Tag: survival driving

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

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn South Carolina, South Carolina's worst roadsLeave a comment

Driving Through the Storm: Survivalist Strategies for Navigating South Carolina’s Worst Roads in a Disaster

If there’s one lesson I’ve learned after years of traversing war zones, hurricane paths, and backcountry roads from the Appalachian hills to the swamps of Louisiana, it’s this: you don’t survive a disaster by luck—you survive by preparation and skill. South Carolina, with its thick pine forests, low-lying flood zones, and hurricane-prone coastlines, offers up a unique challenge to the survival-minded driver. When natural disasters hit—be it hurricane, flood, or even civil unrest—your ability to get in your rig and move can mean the difference between life and death.

I’ve driven every stretch of this state, from the marshy edges of Beaufort to the washed-out farm roads of Marion County. And I’ve seen what happens when people panic and rely too much on GPS and too little on grit. Below, I’ll break down 15 survival driving skills that will keep you mobile when others are stranded. I’ll also give you three DIY hacks for when your fuel runs dry—because out there, ingenuity is often your best co-pilot.

But before we dive in, you need to understand something about South Carolina’s roads during a crisis: they can become death traps.

South Carolina’s Worst Roads in a Disaster Scenario

South Carolina doesn’t lack for challenging terrain even on a blue-sky day. Add a natural disaster and you’re looking at some serious trouble zones. The worst roads? They’re the ones most likely to flood, clog, or collapse.

  1. US-17 (Charleston to Georgetown) – Beautiful coastal views, sure—but a hurricane’s dream target. Storm surge floods this route quickly, and it turns into a swampy mess fast.
  2. I-26 (Charleston to Columbia) – One of the main evacuation routes during hurricanes. It gets clogged fast, and if authorities reverse lanes (contraflow), you’re stuck in a one-way funnel.
  3. SC-9 (Marlboro and Horry Counties) – Known for low visibility and poor maintenance, especially near flood zones.
  4. US-501 (Conway to Myrtle Beach) – A bottleneck in every evacuation. Flooding and traffic jams make it impassable in hours.
  5. I-95 near Lake Marion – This stretch is susceptible to wind damage and long-term closures. Fallen trees, washed-out bridges—you name it.
  6. SC-41 through Jamestown – Low bridges and thick woods make it hard to navigate post-disaster.
  7. Old Charleston Highway (Beaufort County) – Narrow and often surrounded by swampy ditches.
  8. Rural routes through the Pee Dee region – Poor signage, washouts, and zero cell reception.
  9. Greenville’s mountain foothill backroads – Prone to landslides during heavy rains.
  10. Backroads of McCormick and Edgefield Counties – Gorgeous but deserted—if you break down, you’re on your own.

15 Survival Driving Skills to Master Now

  1. Off-Road Navigation
    GPS is great until it isn’t. Learn to read a paper map and orient by sun or compass. Disasters knock out satellites and towers.
  2. Driving Without Headlights
    In some situations—like avoiding attention—you need to drive stealth. Use low-beam techniques, moonlight, or red LED cabin lights to see without becoming a target.
  3. Emergency Braking on Wet Roads
    ABS systems don’t work well on washed-out roads. Practice controlled skids and pump-braking on gravel and mud.
  4. Water-Crossing Tactics
    If water is less than two feet deep, drive slowly and steadily. Never stop in the water. Avoid fast-moving current at all costs.
  5. Changing a Tire in the Dark
    Do it blindfolded if you must. You won’t always have daylight—or time.
  6. Driving With One Tire Flat
    Practice limp-driving to safety. Know how far your vehicle can go on a flat before the rim gives.
  7. Hand Signals and Silent Communication
    If radios fail and you’re traveling in a convoy, hand signals are gold.
  8. Fuel Rationing and Efficiency Driving
    Use coasting, skip-shifting, and low-RPM driving to conserve every drop.
  9. Jumpstarting Without Cables
    Push start if you drive manual, or use a rope-tow method with another vehicle.
  10. Vehicle Armor on the Fly
    Sheet metal, wood, or even filled sandbags can turn your SUV into a rolling bunker if civil unrest breaks out.
  11. Improvised Chains and Traction Aids
    Zip ties, paracord, or even floor mats can help you escape a muddy trap.
  12. Hotwiring Older Vehicles
    Not for fun—sometimes you’ll find an abandoned ride that could save your life. Know how to start older, non-chip-key vehicles in an emergency.
  13. Low-Visibility Convoy Movement
    If dust or rain limits visibility, tail light discipline and spacing keeps your team together.
  14. Driving with Damaged Windshields
    Pack clear plastic and duct tape—it won’t be perfect, but it’s better than shattered glass cutting you up.
  15. Escape and Evasion Driving
    Practice quick U-turns, J-turns, and ditch exits in safe conditions. These maneuvers aren’t just for movies—they save lives.

