Tag: survival driving

Vermont’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

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

Vermont’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster — And How to Survive Them Behind the Wheel

By: A Well-Traveled Survivalist

Let me be clear—when disaster strikes, roads become more than routes. They become lifelines, battlegrounds, and bottlenecks. I’ve driven through hurricanes in Florida, wildfire evacuations in California, and flash floods in Texas. But Vermont? Vermont’s got a whole different beast when it comes to bad roads during bad times.

Between its winding mountain passes, frost-heaved asphalt, and dense tree cover, the Green Mountain State turns into a trap when the lights go out or the weather gets mean. Whether it’s a Nor’easter burying Route 100 under three feet of snow or a flash flood taking out bridges in Windham County, if you’re not prepared to drive like your life depends on it—you’re already a victim.

Let me walk you through the worst roads to avoid (or conquer) and then arm you with 15 crucial survival driving skills. And for those who really find themselves neck-deep in trouble, I’ve got three DIY hacks to keep you moving even when the tank runs dry.

Vermont’s Worst Roads During a Disaster

Here’s a short list of Vermont roads that’ll break your spirit (or your axle) in a disaster:

  1. Route 100 (from Killington to Waterbury) – Winding, narrow, and one rockslide away from being impassable. Gorgeous in fall, deathtrap in winter.
  2. Route 9 (Bennington to Brattleboro) – Prone to flooding, steep inclines, and black ice. This one gets shut down regularly in Nor’easters.
  3. Interstate 89 (Montpelier to Burlington) – The main artery in and out of Central Vermont. In a mass exodus, this becomes a clogged mess.
  4. Route 107 (Stockbridge area) – Mountain passes and not enough guardrails. One good rainstorm and you’re on mud.
  5. Route 17 (App Gap) – Twists like a snake and climbs fast. A driver’s nightmare in snow or fog.
  6. Kelly Stand Road (Searsburg) – Dirt and isolation. You’ll lose cell service and possibly your undercarriage.
  7. Route 108 (Smugglers’ Notch) – Seasonally closed, but people still try to push through. Don’t be one of them.
  8. Lincoln Gap Road – Just avoid it. It’s basically a hiking trail someone paved.
  9. Route 15 (Hardwick to Morristown) – Flooding danger, especially during late spring thaw.
  10. Danby Mountain Road – Off-grid and often washed out. The sort of place AAA won’t find you.

15 Survival Driving Skills for Disaster Conditions

You can have the best 4×4 on the market, but without the skills to match, you’re still a target. Here’s what every survivalist driver needs to master:

  1. Off-Road Navigation – Learn to read terrain and use topographic maps. GPS is unreliable in power outages or remote terrain.
  2. Throttle Feathering – Control your gas pedal in slippery conditions. Over-acceleration leads to spinning out or getting stuck.
  3. Tire Patching and Plugging – Know how to plug a tire on the fly. Keep a kit in your glove box, and practice before it matters.
  4. Field Tire Inflation – A hand pump or portable compressor can save your ride. Drop PSI on snow; boost it back for gravel.
  5. Braking in Skid Conditions – Don’t slam the brakes. Learn threshold braking and cadence braking for older vehicles without ABS.
  6. River and Flood Crossing Judgment – Never guess depth. A 12-inch current can float most vehicles. Know when to turn back.
  7. Spotting Hazards Ahead – Train your eyes to read the road 15 seconds ahead. It buys you time to react or reroute.
  8. Driving in Reverse at Speed – Sounds crazy? Try navigating a narrow escape route in reverse without stalling or crashing.
  9. Using Mirrors Like a Pro – Your mirrors are your sixth sense. Check every 10 seconds. Blind spots kill in disasters.
  10. Utilizing Low Gears – Downshift for better control in snow, mud, or downhill slopes. Don’t burn your brakes.
  11. Driving in Convoy Formation – Stick to 3-second gaps, signal intentions, and never bunch up. Panic leads to pileups.
  12. Navigating Without Lights – Cover tail lights with tape if you’re bugging out at night. Stay under the radar.
  13. Knowing When to Ditch – If your car’s stuck and burning gas, abandon it and hike. Your life is worth more than your ride.
  14. Distraction-Free Driving – Silence the phone. Every second counts. Your focus is your strongest survival tool.
  15. Fuel Conservation Techniques – Coast when you can. Idle as little as possible. Draft behind large vehicles (safely) to reduce drag.

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

When the needle’s on E and there’s no gas station for 50 miles, ingenuity keeps you moving. Here are three tricks I’ve used or witnessed in the field:

  1. Siphon and Filter
    If you’re in a pinch and spot an abandoned vehicle, you can siphon gas with a tube and gravity. Just make sure to filter it through a shirt, coffee filter, or even moss to catch debris before pouring it into your tank.
  2. Alcohol-Based Emergency Burn
    In a gasoline shortfall, denatured alcohol or isopropyl (91% or higher) can be used sparingly in older engines. This is for carbureted engines only—fuel-injected systems may not tolerate it well. It’s risky, but it can get you a few extra miles.
  3. Pressurized Bottle Fuel Pump
    Repurpose a soda bottle with a tire valve stem and a bit of hose. Pressurize the bottle with a bike pump and gravity-feed fuel into your engine. This works best with lawn equipment fuel tanks but can keep an old ATV alive in a pinch.

Final Thoughts From the Road

Survival is about preparation, skill, and knowing when to go and when to stay put. Vermont’s roads don’t forgive ignorance or indecision. In a disaster, they get slick, jammed, or vanish altogether. I’ve seen Subarus stranded and lifted trucks washed out. It’s not about what you drive—it’s how you drive it.

Know your routes. Scout secondary options. Keep maps printed and waterproofed. Fuel up before a storm, not after. And for the love of all that’s holy, don’t trust your GPS when the sky’s falling—it doesn’t know that the bridge on Route 9 washed out last night.

Disasters favor the prepared and punish the reckless. Be the first, not the second.

Iowa’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Iowa, Iowa survival prepper, Iowa's Worst RoadsLeave a comment

Iowa’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster
By a Well-Traveled Survivalist

There’s a reason most folks underestimate the land between the coasts. From a bird’s-eye view, Iowa looks like a patchwork of cornfields and gravel roads. But when a disaster strikes—be it flood, blizzard, tornado, or grid-down scenario—those roads can turn into a gauntlet. I’ve spent decades traveling through all kinds of terrain, from the jungles of Colombia to the mountain passes of Afghanistan. Let me tell you, Iowa’s backroads in the middle of a Midwestern thunderstorm? Just as dangerous as any warzone.

Disaster has a way of peeling back comfort like bark off a tree. When the sirens start, cell towers fail, and gas stations shut down, your best chance of survival might come down to your wheels and your wits. Below, I’ll lay out 15 survival driving skills every Iowan—or any prepared soul—needs to master, plus 3 DIY hacks to keep moving when your gas tank’s dry. But first, let’s talk about the battleground: Iowa’s most treacherous roads when the world goes sideways.

