The Driving Times

Emergency Road Side Kits And How They Work

admin — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Whether you are someone who needs to drive long distances regularly or you are simply someone who has been interested in making sure that your next trip goes very uneventfully, take a moment to consider putting together a good emergency road side kit.

An emergency kit of this sort makes sure that you are ready for any eventuality, and you will discover that it can make a huge difference to your peace of mind. First, always make sure that it has a first aid kit, something that includes bandages, gauze, over the counter pain killers and antiseptic.

Also make sure that your kit has blankets. You never know when you are going to want to stay warm on the road. Another good thing to keep in your kit is a few road flares, which you can activate and use to warn of off drivers if you have a break down in the middle of the road. Some people even put a cheap pay-by-the-minute cell phone in their roadside kit to make sure that they can always call for help.

If you are someone who needs to travel, make sure that you are prepared for everything that happens. This can make a huge difference to how well you do in a disaster situation.

Comedy CD’s And Artist For Travelers

admin — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

While every long journey in life should be enhanced with a memorable soundtrack, you don’t have to limit your options to music. Listening to an entertaining comedian can help you to pass the time and help to lighten the mood when long hours in the car have you feeling a little cranky. These three comedians are mainly clean and incredibly funny, making them easy to enjoy even with children in the car.

Bill Cosby

One of the masters of comedy, Bill Cosby’s routines are classic and hilarious. Making people laugh for decades without profanity or approaching vulgar topics, his albums are ideal choice for those who are traveling with younger children.Additional information can be found at http://m.deadline.com/2013/02/mira-sorvino-to-star-in-cbs-jim-gaffigan-comedy-pilot/.

Jim Gaffigan

An edgy oddball who draws most of his inspiration from America’s obsessive food culture, Jim Gaffigan’s deadpan delivery — and high-pitched portrayal of the audience’s inner thoughts — is absolutely hysterical. While Gaffigan can make off-color insinuations, most of his jokes are brilliantly styled so that his youngest listeners won’t catch on.

Brian Regan

Praised by critics for being a “universal comedian”, Brian Regan specializes in observational comedy that manages to be appealing for both children and adults. His twisted observations and perceptions regarding everyday life will keep you laughing for hours.

Best Fast Foods For Long Distance Drivers

mrice — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Long distance drivers have a difficult time finding food that is different, yet isn’t all junk food. In order to eat better here are a few suggestions that might make meal time healthier and tastier.

The majority of the time long distance drivers spend driving on the Interstate, so stopping for an hour for each meal is out of the question, but one meal a day shouldn’t be totally disregarded. When you come into a town, try a buffet with a variety of foods to get some of the fruits and veggies that you need. Fast food does not have to be unhealthy. Picking up a hoagie means eating good lean meats and cheeses, and it is quick to get. If you must stop in a fast food place, stay away from the fried foods and have the grilled chicken or fish. Have a side salad or yogurt with a sandwich to counteract all the French Fries that you normally have and notice how good you feel. Also, have an Iced Tea instead of the usual soda to help you feel lighter.

By doing this you will feel less tired and weighed down, and when you get home you will have more energy to do things the things that you want to do.

Books About Free Sites During Your Travels

admin — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you are going to be traveling, you will want to see all the sites available. Some of them are hidden and tourists never know they are there. Sometimes people get caught up in all the normal touristy spots. The big amusement parks, expensive dinner show and other things that take a lot of money from the vacation budget. This can be especially true with children and so it is important to carefully plan before you leave and find everything that is available for you and the kiddos to enjoy without wasting money and not missing anything.I was looking for more information and found it here.

There are several good books that have been written in the past few years about free places to enjoy while on vacation. Often people are amazed at all there is to do and how much fun they can have without spending a dime. They are not hidden facts, they are just areas to take advantaged of and most of them are just waiting for you to come. A good book will have them all outlined and include areas, hours, directions, accessibility and give you a good overview. Spend some time carefully planning you coming trip and you will be surprised at all the great things that are in store for you.

