Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Driving On The Highway Phobia

Hello, I'm Amber, and I hate driving on the highway. 

I wish I weren't like this. I mean, why can't I just jump in the car and drive wherever I want? Why do I panic? 

I've never been in a car accident. *Knocks on wood* So I don't have trauma from that. I just have always hated driving on the highway. Oh sure I can do it briefly. There are some places where I have to be on the highway to get to. But for long periods of time? No. And if I don't know EXACTLY where I'm going, it won't happen at all. 

Why exactly do I hate being on the highway? I suppose it's the speed of vehicles blasting past me. And then I think, what if I miss my exit? Sometimes it's not as easy as getting off at the next exit and turning around. The thought feels me with absolute dread. 




I take side roads when I can. Yes, it takes longer. But I'm comfortable on side roads. If there's a place I need to be I immediately check Google Maps and turn off the highway button. Sometimes there isn't a way to get to a destination without being on a highway. If this happens I usually won't go to that place. However, sometimes Natalie is invited to a spot where I can't drive to. This is when I ask other parents to help. I hate doing this, but it's the only thing I CAN do. 

I worry how it'll be when I get older. Eventually my husband might have hospital stays. I can't even drive to the hospital that retired military people have to use. What kind of wife can't drive her husband to the hospital? Me, I guess. I can't even drive to the airport because I have to take the highway for too long. For now I am grateful for the people who will drive on the highway and get me to places. My husband. My mom. Friends. 


Maybe one day I'll eventually be able to drive comfortably on the highway. But I doubt it. I know there are others like me out there who hate highway driving as well. To those people: you are not alone and I'll wave to you if I see you on the side roads. 




Do you mind driving on the highway? 

28 comments:

  1. Maybe your husband could go with you and help you while you're driving? I used to dislike it but now I'm ok with it.

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    1. Yes he does most of the driving! But sometimes he has to deploy or work so that's when I have to ask friends or my mom. I hate to do it but there are some places I cannot get to due to being on the highway for too long.

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  2. I am so GLAD you wrote this post. I HATE driving on the highway and I have my Garmin set to only give me instructions off the highway. I think what started was when I moved to the Atlanta area and had never seen 6 lanes of the highway going one way. I have never driven on HWY 75 in that area. And I haven't had an accident either. It's just so crazy and I like to drive camely.

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    1. Same! I'm in San Antonio so the highways can be nuts. People drive like animals. So I just avoid it.

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  3. I understand completely. When I got my license, I used to drive the local routes only. I eventually built up the confidence to go on the highway. Sometimes, I still feel scared.

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  4. It's not highways that bother me, it's tall or long bridges. No thank you. I get clammy hands, start to get tunnel vision, full on start to panic. And it never used to bother me. This super fun phobia just started about 10 years ago.

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  5. I totally understand as it took me a while to get comfortable with this. Now I hate being a passenger in the car on the highway but I distract myself with my cellphone.

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  6. Highways can be so crazy! I don't mind going at a steady pace, but some highways have quick exits where and on ramp is in the same place and that stresses me out!

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  7. I drive the interstate 2-3 times a week. There are days I love it and days that I hate it. It's always about the number of stupid people on the road that day.

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  8. Same!!! If I have to drive anywhere and I know there's a highway involved it's an instant panic attack. I've canceled trips because I've got such anxiety about driving on highways!!!

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  9. Driving on the Highway can be really scary. I understand you. I still get nervous when I drive especially when I'm alone

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  10. I'm the same way! I have bad anxiety about driving most places. If I'm familiar with the place then I'm fine. I don't like not knowing where I'm going or driving on the freeway either. I don't mind the freeway so much as the city driving. I refuse to drive in a huge city.

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  11. We're the same I am also having a hard time driving at highway. Luckily I have my husband with me most of the time.

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  12. I hate driving in general but actually I don't mind highways or faster lanes in general, I hate when I have to go in tiny streets where I don't know if I can pass through. I feel the walls close on me and it's just a lot.

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  13. LOL here in Atlanta they call the perimeter or 285, 6 lanes of suicide because it is so awful! The traffic here is similar but not as bad as the 405 in LA and I have driven both, which each are nightmares in their own ways.

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  14. I've always wanted to learn how to drive. But I'm still scared to do it now especially when alone.

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  15. I don't like to drive too. And I prefer destinations that I already know. New destinations make me panic.

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  16. I am so very glad that this is not an issue for me. I love to drive and am a good defensive driver. My mother in law has issues like this and does not drive because of it. I hope you can overcome your fear....

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  17. Yes I agree with you I too have phobia on driving in highways. I get tensed easily.

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  18. I am the same way! I cannot drive the freeway. I take side roads as well. Even if that means a trip takes twice as long.

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  19. I hate town driving, but high way is I turn out everybody and drive until i get my destination.

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  20. The older I get, the less I like to drive. I haven't needed it yet, but I do take consolation that Lyft is an option if I have to go somewhere that I don't want to drive to.

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  21. I totally feel you, as I too having hard time on the highway! As myself experience accident and lucky to still around!

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  22. I dunnoooo, fear of driving on the highway seems plenty reasonable to me. People are nuts out there!

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  23. People are driving crazy these days, not to mention the road rage.

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  24. I am the same way. I am grateful to work from home now.

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  25. I think I am the only one here who can't drive :( I believe, I'd hate driving on the highway too in the future! And talk about panic mode, I can't cross even simple busy roads! I don't know what I'd do when I'll be 70+ :D

    Everything Enchanting

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  26. Driving on the highway bothers me when there is crazy amounts of traffic or lots of merging going on in a short distance. I have no choice but to drive on the busy roads.

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Thanks for the comment!

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