Max hours driving per day?

Submitted: Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 at 20:59
ThreadID: 98649 Views:2970 Replies:12 FollowUps:5
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I'm planning a 5 day trip from Sydney. We're leaving the wives and kids behind for once, and hope to see the real outback.

Of the 5 days, I'd like to spend the first and last days getting into the outback, but my question is, how far can I safely drive in 1 day: 10 hours? 15 hours?

Can we get to tibooburra and spend 3 days in corner country?
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Reply By: Toby J - Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 at 21:14

Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 at 21:14
Heavy transport only do 12 in 24 unless on fatigue management then that gives you 14 but why would you rush .your a long time dead its about enjoying the trip and not risking other people's life stay safe
AnswerID: 497033

Reply By: David and Donna - Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 at 22:07

Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 at 22:07
pulling the van in 4th gear means we cruise at 85km/hr, so around 500km a day is our target, being 6 hrs of driving, which is plenty by the time you stop for lunches and camera stops, and cuppa teas and refuel etc.
AnswerID: 497039

Reply By: Rockape - Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 at 23:17

Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 at 23:17
yagon,
how long is a piece of string. There is not a formula for safe driving hours I am afraid.

There is a hell of a debate about this even in heavy transport where operators are forced to pull up even if they don't feel tired. The result is they don't sleep and when they legally drive again they are driving tired. I ran into an old mate at Victoria River roadhouse and he said he was glad to be back in WA so he could do his 17 hours.

The important thing is to have good rest before driving and be able to recognise when you start to get a little doughy. Don't believe the get out and walk around ever 2 hours, it doesn't work. If you feel tired then pull up. One of the first warning signs is when you start to slow down with reaction times. An example of this is not dipping you lights or wandering across the road a bit.

All people are different and some can drive and drive while others are totally buggered after 5 or 6 hours. Also people have what I call witching hours and we are all different. What I mean by this is when the body tends to want to sleep. My hours are 2 to 4 am and pm but others will be different.

If you are excited about your trip you may not sleep well the night before so please be careful.

Have a safe one,

RA.





I will give a
AnswerID: 497042

Follow Up By: mikehzz - Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 at 00:29

Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 at 00:29
Right on the money, a good answer. There are too many variables. If you have to ask then yours are unknown and can only be gained from experience. Sydney to Tibooburra in a day is a big ask for anyone and I do a lot of long hauls for holiday trips with time constraints. Lately, I'll leave for my break straight from work around 5:30pm and drive into the night and maybe reach Nyngan for a roadside camp. That gives me a good head start for my first full day. I've done Nyngan to Cameron Corner in a day without too much hassle, but in general, long hauls are best avoided if possible. For some people they turn a holiday into a nightmare.
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Follow Up By: Member - Michael and Chris (QL - Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 at 08:57

Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 at 08:57
I would say the fact that he is asking how long he should be driving tells me that he has little experience. I drove interstate for many years and it took me years to learn my limits. If you are not conditioned to long hours behind the wheel you will have trouble alot earlier than someone who is conditioned. Also the difference between outback driving coupled with a possibility of less than ideal sleep (camp on side of road ) means that the hours travelled each day may be reduced as the trip goes on. In short allow plenty of time to see things on the way and don't rush.
Cheers Mick
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Follow Up By: Rockape - Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 at 10:24

Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 at 10:24
Mick,
couldn't agree with you more. I also come from the same background as yourself.

Recently I used to work 14 straight 12 hour nightshifts averaging around 4 to 5 hours sleep a day. Then on the last morning wait around to catch a plane and then drive another 4.5 hours. Total time for that day was 21 hours. While I don't suggest people do this I never had a problem.

Many have big problem with long hours and K's, the Peak Downs Highway is testimony to this with a trail of devastation that makes my head spin.

One of the big things now is if there is an accident they will investigate how long you have been driving and if put down to fatigue you can be charged with a pretty major offence if someone is injured.

Have a good one,
RA.

