What SAFETY suggestions do you have for a woman driving cross-country alone?

I driven from Georgia to California and back many times by myself. I would suggest you only stop at well lit, busy gas stations when possible. If you must stop at a gas station that isn't busy (at night, for example) then park as close as possible to the station and make sure you have a clear view of the attendant.

When you're driving through towns where you'll be stopping at lights or intersections, make sure your doors are locked. Avoid rest stops at night; that's when they are filled with nothing but truckers, who are mostly kind and friendly but better not to take chances. Do NOT stop to sleep at a rest station, even during the day! If you get pulled over, continue to a well-lit area, just put on your hazards so they know you saw them. Don't be embarrassed to call the police to confirm the person is actually an officer before rolling down your window (some states allow unmarked cars to pull you over, but this makes me nervous).

Above all, when you're alone there is no one to talk to and keep you up, so make frequent stops if you're wearing down and by all means, get a room if you get too tired. It's really easy to get into a kind of highway hypnosis on a long trip like that. I also always take a cooler with sandwiches and snacks since the trip takes 2-3 days to cut down on unnecessary stops. Just use common sense!

Oh, and get your car checked thoroughly before you go! Breaking down in the middle of nowhere is no fun, especially when you're in another state and alone. If something does happen to your car pull over and call your insurance company or roadside assistance company. Don't trust a stranger to take you down the road (you never know!) Make sure you're not getting close to needing an oil change since it's thousands of miles from one side to the other.

I've driven across the county a few times, and driving alone or not, here's some ideas:

-fill up your gas tank when its about 1/2 full...not empty, that way you dont risk running out of gas

-try to get gas when its light our or in populated areas so you are not alone late at night

-have a cell phone with you and keep it charged

-bring a GPS or really good directions - know where you are going

-let your family and friends know your plans so in case anything happens, they know where you were supposed to be

-stop and get a hotel at night instead of driving too late so you dont fall asleep

-if you are driving in the winter, bring a blanket, hat / gloves, warm clothes, etc so that if you break down...you have some warmth!

-make sure your spare tire is filled with air and ready to go just in case (i broke down once and my spare tire was flat!)

take someone with u. no exceptions.

Self defense..or gunm kbnow how to fix your car in times of trouble and have a spare tire

I would suggest you pack a safety / first aid kit for the car. Make sure you have gloves, a hat, etc. if you are traveling through cold areas of the country. Don't pick up anyone you don't know and don;t tell people you are traveling alone.

Good luck!

bring a huge automatic machine gun so if anyone tries to mess wit u just show em who's in charge!

bring a phone with the police or a mate who has a phone theyu listen to on speed dial, all you have to do is call if you are in trouble, if you have to hang up they know you are not ok and to send for help.

Also, bring plenty of new music so you dont get bored!

well it would be best if you took someone with you cause noone should go cross country alone and if you cant bring some sort of defense like a tazer or pepper spray and make sure you know how to fix you car and you have all the necessary things in your car like a blanket water flashlight flares a CELL PHONE! and call someone every couple hours so they know where you are

Cell phone and battery charger
Have the car checked thoroughly by a trusted mechanic
Take a couple of credit cards and some cash
Join AAA or some other roadside service provider
Get a good car emergency kit

Definately have a charged cell phone with you at all times. Also, I would purchase some pepper spray and carry it with you on your keychain when outdoors. Stop and use the bathroom at places that are busy and well-lit. Also, make sure to get gas frequently. You don't want to wait until almost empty and the next gas station is miles and miles away. Stay at decent motels/hotels and use good judgement. Make sure you have a spare tire with you and know how to change it if you should get a flat! Good luck!

Just wanted to tell you to be careful. Definatly take a cell phone and make sure your car is in good condition. Get some mace and keep in in your purse. I wish you luck.

fill up on gas during the day, and stop at a real hotel or motel at night, not a truck stop. call someone every time you stay overnight and when you leave, so that someone has an idea where you are and when you should be reaching the next stop. make sure your cell is charged at all times and get a bluetooth headset so you dont have to worry about reaching for your phone. do not tell cashiers or waiters that you are traveling alone. look up the number to call for unmarked cop cars (its 711 or something like that) if someone tries to pull you over in an under-populated area.

