Tag: road hazards

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

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

New Jersey’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster: A Survivalist’s Guide

I’ve spent decades traversing harsh terrains, navigating everything from dense forests to urban jungles during emergencies. Nothing sharpens your survival instincts like being behind the wheel when disaster strikes. New Jersey, a state known for its bustling highways and scenic byways, has some of the trickiest roads to maneuver in crisis scenarios. Whether it’s a hurricane, flood, blackout, or a sudden evacuation, knowing which roads to avoid and how to drive like your life depends on it can mean the difference between safety and catastrophe.

Here’s my survivalist’s breakdown of New Jersey’s worst roads to drive on during a disaster, essential survival driving skills, and a few DIY hacks when your fuel runs dry. Listen close, because when the grid goes dark, and chaos rules, your driving skills are your survival kit on wheels.

The Worst Roads in New Jersey During Disaster Scenarios

1. Garden State Parkway (GSP) Southbound from Exit 105 to 63
This stretch is notorious for bottlenecks during evacuations. It snakes through dense suburban and coastal areas, making it vulnerable to flooding, especially during hurricanes. The road’s proximity to barrier islands means that floodwaters can trap cars in seconds.

2. Route 80 through Morris and Passaic Counties
While Route 80 is a major artery, in disaster situations, it quickly becomes a parking lot. Flooding and traffic collisions on steep, winding sections turn this road into a nightmare.

3. Route 46 in Bergen County
Route 46 serves as a critical evacuation route but is littered with intersections and traffic lights that become chokepoints. Heavy rain or snow turns it slick and hazardous.

4. Route 9 through Monmouth County
This road runs close to the coast and marshlands. Flooding and poor drainage can render it impassable, and it’s lined with commercial areas that trap stranded motorists.

5. The Pulaski Skyway (U.S. Routes 1 and 9)
An elevated roadway over the industrial waterfront, the Skyway is prone to accidents and closures during high winds or flooding, making detours complicated.

6. Route 287 near Morristown
Route 287 is a vital interstate connector but is subject to steep grades and sharp curves. During snow or ice, this stretch becomes treacherous.

7. Route 35 through Ocean County
A low-lying route through marshes and barrier islands, Route 35 floods easily during storms, often leaving drivers stranded.

8. Route 70 through Camden County
Known for heavy suburban traffic, Route 70’s multiple traffic signals and intersections cause gridlock in emergencies.

9. Route 18 in Middlesex County
Route 18 is a busy commuter road with frequent congestion, complicated by bridges and tunnels prone to closure.

10. Atlantic City Expressway near Atlantic County
Often used for evacuations, the Expressway can clog quickly, and limited exits increase the risk of getting stuck.

15 Survival Driving Skills to Drive Your Way Out of Disaster

Disaster driving is not your average commute. You need razor-sharp reflexes, awareness, and unconventional techniques. Here are 15 survival driving skills I swear by:

  1. Situational Awareness — Constantly scan your surroundings: other vehicles, road conditions, and possible escape routes. Disasters can create unpredictable hazards.
  2. Anticipate Hazards — Spot puddles, debris, or stalled cars early. Knowing when to slow down or maneuver can prevent accidents.
  3. Maintain a Safe Distance — In emergencies, tailgating equals disaster. Leave twice the normal distance between you and the car ahead.
  4. Smooth, Controlled Inputs — Jerk-free steering, braking, and accelerating prevent skids, especially on wet or icy roads.
  5. Master Off-Road Maneuvering — Many disaster routes force you off paved roads. Practice handling uneven terrain, mud, and sand.
  6. Hill Management — Use low gears going uphill or downhill to maintain control. Don’t ride your brakes downhill to avoid overheating.
  7. Reverse Driving Under Pressure — Sometimes you’ll need to backtrack or escape tight spots. Practice backing up quickly yet safely.
  8. Emergency Braking — Learn threshold braking to stop as quickly as possible without locking your wheels.
  9. Controlled Skid Recovery — If you lose traction, steer into the skid to regain control.
  10. Use of Engine Braking — When descending slopes, downshift to slow the vehicle and preserve brake integrity.
  11. Avoiding Hydroplaning — Slow down in standing water, avoid puddles, and don’t use cruise control.
  12. Navigating Debris — Learn to identify safe paths around fallen branches, rocks, or stranded vehicles.
  13. Using Alternate Routes — Know how to quickly evaluate side roads and lesser-used paths.
  14. Fuel Management — Drive efficiently to conserve fuel, especially when gas stations are scarce.
  15. Vehicle Communication — Use horn and headlights to signal other drivers or call for help.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

