North Carolina’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn North Carolina, North Carolina Survival Preppers, North Carolina's Worst Roads to DriveLeave a comment

When the storm clouds gather and the ground starts to tremble, your vehicle becomes more than just a mode of transportation—it’s your lifeline. But not all roads are created equal when it comes to survival. In North Carolina, certain routes are particularly treacherous during disaster scenarios, especially when floods, landslides, or infrastructure failures strike. As a seasoned survivalist, I’ve traversed these perilous paths and learned firsthand which roads to avoid when the SHTF.

1. Interstate 40 – Pigeon River Gorge

The Pigeon River Gorge section of I-40, stretching from the Tennessee border to Waynesville, is notorious for its narrow lanes, steep grades, and frequent fog. This area has seen numerous fatal accidents due to limited maneuvering space and challenging weather conditions. In disaster scenarios, such as landslides or flooding, this stretch becomes even more hazardous, with limited escape routes and high traffic congestion. dangerousroads.org+2en.wikipedia.org+2southernliving.com+2

2. U.S. Highway 129 – Tail of the Dragon

The Tail of the Dragon, an 11-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 129 near the Tennessee border, is infamous for its 318 curves. While popular among motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts, this road is perilous during disasters. The tight turns and lack of guardrails make it especially dangerous in adverse conditions, leading to a high rate of accidents. dangerousroads.org

3. Blue Ridge Parkway

While the Blue Ridge Parkway offers breathtaking views, its steep drops, sharp turns, and frequent fog, especially at higher elevations, pose significant risks during disasters. In winter, the road can become icy and treacherous, leading to numerous closures and accidents. The narrow roadways and unpredictable weather make it a challenging route to navigate in emergency situations. dangerousroads.org

4. Cherohala Skyway

Connecting North Carolina with Tennessee, the Cherohala Skyway climbs to elevations over 5,400 feet. The high altitude leads to rapidly changing weather conditions, including fog and icy patches, making it perilous during disasters. The road is long and isolated, with few guardrails and minimal cell service, increasing the difficulty of emergency response. dangerousroads.org+1southernliving.com+1

5. North Carolina Highway 12 – Outer Banks Scenic Byway

Highway 12, running along the Outer Banks, is vulnerable to flooding, especially during nor’easters and hurricanes. Sections of the road have been washed away in severe storms, isolating residents and travelers. The combination of wet pavement, strong storms, and potential washouts makes this route dangerous during disaster scenarios. charlotteinjurylawyersblog.com+1injury.arnoldsmithlaw.com+1

6. Interstate 85

Interstate 85, connecting North Carolina with surrounding states, is heavily trafficked by large commercial trucks. The high volume of vehicles, combined with sections lacking adequate lighting, increases the risk of accidents, particularly during nighttime or adverse weather conditions. In disaster situations, the potential for multi-vehicle pile-ups and delays in emergency response is significant. injury.arnoldsmithlaw.com

7. U.S. Highway 64 – Franklin to Highlands

This stretch of U.S. Highway 64 is known for its narrow lanes and high rate of fatal crashes. The combination of truck traffic and challenging terrain makes it particularly dangerous during disasters. Sections of the highway can become impassable due to landslides or flooding, complicating evacuation and emergency response efforts. charlotteinjurylawyersblog.com

8. Secondary Roads in Eastern Carolina

In the aftermath of winter storms, secondary roads in Eastern Carolina remain hazardous due to ice and snow accumulation. For instance, Highway 102 in Pitt County was covered with a sheet of ice, making it a slippery drive. These backroads are often not maintained promptly, increasing the risk of accidents and delays in emergency services. witn.com

9. Private Roads in Rural Western North Carolina

In rural areas like Yancey County, many private roads remain impassable months after disasters due to lack of maintenance and repair. For example, Green Leaf Road became nearly undrivable after a storm, delaying emergency medical care and isolating residents. The poor condition of these roads can hinder evacuation and emergency response efforts. washingtonpost.com

10. Interstate 95

Interstate 95, a major north-south corridor, is heavily used by commercial trucks and travelers. The high volume of traffic, combined with sections lacking adequate lighting, increases the risk of accidents, particularly during nighttime or adverse weather conditions. In disaster situations, the potential for multi-vehicle pile-ups and delays in emergency response is significant. injury.arnoldsmithlaw.com

15 Survival Driving Skills to Help You Drive Your Way Out of a Disaster Scenario

When disaster strikes, your ability to drive safely and effectively can mean the difference between life and death. Here are 15 survival driving skills every well-prepared individual should master:

1. Situational Awareness

Always be aware of your surroundings. Monitor weather conditions, road signs, and the behavior of other drivers. This awareness allows you to anticipate hazards and make informed decisions.

2. Defensive Driving

Maintain a safe following distance, anticipate potential hazards, and always be prepared to react to the unexpected. This proactive approach reduces the risk of accidents.

3. Off-Road Navigation

In disaster scenarios, paved roads may become impassable. Learning to drive on unpaved surfaces, including mud, gravel, and sand.

4. Vehicle Recovery Techniques

When stuck in mud, sand, or snow, knowing how to recover your vehicle using traction boards, winches, or even sticks and rocks can get you out when help isn’t coming.

5. Fuel Efficiency Driving

In a crisis, fuel is gold. Learn to coast when safe, avoid hard braking or acceleration, and keep RPMs low. These habits stretch every last drop of gas.

6. Night Driving Under Stress

Your headlights won’t show everything. Practice driving without relying on high beams and scan side to side to detect movement. Reducing your speed at night is not a weakness—it’s a survival tactic.

7. Navigating Without GPS

In a grid-down scenario, GPS might be useless. Get comfortable reading paper maps, recognizing topography, and using the sun, stars, or a compass to find your way.

8. Evasive Maneuvering

If civil unrest or ambushes are a threat, learn how to execute controlled skids, J-turns, and evasive lane changes. Knowing how to lose a tail may save your life.

9. Road Hazard Recognition

Learn to identify signs of weakened bridges, downed power lines, sinkholes, and flash flood zones. If the road ahead looks sketchy, assume it is.

10. Engine Troubleshooting Under Pressure

Know how to check fuses, clean battery terminals, patch coolant leaks, and diagnose overheating. Keep tools and spare fluids in your rig.

11. Tire Repair and Maintenance

Know how to plug a puncture, reinflate a tire with a portable compressor, and even drive short distances on a flat without destroying your rim.

12. Load Balancing

Keep your bug-out gear low and centered in your vehicle. A top-heavy SUV handles poorly and may roll in tight turns or over broken ground.

13. Wading Through Water

Water crossings can end your trip—or your life. Know your vehicle’s fording depth. Enter slowly, don’t create a bow wave, and test current strength with a stick before crossing.

14. Camouflaging and Parking for Safety

If you must hide, know how to use natural cover. Avoid parking near treelines where limbs can fall or in valleys where floodwaters collect.

15. Driving in Convoy Formation

If traveling with others, learn spacing, hand signals, and contingency protocols. A tight convoy is a moving target. A loose one falls apart.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

Running out of gas in a disaster zone isn’t just inconvenient—it’s potentially fatal. Here are three field-tested hacks that can keep you going just a little longer:

1. Siphon Gas from Abandoned Vehicles (Legally and Morally Cautiously)

Carry a siphon pump or clear plastic tubing. Insert it deep into a vehicle’s tank (best from the fuel line under the car if they have anti-siphon valves), suck to start the flow, and collect fuel in a jerry can. Always double-check the fuel type—diesel in a gas engine will ruin it.

2. DIY Alcohol/Ethanol Mix Fuel

In extreme emergencies, small amounts of denatured alcohol (like marine stove fuel), rubbing alcohol (90%+), or even high-proof liquor can be mixed with gasoline to extend range. Use no more than 10-15% alcohol per tank and only on older, non-fuel-injected engines. Filter carefully with cloth to remove contaminants.

3. Fuel Vapor Ignition Trick (Advanced Survival Hack)

If completely out of liquid fuel, and you’re driving an older carbureted engine, a tiny amount of gasoline vapor can keep it running at idle or low RPM. This requires jury-rigging a warm metal canister with a fuel-soaked rag that slowly releases vapors into the intake (not for amateurs—fire hazard is extreme). Use only as a last resort and only if you understand the mechanics.