Get a gun, and shoot someone if they mess with you.

take a cell phone.....stay on the main roads ..and when using a motel try to get one while still in daylight..and make it a chain place not a mom and pop joint...also call someone each evening and tell them exactly where you are

Take your cell phone, make sure someone knows what route you will be taking and keep checking in with that person (s) to update where you are, keep water and blankets in the car, check out getting Triple A or some type of roadside assistance, be alert at rest areas and gas stations (look under your car when coming out, do not park by a van, etc), do NOT carry a ton of cash, and I personally always take my 357 as my riding partner when traveling alone ;)

Good Luck and drive safe!

Trust no one and stop between 1/4 to half a tank on fuel......never when on empty. vehicle first aid kit includes a personal first aid kit and always is recomended. have a cell phone and keep in touch with someone who knows of your trip every hour or to what fits your comfort zone. Personal protection is a must. You can chose from deterents to deadly weapons. I am also a true believer in safety comes numbers. Good luck!

Some good suggestions, here are another few:

If you don't belong to an auto club (such as AAA), join one, so if you do have problems, you have a safe number to call.

Have a distress signal set up with someone at home, so if they call and you say the signal, they know you are in trouble.

Don't flash a lot of cash. Use a prepaid debit card with enough money for gas to make your journey; have the rest hidden in different places so if your purse is stolen you still have enough to survive.

Keep a basic survival kit in the car - in winter include a candle and matches, wool socks, hat, gloves, scarf. Have enough food and water for 3 days.

Keep antifreeze, oil, windshield washer, and a can of fix a flat handy so that you can get to a safe area.

If you are pulled over by a car with lights/siren, don't pull by the side of a deserted road. Put on your flashers and drive to a populated, lit area.

If you have a dog, bring it along.

Pay attention to those around you - especially if they show up in more than one place; they might be following you.

If possible, plan out your reservations for hotels ahead of time and inquire about their safety measures. Try not to get a ground floor room next to the parking lot. Keep a small overnight bag with essentials in the car so when you stop you aren't fooling around in the trunk in the dark.

Make sure you have your keys in hand before going outside to your car. Have a panic alarm for loud noises on your keyring. If you carry Mace, don't leave it at the bottom of your bag - a rapist isn't going to wait for you to dig it out.

Lock your car everytime you leave it.

1) Don't go to rest stops!!! If you have to go, make sure you stop at a well lit gas station.
2) Don't pull over to look at a map or pull off in a dark/vacant parking lot. Again, do this in a well lit area (where there are people).
3) Keep mace/pepper spray, rent a GPS (if you don't have one), and keep a phone with you.
4) Keep your money, credit cards and cell phone in your pocket. Only carry your purse as a decoy so (God forbid) if you were to be mugged (again, God forbid), they won't get what's important.
5) Always keep your doors locked (there have been cases of people getting held up at stop lights and thrown out of their cars).
6) Don't ask a random person walking for directions, pull off to a store/resturaun/gas station for directions.
7) Avoid "short-cuts" and stick to main roads (especially in unknown or suspicious looking areas).
8) Keep water, blankets, snacks handy for those "just in case" moments
9) Be aware of your surroundings. Especially when you get that "feeling", go with that feeling. Lock your car when you turn your back (even to pump gas). Also, be careful when parking near vans and what not. If you feel uneasy about walking to your car alone, you can ask for a security escort. It's better to be safe than sorry, so don't be afraid.

---> Stay safe and have fun on your journey!

9MM in the glove box

Fear Society... what exactly do you think would happen out there that wouldn't happen at home? I dunno... during the 23 times I have been cross country I have had no problems at all.. guy or not. Only times I have had problems with other people is home. Common sense, .. the same common sense that keeps you out of trouble at home. Gas is everywhere. This is not Jack Kerouac's America anymore. My first trip across in 1989.. yeah there were some stretches of no gass or food... but now.. every town has what you need. In addition you'll find people are pretty chill between the coasts and helpful an friendly. My motto is if you want safe, stay in bed. Otherwise go live life. Remember, it may not be your home, bit it is someones.. I think you'll find we tend to share the same values and looking out for one another. It's a great country, enjoy the view.

