Aside from having the Christmas blues - (I really just am not feeling Christmas this year and its one of my favorite holidays :/ )

Tomorrow morning I am taking my boyfriend to the airport. I am a VERY nervous driver to where I have had panic attacks on the way home from work just thinking about driving on the interstate.

I've never driven on the interstate let alone to an airport. I am incredibly nervous on top of being emotional. Today we did do a little driving practice by practicing on the interstate a little bit today before I had to work.

What are some tips you could give to a nervous driver like myself? I don't have insurance on my car either ._____. I can't afford it.

- Driving anxiety... a good old friend of mine. -_- Except, mine is caused by the amount of traffic where I live.

Interstates are not bad at all... if you're in a rural area. In a crowded city, well, that is tough.

1. Leave very early.
2. Look up your route ahead of time.
3. Use a GPS on your phone if possible. On this note, have your phone fully charged before you leave.
4. Ignore tailgaters. Keep on going the same speed you're going, and they'll pass you when they get the chance.
5. Keep a safe distance. Beware, people WILL cut in front of you, so do your best to analyze the behavior of a driver.
6. Stay in the middle or left lane. You don't want to be in the lane where there's always interstate entrances and merge lanes.
7. Start attempting to get over to the right lane when you're 3 miles away from your exit. This will give you enough time to move over, even in dense traffic.
8. Depending on the density of the traffic, you may have to force yourself into lanes. Again, read the way people drive. A lot of people won't stop to let you in the lane, but some will slow down so you can enter. A lot of times, they won't give you much space to move over, but you'll have enough.
9. Listen to music! (This is the most helpful thing for me.) If you're easily distracted by music, put it at a low level. If not, raise the volume to a comfortable level!
10. Ensure you have enough gas before you enter the interstate. Also, make sure your tire pressure is not low.
11. If there's an accident on the interstate, traffic will be slowed down the majority of the time because people like to gawk at accident scenes. So, you just have to be patient.
12. If it's raining, keep extra distance in front of you. Again, beware of people cutting in front.
13. STAY CALM, no matter how much a driver upsets you or how bad the traffic is. Take deep breaths.
14. Stay around the speed limit. Going too slow is dangerous on the highway, unless it's raining or if traffic is heavy.

I go on a major interstate nearly everyday in a major city. I DESPISE it, but it's a necessity for me. Despite this, I drive very well in interstates, using the tips I gave you. If you're lucky and don't have a lot of traffic, then it'll be a breeze!

Ditto to [B]everything[/B] said.

Don't worry what other drivers might think of you for following the speed limit, not weaving, etc. I had to learn that cause I would always feel bad /guilty if someone had to pass me because they were speeding behind me and wanted me to go faster.

One of my main things was feeling boxed in when semis would drive past. If that bothers you as well, steer clear from them if you can. I despise big rigs. A few months ago I had to drive 4 hours in the car alone to a place I'd never been before. I even got lost and had to turn around. It was miserable and emotional but I made it! You can too! The drive home will be a piece of cake because you'll be proud of yourself for doing it. ❤

My therapist recommended talking to someone on the phone to help keep you calm (if you feel comfortable doing that). I would only do it though if you had hands free/bluetooth in your car. Otherwise, disregard cause you'll want both hands on the wheel.

If you don't mind saying, which airport/city? Safe driving! Stay positive and calm! Take your time and keep your eyes on the road, you'll do great!

Thanks so much for the comments <3 The drive was yesterday morning and it was beyond super stressful. I ended up getting lost several times to the point where I broke down and called the non-emergency police in tears lol. I have to drive TO the airport in a little over a week to pick him up >w< which alone makes me nervous. I'm hoping one of my roommates will have the ability to go with me this time.

And it was the Cincinnati Airpot./ CVG

- Yay, you did it! What matters is that you didn't give up. You had to get some help, but you made it all the way!

If you can get a roommate to go with you, that would be really helpful.

You made it! So proud! :)

Hopefully the drive back to the airport will be easier and you'll feel more confident since you've been there before. That would be great if your roommate could go!

I have to pick up my sister from the ATL airport next week and I'm a little nervous because of the holiday traffic. But I feel OK because I've been to the airport many times and have driven there alone once so my anxiety is very small. I've never been to Cincinnati but I hope the traffic there is better than Atlanta! haha

I loathe the Atlanta airport x.x That was one of my layovers when I flew to Switzerland in 2013. Omg its huge.

One thing I always forget: there are people in the other cars, they see you, they are trying to avoid hitting you, hahahaha.

I feel like I get so tense and think every car is gonna potentially smash into me when they're turning or merging or something, hahahahha.

Another thing; if you miss a turn, its okay!!! Follow road signs to get back on or let your gps recalculate. You'll be okay.

Oh man, driving anxiety is the WORST. It can be awful, especially on high-speed roads. I couldn't go on any road where the speed limit was over 50 miles an hour for the first 2 years I was driving, and I only got used to it when I moved to another town for school and would drive back and forth to my hometown a couple weekends a month. I still can hardly drive on icy roads without having an anxiety attack as soon as I step out of my car :(

A lot of the tips already given here are awesome! My best advice is to have someone with you whenever possible when you're driving somewhere like an interstate. Someone who you can have a casual chat with would be ideal, so having a roommate or your boyfriend with you to help you practice driving on that road (as much as is comfortable for you-- don't push yourself too much!) would be best! Also practice deep breathing. Like from the stomach breathing, like you're going running or something. I find that helps me maintain focus really well!