Real-World Lessons from a Well-Traveled Survivalist

I’ve driven from the Yukon to the Yucatán and back, across deserts, through flooded jungles, and along mountain passes that would make your teeth ache. But nothing humbles you like a North Carolina disaster. Roads buckle, bridges vanish, and the humidity itself seems to thicken the fear.

I remember Hurricane Florence—watching floodwaters rise over the Tar River while locals clung to roofs and state troopers rerouted everyone west. I made the mistake of taking Highway 12 the day after. A 30-foot section had vanished overnight. One poor soul had to be chopper-lifted from his vehicle half-buried in sand.

Lesson? Always recon the route—even your exit route. Trusting a road to be there in a disaster is like trusting a candle to burn in the rain.

Keep your rig ready. Not mall-crawler ready—survival ready. Fluids topped off, spare tire aired up, cargo secured. I keep a tire repair kit, a 5-gallon jerry can, and a bug-out bag behind my seat. When the sirens wail or the skies darken, I don’t wonder where my gear is—I’m already moving.

And remember this: The best driving skill isn’t about horsepower or trick moves—it’s judgment. Know when to floor it. Know when to stop. Know when to turn around.

Final Thoughts: The Road Less Traveled May Be Your Only Option

When disaster hits, roads become lifelines—or death traps. North Carolina, with its mountainous western ridges and flood-prone coastal plains, demands respect. The worst roads during calm weather become impassable nightmares under duress. Whether you’re escaping a storm surge or evading civil unrest, your driving skills, preparation, and knowledge of the terrain will determine your fate.

So practice. Prepare. Pray, if that’s your thing. But most of all—drive like your life depends on it. Because someday, it will.

North Dakota’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn North Dakota, North Dakota Survival Prepping, orth Dakota's Worst RoadsLeave a comment

North Dakota’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster: Survival Driving Skills & DIY Hacks

Having logged thousands of miles in some of the most unforgiving terrains on the planet—from the slick mountain passes of the Rockies to the endless sand dunes of the Sahara—I’ve learned that no matter where you are, the roads you travel can make or break your chances in a disaster scenario. North Dakota, with its sprawling plains and unpredictable weather, offers a unique challenge that many overlook until they’re caught in the thick of it.

When disaster strikes—whether it’s a blizzard, flash flood, or wildfire—some roads become downright deadly. The sparse population and vast stretches of rural landscape in North Dakota can quickly turn familiar routes into traps. This is a survival guide for those who find themselves behind the wheel on North Dakota’s worst roads during a crisis, and it’s peppered with practical survival driving skills and hacks you can rely on when you’re running on empty—literally.

North Dakota’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

1. Highway 85 through the Badlands
This stretch cuts through rough, eroded terrain with narrow lanes and sharp turns. In a disaster, it’s a nightmare—rockslides, sudden flooding, and poor cell reception make it a last-resort route.

2. County Road 6 near Devils Lake
Prone to flooding and ice during winter storms, this road can vanish under water or ice in hours. It’s a trap for the unwary and easy to get stuck on.

3. US-2 between Minot and Grand Forks
This main artery often faces winter whiteouts and heavy ice. The long stretches without rest stops or safe pull-offs make it dangerous during disasters.

4. ND-22 near the Missouri River
The proximity to the river means flood risks are high, and the road can get cut off quickly. Mud and debris wash onto the pavement during storms, hiding potholes and sinkholes.

5. ND-50 in the southwestern counties
This rural route is lightly maintained and often dotted with deep ruts and washouts after heavy rains or snowmelt.

Survival Driving Skills for North Dakota’s Worst Roads

I’ve distilled my experience into 15 survival driving skills that can help you navigate these treacherous paths safely.

1. Pre-Trip Recon
Always research your route before heading out. Use satellite maps and local weather reports to avoid roads prone to flooding or landslides.

2. Adjust Speed for Conditions
Speed kills, especially on icy or muddy roads. Slow down to maintain control and increase your stopping distance.

3. Use Low Gear on Slopes
On steep hills or slippery descents, use a low gear to control your speed without over-relying on brakes, which can cause skidding.

4. Avoid Sudden Movements
Steer and brake gently. Sudden jerks can cause loss of traction on ice or loose gravel.

5. Understand Traction Zones
Know which tires have the best grip depending on your vehicle type. For 4WD, front tires often steer, so keep them clean and clear of snow or mud.

6. Look for Alternative Routes
If a road looks unsafe, backtrack or take a detour—even if it means driving an extra 30 minutes. It’s better than getting stranded.

7. Maintain Tire Pressure
Underinflated tires are a liability in mud and snow. Check tire pressure frequently, especially before driving on rough roads.

8. Use Sand or Gravel for Traction
Carry a small bag of sand or gravel to pour under tires if you get stuck.

9. Know How to Rock Your Vehicle Free
If stuck in mud or snow, gently rock the vehicle back and forth by shifting between drive and reverse to gain traction.

10. Keep Momentum on Slippery Roads
Don’t stop suddenly on ice or snow. Maintain a steady pace to avoid losing traction.

11. Use Engine Braking on Descents
Let the engine slow the vehicle on downhill stretches instead of brakes to avoid skidding.

12. Keep Headlights and Taillights Clean
Visibility is everything during storms and dust clouds. Clean your lights regularly to be seen and see better.

13. Always Wear a Seatbelt
Simple, but often overlooked in emergency driving. It could save your life if you hit an obstacle.

14. Know How to Handle Hydroplaning
If you hydroplane, don’t slam on brakes. Ease off the accelerator and steer gently into the skid.

15. Communicate Your Location
Use a CB radio, GPS tracker, or satellite messenger to keep someone updated on your route and location.

DIY Survival Driving Hacks for Running Out of Gas

Now, what if disaster hits and you run out of fuel on these unforgiving roads? Here are three DIY survival driving hacks that have saved my skin more than once.

Hack #1: Use a Gravity-Fed Fuel Transfer
If you’re stuck near another vehicle or a fuel container, create a siphon with a clean hose or sturdy tubing. Start a slow flow of gas by sucking gently on the end until fuel begins to move through the tube, then place the hose end in your tank. Gravity will do the rest. Always be careful with fumes and avoid swallowing fuel.

Hack #2: Convert Your Vehicle to Run on Alternative Fuels (Temporary Measures)
Many vehicles can run on a mixture of gasoline and certain alcohol-based fuels (like ethanol or methanol) if gasoline runs out. If you can find small amounts of these alternative fuels at farms or remote stations, mixing them carefully can keep you moving. Research your vehicle’s tolerance ahead of time.

Hack #3: Use a Makeshift Hand-Push Starter
If your battery dies or you have no fuel to start the engine, you can sometimes push-start your vehicle. Get help from others to push the car uphill or on a flat surface, and then quickly engage second gear while releasing the clutch to start the engine. This works best on manual transmissions.

The Final Word

Driving North Dakota’s worst roads during a disaster demands respect, preparation, and calm nerves. The endless skies and wide-open spaces can lull you into a false sense of security—until a blizzard or flash flood changes the landscape overnight.

Survival on these roads means more than just brute driving skill. It’s about knowing the terrain, anticipating nature’s fury, and having the right survival driving skills up your sleeve. You have to be ready to switch gears—literally and figuratively—and keep a survival mindset through every mile.

Remember: If you don’t need to drive, don’t. Sometimes the best survival tactic is to stay put and wait out the storm. But when the road calls, let these tips guide you safely through North Dakota’s wildest roads.

Stay sharp, stay prepared, and above all—keep the rubber on the road.

South Dakota’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn South Dakota, South Dakota Survival Preppers, South Dakota's Worst RoadsLeave a comment

South Dakota’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster: A Survivalist’s Guide to Driving Your Way Out

I’ve spent decades on the road—across continents, through unforgiving terrain, and in every imaginable disaster scenario. Whether navigating flooded highways, treacherous mountain passes, or icy backroads, one truth stands firm: your vehicle can be your lifeline—or your coffin. South Dakota is no exception. Its wide-open prairies hide some dangerous choke points and stretches that become death traps when disaster strikes.

If you ever find yourself needing to bug out or escape a disaster in South Dakota, knowing which roads to avoid—and how to drive like your life depends on it—is crucial. I’ve mapped out some of the worst roads for disaster driving here, along with survival driving skills you need to master, and a few DIY hacks for when you run out of fuel. Buckle up; this is not a ride for the faint of heart.