The Most Treacherous Roads in Iowa During a Disaster

  1. Highway 20 (Western Segment)
    Western Iowa’s stretch of Highway 20 often floods after heavy rains. During a flash flood, this corridor turns into a watery grave. Flatland runoff builds fast, and without elevation to carry it away, you’re driving blind through standing water.
  2. I-80 Between Des Moines and Iowa City
    While it’s one of the busiest interstates in Iowa, in a disaster, that’s exactly the problem. It bottlenecks fast, especially in snowstorms or mass evacuations. Don’t count on cruising this route during chaos.
  3. County Road F62 (Marion to Knoxville)
    Twisting hills and tree-lined curves make this rural gem beautiful—but deadly. In winter, it becomes a skating rink; in rain, a mudslide risk. No plows, no lights, no help.
  4. Highway 2 (Southern Iowa)
    A frequent victim of Missouri River flooding. Entire stretches of this road have been wiped out in past storms. In a bug-out situation, avoid this path unless you’ve recon’d it yourself.
  5. IA-330 Northeast of Des Moines
    Tornado alley, plain and simple. The road is exposed, isolated, and flanked by ditches—not where you want to be when twisters tear through.
  6. Gravel Roads in Tama and Poweshiek Counties
    During a disaster, GPS will push you onto these gravel roads to “save time.” Don’t fall for it. One storm and they’re impassable. Get stuck here, and you’re a sitting duck.

15 Survival Driving Skills for Disaster Scenarios

  1. Reading the Road
    If the surface looks darker than usual during rain, it’s probably deeper than you think. Water distorts depth. Know how to read the color and ripple.
  2. Driving Without GPS
    Memorize paper maps. Practice navigating with a compass and dead reckoning. Satellites fail. Your brain can’t.
  3. Off-Road Maneuvering
    Know how to use low gear, lock differentials, and feather the throttle. A field may be your only way out.
  4. Evasive Driving
    Practice J-turns and emergency braking in empty lots. If you’re chased or boxed in during civil unrest, you’ll be glad you did.
  5. Tire Change Under Pressure
    Be able to change a tire in under 5 minutes with limited visibility. Bonus points if you can do it with a busted jack.
  6. Escape Routines
    Know how to escape from a submerged vehicle, including kicking out side windows and cutting seatbelts. Timing is life.
  7. Fuel Conservation Tactics
    Learn to coast, hypermile, and minimize gear shifting. Every drop of fuel matters when there’s no refuel in sight.
  8. Navigating by Landmarks
    Learn to recognize silos, barns, water towers, and wind turbines as navigational aids. Nature and man-made markers never need batteries.
  9. Communication on the Go
    Equip your vehicle with CB radio or GMRS. When cell towers go down, this is your only lifeline.
  10. Driving in Blackout Conditions
    Practice using night vision (if you’ve got it) or driving with no lights using only moonlight and memory. Useful when stealth matters.
  11. Handling Panic Situations
    Develop muscle memory for when adrenaline spikes. Whether avoiding a downed power line or maneuvering through looters, cool heads drive better.
  12. Improvised Towing
    Use ratchet straps, tow ropes, or even paracord to pull another vehicle or debris. Just know the knots and tension limits.
  13. Winter Ice Control
    Carry sand, kitty litter, and traction boards. Learn how to rock the car back and forth to break ice grip.
  14. Engine Maintenance
    Know how to clean filters, check fluids, and jump a battery with spare wire if you don’t have jumper cables.
  15. Brake Failure Protocol
    If your brakes go, pump fast, downshift, and use the emergency brake in pulses—not one hard yank. That saves lives.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

  1. The Ethanol Hack
    Iowa’s got corn. Lots of it. In an absolute emergency, you can distill ethanol from fermented corn mash. It’s not easy, but with copper tubing, a pressure cooker, and some time, it’s possible. Ethanol burns lean—filter it well or risk engine damage.
  2. The Lawn Mower Siphon Trick
    That old lawn mower or ATV in someone’s abandoned shed? Many of them have gas. Carry a siphon hose and a catch can. Be respectful—if it’s not yours, it might be someone else’s lifeline.
  3. Wood Gasifier Retrofit
    Advanced, but doable. With steel barrels, wood chips, and basic welding, you can create a wood gasifier to power an older carbureted engine. Think WWII truck tech. It ain’t pretty, but it rolls.

Tips for Staying Alive on Iowa Roads

  • Always carry a 72-hour car kit: water, food, wool blanket, trauma gear, jumper cables, flares.
  • Keep your gas tank no lower than half full. In a grid-down event, the line at Casey’s stretches to forever—and might never move.
  • Scout backroads now—while you still can. Drive them in daylight, mark danger spots on your maps, and cache supplies if you’re bold enough.

When the skies go black and the sirens wail, you won’t rise to the occasion. You’ll fall to the level of your training. So train hard. Know your routes. And never let your tank run dry.

The cornfields of Iowa might look peaceful, but when the world turns upside down, they’ll show you their teeth.

Kentucky’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

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

Kentucky’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster – A Survivalist’s Guide Behind the Wheel

When you’re out there chasing the horizon or trying to outrun a storm, road knowledge can mean the difference between getting home and getting stuck. I’ve driven through hurricanes in Louisiana, blizzards in Montana, and flash floods in Arizona—but Kentucky’s terrain? It’s a whole different beast when disaster strikes. Steep hollers, crumbling coal roads, dense forest routes, and low-lying flood zones make for a recipe that’ll test the mettle of even the most seasoned driver.

If you’re reading this, you’re likely someone who doesn’t want to wait for FEMA or the county sheriff to come save your hide. You want to know how to drive your way out of the fire—literally and figuratively. And I’m here to make sure you can.

Let’s start with the roads you should know to avoid—or at the very least, approach with extreme caution when the world goes sideways.

Kentucky’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

1. KY-66 (Bell County): Twists tighter than a coiled copperhead and flanked by rockslide-prone hills. In a storm, it’s just a serpentine death trap.

2. US-119 (Harlan to Pikeville): A coal country mainline that turns treacherous with even a light rain. Landslides, black ice, and fog make this a no-go during emergencies.

3. KY-15 (Breathitt and Perry Counties): If flooding is the game, this road plays it better than most. Overflow from nearby rivers submerges it faster than a flat-bottom boat can float.

4. KY-192 (Daniel Boone National Forest): Deep woods, no cell signal, and slick as owl snot when it rains. You break down here? You’re your own cavalry.

5. KY-80 (Pulaski County): A high-traffic stretch with poor drainage and deadly curves. In a crisis, it becomes a metal graveyard.

6. The Mountain Parkway (Slade to Salyersville): When the wind kicks up or snow sets in, this becomes a chute to nowhere. I once saw six vehicles slide off in one mile—ice like glass.

7. KY-899 (Floyd County): Steep grades, narrow shoulders, and patchy maintenance mean you’re one wrong move from a thousand-foot roll.

8. US-421 (Jackson County): Earthquakes might not be common in Kentucky, but landslides and flooding sure are. 421 is vulnerable to both.

9. KY-30 (Owsley and Jackson Counties): This road loves to crack and crumble under pressure. I’ve seen potholes swallow axles after a flood.

10. The Hal Rogers Parkway: Also known as the “Hal Ditch Parkway” among old-timers. Washouts, rockfalls, and poor visibility make it more trap than trail during a disaster.

