What do you do to stay awake on the drive home?

[pasta4lnch]

Inspired by the "what do you listen to after a gig" thread I thought this might be a good one to do . . .

A buddy recently gave me a great tip to stay awake on a ride home in the middle of the night after a gig: Call you wireless provider to see if you have the best plan - said it kept him alive a few times AND saved him tons on his bill

Anyone else have any good tips on keeping awakedness?

 

[Lo-E]

Black coffee, roll the windows down and play the radio loud.

Might not be the best method, but it works for me, and it's a lot cheaper than bennies!

 

[DRafalske]

Rockstar Energy Drinks.

And I don't drink while I'm playing.

 

[devilock76]

I don't drink alcohol so by the end of the night I am loaded with caffeine from soda and coffee already. Usually it is trying to figure out how to fall asleep once I am home and everything is unloaded.

Ken

 

[rtslinger]

I usually ride home with my two roadies so mostly we laugh about stuff, sing songs and change the words stuff like that. Got pulled over one time because we were laughing so much I guess the cop thought we were drunk or stoned but, we were neither just having a good time

 

[theophilus762]

call friends and listen to sermons

 

[Waffles and Scotch]

Nothing. I have my girlfriend drive.

 

[wideload]

Amphetamines. Actually, I can seldom wind down before 4 AM after a show.

 

[Fretless1!]

Diet Mt. Dew.

 

[Goatee220]

I played in a band that did a lot of gigs that were about an hour from where I live. For the ride home I'd grab a snack and a caffeinated beverage, and put on some sports talk radio, and try to call in. (Thank God for bluetooth) It's usually easier to get through at that hour and if you know what you're talking about, they keep you on for longer. Makes the drive fly by.

 

[MegaSwing]

I find that if I'm REALLY tired behind the wheel, singing loudly and with gusto will keep me awake better than anything. Pick a favorite song, and just wail away.

Smoking a good, potent cigar has also done the trick.

PS,
Studies show that listening to music on the radio and/or rolling down the windows are the last things you want to do when you want to stay awake while driving. The key is to stave off boredom.

 

[Texan]

Whataburger Taquitos and a large Dr. Pepper with no ice OR an Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich from Jack in the Box and Dr. Pepper with no ice...mmm, I'm hungry now...

 

[strappa]

My wife drives us home
Which keeps me wide awake!

 

[jumbodbassman]

sugar... anykind. better than caffeine as the latter will keep me up all night..

 

[funkometer]

No cruise control, no pee stops. Does the trick for me!

 

[kesslari]

Back when I lived in L.A. and did a lot of gigs an hour from home, I found that the local CBS news station did a 2 am hourlong broadcast of classic radio dramas. Tons of great stuff - The Lone Ranger, The Shadow, The Jack Benny Show, Sgt. Preston (and his wonder dog Yukon King) and more. Hokey, interesting, sometimes exciting, sometimes funny, and they were great for keeping me awake.

 

[No Malarky]

I usually just spin a fattie and have the Jeeves crack the windows a bit.

 

[MatticusMania]

Road head.


Seriously, though, Im usually too full of energy after playing to fall asleep driving home.
Im often more tired after 8 hours of the dayjob, driving home at 5pm. If I get tired I'll make a phonecall, talking to someone, anyone, does the trick.

 

[JimK]

When I have a girlfriend riding along...she keeps me up.

Riding solo? 2ea of those Starbuck Doubleshots (6 oz. can) work for me.

 

[QweziRider]

I'm wired for three hours after a show, so local shows are not an issue for getting home. If it's a gig more than three hours away, 5 hour energy drink, 24 oz. coffee loaded with sugar, some kind of sugary food, and a.m. talk radio do the trick.