The Worst Roads in South Dakota to Avoid in Disaster Scenarios

South Dakota’s terrain may look gentle, but disaster turns it into a death zone quickly. These roads are notoriously difficult during floods, ice storms, or structural failures:

  1. Highway 34 through the Badlands
    Narrow, winding, and often exposed to high winds and sudden rockslides, this highway can become a nightmare when disaster strikes. The Badlands are known for unpredictable weather and limited cell service, meaning if you get stuck here, help could be days away.
  2. Interstate 90 near the Missouri River Bridges
    During floods, these bridges can be compromised or closed without warning. Traffic congestion becomes a death trap in disaster evacuations, and the surrounding lowlands flood fast, trapping vehicles.
  3. Highway 79 south of Belle Fourche
    This stretch is exposed prairie with few alternative routes and is prone to heavy snow drifts in winter storms. In a disaster, this road can quickly become impassable, with limited places to pull over safely.
  4. State Route 34 between Huron and Mitchell
    Flood plains dominate this region, making it vulnerable to flash floods. The flat terrain means water pools quickly, and drainage systems can be overwhelmed.
  5. County Roads near the Black Hills National Forest
    Rugged, poorly maintained, and winding through dense forest, these roads are prone to landslides and fallen trees during storms or wildfires.

Survival Driving Skills for Disaster Scenarios in South Dakota

When the stakes are life or death, normal driving techniques won’t cut it. Here are 15 survival driving skills I swear by when navigating disaster zones on South Dakota’s worst roads:

  1. Controlled Skid Recovery
    When ice or mud takes the wheel from you, don’t slam the brakes. Steer into the skid and gently ease off the accelerator until control is regained.
  2. Throttle Modulation
    Smooth throttle application prevents wheel spin on slippery surfaces like ice or loose gravel.
  3. Defensive Scanning
    Constantly scan the horizon and roadside for obstacles, fallen trees, animals, or sudden drops. This also helps you anticipate road collapses or flood zones.
  4. Weight Transfer Management
    Understanding how your vehicle’s weight shifts during turns and braking helps prevent rollovers on narrow roads like Highway 34 through the Badlands.
  5. Emergency Braking Without ABS
    If your vehicle doesn’t have ABS, pump the brakes to avoid skidding. ABS systems behave differently; learn your vehicle’s braking response before disaster hits.
  6. High-Centering Avoidance
    When driving on uneven gravel roads or flood debris, know how to navigate to avoid your vehicle getting stuck high on an obstacle.
  7. Low-Speed Manoeuvring
    Master slow, precise steering to navigate tight, damaged, or obstructed roads.
  8. Hill Start Control
    On steep, icy inclines, use clutch control or the parking brake to prevent rollback.
  9. Use of Engine Braking
    On steep descents, downshift instead of relying solely on brakes to avoid overheating.
  10. Crosswind Stability
    South Dakota’s open plains expose vehicles to fierce crosswinds; keep a firm grip and slight steering correction to maintain lane control.
  11. Night Driving Preparedness
    Disasters often strike without warning; keep your night vision sharp and drive with minimal light pollution—use high beams only when safe.
  12. Water Fording Judgement
    Know the depth and current of floodwaters before crossing. Water above the axle is almost always a no-go.
  13. Tire Pressure Adjustments
    Lowering tire pressure can increase traction on soft surfaces like mud or sand, but be ready to reinflate as soon as possible.
  14. Vehicle Positioning for Escape Routes
    Always park or stop your vehicle so you can drive out quickly in any direction, especially on roads prone to sudden closures or blockages.
  15. Emergency Communication Readiness
    Keep a charged radio or satellite communicator to receive updates on road closures or hazards.

DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

Running out of fuel during a disaster is a nightmare, but being a survivalist means preparing for the worst and improvising solutions. Here are three hacks that can keep you moving—or at least help you escape:

  1. Create a Gravity-Fed Fuel Transfer System
    If you find a fuel source in a nearby container (a damaged vehicle, storage tank, or jerrycan), use a clean hose or even a sturdy, flexible tube to siphon fuel. Gravity-fed siphoning is safer and more effective than mouth suction. Remember: always filter fuel through a clean cloth to avoid clogging your fuel lines.
  2. Use Dry Wood or Charcoal Briquettes to Generate Heat and Signal
    If you can’t move your vehicle, use dry wood or charcoal to create a controlled fire nearby. This can serve multiple purposes: keeping you warm, signaling rescuers, and deterring predators. Don’t leave your vehicle unguarded while you gather materials.
  3. Build a Makeshift Pulley or Tow System
    If your vehicle is stuck and fuel is low, rig a pulley system from sturdy branches or vehicle parts. Use your tow straps, rope, or even seat belts to leverage moving your vehicle to safer ground or toward a known fuel source. This requires some muscle and ingenuity but can save hours waiting for rescue.

Putting It All Together: Preparing for South Dakota’s Roads in Disaster

In my travels, I’ve learned that knowledge combined with preparation is survival’s foundation. South Dakota may seem calm, but when disaster hits, these roads become high-risk zones. Always:

  • Scout your route beforehand.
  • Pack extra fuel, emergency repair kits, and communication devices.
  • Know your vehicle’s limits.
  • Practice the survival driving skills until they become second nature.

When roads narrow or floodwaters rise, your mindset will determine if you’re just another statistic—or the one who makes it through.

Final Thoughts

South Dakota’s rural and sometimes wild landscape tests every driver, but especially in disaster scenarios. Your vehicle is a tool—one that requires skill, respect, and constant readiness. Learn the terrain, anticipate hazards, and never rely solely on modern conveniences like GPS or mobile networks. These will fail when you need them most.

Remember: disaster driving isn’t about speed; it’s about control, patience, and survival instincts honed by experience. If you master these 15 survival driving skills and know the worst roads to avoid, you’ll dramatically increase your chances of bugging out safely.

And if you do run out of gas, those three DIY hacks might just be the difference between staying stranded and making it home.

Stay sharp, stay ready, and drive smart.

New Hampshire’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn New Hampshire, New Hampshire's Worst RoadsLeave a comment

New Hampshire’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster: A Survivalist’s Guide to Driving Out Alive

I’ve been around the globe, traversing jungles, deserts, mountains, and urban jungles alike. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the terrain and road conditions during a disaster dictate your survival chances behind the wheel. New Hampshire, with its rugged landscapes, winding roads, and unpredictable weather, poses unique challenges when disaster strikes.

From flash floods washing out highways to ice-covered mountain passes, the Granite State’s roads can turn from familiar routes to survival trials in moments. When everything’s at stake, your ability to drive smart and resourceful is a life-saving skill. Here’s my rundown on the worst roads to navigate in New Hampshire during a disaster—and how to survive them, including survival driving skills and some off-the-grid hacks to keep you rolling.

The Worst Roads to Drive in New Hampshire During a Disaster

1. Kancamagus Highway (NH-112):
This scenic byway is stunning in good weather but deadly when disaster hits. Narrow, winding, and surrounded by dense forest, this road is prone to landslides, fallen trees, and flash flooding during storms. Snow and ice in winter only add to the peril.

2. Route 302 through Crawford Notch:
A vital corridor through the White Mountains, Route 302 is a rocky, narrow path with steep cliffs. Rockslides, avalanches, and ice can turn this route into a nightmare, cutting off escape routes.

3. Route 16 in the Ossipee Mountains:
Often used as a major north-south artery, this highway gets slick and treacherous with heavy rain or snow. Flooding can easily wash out sections, stranding drivers.

4. Bear Notch Road:
A steep, unpaved, and narrow mountain road often used for hiking access. It’s the kind of place that’s beautiful but unforgiving if you get caught during a disaster—mudslides and falling rocks are common.

5. Mount Washington Auto Road:
Though mostly for tourists, this road is the epitome of danger in bad weather—extreme weather can come fast, and the road has sheer drops with no guardrails in many spots.

Survival Driving Skills to Drive Your Way Out of Disaster

You might think just knowing how to drive is enough. It isn’t. You’ve got to be adaptable, calm, and technically skilled. Here are 15 survival driving skills I rely on:

1. Situational Awareness: Constantly scan the road, weather, and surroundings for hazards like falling rocks, sudden flooding, or stranded vehicles.