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Follow Up By: get outmore - Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 at 19:57

Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 at 19:57
yep ive got mates who consider 3 hours a long drive

i will say this however, just the fact hes asked the question would mean to me hes not experienced in country long distance driving,

like most things it takes experience

persoanlly I can get the nods at any time and if i do i either take a
powernap or pull over if near a road house and gab a coke or something

- n o one ever got more awake by keeping on driving
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Reply By: Motherhen - Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 at 23:29

Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 at 23:29
When touring, where ever the day takes us - often not far. When rushing like when we purchased the caravan, we got up early, and started out at first light, stopping as soon as it got dark - probably around 14 hours. Not something to keep up for long. We will not drive in the dark due to danger of animal strike.

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AnswerID: 497043

Follow Up By: Member - Arsenal Phill - Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 at 10:45

Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 at 10:45
You can't gauge fatigue by any means prior to any day, any hour. Factors such as weather, geography, previous amount of sleep, levels of concentration required, diet and food consumption are all very relevant variables. You just have to be aware of `yourself'. Be aware of the onset of fatigue BEFORE you get to the point where you wander across the road or fail to react. This is already at a point that you shouldn't be at.
The only constructive thing we can add is to aggree with Motherhen. We usually try to avoid travelling outback after dark. If concerns about fatigue are the issue here, then its another good reason to avoid night driving. Not only is animal strike an overiding concern, but ulitimately `the threat of...' is just as worrying. Driving in the dark, requires so much more concentration and awarness. Constant scanning into the bush along the sides of the roads can be very taxing and therefore generates its own fatigue.
Different travellers have their own sets of personal guidlines for trips. Our policy is to set realistic goals for getting to where we want to be. Generally we'll know where we want to get to. We then look into 3 possible stage stops. As we reach one, we'll see how we feel. If all good, then we'll continue on to stop 2. Again, reasses the situation and either carry on, or stop. It works well for us but again doesn't really work if you have a deadline and have to cover a set amount kilometres and are restricted by time. In these situations for us, we try to build in some margin for travel when we have to be somewhere at a precise date.
Again, simple enough system and maybe not appropriate to your trip here. Its just about planning, and what you want to get out of a trip. Ultimately planning is laid out be the under lying essence of the trip.....leisure or function?
Good luck, travel safe.......and don't drive tired!!! LOL
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Reply By: Nomadic Navara - Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 at 00:35

Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 at 00:35
How many of you are driving? Are the drivers able to sleep effectively in a moving vehicle? There are too many other things to mention and consider. Google maps gives Sydney to Tibooburra as a 1300 km or 16 hour driving time trip.
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Reply By: On Patrol & TONI - Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 at 00:56

Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 at 00:56
Yagon
What does "we" mean?
If there is two or more sharing the driving, each one drives for 2 hours max per stint & your able to sleep in a moving vehicle this will increase your chances of "survival".

Driving at dawn or dusk reduces "survival" outback. Due in no small part to the fellow road users of the wildlife veriety.

Your trip time is too short to enjoy it.

That part of the world is to be seen & enjoyed, I fail to see the point in racing through it tired & over stressing your vehicle. Is its servicing up to date ??

Take at least a week & even that is rushing it. There is so Ymuch more to see & do out there if you take the time.

Don't forget to take extra food, water, fuel & at least 2 spare tyres. It's a long way to any of those things once past civilization.

You will not have phone coverage out there to call for help if yoUu get things wrong.
Try to enjoy it.

Cheers Colin.
AnswerID: 497046

Reply By: Member - John and Val - Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 at 12:21

Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 at 12:21
You say you want to see "the real outback". If you haven't been there before I wonder what you understand by that term. Its a very variable place taking in many different kinds of country. I think you could find real "outback" places to visit for your short trip that dont require driving for half of the time that you have available.

As others have said driving after sunset can be hazardous regardless of fatigue levels, as can driving on gravel roads if you are unaccustomed to them. From Sydney to Tobooburra is a very long way to go in one day.

