Plan your rest stops

Plan your breaks to avoid fatigue on long journeys

Watch out for fatigue when driving. Take a break if you experience any of these: headaches, tired eyes or fuzzy vision, drifting attention, drowsiness or yawning, delayed reaction times or the car wandering across the road.

  • Regular breaks

    Plan to stop for 15 minutes every two hours. Get out and stretch your legs. Official rest areas are ideal.

  • Share driving

    If possible, take turns driving even if it’s only for a short time. Also chat to the driver to keep him/her alert.

  • Time limits

    Don’t drive for more than 10-12 hours a day and don’t drive when you should be sleeping.

  • Sleep well

    The most effective way to avoid fatigue is to regularly get 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep.

  • Power nap

    Take a 15-minute power nap if you feel you’re becoming drowsy.

Rest areas

Plan your breaks in Victoria using VicRoads interactive map. The rest area map lets you enter your route, and plan your journey. Use the map to find rest areas for cars or trucks, freeway service centres and weighbridges on major roads in Victoria. You can also find the nearest rest area which is handy when you are on the road and start feeling fatigued.

Rest areas are always available for drivers to stop and take a break. Driver Reviver sites operate throughout the year during major public holiday long weekends.

Trucks and heavy vehicles need to use rest areas for short and long breaks, and to check their loads are restrained properly. This is required for heavy vehicle drivers under fatigue management laws. Always be courteous and ensure you leave marked truck parking or long bays clear for those who need them such as vehicles that are towing, and other heavy vehicles. Plan your trip before you leave to avoid stopping in designated truck parking areas wherever possible.

Overnight camping in rest areas is prohibited in many states and territories, while others impose time limits. Check signs at the area, and if in doubt, check with the authority responsible for the area.

For information about rest areas interstate, use the links below.

For those that prefer to download map files to add to your GPS or navigation device, we have a number of links below.

Before setting off on your journey: