Benefits of Driving for Long Periods: Tips for Staying Efficient

As an independent driver for Yango, you’re free to set your hours how you like. So, if you prefer to go with extended driving periods, go for it. Doing so can help you improve income and efficiency, but only if you know how to do it right.

It means driving for more than 6 to 8 hours straight. This covers all the trips in Colombia completed during the period, such as:

• Short in-city trips that add up to long hours.
• Intercity bookings where you only complete one or two for the entire shift.
• Late-night or early-morning trips where fatigue is more likely to set in.

There are a lot of benefits to long trips as a driver. However, it’s also important to understand the associated risks, including overworking yourself and your vehicle.

When done right, driving for long periods to serve passengers in Colombia can be advantageous for you. Here are the biggest perks for drivers:

• Increased income. More hours mean completing more trips. Since you’re on the app longer than the average rider, you’ll also have a better chance of securing lucrative booking requests.
• Possibility of having more free days. Since you’ll be able to hit your income goal sooner, you can choose to take the rest of the week off. This can mean taking a short vacation. A longer recovery time also gives you the chance to come back more refreshed and energized.
• Potential to cater to tourists. Since tourism is growing in Colombia, you can take advantage by partnering with a tour guide. For example, you can lease your vehicle for a fair portion of their earnings for the day. It will be easier to arrange this because the car is available for more days.
• Better fuel efficiency. Fuel efficiency is always better for longer rides between cities or across the country. Since you’re not constantly stopping and going, there’s no extra fuel spent.

By applying proven driver efficiency tips, you’ll be able to get more value out of your time, fuel, and vehicle. Simple practices like aligning your work hours when there’s a high supply of your preferred bookings can help a lot.

The benefits of long trips for drivers can only be realized if they don’t come at the cost of anyone’s safety. So, stay sharp right up to your last trip by managing fatigue and staying alert. Here are a few suggestions to achieve this:

• Use the time between bookings to take a break. A few minutes of stretching and getting a few bites can help keep you energized.
• Do something to keep you busy. We don’t recommend doing something that will take your attention from the road. Instead, try chewing gum or consuming mentholated candy to stay alert and refreshed.
• Listen to music. If you prefer podcasts, that can work too. Use this as a chance to make the ride more comfortable for the passenger and ask them what they prefer to listen to. Just make sure that it’s not so distracting that you become unfocused.

And while the goal is to maximize profitability, you don’t have to push yourself beyond your limits. End your shift early if you need to.

With driver efficiency tips discussed, you’ll be ready to start long drives in Colombia. By staying sharp while on the road, you’ll open more opportunities that may not be available for riders who prefer shorter shifts.

But before you head out and work for long hours, make sure that it’s suited for your specific conditions. Safety is always the number one priority, so only engage in this practice if you’re not taking medication that has drowsiness as a side effect. If you have health conditions, consult your doctor.