Running out of gas in a disaster can feel like a death sentence, but with some resourcefulness, you can keep your wheels turning:

Hack 1: Emergency Gravity Feed Fuel Transfer
Carry a clean, flexible hose (about 3-4 feet). Place one end in your nearly empty gas tank’s filler neck and the other end into a spare container filled with fuel. Use gravity by elevating the container to slowly siphon fuel back into your tank. This can buy you enough distance to reach a gas station or safer location.

Hack 2: Use Alternative Fuels
If you’re desperate, some older gasoline engines can run briefly on a mixture of motor oil and gasoline in emergencies (NOT recommended for long-term use). Another option is a small container of camp stove fuel (like white gas or Coleman fuel) in an extreme pinch, but only if you know your engine can tolerate it.

Hack 3: Improvised Pedal Power
If stranded with no gas and no help nearby, consider temporarily using your vehicle as a sled. Attach a sturdy rope or tow strap to your car’s bumper and have someone pull it manually or with a secondary vehicle to a safe place. This is more feasible with smaller vehicles and should be a last resort.

Navigating New Jersey’s Disaster Roads: Final Tips

  • Know Your Vehicle: Familiarize yourself with your car’s four-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive modes. Engage them as soon as conditions worsen.
  • Pre-Plan Your Route: Always have a backup evacuation plan. GPS can fail, so carry printed maps.
  • Prepare Your Car Kit: Include a tire repair kit, jumper cables, emergency flares, a basic toolset, extra fuel cans, and a first aid kit.
  • Stay Calm and Focused: Panic causes mistakes. Take deep breaths, focus on your driving, and don’t rush.
  • Communication is Key: Keep your phone charged and have a car charger or power bank ready.
  • Avoid Rush Hour: If possible, time your evacuation to avoid the busiest hours.

Driving through disaster zones demands respect for the power of nature and a readiness to adapt. New Jersey’s roads can be treacherous, but armed with these survival skills and knowledge of which routes to avoid, you can increase your chances of getting through safely.

Missouri’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

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

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

I’ve been around the globe and faced more than a few hairy situations where a vehicle was my lifeline. Whether it’s dense jungles, blistering deserts, or urban chaos, driving out of trouble requires more than just a license and a full tank. Missouri, with its diverse terrain and unpredictable weather, can become a battleground during a disaster. When roads deteriorate or nature turns hostile, only the prepared and skilled can make it through unscathed.

This isn’t just about knowing where the potholes are; it’s about understanding which routes can trap you, which roads will test your mettle, and how to handle your vehicle when everything is stacked against you.

Missouri’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

Missouri may not have the reputation of coastal storm zones or mountain passes, but when disaster strikes — whether it’s floods, tornadoes, ice storms, or the aftermath of a man-made event — certain roads become death traps.

  1. Route 66 through the Ozarks: Once the iconic American highway, many stretches of Route 66 here are narrow, winding, and poorly maintained. During floods or heavy storms, these roads can wash out quickly or become slick and impassable.
  2. Highway 36 near Kirksville: This stretch can become a mud trap during heavy rains. It’s a vital east-west artery, but flooding often turns it into a quagmire.
  3. The Mark Twain National Forest backroads: These gravel and dirt roads are tricky in the best conditions. After storms or ice, they’re nearly impossible without proper off-road skills and vehicles.
  4. I-44 through St. Louis suburbs: The traffic congestion combined with the potential for multi-car pileups and flooding means this interstate can gridlock fast during emergencies.
  5. Highway 160 near the southern Missouri Ozarks: Known for steep inclines and sharp curves, the rain turns it into a slide zone.
  6. The Chain of Rocks Bridge approach: This bridge is a choke point during floods along the Mississippi River, with narrow shoulders and limited escape routes.
  7. Mississippi River floodplain roads: Low-lying and prone to rapid flooding, these rural routes can trap you miles from help.
  8. Highway 79 near Clarksville: This highway hugs the Mississippi and can become slick with ice or floodwaters.
  9. I-70 in rural eastern Missouri: Often neglected in winter storms, ice patches here have caused serious accidents.
  10. Highway 21 near Festus: Curvy and with poor lighting, this route can be treacherous after dark or in storm conditions.

