Long-distance driving is not just about knowing how to operate a vehicle. It also requires self-control, alertness, patience, and a strong sense of responsibility for yourself and everyone else on the road.
For new drivers, long journeys can feel stressful and exhausting. However, with proper preparation and good driving habits, every trip can become a safer, smoother, and more enjoyable experience.
1. Prepare Before You Leave
Check your vehicle: Make sure the engine oil, coolant level, tire pressure, brakes, and other essential components are in good condition. A properly prepared vehicle is the first step toward a safe journey.
Plan your route: Use a map or navigation app, but always have backup options. Identify rest stops, fuel or charging stations, and alternative routes before you begin your trip.
Get enough sleep: Make sure you get around 7–8 hours of sleep before a long drive. Driving while fatigued significantly reduces your reaction time, concentration, and ability to make safe decisions.
2. Driving Skills During the Journey
Maintain a steady speed: Avoid unnecessary sudden acceleration and braking. Use cruise control, if available and appropriate for the road conditions, to maintain a consistent speed and improve efficiency.
Keep a safe following distance: Always leave enough space between your vehicle and the one ahead, especially in bad weather or on slippery roads.
As a simple reference, if you are traveling at 50 km/h, try to maintain around 50 meters of distance. At 60 km/h, keep around 60 meters. As your speed approaches 100 km/h, leave even more space whenever possible.
Stay focused on the road: Avoid using your phone while driving. If you need to make a call or manually operate your navigation system, stop somewhere safe first. You can also take advantage of hands-free voice assistants while driving, such as “Hey VinFast,” “Hey Siri,” or “Hey Google,” to request navigation to your destination without taking your hands off the wheel.
3. Managing Fatigue and Energy
One of the biggest challenges for new drivers is fatigue after spending several hours behind the wheel. To stay alert and maintain your concentration:
Take a break approximately every two hours or every 100 kilometers. Get out of the vehicle, walk around, stretch your muscles, and relax for a few minutes.
Drink enough water and choose light meals or snacks. Avoid relying too heavily on caffeine, especially late at night. Caffeine may temporarily make you feel more alert, but it cannot replace proper rest.
Keep the cabin comfortable and well ventilated. Use the air conditioning appropriately or allow fresh air into the vehicle when conditions permit.
Most importantly, if you begin to feel seriously sleepy, do not try to fight through it. Find a safe place to stop and rest.
4. Handling Emergencies
Always follow one basic principle: get yourself and the vehicle to a safe position first.
If your vehicle develops a problem, move it to a safe location away from traffic whenever possible. Turn on the hazard warning lights and place a warning triangle at an appropriate distance behind the vehicle.
Keep important emergency and roadside-assistance numbers readily available. You should also know how to determine and share your exact location using GPS so that emergency services or roadside assistance can find you quickly.
5. The Right Mindset
Long-distance driving is also a psychological challenge.
Stay calm and patient. Do not feel pressured to match the speed of other vehicles, and do not turn the road into a competition. Someone passing you does not mean you need to speed up.
The goal of every journey is not simply to arrive quickly—it is to arrive safely.
With proper preparation, good habits, and experience, you will gradually become more confident and capable on long journeys. Road safety is the responsibility of every driver, and the good habits you develop today can protect you, your passengers, and everyone else sharing the road tomorrow.