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

Let’s face it, fuel is often the first thing to go in a disaster. Every car in the county hits the pumps at once. Here’s how to stay mobile when the needle hits E.

  1. Siphoning Fuel Safely
    Keep clear tubing, a gas can, and a siphon bulb in your kit. Modern cars have anti-siphon valves, but you can still access gas from lawn mowers, boats, or older vehicles. Be discreet and respectful if scavenging.
  2. DIY Ethanol Fuel Substitute (Short-Term)
    If you’re in a bind and find moonshine or denatured alcohol, you can mix small amounts with gasoline (no more than 10-15%) to stretch your supply. Use only in emergencies—this can damage engines long-term.
  3. Emergency Bicycle Tow Rig
    Sounds crazy, but I once pulled a small SUV 3 miles with a mountain bike and pulley rig downhill in Colorado. Use paracord, a fixed rear axle, and ingenuity. This can get you from floodplain to high ground if no better options exist.

Final Thoughts from the Road

When the sky darkens over the Palmetto State, and the highways are a parking lot of desperate souls, your ability to think, drive, and adapt is what sets you apart from the herd. I’ve driven out of fires in California, through mudslides in Central America, and out of storm surge zones on Edisto Island with less than a gallon in the tank. And every time, it came down to knowing my vehicle, trusting my gut, and being prepared when no one else was.

Remember: the road may be your escape route—but it’s also a battlefield. Train accordingly.

Keep your rig clean, your tank topped, and your mind sharp.

See you out there.

Hawaii’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

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

Driving Out of Disaster: Survivalist Secrets for Navigating Hawaii’s Worst Roads in a Crisis

Let me tell you something I’ve learned the hard way—wilderness survival skills are worth their weight in gold, but if you can’t drive your way out of hell when the ground starts shaking or the sea comes crashing in, all that bushcraft won’t do you a lick of good.

I’ve driven across lands scarred by wildfires, through hurricane-ravaged coastlines, and dodged falling ash from volcanic eruptions. And nowhere else are the stakes higher—or the roads rougher—than in Hawaii when nature turns mean. Paradise, yes. But when Pele gets restless or the sky splits open with rain, even a short drive can feel like an exodus through chaos.

So here’s what you need to know.

Hawaii’s Worst Roads in a Disaster

You need to respect the terrain. Hawaii isn’t like the mainland. Each island has its own personality—and its own deathtraps when disaster strikes.

  1. Highway 11 (Big Island) – Cuts across lava fields. A major eruption and this artery gets buried in fire and stone. During the 2018 Kilauea eruption, whole chunks of this road turned to rubble.
  2. Piilani Highway (Maui) – Scenic as hell, but remote. One landslide and you’re boxed in by cliffs and ocean.
  3. Kahekili Highway (Maui) – Narrow, winding, and crumbling in places. Try maneuvering through here with other panicked drivers. Good luck.
  4. Mauna Kea Access Road (Big Island) – If you think driving up a volcano during a storm is smart, think again. Ice, fog, lava, and altitude will gang up on you.
  5. Farrington Highway (Oahu) – Known for washouts, rockslides, and flash flooding. Get stuck here and you might not see another car for hours.
  6. Hana Highway (Maui) – 600+ hairpin turns. A gorgeous trap if blocked by landslides.
  7. Saddle Road (Daniel K. Inouye Highway, Big Island) – Offers an inland escape, but high elevation, fog, and wild weather can make it treacherous.
  8. Likelike Highway (Oahu) – One of the few roads through the Koʻolau Range. Block that, and Honolulu locks up fast.
  9. Tantalus/Round Top Drive (Oahu) – Landslides, sharp turns, zero visibility at night. You don’t want to be here when it gets slick.
  10. Kalanianaole Highway (Oahu) – Hugs the coast. When the sea rises, so do your chances of getting swept off the road.

