Ahhh, windshield time. It’s that in-between work and leisure part of the job that we all love to hate.

But what if you could use that time productively and still keep your focus on the road?

Yes, driving for a work trip can be fun — if you know how to make the most of your travel time. These tips will turn the dreaded miles on the road before your next job into something you might … dare we say it … enjoy!

 

 

1. Fill the Space With Your Hobby

 

What’s that thing you would love to do more of if you only had the extra time? With all the podcasts and audiobooks on the market today, combined with your driving time, you have a way to make your wish come true.

Take your hobby on the road with you. Turn off the radio, and turn on a podcast subscription or let an audiobook teach you more about whatever interests you.

Need some ideas? Here are a few of the most popular podcast themes trending today to pique your interest and make the drive time go by faster:

 

• True-crime podcasts (Rolling Stone Magazine has a list of the top favorites here)
• Comedy skits
• Motivation and inspiration
• History
• Language learning programs

 

You can get smarter, increase your trivia knowledge, and boost your motivation with the right podcast.

 

2. Take the Road Less Traveled

 

Most of us plug our destination address into our GPS, then click the fastest route that gets us there. This is usually full of highways and interstates. You’ll get there faster, but where’s the scenery? The culture? The interesting roads?

If your company’s mileage policy allows you to drive a little extra and get paid for it, why not take the road less traveled? You’ll avoid a lot of the headaches of congestion and traffic jams, and who knows what you might see along the way?

Leave a few hours early to give yourself time to explore the route. You might see a scenic vista you’d love to stop and enjoy or a historic site you’ve always wanted to visit.

Learn how to break the trip up by stopping somewhere fun, and you won’t mind those far-away work destinations.

 

3. Make it an Overnighter

 

Does your trip require you to drive more than a couple of hours? Take the opportunity to get away from the daily grind by spending the night somewhere along the route and taking a mini-vacay.

Look at the cities you’ll pass through on your way to your destination. Is there a place you’ve wanted to check out, but never had the time to do so? Well, here’s your chance!

If you’re not tied down to any particular area, research hotels in the places you pass on your trip. Find one that’s in your comfortable price range and near something you’d like to visit or do and book it! You might even want to camp or glamp if you’re passing through some scenic nature spots.

Keep in mind that this extra stop is probably not going to be covered by your per diem. Still, it’s a way to break up a long drive, and give yourself a much-deserved break from all the hard work you do.

 

4. Catch Up With Your Favorite People

 

Most states have distracted driving laws that require you to keep your hands off the phone when you’re behind the wheel. As long as you have Bluetooth or an adapter to plug your phone into the speakers, you can still get around this law and catch up on the latest news with your friends and family.

When was the last time you were able to talk to your loved ones without interruptions? Your windshield time could be the perfect chance for an extended conversation.

Call your relative that you “check in” with occasionally, and cross that familial duty off your list for another week or two. Skip the texts and talk to your best friend over the phone instead.

As long as your focus is on the road, a phone call can keep you awake, and make the time go faster.

 

Conclusion

 

Solo driving time can be the cushion of quiet you need to unwind and get yourself ready for your next task. But if you’re stuck taking a long road trip for your job, that might be too much windshield time.

Use these four tips to make your next extended drive fun, and you’ll start to look forward to the time you have without any interruptions.

Published: 2022-07-27 23:13:35