This time of year, it’s easy to find yourself behind the wheel after dark. Some of you may be more comfortable driving after dark than others, so for today’s poll, we want to know: How comfortable are you driving at night, in the dark?
For some, night driving feels totally natural. Fewer cars on the road, cooler temperatures, and a peaceful stretch of highway can make those after-dark miles feel almost relaxing. If your eyes adjust well and you’re confident with your headlights, reflective road signs, and nighttime visibility, you might even prefer it to daytime traffic.
But many RVers will tell you a different story. Night driving—especially with a big rig—can feel stressful. Glare from oncoming headlights, dark rural roads, wildlife darting out of nowhere, or the simple strain of seeing detail in low light can make nighttime travel feel risky. Add in aging eyes or fatigue, and it’s no wonder so many people choose to park well before dusk.
Of course, a lot depends on where you are. A brightly lit highway is one thing; a winding, pothole-filled forest road is another. Some of you might be comfortable driving at night only on familiar routes, while others avoid it no matter what.
So what about you? How comfortable do you feel behind the wheel after dark? Go ahead and vote—and if you have a personal rule for when you call it quits for the night, I’d love to hear it.
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RVT1236b
I do not need the added risk of darkness when pulling something big on four tires behind me. If somethin’ happens back there you can at least see in the side mirrors when it’s daylight
I hate driving multi lane freeways at night. Too many lights. I also find I prefer to drive my F350 over my wife’s CRV at night. The visibility is greater. I hate getting old.
A lot depends on where and what roads at night. Here in Western PA, this time of year, the deer are everywhere.
Even on the interstates, you will see a carcass every few miles.
Here in Eastern Pa.; Chester County; with lots of farms we have even more deer road kills. In college; many moons ago, I had a summer Penn Dot job and we removed road kills from the state roads. Not now- no one does that.
Correct. Sometimes the State Police will drag them to the side of the road and leave them to rot.
Once saw a sign in PA – “Hit a Deer, Win a Deere”. Anyway PA is the deer roadkill capital of America.
My night vision is good, better than average. However, that doesn’t mean I can spot deer a half-mile ahead and avoid a collision. Deer tend to move at night using a ‘hide & dash’ method of avoiding large predators. It isn’t so good at avoiding large vehicular traffic. I prefer driving during daylight.
I don’t mind driving at night with the exception of night driving in the rain, I avoid that like the plague!
In our part of NW Montana dawn, dusk and night driving is very dangerous. Whitetail deer move most at dusk and dawn, and they often stop and stand right in the highway. Additionally, elk, bear and other large critters might be out in the dark. In areas where wildlife is rare on the highway, it feels a bit less dangerous.
The older I get the more my night vision dimishes. It’s not terrible, but it’s not what it used to be either. Combine that with the high intensity, and many times maladjusted headlights of oncoming traffic, and night driving long distances has become something I avoid if I can.
100% agree. I found the yellow glasses help the glare, not perfect but better.
With or without headlights? 😃
I don’t mind driving after dark, although I prefer not to. First, it’s MUCH easier to see deer and other critters a lot sooner when it’s light outside, BEFORE they get pasted across your grille. And second, I really, really don’t like having to back our travel trailer into a campsite in the dark.
Coming back from Alaska in 2024 I had a terrible time driving in the dark and especially in rainy weather. I discussed my issues with my doctor, was referred to an ophthalmologist who diagnosed cataracts in both eyes. He also noted the double and triple sets of headlights from oncoming cars (at a distance) were also signs cataracts. Surgery was done in January 2025. My near vision improved significantly, far vision still needed corrective lenses. Glasses still necessary because of other issues. But…the only issue I have driving at night is badly aligned headlights and people who drive with “brights” on all the time.
I have enjoyed excellent nite vision – until the advent of these ridiculous bright bouncing betty headlites which flash directly into your eyes with every crack in the concrete or rough spot or high or low spot in the road. This doesn’t even address the careless drivers who don’t dim their lites until last possible minute – if then. I do not know how those were ever approved by federal and state DOT laws. Remember the blue dots? We experience a lot of nite or short daylite hours in the northern climes – hard to avoid driving at nite!
Don’t like driving at night, which works out fine, because after driving all day Happy Hour starts before dusk.
I feel very blessed that my nighttime vision has not significantly diminished, despite being in my 70s. For many decades I actually preferred driving our RV at night. Less traffic and road construction slowdowns. The real problem is that most headlights on diesel pushers are grossly inadequate. Going with LED has helped but I suspect the issue is you’re looking down on the road because you’re sitting higher instead of looking down the road.
Night blind in one eye. Not worth the risk unless a true emergency
I live between Seattle and Evertt WA, night is OK unless it is raining, then I will drive in it only if I have to.
What! Me Hurry? I prefer not to drive at night, but will if I have to do so.
I don’t have any problems driving after dark, I just don’t like to. It’s boring your driving a long black tunnel and can’t see any scenery. In addition if there is a break down more concerns with getting hit and finding help after-hours.
I am very comfortable driving at night as I still have good night vision, but not in the motorhome as the headlights are not so good.
If my headlights worked better, I would be ok, but the coach is 30 years old and Gulf Stream no longer makes replacements. Even Hella no longer has any in stock and everything I found in salvage yards is just as bad.
One word – roadkill.
I for one don’t drive, ever, in the dark, as I always turn on my lights when I’m legally required to do so!
🤣Smart ***. (Gotta censor myself.) Have a good night, Bill. 😀 –Diane
Voted very comfortable driving at night. At almost 60 driving at night on dark rural roads is very comfortable. Less so much on highways with LED & Laser headlights.
Will admit my eyes are not as good at night, then in my 20s, but with quality headlights it is not much of an issue.
Parking into forest/NP campsite at night is another. That’s when my spotter (the wife) is awesome at shining the flashlight at obstacles.
I have been driving in the dark lately but I can only do this because I got cataract surgery last year. Before that, I had to be at my destination before dark.
In 2012 on a trip across the country I met an elk standing on the edge of the interstate. Just two miles from exit in Golden, Colorado at 7:30 pm was a $19k lesson, total front cap on a new class A MH. A real lesson not to drive in the dark. One I haven’t forgot. It would cost twice $ or more in this day & age.