Now, imagine being stuck on one of these during an earthquake, tsunami warning, or lava flow. That’s not the time to figure things out. That’s why you prepare now.

15 Survival Driving Skills to Master Before SHTF

  1. Off-road navigation – Not all roads go where you need to be. Learn how to read terrain and improvise your own route.
  2. Driving without GPS – Assume satellites fail. Get good with paper maps and landmarks.
  3. Using momentum – In low traction or uphill scenarios, use your vehicle’s weight and speed wisely to avoid getting bogged.
  4. Brake modulation – In wet or gravel terrain, slamming your brakes is suicide. Learn to pulse brake and control your stops.
  5. Tire repair on the fly – A flat in disaster country? If you can’t plug it, patch it, or swap it, you’re stuck.
  6. High-water crossing techniques – Know the depth limit of your vehicle and how to create a wake. Never rush water deeper than your axles.
  7. Escape from mud/sand traps – Use branches, floor mats, or even clothing to create traction. A shovel in the trunk goes a long way.
  8. Driving with broken windows or no windshield – Clear goggles and duct tape will keep the wind and ash out of your eyes and lungs.
  9. Manual override knowledge – Know how to manually shift your auto trans vehicle, disable electric locks, and pop the fuel door.
  10. Stealth driving at night – Tape your brake lights and use only side markers or a red lens flashlight. When avoiding detection is key, blackout mode matters.
  11. Controlled skids – Understand understeer vs. oversteer. Practicing skid recovery on a dirt lot can save your life.
  12. Conserving fuel with coasting – Coast downhill in neutral (manuals preferred) and cut the engine when not in motion.
  13. Evading roadblocks – Turnarounds, backtracking, and finding alternative routes with minimal delay. Don’t commit to a blocked road.
  14. Driving in ash – Keep the engine air filter clean and use a wet cloth over the intake if possible. Go slow to avoid clogging up critical systems.
  15. Towing and recovery – Learn how to use tow straps, winches, and chains without snapping them like a whip.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

Let’s face it—when everyone’s fleeing, fuel disappears fast. Here’s how you stretch or make do when the tank’s dry:

  1. Siphon from abandoned vehicles
    Keep a siphon pump in your trunk. Modern cars make this harder, but it’s not impossible. A clear hose, gravity, and some patience can net you a few gallons from cars left behind.
  2. DIY alcohol fuel
    If you’re really desperate and your car can handle it (older engines preferred), you can mix ethanol or high-proof alcohol (like grain alcohol or moonshine) with gasoline in small amounts. Never exceed 10-15% unless your vehicle is flex-fuel rated.
  3. Fuel cache with stabilizer
    This is prepper 101: stash a 5-gallon can with fuel stabilizer hidden somewhere along your bug-out route. Rotate it every 6 months. Not a hack in the moment, but a lifesaver when it counts.

Mindset, Not Metal, Gets You Through

No vehicle is disaster-proof, and no road is ever truly safe. But your knowledge and instincts are what turn your 4×4, sedan, or motorcycle into a survival tool. Think ahead. Scan the terrain. Stay calm. A driver in control is a survivor in motion.

Remember: in Hawaii, a lot can go wrong fast—tsunamis, landslides, volcanic activity, flash floods. When the sirens blare or the ground rumbles, you don’t want to be stuck behind someone fumbling with Google Maps or trying to reverse through a rockfall.

Be the one with the spare tire, full tank, laminated map, and eyes on the next move.

Final Thoughts

Hawaii’s roads offer some of the most stunning drives in the world—but in a disaster, they become choke points, traps, and dead ends. If you live there, or even plan to visit during hurricane or eruption season, treat driving like a survival skill. Practice. Prepare. Preload your routes. And remember—disaster favors the unprepared.

