Long car rides can get very boring and exhausting quickly. The destination in mind is exciting, but the heat (or cold depending on the season) and the traffic can be quite a downer. Over the years filled with long car rides, I've found more and more ways to stay awake and have fun.

Music

Music is almost always a good way to keep yourself up. Turn on the rocking tunes and sing out loud. I often blare my music and rock out, singing at the top of my lungs because no one will ever hear me as I fail at hitting certain notes. If you are in a car with a bunch of different people, try a round table music session. Everyone gets to pick a song in rotation, adding many different genres and interest into the mix. This makes it so everyone has a say, and no one feels left out.

Pit-Stops

Take a break here and there. Getting out of the car to go pee is enough to wake your body and mind up. Going on a long trip? Plan a few stops along the way to sightsee or get some food. Breaking up the time you are on the road will help the trip be less exhausting and reducing stiffness and cramping.

Stories

Telling funny stories to each other really gets people attentive and makes the time fly by. No longer are you focused on the lengthy trip, but the laughs you are having along the way

Games

There are so many games that can be played while on the road. Any ABC game can be fun. Whether it is naming something you see, or finding a word that starts with the letter, these types of games get you looking around you. License plate games are also fun in a busy area. When I was little we saw a plate from the UK right here in Maine.

Keeping awake in the car is beneficial, especially when driving, so spice it up a little and enjoy the car ride just as much as the destination.