Cheers,

Val
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Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 at 19:07

Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 at 19:07
Yagon,

Plenty of good info above to give you an idea of what to expect. I notice no one has said you shouldn't do this trip, but I doubt if anyone would be in favour of it, especially as it's supposed to be a holiday.

Long distance driving is an acquired skill, and you need to be aware of your weaknesses. Plenty of sleep the night before, 9 hours if possible, and drink plenty of fluids. If you're driving at night, good auxiliary lights are a must. Think I'm just about to get on my soapbox, so better change track here..........

What about trip to Bourke, down the Darling to Wilcannia, across to Hay, then back to Sydney by your own choice?

Don't forget, if you decide to do a BIG mob of clicks for the 5 days, that you'll be heading back into Sydney, very fatigued. No place to be when your reflexes are a bit slow.

Enjoy the trip and stay safe,

Bob.
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AnswerID: 497085

Reply By: Member - John and Lynne - Monday, Oct 22, 2012 at 09:07

Monday, Oct 22, 2012 at 09:07
We agree with others who suggest that there is plenty of wonderful country to see without having to go to Cameron's Corner! You will drive straight past wonderful places, seeing only a blur, and risking your lives and those of others! Try slowing down a bit and reconsidering your itinerary.Corner Country will still be there for a future trip when you have time enough to actually enjoy that part of the world. Just enjoy the trip and don't make an endurance trial of it! Lynne and John
AnswerID: 497125

Reply By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Monday, Oct 22, 2012 at 10:18

Monday, Oct 22, 2012 at 10:18
Easter 2011 we went to Lake Eyre from Canberra and returned in five days after only one day looking around Lake Eyre and a flight over Lake Eyre. We swapped every two or three hours and only stopped one each way. But we are used to it. We do it often. One of the problems associated with being a long way from the areas we want to see and being required to be home in less than four weeks.

I would not recommend it but it can be done with two drivers, lots of stuff to nibble and drink and swapping religiously. And most importantly the passenger must watch for signs of fatigue in the driver. Fidgety, wandering yawning and so on. Anything out of the ordinary. But not as a single driver.

Five days is really not enough. And forget the camping. Staying off the grog aso helps with the driving the next day. If you want to hit the grog than forget a long drive. Keep it simple and easy. And don't tow. You can stay in cabins and motels all the way there, while in the area and back. This saves time and energy.
AnswerID: 497131

Reply By: Holden4th - Friday, Oct 26, 2012 at 21:38

Friday, Oct 26, 2012 at 21:38
Driving fatigue is cumulative. The first couple of days might be OK but it catches up with you. Earlier this year I drove from the Gold Coast to Perth in 7 days. The average trip per day worked out to be about 620kms which is approximately 6-7 hours behind the wheel. For the first few days concentration wasn't an issue but as I got closer to Perth I really had to think about my fatigue levels as, like most of us, I don't do this on a regular basis.

The secret is good sleep after the day's journey and keeping yourself well hydrated while traveling. I disagree with a previous poster about resting after every 2 hours. It has a major benefit and on my last 2 days into WA I took even shorter breaks. The point is that one simple mistake, because you are tired, can kill you.

Also, I never drive at night. To many critters of all sizes can come out at you and the concentration you use up looking for these really affects your state of mind and will wear you down quicker.
AnswerID: 497465

Reply By: Crackles - Friday, Oct 26, 2012 at 22:44

Friday, Oct 26, 2012 at 22:44
Tiboorburra in a day? Yes quite possible but I'd suggest shortening it up a bit (Possibly Wilcania) particually as you have little or no experience driving outback roads, then spend 3 days looping via White Cliffs, Tiboorburra, Camerons corner, Milparinka & Broken Hill. Of course that's all very rushed but unlike most others here I understand what a Boys trip is all about ;-)
Remember the beauty of a trip like this is if road conditions aren't suitable or you're getting tired you can pull up stumps anywhere & roll out the swag.
Cheers Craig..................
AnswerID: 497474

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