I’ve made it out of more messes than I can count because I drove smart, stayed calm, and never relied on luck. With these skills and hacks, you can do the same.

Georgia’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Georgia's Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I’ve been to deserts where the wind can skin you raw, jungles that eat vehicles whole, and mountains where roads crumble beneath your tires. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: survival isn’t just about muscle or fire-starting. Sometimes, it comes down to your ability to drive—fast, smart, and tactical—when everything’s falling apart. Whether you’re bugging out from a wildfire, navigating after a hurricane, or escaping gridlock in a flash flood, how you handle your rig could mean the difference between making it to safety or becoming a cautionary tale.

Let’s take Georgia for example. She’s a beautiful state with red clay, deep pine woods, winding backroads, and mountains that stretch like the backs of sleeping beasts. But when Mother Nature gets mean, Georgia’s roads turn into a survivalist’s obstacle course.

From Atlanta’s tangled interstates to the low country’s flood-prone causeways, there are a few roads that’ll test everything you’ve got if disaster strikes. Before I get into those, let’s lay down the survival driving skills every serious prepper should know.

15 Survival Driving Skills That Can Save Your Life

  1. Situational Awareness While Driving
    Eyes always scanning. Mirrors, side streets, overhead—your vehicle is your cocoon, but it’s also a target in chaos. Keep your head on a swivel.
  2. Quick Evasion Techniques
    Practice sudden U-turns, J-turns, and off-road cutouts. You’ll need to avoid blockades, mobs, or crumbling roads without hesitation.
  3. Low-Light and No-Light Navigation
    Learn to drive using only parking lights or no lights with night vision if needed. Sometimes stealth beats speed.
  4. Driving Without GPS
    When signals die, maps and compass knowledge will keep you from driving in circles or into danger.
  5. Vehicle Hardening
    Reinforce bumpers, tint windows, and keep a push bar or winch up front. Make your vehicle more resilient to impacts and capable of pushing through debris.
  6. Off-Road Recovery
    Know how to get unstuck with traction mats, a shovel, or a high-lift jack. Don’t count on clean pavement.
  7. Flood Navigation
    Learn how deep is too deep. Six inches of moving water can sweep away a car. Twelve inches and you’re a raft.
  8. Fuel Efficiency Driving
    Feather the throttle, coast in neutral, and know your gear-to-speed ratios. Save every drop of fuel.
  9. Mechanical Basics
    Can you replace a belt, bypass a dead alternator, or fix a radiator hose with duct tape and hose clamps? If not, learn.
  10. Driving Under Stress
    Adrenaline will spike. Breathe, focus, and execute. Panic kills.
  11. Barricade Bypassing
    Sometimes you don’t go around; you go through. Reinforced bumpers and sandbagged speed can get you past.
  12. Defensive Driving in Hostile Territory
    Maintain distance, avoid getting boxed in, and be ready to reverse course at a moment’s notice.
  13. Motorcycle or ATV Proficiency
    If your vehicle dies, two wheels or four small ones might be your Plan B. Learn how to handle them.
  14. Bridge and Overpass Avoidance
    They collapse, they clog, and they’re choke points. If there’s another way, take it.
  15. Tactical Communication
    Use CB radios, ham radios, or prearranged light signals to coordinate with your crew while on the move.

Georgia’s Worst Roads in a Natural Disaster

Now let’s talk local—Georgia has roads that are fine in blue skies but turn into death traps when the weather goes bad. Here are some you should avoid—or prepare to fight through:

