty regular as it is. But I just prefer to make the extra effort to walk in a park versus a parking lot lol
I’ve honestly taken all day to make it six hours distance before, I don’t mind meandering.
My car’s range is around 250-300 miles so it doesn’t matter what I like.
I will be stopping if the trip is more than that, and this is probably safer for me and my potential victims. 🙂
I’m 6’1” on a good day, which isn’t super tall but riding in most cars becomes painful after a few hours, so I plan stops. I do miss my Monte Carlo, I could drive that all say.
It depends. There is a spot I like about 4 hours away, when i was driving at night I just wanted to get there asap but when i was driving in the morning I made an adventure of it and stopped at roadside attractions and random middle of nowhere towns.
I like to drive with minimal stops. When me and my wife were younger we would drive straight through from mid Michigan to the outskirts of Tampa Florida we made record time on one trip we did it in 17 hours no BS it still amazes me to this day how we made it that far speeding without getting pulled over. Nowadays hell no we’re stopping we were in our 20’s then now I’m 62 she’s 59 we can’t even get out of the car after a 4 to 6 hour trip without our back hurting…..lol aging sucks!!
I tend to err on the side of over-hydration, so for me, the answer is both. I stop as few times as I can, but that’s usually once every 2 hours or so. I also have a 5yo, so we’d probably stop nearly as much anyway.
If the destination is the only goal, don’t stop, except to ensure you have a full-ish tank of gas once you get there. If you have kids, plan to stop to get some energy out.
I tend to want to do some stretches every 3 hours since I had a buddy almost die from blood clots due to long drives. A stop here and there to get gas and coffee keeps the bladder happy and cuts down on road blindness.
If I have no hard-set time I have to arrive, and I see something cool/pretty, I’ll stop. Otherwise, I stop for gas and nothing else.
Depends on the nature of the trip. But if I’m by myself it’s typically minimal stops
Depends on what state I’m in. Minnesota yes, but many places aren’t safe for my family to stop and sightsee at these days.
Minimal stops.
I drink a lot of water, and keep trying to do so whatever situation. So, yes, anything after 3-4hrs need a 5 mins stop. But that’s it
I’d try to drive at least 3 hours before allowing myself a bathroom break. The bathroom break might be at a scenic place but we’re not doing any detours or anything like that.
I’ve driven 900 miles with 1 stop. My wife changed that pretty quick.
Every once in a great while I have a work trip that I drive instead of fly for. Man is it nice to just put miles behind you without worrying about everyone’s bladders and stomachs.
“Men, if you, for whatever reason, have to go on a four-to-six-hour road trip, do you like to stop and get out and rest and sightsee”
No. Get in and get out. If it’s not a sight seeing trip(originally) then let’s just get the job done.
“or do you just want to get where you’re going with minimal stops?”
Yes.
Stops for gas only. If it’s less than 16 hours, I’ll try to do it in one day.
Depends on the objective. If the goal is to get there, you power through to make time.
If you have plenty of time and want to do side quests, do it. Especially if there is ice cream or cheese involved.
Depends on the trip. Have I been on it before? Do I know it’s boring? Do friends live along the way? Do I have to be there for something? Why am I traveling?
Generally, 4-6 hour trips I try not to stop. However, it just depends.
If im alone? I’ve done an 8 hour drive with one quick stop for gas and the bathroom numerous times.
With my wife and kids, we probably stop three times these days, now that they’re bigger. Once for a quick lunch, once gas and restrooms, once just restrooms.
We used to do a 12-14 hour road trip with my buddies each way every year. We stopped to enjoy dinner or lunch but not much else besides stretch legs. Coming back to the real world really sucked after a week of no worries though
>Leave starting point.
>Get gas, snacks, and drinks to last the trip. Also take a leak if needed.
>Fucking space out for 4-6 hours.
>Blink.
>I’m there and my blatter hurts.
I always make time to stop and see random new things. I love all the weird roadside attractions that exist in the US.
I did my time rushing around when I did field work.
It’s not a road trip to me if I can’t stop and explore along the way.
Minimal stops. If I do have to stop and there happens to be a nice view or something I’ll take a few moments to take it in. But then I’m back on the road.
I care about my own safety and the safety of my family in the car, so I prefer to follow the advice of experts and stop to stretch and rest every two hours as recommended to prevent mishaps on my end.
Slap on a podcast and kill that sucker in one sitting.
Only for food and gas basically.
Minimal stops unless it’s part of the trip.
Like I’d rather not go somewhere if it’s just for a short time. But if we’re stopping, getting food, seeing something, and maybe even resting for the night then cool.
In driver’s ed they told us to take ten minutes every two hours. When I was younger I played loose with that rule. As I’ve aged I’ve been much more careful about sticking to it.
Really depends on what the road trip entails. Are we trying to get to a specific area that’s time sensitive? Then I’ll just drive straight there with minimal stops. Need to get there in time for dinner or a show, or a sports game.
Are we just getting to a destination with no concrete plans and some time to kill? Then I’ll stop by some areas for scenic views, random tourist attractions etc. If the scenic view is particularly good then I’ll make time to stop if we’re not crunched on time. If I’m just driving through some flat part of the Midwest with nothing of interest I’ll just drive through as well.