2. Controlled Braking: Avoid sudden stops. Use gentle, consistent pressure on brakes to maintain control, especially on slippery roads.

3. Threshold Braking: When emergency stopping, brake just before the wheels lock, maximizing stopping power without losing traction.

4. Off-Road Maneuvering: Know how to safely drive through mud, gravel, or dirt if roads are washed out or blocked.

5. Controlled Skid Recovery: When you lose traction, steer into the skid to regain control rather than overcorrecting.

6. Defensive Driving: Anticipate what other drivers or obstacles might do and plan escape routes.

7. Hill Climbing and Descending: Use low gears to control speed on steep inclines or declines, avoiding brake overheating or loss of control.

8. Tire Pressure Management: Lowering tire pressure slightly can increase traction in mud or snow but be cautious not to go too low.

9. Emergency Lane Usage: Be prepared to use shoulders or off-road areas to bypass blockages.

10. Night Driving in Poor Visibility: Use fog lights and low beams, avoid high beams in fog, and reduce speed.

11. Water Hazard Navigation: Know how to cross shallow floodwaters safely; avoid fast-moving water deeper than six inches.

12. Vehicle Weight Distribution: Understand how cargo placement affects handling, especially on slippery or uneven terrain.

13. Maintaining Momentum: When stuck in mud or snow, avoid spinning tires; gentle, consistent throttle helps keep traction.

14. Manual Transmission Mastery: Knowing how to control your vehicle without relying on automatic transmission aids in tricky spots.

15. Emergency Evacuation Route Planning: Always have alternate routes mapped out and avoid relying on GPS alone, which can fail or reroute dangerously during disasters.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

Getting stranded without fuel is a worst-case scenario. In a disaster, help might be hours or days away. Here’s how to keep moving:

1. Use a DIY Gravity Fuel Feed:
If you have any extra gasoline in a container, you can rig a gravity feed line from the container to your fuel tank filler neck. Elevate the container above your car’s gas tank and use a flexible tube (like a cleaned-out garden hose). Open the fuel cap, insert the tube, and let gravity slowly feed the fuel into your tank. This is a slow process but can give you enough to limp to safety.

2. Create a Charcoal Briquette Starter for Emergency Heat:
When stuck and cold, keep charcoal briquettes in a small metal container inside your car, along with a small amount of dry kindling. This can be ignited carefully (outside the vehicle, with ventilation) to provide heat or help you start a small fire to melt snow for water, which could indirectly help you survive until rescue.

3. Convert Household Alcohol to Emergency Fuel (With Extreme Caution):
If you’re desperate and have access to high-proof alcohol (like ethanol-based hand sanitizer or spirits), it can be used as a fuel additive or emergency fuel in some vehicles. This requires careful mixing and knowledge of your engine type. Not ideal, but in a pinch, this can keep a vehicle running enough to escape immediate danger.

Additional Survival Tips for Driving New Hampshire’s Disaster-Prone Roads

  • Keep a Comprehensive Survival Kit in Your Vehicle: Include extra fuel, food, water, first aid, flares, a multi-tool, tire repair kit, and a portable air compressor.
  • Use All-Wheel or Four-Wheel Drive if Possible: New Hampshire’s roads during disaster demand the traction these provide.
  • Practice Off-Road Driving: Before disaster hits, get familiar with how your vehicle handles off-road conditions; many escape routes won’t be paved.
  • Learn Basic Vehicle Repairs: Knowing how to change a tire, fix a broken belt, or jump-start your battery can be the difference between life and death.
  • Stay Informed: Use weather radios and disaster apps to stay ahead of road closures or hazards.
  • Travel During Daylight: Visibility is critical; avoid night driving when possible.
  • Drive with a Buddy: If possible, travel with another vehicle for mutual aid.

Final Thoughts

New Hampshire’s natural beauty can quickly turn into a survival gauntlet during disasters. The roads that twist through the White Mountains and winding byways demand more than just a steady hand—they require knowledge, skill, and preparation. Driving yourself to safety isn’t just about having a reliable vehicle; it’s about mastering survival driving techniques and being resourceful when things go sideways.

I’ve driven in deserts where sand swallowed cars, jungles where mud dragged tires, and mountains where ice shattered vehicles. What’s common everywhere is this: preparation plus skill equals survival. Equip yourself, train yourself, and respect the roads—because in a disaster, your vehicle might just be your last lifeline.

Tennessee’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Tennessee, Tennessee Homestead Lifestyle, Tennessee Safety, Tennessee's Worst Roads, Tennessee’ Survival PreppersLeave a comment

Tennessee’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster (And How to Survive Them)
By: A Well-Traveled Survivalist

When you’ve spent decades chasing storms, crawling through flash-flooded passes, and navigating highways turned to chaos, you learn one thing fast: the road is rarely your friend in a disaster. Especially in Tennessee.

Now, I’ve driven all over this country—rockslides in Colorado, hurricanes in Florida, ice storms in Maine—but Tennessee? It’s got its own flavor of trouble. The combination of winding mountain passes, crumbling infrastructure, sudden weather shifts, and bottlenecked urban sprawl makes it one of the trickiest states to navigate during a crisis. Whether you’re escaping a tornado, dodging wildfires, or trying to outrun the first signs of societal collapse, understanding the roads—and how to outsmart them—might just be what keeps you alive.

Tennessee’s Most Dangerous Roads During a Disaster

Let’s get specific. If you’re in Tennessee and the grid goes dark or a twister touches down, avoid these roads like the plague:

  1. I-24 Through Monteagle Mountain
    A steep, fog-prone stretch with frequent rockslides and sudden weather shifts. During a disaster, this becomes a deathtrap.
  2. I-40 Through Downtown Nashville
    Gridlocked in the best of times. In a crisis? It’s a parking lot with panicked drivers and no clear escape route.
  3. US-129 (Tail of the Dragon)
    318 curves in 11 miles—thrilling on a Sunday ride, deadly when you’re trying to flee with a vehicle full of supplies.
  4. I-75 Through Chattanooga
    Prone to major pileups and susceptible to flash flooding. Bridges and underpasses can trap you like a rat.
  5. SR-64 Through Franklin County
    Low visibility, poor maintenance, and sharp elevation changes. When every second counts, this road turns into a gauntlet.
  6. I-440 Loop in Nashville
    Short, poorly designed, and overloaded. A minor fender bender can stall traffic for hours, especially during an emergency.
  7. State Route 68 Through Tellico Plains
    Narrow, winding, and prone to fallen trees. In rural areas like this, you’re on your own.
  8. US-70S Through Murfreesboro
    Suburban chaos with high traffic density. Once panic sets in, forget about getting anywhere fast.
  9. I-81 in Northeast Tennessee
    Notorious for black ice and bad weather. Add in a panicked population and you’ve got a dangerous mix.
  10. SR-111 Near Cookeville
    Steep gradients and limited guardrails. Night driving here is hazardous—don’t even try it during a blackout.

15 Survival Driving Skills That Could Save Your Life

Now, let’s say you’re caught in a disaster scenario. Roads are jammed, GPS is fried, and cell towers are down. Here’s what you need to know to survive:

  1. Situational Awareness
    Scan far ahead for brake lights, smoke, or roadblocks. Keep your head on a swivel—danger rarely comes from just one direction.
  2. Off-Road Maneuvering
    Know how to take your vehicle off pavement. Even a two-wheel drive can manage a field or ditch if you pick your line carefully.
  3. Engine Braking
    Use your gears to control speed downhill—especially in the Appalachians. Burn out your brakes and you’re a rolling coffin.
  4. Navigating Without GPS
    Keep a physical map. Learn to read topography so you can identify passes, rivers, and high ground.
  5. Controlled Skidding
    Practice steering into a skid. Whether it’s rain, ice, or gravel, knowing how to recover might save your life.
  6. Driving Blackout
    Learn to drive with your lights off using only your night vision in low-profile getaways. Don’t do it often, but know it.
  7. Vehicle Field Repair
    From changing a tire to bypassing a starter relay, basic vehicle mechanics can get you out of a jam.
  8. Fuel Rationing Techniques
    Feather the gas, coast downhill, and limit idling. In a crisis, every drop matters.
  9. Using the Shoulder and Median
    These are legal gray zones during a crisis. Use them wisely—but avoid getting stuck in a soft shoulder.
  10. Barricade Breaching
    Keep a tow strap, winch, or even bolt cutters. Sometimes survival means clearing your own way.
  11. Convoy Driving
    In numbers there is safety—but it takes coordination. Establish signals, routes, and fallback points.
  12. Escape Route Planning
    Always have two exits: your main route and a backup. Practice both.
  13. Water Crossing Techniques
    Know your vehicle’s clearance. Never cross fast-moving water—six inches can sweep you off the road.
  14. Defensive Driving
    Aggression gets people killed. Keep space, stay calm, and anticipate others’ panic.
  15. Silent Starts and Idles
    Know how to shut down accessories and keep a low profile. Sometimes, quiet is your best ally.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

Now for the brutal truth—eventually, you’re going to run out of fuel. Whether it’s panic-buying or supply chain collapse, it’s coming. But don’t throw in the towel just yet. Here are three DIY survival driving hacks that might buy you critical miles:

1. Ethanol Siphoning from Outdoor Equipment
Gas cans dry up fast—but lawnmowers, ATVs, boats, and even chainsaws often contain small amounts of fuel. It may be ethanol-blended, but it’ll burn in most engines if you’re desperate.