15 Survival Driving Skills That Could Save Your Life

  1. Driving Without GPS: Learn to read paper maps. Don’t rely on satellites when the grid goes down.
  2. Situational Awareness: Keep your head on a swivel. Watch the sky, the road, the terrain—and always have two escape routes in mind.
  3. Reading Terrain: Knowing when the land is about to slide, flood, or freeze gives you a head start no app can offer.
  4. Driving Without Headlights: In some cases, stealth matters. Practice moving low-speed and quiet using parking lights or none at all when needed.
  5. Water Crossing Techniques: Never cross fast-moving floodwaters. For shallow, slow-moving water, stay in the center of the road where it’s highest.
  6. Rockfall Avoidance: In mountainous areas, if you see small rocks, expect big ones. Don’t stop near slopes—move past quickly and watch uphill.
  7. Brake Feathering: Learn to keep traction on ice or gravel by lightly pumping the brakes instead of slamming them.
  8. Manual Car Push-Start (if applicable): If you drive a manual transmission, knowing how to roll-start your car is crucial when the battery dies.
  9. Using Momentum Wisely: Going up muddy or snowy hills requires momentum. Don’t stop halfway or you’re sunk.
  10. Defensive Aggression: Be calm but assertive. Disaster traffic brings out the worst in people—know when to stand your ground and when to yield.
  11. Using the Shoulder: Sometimes, the shoulder is the road. Know how to safely use it, especially if you need to bypass stalled traffic.
  12. Emergency U-turns and Reversing Under Pressure: Practice three-point and J-turns. You may need to back out fast with no margin for error.
  13. Night Navigation Without Lights: Learn how to move discreetly and navigate by moonlight or ambient light if stealth or safety requires it.
  14. Overcoming Off-Road Obstacles: Fallen trees, rocks, or even small washouts—know how to build ramps, stack traction, or use winches and tow straps.
  15. Car as Shelter: Your vehicle can be a temporary safe zone. Insulate windows, block wind, and conserve battery for warmth or signals.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

1. Siphoning Fuel Safely
Old-school but effective. Carry a clear plastic hose, about 6 feet long, and a small container. Find an abandoned vehicle, insert the hose into the fuel tank (modern ones have anti-siphon devices, but some can be bypassed), create suction, and let gravity do the work. Warning: Avoid diesel if your engine runs on gas—unless you enjoy walking.

2. Homemade Fuel Additive Boost
If you’ve got just a cup or two of gas left, mix in a bit of rubbing alcohol or ethanol (not more than 10-15%) to stretch your supply. This is risky on modern engines, but in a pinch, it’ll get you another couple miles down the road.

3. Fire-for-Signal
If you’re truly stranded, don’t waste your last phone charge. Light a smoky fire using oil or rubber from an old tire to signal rescuers or passing vehicles. A thick black column of smoke still says “I need help” better than anything short of flares.

Final Words From the Road

Here’s the truth—most folks don’t make it because they froze when the time came to move. They hesitated, trusted a GPS or waited for help that never came. Kentucky’s got hills that fall, rivers that rise, and a winter wind that cuts bone-deep. If you’re planning to survive a disaster here, you need to know your vehicle, know your roads, and most of all—know yourself.

I always say: “Don’t drive faster than your guardian angel can fly—but don’t you dare stop when hell’s on your heels.” Keep your tank full, your gear packed, and your wits sharp.

This ain’t just driving—it’s survival.

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

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn New Mexico, New Mexico Survival Prepper, New Mexico's Worst RoadsLeave a comment

New Mexico’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster – A Survivalist’s Guide

I’ve driven through hell and back—flood zones, wildfire-razed highways, sand-covered backroads, and snow-packed mountain passes that eat city sedans for breakfast. But no state has tested my survival driving like New Mexico. When disaster strikes—be it wildfire, blizzard, flash flood, or civil unrest—the Land of Enchantment can quickly turn into the Land of Entrapment if you don’t know how to drive your way out.

I’ve scouted, survived, and charted the most dangerous routes in New Mexico under pressure. If you find yourself behind the wheel during a crisis, these roads can become deathtraps—unless you’ve got the skill, grit, and the know-how to adapt on the fly.

Let’s break it down.

The 5 Worst Roads in New Mexico to Drive on During a Disaster

  1. U.S. Route 550 (Between Bernalillo and Bloomfield)
    Nicknamed “The Death Highway,” this stretch turns deadly during rain. Flash floods from surrounding mesas can submerge sections within minutes. Its isolated layout and sparse cell coverage make it a nightmare for evac routes.
  2. NM-152 (Emory Pass through the Black Range)
    During a wildfire or snowstorm, this winding mountain road becomes a gauntlet. With sheer drop-offs and narrow switchbacks, a single wrong move means a plunge into oblivion.
  3. I-40 Eastbound near Moriarty during Winter Storms
    Black ice is the hidden enemy here. In whiteout conditions, this wide interstate turns into a twisted wreckage pile-up waiting to happen.
  4. NM-128 (Jal to Carlsbad)
    Oil truck traffic dominates this narrow, two-lane highway. Add a chemical spill or sandstorm, and you’ve got one of the most claustrophobic and hostile drives in the state.
  5. NM-4 through Jemez Mountains
    Gorgeous during fall—lethal during forest fires. One road in, one road out. Get caught here with fire behind you, and you’re boxed in.

15 Survival Driving Skills for Disaster Scenarios

You can’t rely on GPS, cell towers, or good luck out here. What you need is practiced skill. Here are 15 survival driving techniques I’ve used more than once to keep rubber on road and soul intact:

  1. Throttle Control on Loose Terrain – Sand, snow, and mud all demand delicate gas pedal handling. Slam it, and you spin. Ease in, and you crawl your way to freedom.
  2. Handbrake Steering – Learn to use your e-brake to make sharp, controlled turns in tight quarters—like mountain passes or urban chaos.
  3. Situational Awareness Scanning – Always look beyond the car ahead. Watch terrain, smoke columns, animal behavior. Everything tells a story.
  4. Brake Feathering Downhill – Avoid overheating brakes on steep slopes. Pulse them instead of constant pressure.
  5. Reverse Navigation – Practice driving backwards in a straight line and around curves. Might save your life in a blocked canyon road.
  6. Underbody Clearance Assessment – Learn to eyeball what your car can straddle versus what’ll rip your oil pan off.
  7. Off-Road Tire Pressure Adjustment – Lower PSI to 18–22 for sand or snow traction. Bring a portable compressor to re-inflate later.
  8. Driving Without Headlights – Use parking lights or fogs if stealth is needed. Don’t silhouette yourself at night.
  9. River Crossing Techniques – Walk it first if you can’t see the bottom. Enter downstream at an angle and don’t stop moving.
  10. Using a Tow Strap Alone – Learn how to anchor and ratchet yourself out with trees, rocks, or even fence posts.
  11. Quick U-Turn Maneuvering – Know your car’s minimum turn radius in crisis—especially useful when you’re boxed in.
  12. Driving with Broken Windshield Visibility – Keep a squeegee and water bottle with vinegar. In sandstorms, it’s a godsend.
  13. Dealing with Road Rage or Looters – Never engage. Keep calm, move methodically. Use evasive turns into alleys, service roads, or dry washes.
  14. Mapping Your Exit Without Tech – Keep a paper topo map in your rig. Fold it. Annotate it. Love it. GPS dies, paper doesn’t.
  15. One-Handed Drive + Weapon Readiness – If you’re in a truly bad spot, practice steering with one hand while the other is…let’s just say, busy managing security.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

So you’re in the middle of NM-128, out of gas, and the next station is 70 miles behind you—burnt down in the last wildfire. Here’s how to get creative:

1. Alcohol-based Emergency Fuel Substitute

If you’ve got access to high-proof spirits (think 151+ proof or denatured alcohol), you can use small amounts mixed with gas in carbureted engines (not modern fuel-injected). It’s dirty, short-term, and hard on the engine—but it’ll buy you a few desperate miles.

2. Siphon with a Paracord Tube

Most vehicles are siphon-proof now—but not all. Use paracord tubing (inner strands removed) to siphon fuel from abandoned ATVs, generators, or lawn equipment. Practice the siphon technique beforehand, because if you mess it up in the field, you’ll drink gas.

3. Solar Heat Vapor Trick (Emergency Only)

In blazing sun, fuel vapors build up in tanks. Create a pressure system using black tubing and a heat chamber (a black bag filled with water). Use it to push vapors into a sealed container and then directly into a small engine. This is very experimental and dangerous. Use at your own risk and only when every other option’s gone.