It's a Federal Offense to bring a firearm over state lines with out declaring it at each state you cross into!

OK so you have a cell phone and some creepy man is attacking your car jumping on the hood and threatening you.. so you call your speed dial number? what the heck is that???.. "hi mom.. some 300 pound man is jumping on my hood and smashing my windshield?"

In my humble opinion there seems to be a lot of fear of non-existent threats. 300 million people in this country documented citizens... She is not driving across Ambar Provence folks! Remeber life liberty and the pursuit of happiness ? Uhg... this stuff drives me nuts.

If you are staying on the interstates you're good.. There will be no problem at all. HEck even if you are on state highways you're ok. There are some stretches in Nevada, Montana Colorado, Wyoming and the South West... but most cars run atleast 300 miles on a tank.. there is no 300 mile stretch out there anymore with out gas except maybe in the dead of the night. I repeat.. maybe....I have my doubts about that too and I have been in the most remote places in the lower 48 as well as the Alcan and way up in Ontario.

Oh and the rest area fear thing... in one respect yes, as a woman alone don't stay in an empty rest area... but if there are other people present its all good. Truckers can be your best friend out there BTW. You are in their place of work when out on the road. I think you'll find most are ok guys, if not a bit quiet.

STOP WATCHING SO MANY HORROR MOVIES! REAL LIFE FOLKS... YES there are horrible stories out there, but statistically speaking you have a better chance of falling in the shower and cracking your skull open. Once again common sense goes a long way... Often when some horrible crime, happens, it was people being stupid... ask a VET

One more time.. common sense...

Carry a cross, garlic and a Bible

Your question is rather brief for any solid and specific answer---so I can only assume that you are very young, below 25 yrs old and have not had much experience in traveling or driving alone.

Firstly, I must stress(and here is your power of belief) that it is never a wise decision to travel alone, whether in your own country or abroad. I say this, in all sincerity and conviction, that over the past decades, there have been far too many lone travelers, esp females, who have got into too many troubles and dangers that such a trip which have the potential of regrets, may not really be worth it. May I then, for your well-being and safety, try to discourage you from such a one-lady venture???

Secondly, there is a saying and in fact a real-life truth(not myth anymore) that "There Is No Place Safe On Earth" --- it is sad esp for some of us who seek for a Shangrila or a Haven for ages, and it gets worse and worse, and the dream becomes more and more far-fetched. My sincere advice is:: travel with at least one partner who can drive, and also posseses several useful skills for unexpected situations. Better still, go with two or three cars---there is a comfort, joy and ensured safety in numbers.

Thirdly, should you stick to your original intention, ensure your journey doesn't lead through 'wilderness' and the towns/cities you pass through are not far apart. I would consider the following preparations and items as essentials to bring along::

1...Panadol tablets, first aid plaster/bandages of various
sizes
2...2 blankets or large thick towels, several plastic bags without holes and with
handles, 1 moderately-sized plastic pail
3...One half to one-metre long solid stick/cane, of at least
one and half inch diameter---for self-defence purpose
only
4...A good set of tools ---spanners, screw-drivers, pliers, a mini-saw that cuts metal, etc. A heavy hammer to break windows in case car doors and windows jammed, in a crash or under-water
5... 2 LED torch-lights within easy reach.
6... Bring along large scale maps.
7... 2 small tubes of super-glue, 1 tube of rubber glue, 1 tube of 2-in-1 strong glue, good for metal, plastics.
8...2 hand-phones and a charger, because you never know so many things can happen to delicate gadgets. Trust me.
9...Ensure your car is in tip-top condition, all-round, including
new spark-plugs, good tires and pressure-testing of radiator.

Hope these help a bit, and wish you well, fun, safety and pleasant memories during your trip!!!