  • Tip: Use clear tubing and gravity to siphon safely. Avoid ingesting vapors.

2. Emergency Biofuel Additives
In certain engines, you can extend your gas with high-proof alcohol (like Everclear). It’s not ideal and not recommended long-term, but it can get you to the next stop.

  • Warning: Only for fuel-injected systems designed to tolerate ethanol blends. This is a last-resort move.

3. Human-Powered Flat Tow
If you’re completely out of fuel but not out of manpower, use tow straps and a bike, ATV, or even another person on foot to pull your vehicle downhill or out of the kill zone.

  • Pro Tip: Lighten the load, remove excess gear, and use neutral gear. It won’t be fast—but it might save your life.

Final Thoughts

I’ve survived by being prepared, staying calm, and adapting fast. That’s what driving through a disaster demands. Roads in Tennessee are beautiful but brutal. The mountains don’t care. The floods don’t care. Panic sure as hell doesn’t care.

So next time you’re driving down I-24 and the skies go green, ask yourself:
Do I know my vehicle?
Do I know this road?
Do I know how to get out alive?

Because if you don’t, it might be time to learn.

Minnesota’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Minnesota, Minnesota's Worst RoadsLeave a comment

Minnesota’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

Here are the stretches of road that are known for turning into nightmares when SHTF in the North Star State:

1. I-94 Between Minneapolis and St. Cloud

This artery is notorious for whiteout blizzards and multi-car pileups. It’s a main corridor, so it’s often jammed with traffic during evacuations. One stalled semi here during a snowstorm, and you’ve got a parking lot for miles.

2. Highway 61 Along the North Shore

A beautiful drive in summer, but during icy storms or landslides from spring thaw, this road can become blocked or collapse altogether. Limited turn-offs and few gas stations add to the danger.

3. I-35 Near Duluth

Steep grades and lake-effect snow make this area a hazard zone in winter. If a tanker jackknifes here during a disaster, good luck getting out fast.

4. Highway 2 Through the Iron Range

This remote highway cuts through miles of isolated terrain. In a wildfire or grid-down event, getting stranded out here can leave you helpless unless you’re prepared.

5. County Road 8 in Beltrami County

Flood-prone and poorly maintained, this road has eaten more tires than I care to count. Add heavy rain or washed-out culverts, and you’re stuck in the swamp.

6. MN-36 in the Twin Cities Metro

This is a commuter’s nightmare on a regular day. In an emergency? It’s gridlock hell. It bottlenecks near Stillwater, especially during bridge closures.

7. Highway 169 in Southern Minnesota

Flat, exposed, and prone to blowing snow and drifts. Visibility can drop to zero, and locals know to avoid it in winter—outsiders might not.

15 Survival Driving Skills for Disaster Scenarios

Whether you’re facing down a tornado, bugging out after a grid collapse, or escaping wildfires, your vehicle is only as useful as your ability to drive it under stress. These 15 skills can keep you alive:

1. Defensive Driving Under Duress

Know how to anticipate panic drivers and avoid pileups. Most people freeze or slam the brakes. Stay smooth, stay alert.

2. Navigating Without GPS

Cell towers fail. Learn to read a map and use a compass. Keep printed maps of your region and alternate routes in your glove box.

3. Driving with Limited Visibility

Fog, snow, smoke—disasters impair vision. Use fog lights, drive slow, crack a window to listen for hazards, and follow road contours.

4. Off-Road Navigation

Dirt roads, fields, frozen lakes—when pavement fails, you’ll need to take the road less traveled. Practice in a safe place before you need to do it for real.

5. Tire Repair and Inflation on the Fly

Carry a patch kit, plug kit, and portable air compressor. Knowing how to plug a tire in minutes is a lifesaver.

6. Fuel Management

Keep your tank above half at all times. Know your fuel economy, range on reserve, and where gas stations are off the main drag.

7. Escape Maneuvers

Learn how to break through roadblocks or ditches without rolling your rig. Practice hard turns, J-turns, and evasive braking in safe areas.

8. Braking on Ice or Wet Roads

Pumping brakes on ice vs. ABS braking—know the difference and how your vehicle behaves. Practice sliding recoveries in a snow-covered parking lot.

9. Tactical Parking

Never park head-in during a disaster. Park for a fast exit, with the nose pointing out. If you’re bugging out, seconds count.

10. Driving Through Water

If you must ford water, know your vehicle’s wading depth. Drive slow, steady, and don’t stop mid-crossing unless you want to be swimming.

11. Winching and Towing

A winch and tow straps are gold. Learn how to use them safely. Practice snatch recoveries with a buddy before disaster strikes.

12. Spotting and Avoiding Road Hazards

Broken asphalt, downed power lines, and abandoned vehicles can trap you. Know how to spot danger ahead and steer clear.

13. Silent Driving

Turn off music, avoid honking, and drive with stealth in hostile zones. Useful in post-disaster looting scenarios or civil unrest.

14. Vehicle Camouflage

If it’s really bad, black out lights with red film, remove visible decals, and drape camo netting over your car when parked.

15. Driving with Injuries

Know how to operate your vehicle with one arm or leg in a worst-case scenario. Modify seat positions and practice using hand controls if needed.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

Running out of fuel during a disaster is not just an inconvenience—it could kill you. Here are 3 last-ditch hacks I’ve used in the field:

1. The Camp Stove Siphon Hack

Got a camp stove that uses white gas or Coleman fuel? You can mix small amounts with what’s left in your tank (older vehicles only). Filter through a shirt to remove particulates. Use only in emergencies and only if your engine is not high-compression.

2. Alcohol Burn Trick

In extreme cold, windshield washer fluid with high alcohol content can keep your fuel system alive. Add it only in small amounts to dilute water in the tank, not as a fuel source. Also works to keep lines from freezing temporarily.

3. Gravity Siphon from Abandoned Vehicles

Use clear tubing and a plastic bottle to start a siphon from another car. Bite the tube, lower the bottle below tank height, and let gravity work. Always check for pressure systems—newer cars may need a hand-pump siphon.

Closing Thoughts

Disasters don’t care how new your SUV is or whether you’ve got a Bluetooth infotainment system. When hell breaks loose, it’s about fundamentals: terrain, timing, and tenacity. Minnesota’s roads can turn savage fast—from sudden floods to snarled exits during a wildfire. But with the right knowledge, preparation, and vehicle discipline, you can drive your way out of almost anything.

Make no mistake: the most important gear you’ll ever carry is between your ears. But backed with good tools, sharp instincts, and hardened skills, you won’t just survive—you’ll escape.

Maryland’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Maryland, Maryland Preppers, Maryland's Worst RoadsLeave a comment

Maryland’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster (And How to Survive Them)
By a Well-Traveled Survivalist Who’s Seen More Than One Apocalypse Coming Over the Horizon

Disasters don’t wait for the weather to clear, the traffic to thin, or your gas tank to fill up. Whether it’s a hurricane bearing down on the Chesapeake, a Nor’easter crashing across the Appalachians, or a cascade of man-made chaos clogging the I-95 corridor, Maryland has more than its fair share of roads that’ll turn a bad day into a nightmare.

