Depreciation Costs: A long road trip can inflict costly damage on your car, even if you don’t notice it right away. Every mile results in a certain amount of wear and tear to the engine, the tires and other moving parts. … Lease Penalties: Folks who lease their car might also shy away from long trips.

Also Can my car handle a long drive?

Most cars that have passed their state inspection and run fine every day should be good to go on a road trip, Complete Car Comfort points out. However, cars that need constant repairs and new parts when they’re at home probably shouldn’t go on long drives.

Subsequently, How much driving is too much for your car? There’s no absolute number of miles that is too many for a used car. But consider 200,000 as an upper limit, a threshold where even modern cars begin to succumb to the years of wear and tear.

Is driving your car everyday bad? Driving a vehicle regularly not only keeps the battery charged, but also prevents the engine and other mechanicals from drying out. … As for how often to drive your vehicle, Kosilla said once a week “is amazing, but once every two weeks is totally fine.”

Is it safe to drive 10 hours straight?

It is safe to drive for up to 9 hours a day. … You can consider extending this to 10 hours if this is only for one or two days. If you do choose to do that you should ensure you take plenty of adequate breaks.

How do I know if my car can make a long trip?


Ask your mechanic to check the following.

  1. Tires. A tire blowout is one of the most common car problems during a long trip. …
  2. Brakes. Just as worn tires make it difficult to stop, worn brake pads can make braking scary and dangerous. …
  3. Battery. …
  4. Fluids. …
  5. Lights and Wipers. …
  6. Air Filter. …
  7. Air Conditioning.

Can I drive old car for long distance?

An old car can drive long distances easily if it has been properly maintained. Make sure you have breakdown cover and a car emergency kit with you in case of issues during your road trip. Thoroughly check your tires and the engine cooling system as these are common reasons to require roadside assistance.

How do I know if my car will take a road trip?


Before your trip

  1. Step 1: Change the engine oil of your car. …
  2. Step 2: Check the fluids of your car. …
  3. Step 3: Check air pressure of your car. …
  4. Step 4: check the tire wear by using tread gauge. …
  5. Step 5: Check the car’s air filter. …
  6. Step 6: Make sure all car lights and signals are working. …
  7. Step 7: check battery in your car.

How long should I drive my car daily?

So, how often should you drive your car? It’s recommended that you drive your vehicle at least once every two weeks for at least 15 minutes each time.

What is considered high mileage for a used car?

The average amount of miles put on a vehicle every year is between 10,000 and 15,000 miles. Anything above this is considered high mileage. Another popular opinion on what high mileage means is any car with over 100,000 miles on it. This is generally a standard when purchasing a used car.

Is 200000 miles on a car bad?

Typically, putting 12,000 to 15,000 miles on your car per year is viewed as “average.” A car that is driven more than that is considered high-mileage. With proper maintenance, cars can have a life expectancy of about 200,000 miles.

How long can I drive a car without a break?

A: The Highway Code recommends taking a break (of at least 15 minutes) every two hours. Two hours needs to be the maximum period of time without a break from driving i.e. take more frequent breaks if necessary and when you stop for a break change your position i.e. get out of your car, go for a walk.

How do I take care of my car if I drive a lot?


Every Other Fill-up, Do These Three Things

  1. Clean windshield. …
  2. Check tire pressure. …
  3. Change oil every 5,000 miles. …
  4. Change air filter every 12,000 miles. …
  5. Rotate tires every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. …
  6. Wash your car regularly. …
  7. Don’t use the inside of your car as a garbage can.

How long is it safe to drive in one day?

You Shouldn’t Drive For More Than 2 Hours Without A Break – Stay Safe! The longer you drive at once, the more likely fatigue is likely to set in, and you’ll be much more likely to make errors in judgment, pay less attention to the road, and become distracted while driving.

How can I drive 10 hours by myself?


How to Drive Long Distance Alone (and not go crazy)

  1. Set a limit to how many hours that you will drive each day and stick to it. …
  2. Make a playlist before you leave. …
  3. Stop at truck stops, not rest areas. …
  4. Stretch every time that you stop. …
  5. Buy an extra cell phone car charger and keep it in your glove box.

How can I drive 10 hours?


General Tips for Road Trips

  1. Take turns driving, if possible. …
  2. Take a break every few hours. …
  3. Prep before you go. …
  4. Make sure your vehicle’s up to the task. …
  5. Keep cash on hand. …
  6. Eat smart. …
  7. Start with a clean car. …
  8. Consider keeping extra water and gas in the car.

Is my car reliable enough for a road trip?

Overall, you can expect to get about 200,000 miles—or more—out of the average car. With consistent maintenance, you can easily surpass 200k. … If your vehicle is limping along at 100,000 miles because you skip oil changes and don’t rotate the tires, you likely aren’t ready for a road trip just yet.

Can I take my new car for a long trip?

AAA While we’d recommend completing your first service and oil change before taking your new car for a long drive, there is nothing set in stone to say that you shouldn’t, as modern cars are fairly reliable. However, you still need to exercise some caution.

Are road trips hard on cars?

A long-distance drive is not bad for your car provided you have serviced your vehicle and have sufficient engine lubrication, coolant, water, and fuel. Short-distance road trips involving frequent acceleration and lower speeds actually generate more wear on engine components.

How do you prepare an old car for a long trip?


Before packing up, make one final check of the following:

  1. Tires condition.
  2. Check tires tread and look for signs of strain, bulges, or other damage.
  3. Tire pressure, don’t over inflate.
  4. Wipers and wiper fluid. …
  5. Coolant.
  6. Flush radiator, if you haven’t done so in a while.
  7. Fuses and Horn.
  8. High and low beam headlights.

Should I keep driving my old car?

If you really want to really save money on a new car, don’t sell your old one. Here’s the single most reliable way to save money on cars: Keep your clunker and drive it till it drops. A decently cared-for vehicle should still be running long after the odometer has clocked 100,000 miles.

Is it safe to drive a car with 200k miles?

A car with 100,000 miles is no longer the maximum life expectancy for a vehicle. … If you keep up with routine maintenance, you could push your vehicle to well over 200,000 miles. Keep reading to find out how – and why – some drivers are keeping their cars on the road longer.

Will my car make it on a road trip?

Generally speaking, most cars are not too old for road trips. If your vehicle is in good running condition and up to date on state inspection you should have no trouble taking it on an extended drive.

Will my car last a road trip?

Overall, you can expect to get about 200,000 miles—or more—out of the average car. With consistent maintenance, you can easily surpass 200k. … If your vehicle is limping along at 100,000 miles because you skip oil changes and don’t rotate the tires, you likely aren’t ready for a road trip just yet.

Can I take new car for long drive?

AAA While we’d recommend completing your first service and oil change before taking your new car for a long drive, there is nothing set in stone to say that you shouldn’t, as modern cars are fairly reliable. However, you still need to exercise some caution.