In Japan, they recommend drivers to stop once every two hours or once every 150km or so. However, in Japan, there are roadside stops everywhere on the freeways. You don’t have to pull into a town to stop. You can get food, gas, clean toilets, smoke break, shops, etc., and there are parking spaces for larger vehicles like trucks and buses. It’s really convenient. It’s supposed to increase road safety by preventing fatigue. Lots of people take naps there, and it acts like a truck stop where truckers can rest as long as they want.
Four hour drive is one stop usually to top off the tank, use the restroom and grab a drink and/or a snack. 6 hours is also one stop, but I take little longer wondering around the store. On the rare occasion I am in an area with a nice scenic lookout I may stop for a few minutes and break out the camera.
We stop at both Buc-ees when we drive between Houston and Dallas. I just want to get gas, use the clean bathroom, buy a drink/snack, and stretch the legs a bit. My wife wants to shop for an hour, so I end up spending some time trying to get her out at a reasonable time.
Get there in as few stops as possible.
4-6 hours is minimal stoppage for me. One stop would generally be my goal and I’d push it off as long as possible until I needed to eat, refuel, and use the bathroom in one shot. Finish it out and refuel again when I get there
Depends on whether I’m with the family. With the family we’ll stop every couple of hours and let the kids and dogs stretch their legs. And helps keeps them from bitxhing so much.
Just me I only stop for gas.
By myself minimal stops, with family semi frequent stops
Depends on the trip. Usually just get there if it’s from the house to new spot, but if I’m on a leisurely vacation and we want to add some fun stops in unexplored areas around the usual stomping grounds, sure.
Definitely down for pit stops if I’m renting a car at an airport in a new area but need to drive out of the city.
Ideally no stops other than refueling and a bathroom break
Minimal bathroom breaks
Depends on what I’m driving past.
In Texas, it’s probably a whole lot of nothing, so in that case I would plan it so I can piss while the gas is pumping and get back on the road ASAP. I’m trying to bring trip time as close to zero as I can.
If I’m passing by a good place to eat, then I’ll plan the trip around stopping there to have a meal I won’t have too many opportunities in life to have. (Or if there’s a decent sized city along the way with something on offer that’s similar, then I’ll spend an hour or two behind that.)
1135 miles in 2 days, by myself.
Made the same drive in a truck with my wife trailing in her car a week later in 3 days. I needed more stops for gas for the Penske truck, she needed additional stops for bathroom visits.
I drive all over the country. I make minimal stops, as I’m gonna be driving all day and some of the night usually.
Four hours for pleasure? I’ll probably stop and check stuff out.
My entire life is a road trip, so it all depends on how much time I have, the destination, and what’s along the way and how I feel about driving more. 4 to 6 hours could take us a few weeks or one day.
Driving through Texas, minimal stops. However, the Czech Stop in West, Texas, is an automatic stop.
2-3 hour segments is great and make the drive overall better for me, perfect usecase for an EV.
I drive from DFW to Denver a few times per year, and it’s always “as soon as possible”. I have an exhaustion threshold (especially since I am driving solo) that doesn’t recover without sleep, so delaying the trip by stopping for sights is only going to make my trip worse and potentially more dangerous.
I just want to get there with as few stops as possible. If there’s a Buccee’s on the way, that’s usually where I’ll stop.
4-6 hours is easy in one go with one gas stop because I literally would have too.
For 6 hours I’m probably stopping halfway but it won’t be for long. For four hours I’m probably going straight through.
Depends on where we’re going.
If the stops are cool, then I want to see them
The Former
Used to be 1 trip but now after experiencing a good stop overnight 2 is great for long trips.
I hammer out road trips. Pretty much the only reason I stop is for fuel, in that time passengers get some grub while I’m fuelling, go potty and get back on the road. My latest road trip was 19 hours with just 2 stops
For whatever reason?
It entirely depends on the reason.
Is this a delivery trip? A sightseeing road trip? A destination holiday? They all have different itineraries.
No stops.
I don’t really see the point in rushing if I don’t have to. I am a CDL driver and have driven for 6 hours straight because I was in a time crunch, but on my own time I like stopping at little general store type places for snacks and they usually have the best flat top burgers and chicken fingers being warmed in a little case. I wouldn’t say I stray far from the route, but a 4-6 hour trip I probably stop 2x. Not sure why everyone is in such a rush to “get there” all the time.
Four hours I can bang out non stop. Feels like a quick drive to me. Six hours im prob stopping for gas and restroom as needed. If I see a cool spot to eat that I’ve never tried before I’ll also stop in
Depends on what is on the way. But i usually drive straight thru with minimal stops planned out for convenience. I’ll even pick which gas stations i use and preset them into my favorites in order.
I’m a minimal stopper…if possible, I try to hit up the travel centers to get gas, bathroom and food all at the same place.
That depends. Are there any dope museums/attractions on the way from A to C? If so, I’d like to stop and eight see.
That’s why I try to build slap time into my road trips.
Every minute you’re not on the freeway is one more mile to go at the end of the trip.
Depends on where i’m going and passing through on the way by
I live in a beautiful part of the world. I take the scenic route and plan for stops!