Final Thoughts from the Road

New Mexico’s beauty is raw, powerful, and absolutely unforgiving. I’ve seen RVs melt into the desert floor, pickups swept away in bone-dry riverbeds that turned to whitewater in ten minutes, and motorists freeze to death just outside Taos when their apps said “mostly cloudy.”

When disaster hits, the roads don’t care about your comfort—they care about your competence. The terrain will test your instincts, and the silence will test your mental game. But with skill, calm nerves, and a vehicle prepped for the fight, you can turn the tide.

Don’t be the person who trusted traffic apps during a solar flare, or the one who believed a rental sedan could “handle it just fine.” Be the one who drives out when others stall. Be the one who lives.

Now, pack extra fuel, top off your water, and learn your roads—not when you need them, but before.

Idaho’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Idaho, Idaho Natural Disasters, Idaho preppers, Idaho's Worst RoadsLeave a comment

Idaho’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster – And How to Survive Them

By: A Well-Traveled Survivalist

I’ve spent the better part of three decades navigating the world’s toughest terrains, from the Andes to the Australian Outback. But I’ll tell you what—Idaho can be just as brutal when things go south. Between its mountainous topography, narrow two-lanes that snake through canyons, and high desert dust bowls, the Gem State becomes downright hostile in a disaster. If you’re unprepared, these roads won’t just delay you—they’ll swallow you whole.

In a natural disaster—whether it’s a wildfire roaring through the Sawtooths, a sudden snowstorm dumping three feet overnight, or a 6.5-magnitude earthquake cracking the highways—the road becomes your greatest adversary. Knowing which roads to avoid and how to survive the drive out can make all the difference.

The Five Worst Roads in Idaho During a Disaster

1. Highway 75 (Sawtooth Scenic Byway)
This picturesque road turns deadly fast. Rockslides, falling trees, and limited escape routes through Stanley and over Galena Summit make this a nightmare in a wildfire or earthquake.

2. U.S. Route 95 through the Salmon River Canyon
This stretch north of Riggins hugs cliffs, with only a guardrail between you and a sheer drop to the river below. In winter or during a landslide, it’s impassable.

3. Idaho State Highway 21 (Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway)
Beautiful? Yes. Reliable? Never. Known for avalanches and being cut off by snowstorms. In a disaster, this road becomes a one-way ticket to isolation.

4. Lolo Pass (U.S. 12)
Twisting through the Bitterroots, this route can be snowed in or blocked by fallen trees for days. Poor cell reception and little traffic means if you’re stranded, you’re on your own.

5. Interstate 84 near the Snake River Canyon
You’d think an interstate would be safe, but I-84 floods, suffers from black ice, and backs up quickly near Twin Falls. Gridlock here during a mass evacuation is guaranteed.

15 Survival Driving Skills That Can Save Your Life

Now, if you’re caught out on one of these hellish stretches when disaster strikes, you need more than just a full tank and good intentions. You need driving skills that’ll get you out alive.

1. Situational Awareness
Scan constantly—rearview, sides, road conditions, skies. Don’t focus on what’s directly in front of you alone.

2. Low-Visibility Driving
Dust storm? Blizzard? Learn to follow road edge lines, use fog lights (not high beams), and drive by feel—not speed.

3. Reverse Navigation
Sometimes, going backward is safer. Learn to backtrack efficiently through narrow paths or trails using your mirrors.

4. Braking Without Skidding
Practice controlled braking on loose gravel, snow, or wet pavement. ABS helps, but know how to pump manually if it fails.

5. Off-Road Handling
Get off the pavement and know how to drive through mud, sand, and rocky terrain without getting stuck or damaging your undercarriage.

6. Steep Incline Control
Climbing a mountain pass in bad weather requires gear control and throttle modulation. Don’t burn out your engine—or your nerves.

7. Controlled Descent
Descending steep grades with cargo or passengers? Use engine braking, low gears, and avoid riding your brakes.

8. Escape Turn Maneuvers
Practice J-turns, three-point turns in tight spaces, and u-turns on steep inclines. Sometimes the road ahead isn’t worth taking.

9. Tire Repair Under Pressure
Know how to plug a tire, swap a flat, or re-inflate using a portable air compressor. Keep a can of Fix-a-Flat for emergencies.

10. Engine Cooling Tricks
In a jam, turn on your heater to siphon heat from your engine. Puddle nearby? Splash water on the radiator grill.

11. Fuel Conservation Driving
Ease off the pedal. Use the highest gear possible at the lowest RPM to extend mileage. Coast downhill when safe.

12. Battery Smart Starts
If your car’s battery dies, know how to bump start a manual, or use solar chargers or power banks on an automatic.

13. Makeshift Winching
Strap + tree + physics. If stuck, use tow straps, tree trunks, and basic pulleys (even a jack) to free your ride.

14. Urban Evac Driving
Navigate traffic jams, shoulder lanes, sidewalks—whatever gets you out. Practice map reading when GPS fails.

15. Situational Vehicle Abandonment
Know when to walk. If your vehicle becomes a liability, stash gear, mark your location, and hoof it out.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

Even seasoned preppers get caught empty. If you run out of gas miles from nowhere, here are three hacks that might just save your hide.

1. Alcohol-Based Fuel Substitute
If you’re carrying high-proof liquor or hand sanitizer (must be at least 70% alcohol), some small engines can be coaxed to run off diluted ethanol. It’s not good for your engine long-term, but in a disaster? It’ll get you a few miles.

2. Fuel Scavenging from Abandoned Vehicles
Always carry a siphon hose. Pop the gas cap off any disabled car or truck—especially older ones without anti-siphon mesh. Be discreet, and remember: desperation isn’t theft during collapse.

3. Solar-Powered Vehicle Charging
For hybrids and EVs, a solar panel array (foldable mats or a rooftop rig) paired with a battery bank can recharge you just enough for short-range escapes. Keep this in your bug-out kit if you’re relying on electric.

Final Thoughts

Disaster doesn’t come with a warning label. It sneaks in on ash clouds, hidden fault lines, and sudden cloudbursts. And Idaho’s geography doesn’t care if you’ve got kids in the back or groceries in the trunk.

Survival on the road starts long before you turn the key. It begins with understanding the terrain, mastering your vehicle, and preparing for failure. Your ride can be a lifeline—or a coffin—depending on your mindset.

Pack like it’s the last time you’ll see a gas station. Drive like every second counts. And for the love of grit, respect the road. Because out here, nature always plays for keeps.

Colorado’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

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

Colorado’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster — and How to Survive Them

By someone who’s lived more out of a bug-out bag than most folks live in their own homes…

I’ve driven everything from the salt flats of Bolivia to the frozen mud tracks in Siberia. But there’s something uniquely challenging about Colorado’s roads—especially when the sky turns black, the cell towers go down, and panic is in the air. Beautiful as this state is, it’s got some of the worst roads to navigate in a crisis. Whether you’re dealing with wildfire, blizzard, flood, or mass evacuation, knowing which roads to avoid—and how to drive like your life depends on it—can make all the difference.

Let’s start with Colorado’s danger zones.