I’ve driven the swampy logging routes of the Deep South, carved wheel paths through the deserts of New Mexico, and braved snow-walled passes in the Rockies. But few places test your mettle like Maryland in a full-blown disaster. It’s a mix of suburban sprawl, tight mountain roads, waterfront lowlands, and decades-old infrastructure built for a population half its current size.

Here’s my take on Maryland’s worst roads during a disaster—and more importantly, how to survive them.

The Roads You Should Avoid Unless You’re Desperate—or Skilled

1. I-95 Through Baltimore
This beast is always congested. In a disaster, it’s the first to jam up with panicked drivers. Bridges, tunnels, and limited exits make it a trap if you don’t know your detours.

2. Route 50 Eastbound to the Bay Bridge
On a holiday weekend, this stretch looks like a parking lot. Add a hurricane evacuation and you’ve got a recipe for gridlock from Annapolis to Queenstown.

3. I-270 Corridor Between Frederick and the D.C. Beltway
A death funnel of commuter traffic. During an emergency, the already-bottlenecked lanes become impassable. Back roads may be your only option.

4. Route 1 Through College Park
Choked with lights, pedestrians, and poor drainage. Avoid it when the rain starts falling—flooding is a real problem here.

5. I-70 Near Ellicott City
Heavy truck traffic and tight turns combine with steep elevation. Add snow or flooding and it’s game over.

6. Route 2 (Ritchie Hwy) Through Glen Burnie
Urban sprawl, constant commercial traffic, and confusing side streets make this a slow death in any emergency scenario.

7. MD-140 Between Westminster and Reisterstown
Hilly terrain and a lack of shoulder space turn minor accidents into massive pileups.

8. MD-32 Between Columbia and Annapolis
Known for fast-moving traffic and sudden slowdowns. In a bug-out scenario, the margin for error disappears.

9. I-83 Jones Falls Expressway
A concrete chute through Baltimore prone to accidents and flooding. No shoulders mean no mercy.

10. US-301 South of Waldorf
A long, flat corridor that bottlenecks at every town along the way. One wreck and you’re stuck behind miles of brake lights.

15 Survival Driving Skills That’ll Keep You Alive

You don’t need to be a stunt driver to survive a disaster—but you do need to think like one. Here are 15 hard-earned skills every survivalist driver should master:

  1. Reverse Driving at Speed – Learn to back up quickly and in control. Sometimes there’s no room to turn around.
  2. Tactical U-Turns – Not all U-turns are legal or easy. Know how to execute a quick 3-point or bootleg turn under pressure.
  3. Driving Without Headlights – Essential for stealth at night. Learn to use peripheral lighting and ambient glow to see without being seen.
  4. Engine Braking – In rough terrain, using gears to slow the vehicle prevents brake failure and loss of control.
  5. Emergency Lane Changes – Quick, controlled swerves to avoid obstacles or evade threats.
  6. Skid Recovery on Ice or Wet Pavement – Practice counter-steering and throttle control until it’s instinct.
  7. Off-Road Navigation Without GPS – Know how to read terrain and follow utility lines, ridgelines, or watercourses.
  8. Water Crossing Techniques – Know your vehicle’s wading depth and never cross fast-moving water. Walk it first if unsure.
  9. Driving with Damaged Tires – A tire plug kit, compressor, and knowing how to drive on a flat can keep you moving.
  10. Spotting Ambush Points – Pay attention to chokepoints, overpasses, or blind curves—classic ambush zones.
  11. Using Vehicles as Cover – In active threat situations, park at angles to create visual and ballistic cover.
  12. Silent Parking & Idling – Practice arriving undetected: lights off, coast in, engine kill, brake gently.
  13. Urban Evacuation Tactics – Don’t follow traffic. Use alleys, sidewalks, and parking structures if needed.
  14. Fuel Rationing While Driving – Maintain constant speed, limit acceleration, and coast when possible.
  15. Using a Manual Transmission When Power Fails – Know how to clutch start a manual if your battery’s dead.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

Even the best-prepared can run dry. Here’s how to cheat the system when the pumps are down:

1. Siphon from Lawn Equipment and Abandoned Vehicles
Keep a siphon pump or tubing in your emergency kit. Don’t forget to check boats, motorcycles, RVs—anything with a tank.

2. Emergency Fuel from Alcohol-Based Products
Gasoline engines can sometimes run short-term on denatured alcohol or ethanol-heavy fuels (like E85), though it’s hard on the engine. Use only in desperation. Make sure to filter first.

3. Gravity-Feed Jerry Can Setup
If your fuel pump dies, rig a gravity feed system using a jerry can strapped above the engine line. Run a fuel-safe hose directly to the carburetor or intake line.

Tactical Advice: Maryland Edition

Now let’s bring it home to Maryland. The Chesapeake region is a hotbed of natural and manmade threats: hurricanes, coastal flooding, chemical spills, even cyberattacks disrupting traffic signals. If you’re caught in a disaster, every second counts. Don’t follow the herd. Most evac plans will funnel everyone onto a few major arteries, and those are the first to fail.

Instead:

  • Know your county’s emergency routes. Memorize them—not just the map, but the feel of the road at night, in rain, under stress.
  • Use railroad access roads, utility trails, and undeveloped fire lanes. They often run parallel to major roads but are less traveled.
  • Scout in advance. Take day trips to explore backwoods passes across Harford, Carroll, and Garrett Counties—places where traffic can’t follow.
  • Keep a bug-out vehicle that isn’t flashy. Something with 4WD, good clearance, and preferably without fancy electronics that can fail under EMP or flood conditions.

Parting Thoughts from the Driver’s Seat

I’ve spent nights under the stars in a Humvee outside Kandahar, and I’ve crawled through DC traffic with a Geiger counter on the dash during a drill that got way too real. If there’s one truth that crosses all terrain and all threat levels, it’s this:

The road to survival isn’t the fastest. It’s the one only a few know.

Don’t wait until the sky turns green or the sirens wail. Know your routes, tune your ride, and drive like your life depends on it—because one day, it just might.

Louisiana’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Louisiana, Louisiana Preppers, Louisiana's Worst RoadsLeave a comment

I’ve driven through war zones in the Middle East, flash floods in Indonesia, and blackouts in California, but let me tell you something straight—Louisiana’s roads during a disaster? They’ll test every ounce of grit, patience, and tactical skill you’ve got behind the wheel.

The roads here aren’t just roads—they’re trapdoors waiting to open. Bayous overflow, pavement buckles, potholes morph into craters, and if you’re not paying attention, you might just end up swallowed by a backwater swamp or stuck on a bridge that’s now a boat ramp. Hurricanes, flash floods, tornadoes, and heat waves? The Bayou State gets them all. And when it hits the fan, knowing which roads to avoid and how to maneuver becomes the line between making it out or becoming part of the debris.

The Louisiana Gauntlet: Roads to Avoid When It All Goes South

Here are some of the worst roads in Louisiana during a disaster—routes you should avoid like a rattlesnake in your boot:

  1. I-10 between Baton Rouge and Lafayette
    Flood-prone and prone to traffic bottlenecks, especially around the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. If the water doesn’t get you, the stalled traffic will.
  2. I-610 in New Orleans
    A deathtrap during hurricanes. Low elevation, lots of exits prone to flooding, and traffic that grinds to a halt fast.
  3. US-90 near Morgan City
    This area’s like a sponge—it soaks up floodwaters and keeps them. Debris, broken asphalt, and submerged stretches are common.
  4. LA-1 South to Grand Isle
    Beautiful under normal skies, but it’s a one-way ticket to being stranded when the Gulf decides to rage.
  5. I-20 near Shreveport
    During tornado season, it turns into a wind tunnel. Add low visibility from storms, and it’s a high-speed hazard.
  6. Airline Highway (US-61)
    Passes through flood-prone and urban zones. Infrastructure’s outdated, and during a crisis, it’s a twisted mess.
  7. Causeway Bridge over Lake Pontchartrain
    Don’t let its beauty fool you. High winds, zero shelter, and panic drivers make it lethal in a storm.
  8. LA-70 through Assumption Parish
    A scenic drive turned swampy rollercoaster when the water rises.
  9. Chef Menteur Highway
    Long, flat, and exposed—especially dangerous during storm surge conditions.
  10. River Road in Baton Rouge
    Flirts with the Mississippi. One good surge and the whole route can disappear.

