Quick answer: on a long drive, coffee can help you feel a little more alert for a short while, but it can't fix tiredness. Plan a break at least every two hours, stop whenever you feel sleepy, and nap if you need to. Use coffee alongside proper rest, not instead of it.
Tired driving is a real risk
In the US, NHTSA counted 91,000 police-reported crashes involving drowsy drivers in 2017, with an estimated 50,000 people injured and nearly 800 deaths. New Zealand's transport agency, NZTA Waka Kotahi, is blunt about it: once fatigue takes hold, no amount of willpower will keep you awake. The only answer is sleep.
Know the warning signs
- Yawning, heavy eyes or long blinks
- Drifting within your lane or onto the edge of the road
- Missing a sign, a turn or the last few kilometres
- Slower reactions or trouble concentrating
If you notice any of these, pull over somewhere safe as soon as you can.
Plan the drive, not just the coffee
- Start rested. A good night's sleep before a long drive matters more than anything you pack.
- Break at least every two hours. NZTA recommends scheduling a break at least every two hours, and whenever you start to feel sleepy. Get out, walk around and get some fresh air.
- Nap if you need to. NZTA suggests keeping naps under about 40 minutes to avoid grogginess. Many drivers find 15–20 minutes is enough, then a short walk before they set off.
- Share the driving if you can, and avoid driving at times you'd normally be asleep.
- Eat light. Big, heavy meals can make you drowsy.
Where coffee fits
NHTSA notes that coffee and energy drinks might help you feel more alert, but the effect is short-lived. If you start to feel sleepy, its advice is to have a coffee and pull over for a short nap in a safe place, so the caffeine starts working as you wake.
That's where a tin of coffee chews in the glovebox is handy:
- No hot cup in the car. Nothing to spill, balance or find a cup holder for.
- No detour. No need to find an open café on a quiet highway at night.
- Small top-ups. Each chew is a sip-sized amount of real coffee, so you can have a little at a break rather than a big cup.
- Easy to stop on time. If you'll be sleeping after you arrive, stop caffeine several hours beforehand.
Approximate caffeine per tin of about 25 chews: 50 mg for Choco Mocha, Caramel Macchiato and Hazelnut Latte; 70 mg for Flat White and Iced Mint Coffee; 140 mg for Double Espresso. Browse the Coffee Chews range or start with the Tasting Set.
Please don't eat while you're actually driving. Have your chews at a break, or when someone else is behind the wheel.
Long drive FAQ
Can coffee keep me awake while driving?
Only for a short time, and not once real fatigue sets in. Coffee is a helper during planned breaks, not a substitute for sleep. If you're drowsy, stop and rest.
How often should I stop on a long drive?
NZTA recommends a break at least every two hours, and whenever you feel sleepy.
How long should a nap be?
Short. NZTA suggests under about 40 minutes. Many people find 15–20 minutes, followed by a short walk, works well.
Who shouldn't have coffee chews?
Littos Coffee Chews contain caffeine and are not recommended for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or people sensitive to caffeine. They contain milk, and the xylitol in them is toxic to dogs, so keep tins away from pets on road trips. If you have a health condition or take medication, check with a health professional first.
This article is general information, not medical or road-safety advice. Always follow local road rules. Sources: NHTSA: Drowsy Driving; NZTA Waka Kotahi: Fatigue factsheet; Sleep Health Foundation: Drowsy Driving.