Top Colorado Roads to Avoid During a Disaster

  1. I-70 Through the Rockies (especially near Vail Pass and Eisenhower Tunnel)
    When the weather shifts, this artery becomes an icy death trap. Avalanches, blinding snow, or even mass pileups can shut it down within minutes. It’s steep, curvy, and often jammed.
  2. US-550 (The Million Dollar Highway)
    This stretch from Ouray to Silverton offers breathtaking views and terrifying cliff-edge driving. Zero guardrails. One mistake in snow, rain, or panic traffic, and you’re tumbling hundreds of feet.
  3. CO-93 Between Boulder and Golden
    Wind-prone and narrow, this road gets overwhelmed during wildfires or evacuations. The winds here can blow cars sideways.
  4. I-25 Between Colorado Springs and Denver
    Flat, yes—but completely paralyzed during emergencies. One disabled car and you’re gridlocked for hours. It’s also prime territory for sudden hailstorms and tornado threats.
  5. Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park
    When open, it’s the highest paved road in the U.S. But during a disaster, altitude sickness, unpredictable weather, and exposure make it a gamble not worth taking.
  6. CO-14 Through Poudre Canyon
    Flash floods love this area. Roads erode quickly, and landslides are common. Once blocked, help is miles away.
  7. Highway 36 to Estes Park
    Heavily trafficked by tourists, with limited escape routes. Wildfire or road collapse here turns the whole area into a trap.
  8. Wolf Creek Pass on US-160
    Fog, black ice, and steep grades make this one of the most lethal mountain passes. Tractor-trailers tip here regularly, even on good days.
  9. US-24 Near Leadville
    High elevation means thinner air, unpredictable storms, and increased vehicle stress. Don’t count on your engine loving this one under pressure.
  10. County Roads Near Durango and Telluride
    Scenic but narrow, many are unpaved with sheer drops and no shoulders. GPS often gets it wrong, too.

15 Survival Driving Skills That Could Save Your Life

When disaster hits and you’re behind the wheel, raw experience matters. Here are 15 survival driving skills that have kept me breathing:

  1. Off-Road Recovery
    Know how to rock your vehicle out of mud or snow without digging yourself deeper. Lower tire pressure, dig out clearance, and use floor mats for traction.
  2. Engine Braking on Steep Descents
    Don’t ride your brakes. Use low gear to control speed on declines, especially with heavy loads or towing.
  3. Driving Without GPS
    Memorize the terrain. Print maps. In a disaster, cell service and navigation apps will likely fail.
  4. Navigating Smoke or Fog
    Use low beams, avoid high beams which reflect back, and crack windows to listen for vehicles or danger.
  5. River and Flood Navigation
    Never cross a flooded road you can’t see the bottom of—but if you must, unbuckle, roll windows down, and go slow in low gear to avoid water entering your exhaust.
  6. Driving in Whiteout Conditions
    Stay within tire tracks if visible. Keep eyes on road edges. Slow down. No sudden moves.
  7. Pushing a Disabled Vehicle Alone
    Learn how to use gravity, terrain, or leverage tools like a Hi-Lift jack to move your car when solo.
  8. Handling Panic Traffic
    Avoid main arteries. Know side streets and utility roads. Timing is everything—leave early or don’t leave at all.
  9. Night Driving Without Headlights
    Practice it. Keep a red-light flashlight to preserve night vision. It’s sometimes needed in stealth scenarios.
  10. Hotwiring Older Vehicles (pre-2000s)
    Not for criminal use—but when SHTF, and your car dies, knowing how to jumpstart an old truck can save lives.
  11. Manual Navigation Using Topography
    Read the land. Ridges, valleys, river systems—all help you reorient when your compass is shot or you’re lost.
  12. Fuel Scavenging Etiquette
    Always keep a siphon kit. Know which vehicles have anti-siphon valves and how to work around them.
  13. Reading Vehicle Temp and Warning Signs
    Know when to stop. An overheating engine or failing brakes in the mountains = death sentence.
  14. Driving with One Tire Flat or Busted
    Yes, it’s ugly. But you can limp 2–5 miles if you have to. Cut speed, balance load.
  15. DIY Traction Mods
    Carry sand, kitty litter, or traction boards. Also, you can chain up with rope or even zip ties in a pinch (short-term only).

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

Out of fuel in the Colorado high country? Here’s what I’ve done when my tank hit E in the worst places imaginable:

  1. Alcohol-Based Fire Starter Fuel
    If you’ve got high-proof alcohol or even some antiseptic (over 70% isopropyl), you can mix it with fuel residue in the tank and get just enough volatility to sputter down a hill or to safety. Only use in emergencies. It’s hard on the engine—but better than freezing to death.
  2. Gravity Glide from High Elevation
    Lost fuel at altitude? Put your rig in neutral or low gear and use gravity to coast downhill for miles. You’d be amazed how far a heavy vehicle will roll if you plan your escape route wisely. Don’t forget brakes still need vacuum power—use it wisely.
  3. Scavenge Gas from Lawn Equipment and ATVs
    Cabins, shacks, and garages often have old fuel cans for chainsaws or snowmobiles. It’s dirty fuel—but a coffee filter and a funnel can get you enough clean stuff to make it to town.

Final Thoughts from a Road-Worn Survivor

Driving during a disaster is not just about getting from Point A to B—it’s about keeping calm under pressure, improvising when the odds are against you, and knowing when to ditch the vehicle altogether. Trust your instincts. Carry extra of everything. And never underestimate Colorado’s terrain—she’s got a way of testing your resolve when you least expect it.

I’ve seen wildfires outrun semis, hail the size of fists break windshields, and snow traps that sealed people into their trucks for 48 hours. Respect the land, prep like your life depends on it—because out here, it does.

Alabama’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

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

Alabama’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster – Survival Driving Skills That Could Save Your Life

Let me tell you something I’ve learned the hard way: roads can either save your life or seal your fate. I’ve driven through war zones, flood plains, and wildfire hellscapes—from the Andes to Appalachia—and one thing stays true no matter where you are: when the world turns upside down, your vehicle becomes your lifeline.

Now, I’ve got a deep respect for Alabama. The people are tough, the land is rich, but the roads? Well, in a disaster, they can become death traps. You’ve got narrow highways hugging cliffs, crumbling backroads, and choke points through every major city. When a hurricane, tornado, or grid-down crisis hits, you better know where to avoid—and how to drive like your life depends on it.

Because it just might.

The Deadliest Roads in Alabama When SHTF

Let’s get the lay of the land first. These roads are notorious for bottlenecks, poor maintenance, flood risks, or all three. Avoid them if possible in a disaster—unless you’ve got no choice, in which case you’d better be armed with skill and grit.

  1. I-65 in Birmingham – A concrete artery clogged with wreckage even on a good day. In a disaster, this becomes a parking lot surrounded by desperation.
  2. US 431 (The Highway to Hell) – Ranked one of America’s most dangerous highways. Rural, poorly lit, and winding. When panic hits, this road becomes lethal.
  3. I-20/I-59 through Tuscaloosa – Twisting interstates with heavy truck traffic and notorious pile-ups. One wrong move and you’re caught in a metal maze.
  4. AL-69 through Cullman County – Narrow, flood-prone, and lined with trees that come down like matchsticks in a storm.
  5. County Road 137 (near Florala) – Bad pavement, blind turns, and limited cell service. Isolation here can turn deadly fast.
  6. US 231 near Montgomery – High speeds, low visibility in fog or smoke, and not enough shoulders for emergency stops.
  7. I-10 through Mobile – Prone to hurricane surge, flooding, and gridlock. You do not want to be stuck here as a storm rolls in.
  8. AL-21 through Talladega National Forest – Remote, winding, and vulnerable to rockslides and fallen trees.
  9. US 72 near Huntsville – Urban sprawl, high traffic, and flash flood danger make this road risky under pressure.
  10. County Route 89 (Lookout Mountain Parkway) – Stunning views, but steep drops, tight curves, and zero forgiveness in icy or wet conditions.