Rest Stops That Offer Cookies And Coffees

admin — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you like to drive, and often use the beautiful rest stops that are sprinkled around the country, then you may have enjoyed a cup of coffee and a cookie during one of your stops. Non profit organizations are allowed to serve refreshments to tired travelers as a community service. There can be no alcohol involved and any food served needs to be professionally prepared. Usually they offer a cup of coffee and a couple of cookies. There is no charge and donations are accepted. Of course you are never obligated and the service is free.

Holidays are usually the times that non profit groups like to offer this service. Most drivers forget how tired they are when traveling long distances and so taking a few minutes to have some refreshments can give them that extra burst of energy to continue on the road. It can be lifesaving if people slow down and take a break while driving. It is a good idea to stop every couple of hours and take a short walk and stretch your legs. Remember driving it a privilege and you need to be rested and alert, so don’t forget to take a needed break and enjoy a cup of coffee and a cookie. It may save your life.

Learning To Read A Road Map

admin — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

In this day and age its rare that someone will be forced to guide themselves with a regular old road map. These days its electronic GPS units that are able to guide us from one place to another without us having to do a whole lot of work. However their may be some scenarios in which a regular road map may be the only thing available for navigation and in that scenario its imperative that you know how to properly read one.

If you are faced with that scenario the first thing that you are going to want to do is ensure that you have the proper map for your situation.Didn’t catch that? This explains it. Different maps cover different areas, so its imperative that you purchase the right one. Once you have the map you need to pull up to the nearest highway or road sign and then locate it on the map. Once you have done this you should have your bearings and know where you are. From there ensure that you have the map lined up properly with the road so that when you are looking at it in the future you can be sure that you are going the right way.

Reading a map does not need to be difficult, but it can be confusing at first, just stick with it and it’ll all make sense eventually.

Saving Money on the Road

admin — Wed, 25 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

There’s no better time than summer to hit the asphalt and take a trip – unfortunately with the state of gas prices and the economy many families are finding it challenging to scrape up the funds for a boafide road trip. Here are a few ways to save money on your drive this summer:
Get an app: Many gas stations are utilizing mobile apps to tell customers about their low gas prices. Apps can tell you everything from where the nearest gas station is to how much a gallon costs so get in the game and get on your phone.
Pack a lunch: Eating on the road, even at fast food stops, can really add up. If you’re serious about saving money (and calories) pack a few snacks before you go that will stay good on your journey. Good items include granola, dry cereal and even some hearty fruit like apples.
Save money elsewhere: Find other ways to cut costs so you can save up for the big drive. Research texas energy rates if you live there to save money on electricity or even switch cell phone providers to dump your hefty data plan. Start a savings jar and watch the money build!

Easy Music For The Calm Driver

admin — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

When it comes to driving, especially for long distances, a great way to feed your mind and body enough energy is to turn up and listen to some really good music. While you are driving, both of your hands are stuck with the responsibility of handling the wheel; therefore, the best available option is to find your favorite hit song on the radio. This will not only be enjoyable for you, but it will also help you to remain calm. Then again, it all comes down to whatever it is that you choose to listen to. Different songs will cause different reactions, and every reaction will vary from person to person.

One major problem that a lot of people suffer from and (or) often encounters, is the inevitability of road rage. Even though, road rage has yet to find its end, the advantages of listening to calm, positive music is the closes to a cure for road rage that you will ever get. Nowadays, the great minds of today seem to always find a cure for everything, so lets all hope for the same outcome for road rage. Until then, for every long drive you take, be sure to bring along your favorite tracks of music.