Now that you know what roads to think twice about, let’s get into how you survive them when you don’t have a choice.

15 Survival Driving Skills That’ll Keep You Alive in a Disaster

  1. Situational Awareness
    Scan the road, your mirrors, the skies, and even other drivers. Awareness keeps you ahead of danger by minutes, which is a lifetime in a disaster.
  2. Off-Road Maneuvering
    Learn how to navigate mud, gravel, or grassy terrain. Sometimes the ditch is the road when the pavement’s gone.
  3. Water Wading Judgment
    Know how deep your vehicle can go. Six inches of water can cause loss of control. A foot? You’re floating.
  4. Brake Feathering
    Feather your brakes when you need control on slick roads—especially during heavy rain or floods.
  5. Throttle Control
    Smooth inputs save lives. Gunning it gets you stuck or sliding. Know when to creep and when to charge.
  6. Evasive Maneuvering
    Can you dodge a falling tree or swerving semi at 60 mph? Practice J-turns, quick swerves, and emergency braking.
  7. Map Mastery
    GPS may die. Paper maps don’t. Keep one in your glovebox with disaster escape routes marked in red.
  8. Driving Without Headlights
    Sometimes stealth matters. Know how to move silently and unseen—especially in looting-prone zones.
  9. Mechanical Literacy
    Know your vehicle. Change a tire blindfolded. Patch a radiator. Rig a fan belt with paracord if needed.
  10. Fuel Economy Driving
    No jackrabbit starts. Coast on declines. Save every drop because the next station might be 100 miles of chaos away.
  11. Convoy Driving
    If you’re with a group, learn to drive in formation. Keep spacing, use signals, and maintain visual contact.
  12. Bridge & Overpass Assessment
    Some look solid but are structurally weak after quakes or flooding. Don’t be the tester.
  13. Night Vision Discipline
    Use red light inside the vehicle. Don’t blind yourself or others with high beams when stealth or night travel’s essential.
  14. Wind Awareness
    Crosswinds can flip box trucks—and your SUV if it’s loaded top-heavy. Stay low-profile and move cautiously.
  15. Urban Escape Routes
    Study back alleys, industrial roads, and railway access paths. Cities will lock down fast—know the ratlines out.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

Let’s say you’ve run out of fuel and you’re miles from help. Here’s how to MacGyver your way to another few miles or stay put safely:

1. The Campfire Fuel Extractor

If stranded with access to old vehicles or lawn equipment, siphon gas using a piece of hose and gravity. No hose? Melt a piece of hard plastic into a funnel and drain the fuel tank manually.

2. The Ethanol Boost

Got alcohol-based hand sanitizer, vodka, or even mouthwash? In small quantities, these can supplement gasoline in a pinch—IF your engine can handle it (older engines or multi-fuel vehicles only). Add no more than 10% volume and run gently.

3. Solar Battery Starter

No jump cables? Rig up solar lights or panels (many people have cheap solar garden lights) to trickle-charge your battery. Strip the wires, connect carefully to terminals, and give it time. It won’t start the car immediately, but over time can give you enough juice to crank once.

Final Thoughts from the Road

In Louisiana, roads are as wild as the swamps they cut through. When a disaster strikes, they morph into battlegrounds—where skill, preparation, and grit will mean more than any four-wheel drive badge on your bumper. You don’t rise to the occasion, you fall to your level of training. So, train now. Drive smart. Map your exits. Keep your gear close and your instincts sharper.

Remember, survival driving isn’t about speed—it’s about making decisions that keep you rolling when others are stuck, submerged, or stranded. From the Spanish moss-covered bridges near Slidell to the cracked pavement outside of Lake Charles, every inch of this land has a story. Make sure yours doesn’t end in the ditch.

Mississippi’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Mississippi, Mississippi's Worst RoadsLeave a comment

Mississippi’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster: A Survivalist’s Field Guide

I’ve spent a fair share of my life behind the wheel—traversing deserts, dodging floods in the Amazon basin, crawling over icy switchbacks in the Alps, and even navigating war-torn backroads in Eastern Europe. But if there’s one place that surprises you when disaster strikes, it’s Mississippi. She might wear a calm, slow-moving Southern charm on the surface, but when nature loses her temper, the Magnolia State’s roads turn into a web of pitfalls, traps, and survival puzzles that test your grit behind the wheel.

In disaster scenarios—be it hurricanes, floods, tornados, or civil unrest—your vehicle becomes more than transportation. It becomes your mobile shelter, your escape route, your lifeline. And you better believe the roads you choose can either carry you to safety or trap you in a nightmare. So let’s dig into it—what roads to avoid, how to drive like a survivor, and what to do when your tank runs dry in the middle of nowhere.

The Roads That Turn Against You: Mississippi’s Worst During a Disaster

1. U.S. Highway 90 – Gulf Coast
U.S. 90 hugs the Mississippi coastline—a region notorious for storm surges. During hurricanes like Katrina, this road was swallowed whole by the Gulf. Bridges collapse, lanes disappear under waves, and escape becomes impossible once the water rises. Avoid it during any coastal evacuation.

2. I-10 and the Bay St. Louis Bridge
When evacuating westward, folks hit I-10. But the bridge over Bay St. Louis? It’s a choke point. One lane closure or flood surge, and you’re stuck for hours, maybe days. If disaster’s looming, skip it.

3. Highway 49 – Hattiesburg to Gulfport
This is the main evacuation route from inland to the coast. That means in a disaster, everyone uses it. It clogs faster than a sink in a sandstorm. Plus, it’s flood-prone and riddled with low shoulders.

4. U.S. Route 61 – The Blues Highway
Stretching from Natchez to Memphis, U.S. 61 cuts through the Delta. Beautiful country—until it rains. The Delta’s flatlands mean floodwaters spread fast and wide. Visibility drops, hydroplaning increases, and shoulder pull-offs are rare.

5. Mississippi Highway 16 – Between Canton and Carthage
This road’s notorious for rural isolation. Cell signal’s weak, and it floods like clockwork every rainy season. When you’re alone out there with no signal and rising water, you’re not escaping—you’re surviving.

6. Natchez Trace Parkway
Scenic? Yes. Safe during a disaster? No. This two-lane parkway has limited exits, minimal lighting, and no commercial services. Once you’re on it, you’re committed.

7. I-55 – North-South Lifeline or Bottleneck?
It’s the primary artery between Jackson and Memphis. But with a major evacuation, it turns into a parking lot. Add a fuel shortage or a traffic incident, and it quickly becomes a metal graveyard.

8. MS Highway 24 – Between Liberty and McComb
Winding, poorly maintained, and flood-prone. When it rains, it’s a mudslide waiting to happen. Not ideal when you need speed and clarity of direction.

9. County Road 513 – Clarke County
Barely paved in sections. Full of switchbacks, logging trucks, and culverts that overflow with the slightest drizzle. Locals call it “Snakeback.” Avoid unless you’re desperate.

10. Any Backroad in the Delta During Tornado Season
Mississippi’s backroads in the Delta look quaint—until you’re racing against a twister. No cover, no exits, and crumbling asphalt. Trust me, I’ve driven those roads during storms, and it’s like rolling the dice with your life.

15 Survival Driving Skills for Disaster Scenarios

  1. Fuel Load Planning – Always start every trip with a full tank, and top off at half.
  2. Route Reconnaissance – Learn three exit routes: major road, secondary road, backroad.
  3. Night Driving without Headlights – Practice using low-beams or parking lights to stay unseen during civil unrest.
  4. Driving Through Flooded Roads – Know the depth limit (6 inches can stall most cars), and never cross moving water.
  5. Using Mirrors for Perimeter Checks – Keep aware of your six. Situational awareness prevents ambushes.
  6. Brake Fade Management – Pump brakes if descending long hills after heavy use—don’t ride them.
  7. Driving in Reverse Under Pressure – Practice reversing fast and straight in an open field or lot.
  8. Precision Steering Over Debris – Learn to aim between tire-puncturing debris in tight spaces.
  9. Push-Start (Manual Transmission) – Learn how to roll and jump-start a dead manual car.
  10. Window Exit Techniques – Know how to break glass underwater or jammed—keep a spring-loaded punch in your console.
  11. Camouflage Your Vehicle – Mud and branches can break up your silhouette from aerial drones.
  12. Off-Road Tire Pressure Adjustment – Lowering PSI gives traction in sand or mud.
  13. Roadblock Bypass – Practice turning around quickly or taking medians without damaging your undercarriage.
  14. Driving with a Blown Tire – Keep control, slow down, and ride the rim to safety if needed.
  15. Trailer Hitch Defense – Use hitches and reinforced bumpers to nudge through obstacles or abandoned vehicles.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

  1. Gravity-Fed Fuel Siphon from Abandoned Vehicles
    Keep a length of clear tubing and a small gas can. Use gravity and suction to siphon gas from vehicles lower than yours. Be quick, be quiet, and avoid breathing fumes.
  2. Turn Your Car into a Solar Shelter
    Out of gas and sun’s beating down? Use Mylar blankets in your emergency kit to reflect sunlight away from the windows. Set up shade, insulate with clothes or mats, and use water strategically.
  3. Bike Conversion Emergency Rig
    If you’re packing minimalist, mount a folding bike on your rig. When gas runs out, detach and ride out with your bug-out bag. You can even strap small trailers to bikes to haul essentials.

