Leg Pain From Driving Too Long: Reasons and Relief

Road trips are usually fun endeavors. When you go on a long drive, you can visit faraway places and meet new people. But sitting in the driver’s seat for several hours straight can strain your legs, especially if you drive stick in heavy traffic. You might develop leg pain from driving nonstop, which can interrupt your traveling plans or cut your trip short.

Knowing the potential causes of leg cramps while driving helps you avoid trouble down the road in the future. Read on to learn how to relieve leg pain from driving, which can help you continue your road trip quickly.

What Causes Leg Pain From Driving Too Long?

While driving for long periods can lead to various health issues, leg pain is the problem that comes up most frequently. One or both of your legs can grow tired and begin to hurt. In many cases, the exhausted muscles might cramp, causing even more pain.

There are other factors that can increase the risk of leg cramps while driving over long distances or for extended durations. They are the following:

Driving with Something in a Back Pocket

Many people keep their wallets in one of the back pockets of their pants. Others put their smartphones there. While the back pockets are a convenient and relatively secure place for storing valuable items, they can cause leg cramps if you keep something in them while you drive. Wallets also have a tendency of bloating from holding more and more things like credit cards and receipts.

Avoid driving with a wallet or another object in one of the back pockets of your pants. You can move the item to a side pocket or a small bag. If you need something to hold valuable things like an ID and credit cards, there are slimmer alternatives to wallets that you can choose from.

Improperly Adjusted Driver’s Seat

Few things can ruin sitting posture in the same way that a poorly positioned driver’s seat can. If it sits too far back, you might find your feet straining to reach the pedals. Conversely, a seat that all but shoves you into the steering wheel leaves you with insufficient room to move your arms and legs comfortably.

Reposition the driver’s seat based on your body. Calibrate it until you can reach the steering wheel and foot pedals while also leaving yourself enough space.

Improperly Adjusted Backrest

Even if the driver’s seat is in the right place, you can still experience leg pain from driving if you’ve left the backrest in the wrong position. A backrest that leans too far forward or backward will put you in a bad sitting posture, making it more likely for you to develop leg cramps while driving for long periods.

Resist the urge to adjust the backrest to give you the most comfort while driving your car. Instead, set it upright or in a minimally inclined position that supports a good sitting posture.

How To Relieve Leg Pain From Driving For Long Periods

Sit Properly

Your parents and teachers were right when they told you to sit properly. Good sitting posture goes a long way in preventing leg pain while driving for long periods. When you sit straight, you align your spine and take pressure off your back and legs.

Sit tall and keep your back straight. Push your shoulders back and maintain core engagement by bracing and tightening your abdominal muscles and the muscles that support your spine.

Are you finding it challenging to keep a good sitting posture for long periods? Roll up a towel and put it behind your lower back. If you have the budget, get a lumbar support pillow that works even better to support your back and take pressure off your spine.

Adjust the Driver’s Seat For Maximum Support

As covered earlier, a properly calibrated driver’s seat goes a long way in preventing leg pain from driving too long. The backrest must support your back and thighs while the rest of the seat keeps your knees slightly bent and puts your feet near the pedals.

Cushions and Lumbar Support

Some car seats aren’t comfy to begin with. Others have grown more uncomfortable, but you might not have the time or budget to replace them.

Instead of getting a new car seat, you can use a cushion or lumbar support to make the existing driver’s seat more comfortable. Either option removes pressure on your legs and back, making them less likely to experience leg pain from driving.

Regular Break Times

Take a short break every one or two hours. Park your car somewhere safe and step outside to stretch your legs. If you can’t exit your vehicle, make as much room inside the cabin as possible before working your limbs to loosen and relax your muscles.

Sitting in your car for too long might reduce blood flow in your lower legs. Restricted blood flow can lead to flexion, a force that compresses your spine and contributes to leg pain and cramps. 

The best way to deal with flexion is to get up, walk around, and stretch your spine. Modest physical activity will increase blood flow through your lower extremities and release the compressive force building up in the spinal area. It also makes you more flexible and reduces the risk of pain in your back or hips from sitting still for too long.

Stretching Exercises

Before you go on your road trip, do stretching exercises to loosen your muscles. Limber up again whenever you can during the drive. And when you arrive at your destination, relax your tired limbs with more stretches.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

Don a pair of shoes that comfortably fit your feet and support your weight. They mustn’t get in the way of operating the foot pedals.

Stay clear of high heels and shoes with slender toe boxes. These footwear apply increased pressure on your feet and legs.

Good Hydration

Keep plenty of water at hand and drink regularly. Dehydrated muscles are more vulnerable to cramps, so ample hydration can help prevent cramping.

Of course, you might have to stop more often to take a bathroom break. But you can use these stops to stretch your legs, which will also help prevent leg cramps.

Medical Help

Do your legs keep hurting whenever you drive, even after you’ve taken the appropriate steps? Consult a doctor who can identify any injuries or medical conditions that cause persistent leg pain while driving your car.

Long trips don’t always have to end with cramped and painful legs. If you take the right precautions, you can avoid leg pain from driving too long.