Why Knowing These Roads Matters

If you’re trying to evacuate during a disaster, knowing the weak points in your planned route can save your life. Roads prone to flooding or landslides can leave you stranded or force you into dangerous detours. Traffic snarls on main arteries might push you to take secondary roads where your skills need to be sharp.

15 Survival Driving Skills to Drive Your Way Out of Disaster

If you want to come out alive and whole, here’s the survivalist driving skill set you need locked and loaded.

  1. Vehicle Control on Slippery Surfaces: Learn to modulate throttle and braking to avoid skidding on ice, mud, or wet leaves.
  2. Emergency Braking Techniques: Know the difference between ABS and non-ABS braking and how to use threshold braking if needed.
  3. Hill Climb and Descent Mastery: When dealing with steep or slick inclines, controlling your speed and braking without locking wheels is key.
  4. Tire Placement Precision: On narrow or rocky roads, knowing exactly where to place each tire can prevent rollovers or getting stuck.
  5. Mud and Sand Recovery: Recognize when you’re stuck and how to rock the vehicle out safely without digging yourself deeper.
  6. Water Crossing Assessment: Identify safe ford points in flooded areas—depth, current, and bottom composition.
  7. Basic Off-Road Navigation: Use natural landmarks and maps when GPS is dead or misleading.
  8. Driving Without Traction: Utilize low gears and momentum to power through loose gravel or snow.
  9. Quick Evasive Maneuvers: Swerving effectively without losing control can help avoid sudden obstacles or debris.
  10. Fuel Management and Conservation: Drive efficiently and reduce unnecessary fuel consumption in extended evacuation scenarios.
  11. Night Driving with Limited Visibility: Master low-beam use and avoid high beams in fog or heavy rain.
  12. Vehicle Inspection and Quick Repairs: Know how to check tire pressure, fluids, and basic repairs on the fly.
  13. Towing and Recovery: Use ropes or winches effectively if you or a convoy member gets stuck.
  14. Vehicle Communication: Use CB radios or walkie-talkies to coordinate if you’re traveling with others.
  15. Mental Resilience Under Stress: Staying calm and methodical prevents panic decisions that lead to accidents.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

Running out of fuel in the middle of nowhere is a classic survival headache. But a few hacks can keep you moving or get you out of tight spots.

1. Gravity-Fed Fuel Transfer Using Clear Hose

If you have a spare container of gas, use a clear plastic hose or tubing to siphon fuel into your tank. Insert one end into the container and the other into your tank’s fuel filler, then create suction carefully by mouth or use a small pump. The clear hose lets you see when fuel flows.

2. Use Cardboard or Cloth to Improve Traction

If you stall on a slick patch with no fuel to restart, place cardboard pieces or fabric under your tires to gain traction and try to push the vehicle to a safer, more accessible spot.

3. Convert Manual Transmission Push-Start Technique

If you’re driving a manual, you can sometimes push-start the vehicle. With a little push from people or gravity (rolling downhill), put the clutch in second gear and release it quickly to start the engine without fuel injection—this can work if residual fuel is in the system or to jump a dead battery.

Final Thoughts

Missouri’s roads might not look like the wildest terrain on a map, but disaster reveals their true danger. If you’ve studied these routes, sharpened your survival driving skills, and learned a few hacks for when things go sideways, you’ll dramatically increase your chances of getting out alive.

Don’t underestimate the power of preparation and practice. Disaster driving isn’t just about speed or power—it’s about control, patience, and knowing your environment like the back of your hand. Take care, stay sharp, and keep those wheels turning.