15 Survival Driving Skills for When It All Goes Sideways

If you’re stuck driving during a disaster—fleeing a fire, outrunning a flood, or navigating the aftermath of civil unrest—you need more than a license. You need survival instincts behind the wheel. Here’s what I’ve learned over thousands of miles on the edge:

  1. Off-Road Readiness
    Learn how to take your vehicle off the asphalt. Practice driving through mud, sand, and shallow creeks. Most disasters force you off the paved path.
  2. Reading Terrain Fast
    Scan ahead for soft shoulders, unstable ground, or collapsed asphalt. Your eyes should be 5–10 seconds down the road at all times.
  3. Momentum Conservation
    In soft ground, momentum is life. Slow, steady acceleration prevents getting bogged down. Never stop moving unless absolutely necessary.
  4. Threshold Braking
    Learn to brake just before your tires lock up. This is key on slippery or flooded roads where ABS might fail or be overwhelmed.
  5. J-Turns and Reverse Evasion
    A J-turn isn’t just for Hollywood. Practice reversing at speed and turning 180° to escape roadblocks or ambushes.
  6. Driving Without Power Steering or Brakes
    Ever lost power mid-drive? Most people freeze. Practice manual steering and pumping brakes in a dead engine scenario.
  7. Situational Awareness
    Know your 360°. Keep track of what’s behind, beside, and ahead of you—especially in urban chaos where threats come from all angles.
  8. Fuel Scavenging Knowledge
    Learn which vehicles use compatible fuel types. Modern gas has ethanol, but old-school mechanics can tell you how to mix and match in a pinch.
  9. Navigating Without GPS
    GPS fails. Learn to read a paper map, recognize north without a compass, and memorize cardinal directions.
  10. Driving in Total Darkness
    Use your high beams judiciously. Drive with no lights if necessary, using moonlight and memory. Eyes take 15–30 minutes to adjust.
  11. Crossing Flooded Roads
    Never cross water unless you know it’s less than a foot deep. Walk it first. Watch for current and washout holes.
  12. Improvised Traction Techniques
    Use floor mats, branches, or sandbags to get unstuck from mud or snow.
  13. Silent Driving Techniques
    Sometimes stealth beats speed. Coast downhill in neutral, drive without headlights, and avoid honking unless it’s life or death.
  14. Avoiding Choke Points
    Plan routes with at least three exit paths. Avoid bridges, tunnels, and underpasses unless absolutely necessary.
  15. Vehicle Self-Recovery
    Learn to use a come-along winch, jack, or tow strap solo. Don’t rely on help. Assume you are the help.

3 DIY Fuel Hacks When You Run Dry

No gas? No problem—if you’ve got the know-how and a little bushcraft grit.

  1. Siphoning From Abandoned Vehicles
    Keep a hand-pump siphon hose in your vehicle. Look for cars in shade (less evaporation) and check tanks by knocking near the rear wheel well. Be respectful—only siphon from truly abandoned vehicles.
  2. Alcohol Fuel Substitution
    In an emergency, high-proof alcohol (like moonshine or ethanol) can run in older carbureted engines or converted flex-fuel vehicles. It burns hotter and faster, so use sparingly and only if you understand your engine.
  3. Fuel Bladder Storage
    Don’t rely on the tank alone. Keep a collapsible fuel bladder hidden in your trunk or strapped under the chassis. Rotate stored fuel every few months to avoid phase separation or water contamination.

Final Word from the Driver’s Seat

Disasters strip away the luxury of inexperience. When you’re racing down US 431 as a wildfire chews up the woods behind you, or crawling through waterlogged I-10 with your kids in the backseat, what you do behind the wheel matters. Not just for you—but for everyone you’re trying to protect.

You don’t need a military-grade vehicle or a doomsday bunker on wheels. What you need is skill, mindset, and mobility. You need to look at your vehicle not as a machine—but as your escape route, your shelter, and sometimes, your weapon.

Know your terrain. Respect your machine. Never panic.
Drive smart. Drive hard. Survive.

Arkansas’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Arkansas, Arkansas Preparedness, Arkansas Survival Preppers, Arkansas's Worst RoadsLeave a comment

Arkansas’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster — and How to Survive Them Behind the Wheel

Let me tell you something straight: if you’re driving through Arkansas during a full-blown disaster and you don’t know what you’re doing, you’re not just putting your life at risk—you’re endangering everyone you pass on that broken stretch of asphalt. I’ve spent years roaming every type of terrain from deserts to frozen tundras, and there’s one truth that always holds: your vehicle is either your salvation or your coffin. It all depends on how you drive it—and where.

Arkansas, beautiful and rugged as it is, isn’t exactly known for pristine highway conditions. But throw in a disaster—tornado, flood, winter storm, grid-down blackout, or civil unrest—and those narrow backroads and twisting mountain passes turn into traps. Let’s take a look at the worst places to drive through in Arkansas during a disaster, followed by survival driving skills and DIY hacks that might just save your life.

Arkansas’s Worst Roads During a Disaster

1. Highway 7 (Between Harrison and Russellville)
Picturesque? Absolutely. Safe during a flood or ice storm? Not a chance. Landslides, falling trees, and zero visibility curves make this a deathtrap when the weather turns.

2. Interstate 30 (Little Rock to Texarkana)
This corridor gets clogged fast in any kind of mass evacuation. Throw in overturned trucks, panic drivers, or a fuel shortage, and you’ve got a parking lot with a panic problem.

3. Highway 10 (Near Perryville)
Flooding hits this area hard. The road might still look “passable,” but underneath the water? Washed out culverts and crumbling pavement.

4. Interstate 40 (Especially near the White River crossing)
This stretch turns into a swampy mess when the river floods. Combine that with heavy 18-wheeler traffic and frantic evacuees, and you’re playing roulette with every mile.

5. Scenic Highway 23 – “The Pig Trail”
Don’t let the charming name fool you. During a disaster, those hairpin turns, narrow lanes, and zero guardrails can quickly become lethal.

6. Highway 71 (Between Fayetteville and Fort Smith)
Rockslides, sharp inclines, and over-confident flatlanders trying to “make good time” can clog this route in the worst way.

7. Highway 270 (Hot Springs to Mt. Ida)
Beautiful country, but limited visibility, heavy trees, and zero alternate escape routes. If something blocks your way, you’re boxed in.

8. Highway 67/167 Corridor
One of the busiest roads during evacuations. Potholes, debris, and desperate drivers weaving in and out make it a gauntlet.

9. Highway 49 (Especially near Helena-West Helena)
Low-lying areas flood fast, and that Delta wind can rip through with little warning. If the levees are stressed, it’s game over.

10. County Roads in the Ozarks
These are gravel, often unsigned, and nearly impassable with heavy rain or snow. Don’t depend on GPS—it’ll lead you right into the woods and leave you there.