  1. I-285 (Atlanta Perimeter)
    Known as “The Perimeter,” it clogs like a stopped-up artery in a crisis. One jackknifed semi and you’re gridlocked for miles.
  2. GA-400
    This highway cuts north through Atlanta’s suburbs. It’s a commuter’s nightmare on a normal day. In a disaster? Pure bottleneck.
  3. I-16 (Savannah to Macon)
    This east-west corridor is a hurricane evacuation route. Problem is, it turns into a parking lot during mandatory evacuations.
  4. US-17 Coastal Highway
    Scenic, yes. But also low-lying and prone to flooding during tropical storms and hurricanes.
  5. SR 121 (The Okefenokee Highway)
    Beautiful and remote, but forget it during wildfire season. This road runs too close to the swamp and can disappear in smoke or flame.
  6. GA-180 (Wolf Pen Gap Road)
    Tight curves and mountain drops make this North Georgia road lethal during ice storms, mudslides, or heavy rain.
  7. Buford Highway (US-23)
    Heavy pedestrian traffic, poor road conditions, and unpredictable intersections—chaos squared when the power’s out.
  8. I-20 Through Atlanta
    This stretch often becomes an urban snarl. If the city’s falling apart, so is this route.
  9. US-441 Through the Piedmont
    Rural and beautiful, but limited gas stops and poor shoulders make it unreliable if you’re in a convoy or heavy vehicle.
  10. I-75 Southbound from Atlanta
    During a mass exodus, everyone tries to get out via I-75. That’s the problem—everyone.

3 DIY Fuel Hacks for When You’re Out of Gas

You can’t always count on a full tank or an open gas station. Here are three field-expedient methods when you’re running on fumes.

1. Siphoning from Abandoned Vehicles
Always carry a clear siphon tube and a fuel-safe container. Vehicles often still have gas even if they’re dead. Avoid diesel if you’re gasoline-only.

Pro Tip: Modern cars have anti-siphon screens. Use a fuel transfer pump or access the fuel line underneath.

2. Improvised Fuel from Small Engines
Lawnmowers, generators, ATVs—if it’s got a small engine and a carburetor, it likely has fuel. Hit suburban homes, outbuildings, or rural properties.

3. Ethanol Harvest from Alcohol-Based Products
Pure alcohol (Everclear, for example) can be used in emergency combustion. You’ll lose power and risk long-term damage, but it can keep you rolling for a few extra miles. Only use in small quantities, and only if your engine can tolerate high ethanol content.

Closing Thoughts from the Road

Driving during a disaster isn’t about getting from A to B—it’s about survival. Your vehicle is your lifeline, your mobile shelter, your fast-track to safety. But if you treat it like an ordinary tool, it’ll fail you. You need to drive it like your life depends on it—because sometimes, it really does.

Plan your routes. Know your alternatives. Keep your bug-out rig ready, your go-bag in the back seat, and your wits sharper than the road beneath your tires. When the storm hits or the ground shakes, Georgia’s roads won’t show you mercy—but with the right skillset, you won’t need it.

Survival Behind the Wheel: Conquering Arizona’s Deadliest Roads in a Disaster

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Arizona, Arizona roads, ARIZONA SURVIVAL PREPPERLeave a comment

I’ve driven everything from a beat-up Tacoma in the Sonoran Desert to an armored Defender through washed-out jungle roads in Central America. Let me tell you, nothing quite prepares you for the unforgiving terrain of Arizona during a natural disaster. Between flash floods, wildfires, dust storms, and heat waves, the roads here turn from useful ribbons of asphalt into potential deathtraps. If you’re caught off-guard, you could find yourself stranded without help for miles.

I’ve made it my mission to study and conquer these threats. Whether you’re trying to get your family out of a wildfire zone or bugging out during a power grid collapse, mastering survival driving is your ticket to staying alive.

Arizona’s Worst Roads in a Disaster

First, let’s talk about the roads you need to be wary of. These stretches can turn catastrophic fast.

  1. I-17 Between Phoenix and Flagstaff – Twisting elevation changes, steep grades, and choke-points make this corridor a nightmare in wildfire evacuations or winter storms.
  2. State Route 88 (Apache Trail) – This scenic byway turns into a crumbling dirt trap with sharp switchbacks. One rainstorm and it becomes impassable.
  3. US-93 Between Wickenburg and Hoover Dam – A hotspot for accidents even in good conditions. In a disaster? Expect total gridlock or worse.
  4. I-10 East of Tucson – Known for dust storms that hit without warning, cutting visibility to zero.
  5. State Route 264 on the Hopi Reservation – Beautiful, but remote. In a grid-down scenario, help could be days away.
  6. US-191 in the White Mountains – Twists, turns, and limited cell service make it dicey in wildfire conditions.

Now that we’ve covered where not to be, let’s talk about how to get out if you are there.

