Preventing drowsiness before a trip Get adequate sleep – adults need 8 to 9 hours to maintain alertness Prepare route carefully to identify total distance, stopping points and other logistic considerations Schedule trips for the hours you are normally awake, not the middle of the night Drive with a passenger Avoid medications that cause drowsiness Consult your physician if you suffer from daytime sleepiness, have difficulty sleeping at night or take frequent naps Incorporate exercise into your daily life to give you more energy