15 Survival Driving Skills to Get You Out Alive

When it hits the fan, knowing how to actually drive in crisis conditions separates survivors from statistics. Here’s what I’ve learned over three decades of road-running in war zones, wilderness, and wipeouts:

  1. Threshold Braking – Learn to brake without locking your wheels. Keeps control even on wet or icy roads.
  2. Handbrake Turns – When you’ve got to spin the vehicle on a dime in tight quarters (say, boxed in a riot), this old rally trick can be a lifesaver.
  3. Low Gear Hill Descent – Keeps you from skidding downhill like a boulder. Especially critical in the Ozarks.
  4. Off-Road Tire Placement – Know how to straddle ruts and avoid tire-poppers like branches and nails.
  5. Driving Without Power Steering – If your engine dies or belt snaps, you’d better be able to muscle that wheel.
  6. Escape Driving in Reverse – You might need to back out of a tight spot fast. Practice controlled reversing at speed.
  7. Ramming Basics – If you must break through a barricade, hit low and center with controlled speed—not full throttle.
  8. Water Fording Technique – Don’t guess. Know your vehicle’s wading depth, and never cross fast-moving water.
  9. Driving by Compass – When GPS dies and you’re in the woods, compass navigation from map-to-ground is critical.
  10. Driving with Blown Tires – Maintain control, keep speed low, and don’t brake hard. Get to a flat zone fast.
  11. Tire Plugging in the Field – Carry a repair kit and know how to use it. Don’t wait until you’re leaking air 40 miles from help.
  12. Situational Awareness – You need 360° mental coverage at all times. Watch mirrors, scan shoulders, anticipate threats.
  13. Stealth Driving – Kill lights, coast in neutral, and keep RPMs low if you’re avoiding detection.
  14. Fuel Efficiency Driving – Coast where you can, drive 45-55 MPH, and avoid sudden acceleration to extend your fuel range.
  15. Mental Control Under Pressure – Might not seem like a “skill,” but it’s what separates panic from execution. Breathe, focus, adapt.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

Sometimes, despite your planning, you’ll run dry. Maybe fuel’s gone, maybe your tank’s been siphoned while you slept. Here are three field hacks that can help you squeeze a few more miles—or at least survive the walk.

1. Alcohol Stove Siphon Burner (Emergency Siphon Booster)
If you’ve got denatured alcohol, Everclear, or even high-proof liquor, you can rig a small burner under your intake pipe (carefully) to vaporize trace gasoline and create enough vapor pressure to nudge the engine over. Crude? Absolutely. But I’ve seen it work.

2. Campfire Carb Heat Trick
If you’re stuck and the engine’s too cold to vaporize remaining fuel (especially in old carb models), build a small fire nearby and redirect heat with a metal plate toward the engine block. Don’t overdo it—you want warmth, not ignition.

3. Gravity Feed from Spare Canister
Bypassing the fuel pump entirely with a gravity-feed line can give older vehicles a few extra miles. Hang the spare can higher than the fuel intake, use a clear hose and basic valve to control flow. Works best on low-pressure systems.

Final Thoughts from the Road

You don’t need to be a Navy SEAL or a Mad Max road warrior to survive behind the wheel during a disaster. What you do need is planning, experience, and the will to stay calm under fire. Don’t depend on luck. Don’t rely on rescue. When the road disappears, the GPS dies, and the fuel gauge hits E—you’ll wish you knew every one of these tips by heart.

Arkansas is a land of beauty, but beauty doesn’t mean mercy. The roads here can be cruel, especially when nature—or society—turns hostile. Keep your tank full, your eyes sharp, and your instincts sharper. Out here, survival favors the prepared.

Texas Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn texas, Texas Survival Prepper, Texas Worst RoadsLeave a comment

Texas’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

By a Well-Traveled Survivalist Who’s Seen the Best and the Worst of the Road

I’ve crisscrossed the American backroads more times than I can count, from snowbound Colorado passes to hurricane-ravaged Gulf shores. But let me tell you something—Texas is a different kind of beast. It’s big, it’s brash, and when disaster strikes, some of its roads become outright death traps. Whether you’re facing a flood, a wildfire, or another gridlocked evacuation, the road you choose may decide whether you make it out—or not.

Over the years, I’ve built up a set of survival driving skills that have saved my hide more than once, and I’m going to share them with you. But first, let’s talk about the roads in Texas you’ll want to avoid like a snake nest in a dry creek bed during a crisis.

Roads You Don’t Want to Be On When SHTF in Texas

1. Interstate 35 (I-35) – From Laredo to Dallas-Fort Worth

This artery is always congested, even on a good day. In a disaster, I-35 turns into a parking lot. You’re better off knowing every farm-to-market road that parallels it if you want to stay mobile.

2. Highway 290 – Austin to Houston

Flood-prone and often backed up, especially during hurricane evacuations. If water’s coming in fast or the storm’s already spun in, steer clear.

3. Interstate 10 (I-10) – Beaumont to San Antonio

When hurricanes hit, this corridor clogs up fast. It’s wide open in places, making it a wind tunnel in a storm or a frying pan in a fire.

4. Highway 6 – College Station to Houston

Tends to become a nightmare of stalled cars, especially during major storm evacuations. Low-lying sections are prone to flash flooding.

5. Loop 610 – Houston

In any kind of urban disaster, this loop can trap you like a hog in a snare. You’ll be surrounded, boxed in, and stressed to the limit.

6. Interstate 20 (I-20) – Dallas to Midland

Prone to pileups, and in a panic-driven escape, people drive like they’ve lost their minds. Visibility drops quick in West Texas dust storms.

7. US 59 – Laredo to Houston

A major route for trucking and border traffic—clogged with semis and trailers. Don’t get caught behind jackknifed rigs.

8. Farm to Market Road 1960 – North of Houston

Overbuilt, under-maintained, and a mess during any kind of storm or power outage.

9. Spaghetti Bowl – Dallas Interchange (I-30/I-35E/I-345)

Try navigating this complex tangle when the lights go out or the GPS is dead. Not a good place to be when you’re trying to keep moving.

10. State Highway 288 – Houston to Angleton

Floods fast, drains slow. There are some stretches where water lingers like bad company after a storm.

15 Survival Driving Skills That Could Save Your Life

When the pressure’s on and seconds count, driving becomes more than just a means of transport—it becomes a survival skill. Here are 15 techniques I swear by:

  1. Know Your Terrain: Study the backroads before the disaster strikes. Keep a paper map—GPS won’t always be there.
  2. Brake Control on Slopes: Learn how to pump or feather your brakes going downhill to avoid lock-up or skidding.
  3. Hydroplaning Recovery: Ease off the gas, steer straight. Do not brake hard or jerk the wheel.
  4. Driving Through Floodwater: Never if it’s over 6 inches deep—but if you must, go slow and steady. Keep engine revs up and don’t stop.
  5. Night Vision Driving: Use your low beams in fog or smoke, and keep your windshield spotless to reduce glare.
  6. Off-Road Evasion: Learn how to jump a curb or veer off-road without flipping your rig. Know your clearance and approach angles.
  7. Manual Gear Use (Even in Automatics): Downshifting can help with control in hilly terrain or when brakes are failing.
  8. Traffic Weaving: Keep a buffer zone and learn how to “thread the needle” when stalled traffic gives you only inches to work with.
  9. Engine Overheat Management: If you’re stuck crawling in heat, kill the A/C, idle in neutral, and blast the heat to draw off engine temp.
  10. Using Medians or Ditches: If blocked in, use grassy medians or shallow ditches as escape paths—know how your vehicle handles uneven ground.
  11. Fuel Efficiency Mode: Light throttle, early shifts, and coasting techniques to stretch every last drop of fuel.
  12. Aggressive Exit Maneuvers: Practice quick U-turns, reversing at speed, and J-turns if you’re in open space and need to evade.
  13. Flat Tire Management: Know how to drive 2–3 miles on a rim or flat if safety demands it. Destroying a wheel is better than losing your life.
  14. Mirror Discipline: Never stop checking your six. Rear-view awareness in chaos keeps you ahead of threats and opportunities.
  15. Team Convoy Tactics: If traveling with others, stagger formation, use radios, and assign lead/scout/cleanup roles for safety.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

When that needle hits E and you’re nowhere near civilization, ingenuity is your best friend. These aren’t perfect, but they can give you the edge to get out alive:

1. Siphon From Abandoned Vehicles (Legally & Ethically)

Always carry a siphon kit. Even when power’s out, fuel sits in tanks. Make sure you know how to bypass anti-siphon valves. Target older vehicles for ease.