15 Survival Driving Skills That Can Save Your Life

  1. Off-Roading Basics – Learn to read terrain and navigate soft sand, rocks, and washes. A 4WD vehicle won’t help if you don’t know how to use it.
  2. Water Crossing Techniques – Know how to gauge water depth and current before crossing washes or flooded roads. Cross at a 90-degree angle and avoid water over 6 inches deep.
  3. Escape Route Planning – Always have three exits in mind, even if you’re on a freeway. Use topo maps—not just GPS.
  4. Situational Awareness – Scan 360 degrees every few seconds. What’s the wind doing? Where’s the fire line? Any stalled vehicles ahead?
  5. Driving Without GPS – Learn to use a compass and paper map. Solar flares or cyberattacks could render GPS useless.
  6. Driving in Dust Storms – Don’t slam on the brakes. Pull off as far as you can, kill your lights, and wait it out. Visibility can drop to inches.
  7. Fuel Discipline – Top off your tank when you hit half. Never let it drop below a quarter in a crisis zone.
  8. Aggressive Maneuvering – Practice J-turns and quick evasive lane changes on dirt roads—especially if escape requires avoiding crowds or fallen debris.
  9. Vehicle Hardening – Protect your radiator with mesh, keep a second spare tire, and carry extra fluids. Heat kills engines.
  10. Night Navigation – Learn to drive in blackout mode using night vision or low beams taped down. Great for evading attention.
  11. Driving Through Fire Zones – Close all vents, keep windows up, drive with headlights on even during the day. Avoid rubberized road shoulders—they can ignite.
  12. Manual Transmission Recovery – Know how to clutch-start a vehicle with a dead battery. Push-starting can save your life in a grid-down escape.
  13. Downhill Braking Techniques – Use engine braking instead of relying solely on your brakes. Overheated brakes are common on I-17’s steep descents.
  14. Vehicle Recovery – Carry a tow strap, traction boards, and a winch if possible. Getting stuck in Arizona’s backcountry in 115°F is a death sentence.
  15. Emergency Signaling – In case you do get stuck, use mirrors, flares, and even SOS patterns with headlights or rocks to attract attention.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

If you’re out of fuel in the middle of nowhere, you’re not out of options—yet.

1. Alcohol-Based Fuel Hack

If you’re carrying a bottle of high-proof alcohol (e.g., Everclear), it can work as an emergency fuel in small quantities—especially in older carbureted engines. You won’t get far, and performance will drop, but it might get you a few critical miles. Mix no more than 10–20% alcohol into the tank to avoid engine damage.

2. Solar Still for Water, Not Fuel

While you’re stuck, staying hydrated is top priority. Build a solar still with a plastic tarp, a container, and a few rocks. This won’t get you moving, but it’ll keep you alive long enough to wait for help or hike out.

3. Siphoning Fuel

Carry a length of food-grade tubing. Many stranded cars in a disaster still have fuel. Newer models have anti-siphon tech, but you can still access the fuel tank from underneath with basic tools. Be respectful—do it only in life-or-death scenarios.

Final Thoughts: Drive Like Your Life Depends on It (Because It Does)

You can have all the gear in the world, but if you don’t have the mindset, none of it matters. Driving in a disaster isn’t about speed. It’s about control, awareness, and adaptability. I’ve seen people die on perfectly paved roads because they panicked or didn’t understand how their vehicle worked. I’ve also seen a 20-year-old Subaru Outback make it through floodwaters because the driver kept his cool and stuck to the high ground.

Every year, more people move to Arizona without knowing the risks. If you live near Flagstaff, Sedona, Tucson, or even the outer reaches of Phoenix, you need to prepare. Nature doesn’t give warnings that make sense. One moment you’re fine, the next you’re boxed in by wildfire or stuck in a dry riverbed that suddenly becomes a torrent.

So here’s your assignment: take a weekend. Find a safe trail near you. Load your vehicle like it’s go time. Practice maneuvering. Simulate a dead GPS. Drive with purpose. Then review what went wrong.

Because someday it might not be a drill.

And when that day comes, you’ll be glad you learned to drive like a survivor.