Bring a friend: Whenever possible, bring a friend on road trips. The conversation can keep you alert for longer and, if you get drowsy, you can take turns driving. If you don’t have a driving companion and you start to feel tired, use a hands-free headset to call someone who will converse with you to keep you alert. However, only do this if you can keep both hands on the wheel.

 Get cold air: Getting too warm and cozy can make you sleepy, but a blast of cold air can help wake you up. Roll down the windows to let the cool wind in and turn off your heat for a while. You may also want to pull over and remove your coat and scarf. Similarly, turning up the volume of your music and even singing along can help keep you alert and focused for longer.

 Break to stretch and rest: Stop every two hours or so in a safe, well-lit location to get out and stretch your arms and legs. Getting your blood pumping helps keep you alert. You may even want to take a short walk, splash water in your face and/or get a cup of coffee. If you’re feeling very drowsy and nodding in and out of consciousness, immediately find a safe place to pull over; turn off your car, lock the doors and take a quick power nap. You usually need only 15 to 20 minutes to recharge enough to safely reach your destination.