Time Killing Kansas

www.thedrivingtimesmag.com — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

A long car trip across the continental United States can be a scenic, uniquely enjoyable experience, showcasing America the beautiful, from sea to shining sea. Then, there’s Kansas. God’s forsaken state in terms of viewing pleasure. Unfortunately, many other states in the union have very Kansas-esque features, though not so thoroughly mind-numbing from border to border, making a necessary drive through, assuming alternative routes cannot be taken due to time constraints or poor planning, an exhausting endeavor. In order to safeguard against an entirely unchanging horizon, it’s best to have a few activities you can use to entertain yourself, simple enough to do while safely operating your vehicle. Cell phones are out, courtesy of 16 year olds whose hands may rest at 10 and 2 from time to time, but only when dialing their touchscreens, a fad now championed by concerned parents across the country known as “Distracted Driving.” So without the aid of technology, merely a gas-station full of purchasable items, a wallet full of standard contents and a kindred spirit, what can you do to take your mind, but not your eyes, off the open road.Leg Driving In any relatively straight stretch of road, secure the steering wheel with your thighs, just above the knees, by applying constant pressure. You should be able to steer the car slightly left as you raise your right leg or slightly right by raising your left leg. Always keep your hands in a ready position in the event a sharp turn or foreign object sneaks up on you. Count how long you can keep your car straight and in your lane, or time it on a stop watch if available, before you either are forced to touch the steering wheel by a turn in the road or come close to crossing into another lane. Recording your score will allow you to keep a running record of your personal best records as you increase your leg coordination. Remember, do not attempt to leg drive on any potentially hazardous stretch of road, in unsavory weather or if there are other cars nearby. Keep your hands within a finger’s length of the wheel at all times.Car Karaoke Though driving solo can be a lonely, soul-searching experience, it certainly doesn’t have to be. Perhaps the greatest aspect to traveling alone in a confined space is the absolute absence of outside judgment. Whether practicing for karaoke night at your local bar or finally giving voice to the Justin Bieber lyrics you’re too embarrassed to admit you know, self-sustaining sing-a-longs are both cathartic and entertaining. If you are not one to carry a tune or can’t stand the sound of your own voice, try simply screaming inappropriate phrases or obscenities you’ve always wanted to say but never indulged out loud.

An I-90 Guide

www.thedrivingtimesmag.com — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Many drivers view a long haul as a therapeutic stress release. But before undertaking the challenge of conquering I-90 from start to finish, consider this particular Interstate is long enough to cure one’s stress, induce insanity, then once again put the mind at ease, unparalleled in terms of sheer duration among single stretches of road in the United States. Exactly how daunting is I-90?The only Interstate to break the 3,000 mile barrier, I-90 runs for 3,099.07 miles in total. Beginning in the shadow of Qwest Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks, I-90 makes history soon after the pavement begins. Just after leaving Seattle, I-90 makes use of not just one but two of the longest floating bridges in the world. The Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge (second longest) takes passengers from Seattle to Mercer Island, while the Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge continues the journey from Mercer Island to Bellevue. As the scenic tour across the Pacific Northwest continues, the northeastern stretch of I-90 is a great drive for those who enjoy mountains and American lumber at its finest. Passing from Washington state, through northern Idaho into Montana, the road passes the famous site of General Custer’s Last Stand at the Battle of Little Bighorn. Montana takes the largest share of I-90 mileage with over 550 miles from border to border, before ceding way to Wyoming as the interstate then takes a turn towards the Heartland. After winding through South Dakota, the road runs parallel to the Iowa/Minnesota border, then ventures into the Northern Midwest, right through the eye of Chicago and its suburban surroundings. As it hugs the Great Lake looking on the map as if it might just fall in, travelers should actually take particular caution as I-90 makes its way into downtown Cleveland, making almost a 90-degree turn at what local residents refer to as “Dead Man’s Curve.” I-90 then strays from its holding pattern parallel to the Great Lake coast to cut across upstate New York, before heading into Massachusetts and it final destination.To from beginning to end of I-90 in a continuous manner would take approximately 2 days and 1 hour, according the standard flow of traffic.