Final Thoughts from the Road

Mississippi is a beautiful, complicated place. Her roads tell stories—some long and slow, others sudden and tragic. When disaster strikes, it’s not just about escape. It’s about staying sharp, planning ahead, and being willing to do what others can’t or won’t.

I’ve seen families make it out because they chose the unpaved road while others sat idling in gridlock. I’ve met men who used a siphoned quart of gas to jump two cars and carry a diabetic neighbor to safety. You don’t need to be a superhero. You just need to be prepared.

So keep your tank full, your eyes wide, and your hands steady. And when Mississippi turns mean, you’ll be the one who gets through—not because of luck, but because you drove like a survivor.

Rhode Island’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Rhode Island, Rhode Island's Worst Roads to DriveLeave a comment

Rhode Island’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster – and How to Survive Them

By a man who’s broken down in the Rockies, outrun a wildfire in California, and once crossed a frozen lake in Manitoba with nothing but a CB radio and a prayer, let me tell you something straight: driving during a disaster is a whole different beast. And if you’re in Rhode Island—small in size, dense in people, and loaded with pothole-riddled nightmares—you better be ready to adapt, react, and survive.

I’ve been through hurricanes, blizzards, and blackouts. And trust me, when the highways jam and the backroads crumble, knowing how to drive to stay alive is as vital as food and water.

Rhode Island’s Road Hazards in a Disaster

Rhode Island might be tiny, but it packs a punch in terms of infrastructure risk. Here’s a survivalist’s breakdown of the worst roads to avoid (or approach with extreme caution) during a disaster scenario:

  1. Route 95 through Providence – Traffic bottlenecks, overpasses, and congestion mean you’re sitting ducks in a bug-out situation. If it’s not gridlocked, it’s flooded.
  2. Route 10 Connector – Often under construction, and with poor visibility ramps, it becomes a chaos corridor during emergencies.
  3. Route 6 (Huntington Expressway) – Riddled with sharp curves and sudden exits, this road is a nightmare during high-stress evacuations.
  4. Post Road (Route 1) – Flood-prone and filled with commercial strip malls. Great for scavenging, terrible for escaping.
  5. Route 146 into North Smithfield – Lined with industrial traffic and overloaded bridges. Avoid it when supply trucks panic.
  6. Broad Street in Cranston/Pawtucket – Narrow, dense, and chaos incarnate when people start fleeing in masses.
  7. Hope Street in Bristol – Coastal, and the first to flood in a Nor’easter or storm surge.
  8. Putnam Pike (Route 44) – Beautiful, rural… and isolated. When tree limbs drop, you’re boxed in.
  9. West Main Road in Middletown – Connects to Navy installations, making it a prime security choke point during martial law or military lockdowns.
  10. Reservoir Avenue, Cranston – Urban traffic, tight intersections, and vulnerable power lines make this area high-risk.

15 Survival Driving Skills That’ll Save Your Life in a Disaster

When the time comes and you’re behind the wheel while the world burns, floods, or freezes, these 15 survival driving skills could make the difference between life and death:

  1. Situational Awareness – Constantly scan mirrors, gauges, and surroundings. Awareness buys time.
  2. Emergency Braking Control – Learn how to brake hard without skidding. Threshold braking on dry ground; pumping on wet.
  3. Navigating Without GPS – GPS dies, cell towers drop—so know your route by memory or use an offline map app.
  4. Driving with Blown Tires – Steer straight, ease off gas, don’t brake until speed drops. Then guide to a stop.
  5. Night Vision Tactics – Avoid high-beams in fog; use low beams and follow reflective markers or fog lines.
  6. Fuel Efficiency Driving – Feather the throttle, avoid sudden stops, and coast when safe. Every drop counts.
  7. Hand Signals and Horn Codes – In a convoy or with other survivors, use lights or horn taps to communicate.
  8. Underwater Escape – Unbuckle, roll down windows fast before electronics die. Kick windshield if submerged.
  9. Snow & Ice Maneuvers – Turn into the skid. Never slam brakes. Use snowbanks for controlled stops.
  10. Off-road Evasion – Know how to spot soft ground, use momentum to climb hills, and shift to low gear on declines.
  11. Avoiding Road Rage & Panic Drivers – Stay calm. Predict erratic movements. Don’t engage—evasion is your friend.
  12. Barricade Navigation – Reverse precision. Know how to three-point turn in tight quarters or go off-shoulder without getting stuck.
  13. Silent Movement – If needed, coast with the engine off on downhill terrain. Avoid noise to stay unnoticed.
  14. Improvised Lighting – Red LED headlamps or dimmed cabin lights help preserve night vision and avoid detection.
  15. Driving Through Floods – No more than six inches of water unless you know your air intake height. Go slow, steady—don’t create a wake.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You’re Out of Gas

You’re out of gas. Maybe siphoning stations got shut down, maybe your fuel cache got looted, or maybe you just pushed too far. Don’t panic. You still have options if you’ve got a brain, a toolkit, and a bit of know-how:

1. The Denatured Alcohol Boost (Alcohol Stove Fuel Hack)

If you have denatured alcohol (used in marine stoves or camping gear), you can use a small blend (ONLY in emergencies) to extend the remaining gasoline in a carbureted engine. Do not attempt this with fuel-injected or modern engines—older vehicles only.

  • Caution: This is extremely risky. Use only to limp to safety. Never exceed 10% mix. Filter everything.

2. Siphon from Lawn Equipment, Generators, or Boats

Emergency fuel isn’t just in cars. Mowers, snowblowers, backup generators, boats—all carry gasoline. Use a hand-siphon pump (avoid mouth siphoning) and a catch can. Keep a fuel transfer kit in your bug-out bag—small, cheap, priceless in a pinch.

3. Create a Gravity-Fed Drip Tank

If your vehicle fuel pump fails or you want to bypass a contaminated tank, rig a gravity-fed drip tank using a clean water jug, clear tubing, and a fuel filter. Mount it above the engine and feed it into the carburetor or fuel intake. This is makeshift, not efficient, but it can get your rig a few miles out of hell.

Surviving the Drive in Little Rhody

Driving through a disaster in Rhode Island is about threading the needle between panic, geography, and infrastructure failure. You’ve got bridges, tight urban corridors, a coastline that floods faster than your bathtub, and a population density that ensures traffic the minute the sirens wail.

So what do you do?

  • Pre-scout alternate routes—especially rural cut-throughs, utility paths, and even bike trails.
  • Keep a printed map in your glovebox. Mark fuel stations, water sources, and chokepoints.
  • Drive light. Weight kills speed and fuel economy. Strip non-essentials from your bug-out vehicle.
  • Keep a vehicle go-bag: Include fix-a-flat, siphon kit, battery jumper, headlamp, tire plug kit, and a collapsible fuel container.
  • Fill up every time you hit ¾ tank. Don’t wait till you’re low in a crisis zone.
  • Maintain your ride. That rusted-out ’98 Tacoma might be ugly, but if it runs clean and has high clearance, it’s better than a dead hybrid with a cracked battery.

When you know the roads like a survivalist knows his terrain, and you’ve trained behind the wheel as much as on the trail, you won’t need to hope—you’ll just drive. Smooth, quiet, and smart. Get out of Dodge—or Providence, in this case—and live to see another sunrise.

You’re not just driving. You’re surviving.