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Drinking Coffee and Driving

Huntn

Huntn

macrumors Penryn
Original poster
May 5, 2008
24,779
27,858
The Misty Mountains
Recently we made two 14 hour drives out and back, taking one day off between drives. This is longer than I like to go. I did most of the driving with one 2 hr break about 5 hrs in. Usually 9 hrs is my preferred limit. Serious question- When driving and it's going to be a long day, should you precharge your coffee (drink it before the onset of fatigue) or wait until you start to fee tired to start drinking it? How to get the most bang for your buck? Or do both methods work equally good? I tend to take a big cup of coffee with me and start drinking it early in the day. :D
 
What if caffeine does not help? What if one needs taurine?

Anyway, when I need to recharge during long drives, and I drove almost 8,000 kilometres in the past six weeks, I usually get taurine as soon as possible and take a sip. Precharging does work too sometimes, but often whilecharging has to do.
 
simsaladimbamba said:
What if caffeine does not help? What if one needs taurine?

Anyway, when I need to recharge during long drives, and I drove almost 8,000 kilometres in the past six weeks, I usually get taurine as soon as possible and take a sip. Precharging does work too sometimes, but often whilecharging has to do.
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Never heard of Taurine, but read this link, for energy drinks? I've considered trying one but have not gotten around to it for alertness. How would you say it compares to caffeine?
 
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Huntn said:
Recently we made two 14 hour drives out and back, taking one day off between drives. This is longer than I like to go. I did most of the driving with one 2 hr break about 5 hrs in. Usually 9 hrs is my preferred limit. Serious question- When driving and it's going to be a long day, should you precharge your coffee (drink it before the onset of fatigue) or wait until you start to fee tired to start drinking it? How to get the most bang for your buck? Or do both methods work equally good? I tend to take a big cup of coffee with me and start drinking it early in the day. :D
Click to expand...

The half life of caffeine is approximately 5-7 hours. That means your body metabolizes half the dose of caffeine in roughly 5-7 hours. At 10 hours, about 75% is metabolized

Now, that doesn't mean you're going to get the same stimulatory effect at hour 5 as at hour 2...but it give you a little idea of how to plan.

Also...remember that you only rent the coffee you have consumed, and have to...er...give it back after a while...which means a pit stop. You can always refuel at that time.:p

Your body quickly absorbs caffeine. But it also gets rid of it quickly. Processed mainly through the liver, caffeine has a relatively short half-life. This means it takes about five to seven hours, on average, to eliminate half of it from your body. After eight to 10 hours, 75% of the caffeine is gone.
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Source

;):D
 
Shrink said:
The half life of caffeine is approximately 5-7 hours. That means your body metabolizes half the dose of caffeine in roughly 5-7 hours. At 10 hours, about 75% is metabolized

Now, that doesn't mean you're going to get the same stimulatory effect at hour 5 as at hour 2...but it give you a little idea of how to plan.

Also...remember that you only rent the coffee you have consumed, and have to...er...give it back after a while...which means a pit stop. You can always refuel at that time.:p



Source

;):D
Click to expand...

Thanks! I've realized a large contributor to my fatigue is boredom, just as much as hours on the road. Having a conversation with a passenger, or listening to music or talk radio (even better) keeps me alert. On the 14 hour trip, I had two more small coffees when I was in the 10th and 12th hour of the trip. Stops are no problem. I usually stop about every half a tank, approx 200 miles.
 
Huntn said:
How would you say it compares to caffeine?
Click to expand...

Caffeine does not work with me, I guess I am like Obelix in that way.
I once worked in a cafeteria for two weeks and probably drank too much coffee to be immune now.
Nowadays I can drink six Espresso and am still tired.
Taurine seems to be the only stuff working for me, not even mate can help me, but gladly taurine comes in a lot of energy drinks not tasting like Red Bull or gummi bears. They contain a lot of sugar though.
 
Huntn said:
Thanks! I've realized a large contributor to my fatigue is boredom, just as much as hours on the road. Having a conversation with a passenger, or listening to music or talk radio (even better) keeps me alert. On the 14 hour trip, I had two more small coffees when I was in the 10th and 12th hour of the trip. Stops are no problem. I usually stop about every half a tank, approx 200 miles.
Click to expand...

There's always the option of one of these in the back seat...

Londinium%20III.png
 
If I have a long drive, I leave on the trip with a nice hot fresh cup of coffee. Sipping as I drive. I have a thermos filled with already prepared coffee ready to refill that cup with wonderful liquid energy. If the trip is too long, I'll stop for a fresh cup, remember McDonalds charges $1 for any size cup of coffee. Of course, you may have to stop somewhere along the way to let out some of the coffee, too.

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Shrink said:
There's always the option of one of these in the back seat...
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Hey don't joke about that one... My Prius has a 110v outlet and I do have a travel size Keurig.
 
You could always go with a slow IV drip of coffee to keep the caffeine levels up as you drive. Although you may need something to catch the export of coffee if you choose not to make pit stops along the way. :p Plus it's hands free which is much safer for driving.

Because some mornings require extreme measures. Now, the often dreamed about Coffee IV is here to get that caffeine on board quickly. Each bag is packed with 100% Arabica coffee containing essential nutrients (caffeine) and antioxidants to get you through the day! An added bonus is you can work while drinking coffee completely hands free. Bosses everywhere endorse this product!
Click to expand...
 

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