How can I get over my anxiety or fear of driving on highways?

Put on some soothing music and take a deep breath. Make driving a relaxing activity, nice easy music will always aid a good drive. Also buy some car scents that help you relax, like lavender or vanilla.

Take it one step at a time. I use to have the same fear! I started singing in the car to help or driving with a friend.

Driving on highways is not as difficult as driving on normal city streets. So if you drive good on city streets, then you will enjoy your drive on highways.

Getting over an anxiety is not something that happens over night or all at once. But my advice is to go out and drive on a highway. Its similar to how I got over my social anxiety problem.

Its not easy for some to drive in high traffic areas as it can be very stressful and overwhelming at times. You can always start by looking for alternate routes to take. If you feel that your fear is one that is taking over your life, perhaps seeking counseling or therapy might help you to work through those feelings.

I'd recommend driving on a rarely busy street, then go to a regular street, go to a busier street then just go up with the level of busyness and see if that helps

Expose yourself in a controlled environment and take baby sets until you're comfortable with it. It gets easier with practice

Start small! Ride along with someone and pay attention to the road, maybe even pretend that you're driving yourself. When you feel more comfortable, start driving for short stretches on the highway and then extend your time.

Driving on highways can be quite a daunting thing to do if you haven't done it before. Take small steps first working your way up to it. First time driving on a highway have someone come along with you :) your mum, dad, sibling or anyone that is an experienced driver.

I have had this too and it is completely natural. I told my driving instructor and he started me driving on the small roads and I got my confidence up and eventually moved onto the larger roads. Trust me, it will be fine and you will do great :)

I used to have anxiety whenever a car got really close to me. However, the more I did it the easier it got. You just have to slowly keep driving, while being in a comfortable situation. and eventually you get there.

I think at first everyone is scared to drive on the highway, or even in general. It takes time and practice. Just focus on driving and the cars around you. Maybe stay in one lane and not merge into other ones unless you have to!

Any highway is daunting no matter how good a driver you are but if i could suggest taking a friend with you for support and go firstly at a quieter time of day on a short route, relax and enjoy,try not to panic

Professionals sometimes prescribe exposure therapy in similar but less extreme situations. So perhaps it would be good to start with a visualization of the experience of driving on a highway, and then proceeding stepwise to driving on a crowded smaller road, sitting next to someone driving on a highway and being conscious of it all, and so on until the moment of truth.. Gd luck!

i would reccomend being the passenger with an experienced driver while they're driving on the highway and then find a safe place to stop somewhere and you get in the drivers side and do it with them in the passenger seat to keep you calm and let you know that you're doing perfectly fine

when experiencing anxiety or fear while driving on highways I always try to chew a piece of gum and turn some music on a low volume. I find chewing gum helps me focus and music on a low volume helps me mentally focus on something other then my anxiety while driving, I also find that if I am not familiar with the highways I am on I stay in the "slow" lane so I do not interrupt traffic that may be traveling faster then I am comfortable with

By keeping it a little slow.. so that everything is under control ! And also if possible try driving with someone else in the front seat too. That would help you in knowing that if something goes wrong, they are atleast there to take over!

I used to have the same fear actually. It's ok doll face. I had to have my mom drive with me, and catch the wheel everytime I got scared... But it cured me. Every time I drove, I knew what to expect

I would look into the method of systematic desensitization. It is used to reduce and diminish phobias. You first make a fear hierarchy. you start small and gradually move up the hierarchy. You move up once you no long feel anxiety about the performed task. using systematic desensitization and relaxation techniques will help you. look into some of the study's and articles written on the method. Or of you have access to a psychologist bring the topic up to them and they will guide you.

Try speaking to a driving instructor, maybe the one that passed you? and you could maybe get an extra few lessons on the highway escorted so that you get used to it.

I always like to think the only way out is through. So embrace your fear. Drive on the high way. Once you do it enough you will not be scared anymore!

figure out what is scaring you about the highway, and then try conquering it on a safer back road,

I guess -as a driver- that driving gets better by training . It was never easy to drive in highways , But when you practice everything will get better and a bit easier by time ;) .

Usually they tell you close your eyes and relax, but that doesn't work here lol. Empty your mind when going on highways, put quit music that'll make you relax and ignore the fact that you're on a highway..

The best way to get over anxiety of driving on the highway is actually to just drive on the highway. I know it sounds crazy, but somethings in life causes you to just jump right in , and driving is one of them.

Honestly, I think everyone at some point has been afraid of getting on the highway. The speed is really high and the consequence of making a mistake is much higher. In reality, driving on the highway is actually much safer than driving on regular streets. There is no traffic lights and everyone is going the same speed, so you aren't likely to have to brake all of a sudden unless you are stuck in dead-stop traffic. The best way to get over the fear is to slowly get used to it. Go on roads that are 50+miles per hour or 80-90km/hr and get used to the speed. It's usually not that bad. Then if you feel ready, try going on the highway with a friend or someone who has a lot of driving experience and have them guide you verbally on how to merge properly and have them instruct you on changing lanes. They can be your second pair of eyes. After this experience, come home and visualise your whole experience in your head a few times. Getting on the highway, speeding up, checking mirrors and blindspots and then safely merging. If you visualise doing this properly daily for a few days, you can try to go back on the highway and you can find your fear and anxiety has lessened. To be honest, I feel much more comfortable on highways than city streets, but that took a bit of experience.

One can overcome these situations by taking a couple of drives with somebody else, and slowly. taking his/hers own experience. ''Easier said then done'' - we shall all agree on this statement, but when we face inevitable situations, we should stay calm following our inner peace and natural intuition. We simply have to adjust ourselves to these everyday stressful situations, since it is just a part of our fast and modern life. It is rather ''obligation'' than ''option'' to drive on highways, because they save your time as well as they are supposed to save your nerves. Highways are a part of our world, which we have to get used on, hence, there is no need or any space for the anxiety or fear on the roads.

I wouldn't jump right into anything you're not comfortable w/ driving-wise. You can start on smaller roads & build up to highways

Take it a step at a time. First, drive on a road that's near a high way or where you can see one. Maybe go and stand near one too? Then, travel on it with a family member or someone you trust for a short period, and keep building it up.

have you try driving with someone you truly trust? If not try it. You will feel more comfortable doing it maybe not at first try but you'll get a hang of it :) You can do it :)