2. Alcohol-Based Emergency Burn Mix

In an absolute pinch, a high-proof alcohol mix (like Everclear) can serve as a limited substitute in older gasoline engines. It burns hotter and faster, so use cautiously and only short term. Test before relying on it.

3. Gravity Drain From Fuel Line

If you have access to a vehicle with a punctured fuel system, you can gravity-drain fuel by disconnecting the line beneath the tank (ideally while wearing gloves and using a container). Dangerous, yes, but useful.

Final Thoughts

Texas is a land of beauty, pride, and wide horizons. But it’s also a place where a lack of planning can get you stranded in a flooded bayou, trapped in bumper-to-bumper traffic, or worse. Don’t count on authorities to save you—they’ll be busy. Your best shot at survival is knowledge, practice, and readiness.

When the sky darkens and the roads jam up, you want to be the one who’s already moving. Not the one looking at taillights and rising water.

Stay sharp. Stay mobile. Stay alive.

Wyoming’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Wyoming, Wyoming's Worst Roads to Drive on During a DisasterLeave a comment

Driving Through Disaster: Survival Tactics for Navigating Wyoming’s Worst Roads

When the sky turns black and the land starts to rumble, there’s only one thing on a survivalist’s mind: movement. You get caught sitting still during a natural disaster—be it wildfire, flood, blizzard, or quake—and you’re as good as part of the wreckage. Wyoming, beautiful and vast as she is, has some of the worst roads you could imagine driving when Mother Nature’s wrath descends. I’ve driven through it all—dust storms in the high plains, snow squalls near Togwotee Pass, even a landslide outside of Jackson that buried half a two-lane mountain road. And I’m still here to tell you what works—and what damn sure doesn’t.

Now, I’ve broken down in Bighorn Canyon in winter and blown a radiator going downhill on Highway 22 when the brakes cooked out. I know every rattle and groan a vehicle makes when it’s begging you to stop. But survival? That’s about going forward when everything else is falling apart.

Wyoming’s Most Treacherous Roads in a Natural Disaster

Some roads here seem like they were designed with disaster in mind—twisting, narrow, unforgiving. If a major event hits—earthquake, wildfire, blizzard—these are the roads you want to avoid or be prepared to conquer:

  1. Togwotee Pass (US 26/287) – Altitude, avalanche zones, and whiteout blizzards make this a death trap.
  2. Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (WY 296) – Gorgeous in summer, but in winter or fire season, it’s a one-way ticket to stuck.
  3. I-80 through Elk Mountain Pass – Infamous for sudden blizzards and 80-mph wind gusts. Trucks jackknife here regularly.
  4. Beartooth Highway – Known as one of the most dangerous roads in America; beautiful, but cliffs and snowstorms will kill you.
  5. WY-22 over Teton Pass – Hairpin turns, rockslides, and no room for error.
  6. Wind River Canyon (US 20) – Landslides, flooding, and ice take this scenic drive and turn it into a trap.
  7. WY-130 (Snowy Range Scenic Byway) – Closed most of the year for good reason. In a disaster? Forget it.
  8. Casper Mountain Road – Steep, unguarded, and a magnet for ice and landslides.
  9. South Pass (WY-28) – Historic, yes—but treacherous in high winds and with poor visibility.
  10. Medicine Bow Mountains routes – Remote, often unmaintained, and the first to close in bad weather.

15 Survival Driving Skills to Get You Through Hell

When disaster hits and the roads go to hell, here’s what you better know before you even turn the key.

  1. Threshold Braking – Learn to brake just before your tires lock. Especially useful on icy or gravel roads.
  2. Clutch Control (Manual Transmissions) – Use low gears to descend steep grades safely or to power through debris.
  3. Off-Road Line Picking – Know how to visually choose the safest path over rocks, through mud, or across fallen branches.
  4. High-Centered Escape – Know how to rock your vehicle out when it’s stuck on a crest (like snowbanks or debris piles).
  5. Skid Recovery – Steer into the skid, don’t panic, and throttle lightly to regain control.
  6. Water Fording Techniques – Know how to test water depth, use low gear, and maintain a slow, steady bow wave.
  7. Reading Road Shoulders – In Wyoming, shoulders are often soft, crumbly. Know what’s drivable—and what’s a trap.
  8. Using Reverse Strategically – Sometimes backtracking 50 feet is safer than pushing ahead into chaos.
  9. Downhill Descent Control – Use engine braking (low gears) instead of cooking your brake pads.
  10. Navigating Without GPS – Natural disasters knock out cell towers. Know how to read a topographical map and use a compass.
  11. Night Vision Preservation – Keep your cabin lights off, dash dimmed. Let your eyes adjust; use red filters if needed.
  12. Quick Tire Change Under Duress – Practice doing this in under 10 minutes. Time is life when you’re being chased by wildfire.
  13. Improvised Traction Aids – Floor mats, branches, even clothing can give you grip on snow or mud.
  14. Evacuation Convoy Driving – Know how to follow closely without tailgating and communicate with lights or hand signals.
  15. Stealth Movement – Sometimes survival means not being seen. Turn off lights, coast in neutral, stay low and slow.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

Even the best laid plans meet the bottom of a gas tank. If you’re deep in Wyoming’s backcountry when the needle drops to E, here’s what can keep you moving:

  1. Fuel Siphoning (If It’s Legal and Safe)
    Carry a hand siphon or rubber hose. Abandoned vehicles or machines in remote farms may have usable fuel. Use a filter (like a cloth or even a coffee filter) to screen debris as you transfer.
  2. DIY Wood Gasifier (Advanced Hack)
    Old-school tech: with metal cans, piping, and a heat source, you can build a wood gasifier. Burns wood to create gas vapor usable by older carbureted engines. Doesn’t work on modern fuel-injected cars without major modding—but for that 1980s pickup? Maybe your only option.
  3. Alcohol-Based Fuel Substitute (Short Range Only)
    If you’ve got isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, or even high-proof liquor, you can mix it in with leftover gas in emergencies. You’ll burn hotter and dirtier, and it’s not good long-term—but in a disaster, range matters more than emissions.

A Survivalist’s Advice for Wyoming Disasters

Wyoming isn’t forgiving. With towns separated by dozens of empty miles and weather that can turn in a heartbeat, you have to drive like your life depends on it—because out here, it does. Keep your rig ready at all times: full tank, spare fuel cans (stabilized), tools, jack, patch kit, compressor, food, and water for three days minimum. I keep a bugout bag in the cab and a collapsible shovel in the bed. I also travel with tire chains—even in summer—because snow can hit in August up near Beartooth.

In winter, I preheat my diesel with a generator or plug-in timer, and I’ve learned the hard way that synthetic oil is mandatory when the mercury drops below -20°F. Got stranded once near Rawlins for 28 hours in a whiteout—thank God I had insulated boots, a zero-degree bag, and a Hi-Lift jack to lift the truck out of a drift when it all cleared.

Also, know how to communicate without a cell. A CB radio, handheld ham (with a license if you’re being legal), or even a signal mirror can mean the difference between rescue and rotting. Don’t expect anyone to come for you fast—not here.

And never drive into the unknown without logging your route with someone. Even if it’s just a buddy over text. If you vanish in Wyoming’s backroads, it can be weeks before anyone finds you—if at all.

Final Thoughts

Driving in disaster is not about speed—it’s about control. Knowing your machine. Reading the land. Making decisions in seconds that mean life or death. That’s survival driving. And in a place like Wyoming, where the sky can fall on you in more ways than one, that knowledge isn’t just a skill.

It’s your salvation.