Like these examples, I try to get myself as much room as possible. Traffic outside cities is often clusters of vehicles separated by large gaps. I'll ride in those gaps, occasionally leapfrogging ahead to the next gap when the right opportunity presents itself. My stress level is a lot lower than it can get when fighting to be the fastest guy out there, sometimes getting stuck behind slower traffic that won't pass.

 

To the OP: I seem to be the opposite of you. Backroad riding, where you have to put feet down at traffic signals, stop signs, etc. wears me out. After a full day of that riding I feel beat.

But on the interstates I can roll. A 500 mile day is really nothing; I've done over 750 for days straight. Generally run tank-to-tank which at interstste speeds of ~75 to 80MPH takes 2½ hours or so. Back on the bike in 15 minutes to ½ hour. I generally try to combine meal & fuel stops to maximize time.

This is obviously when there is a destination to be reached & time frame to get there.

 

+1 on the backrest...best upgrade I ever made.....then just relax, I only use the cruise if its open road, and I try and get around the big rigs in one smooth roll... Im not interested in having a tread peel off on me at 80mph. I usually use ear buds with a collection of my favorite tunes if solo, or my bluetooth coms if im two up or with a group, cuts down on the road noise and makes the usually boring interstate a little more bearable, and I will usually break whenever we are ready for fuel.

 

I do not mind the hard slab, works great for trying to get somewhere in a hurry.
On the interstate no one is going to pull a left turn in front of you.


On the interstate no one is going to pull out to pass someone and kiss you head on!


On the interstate no one is going to attempt to pass you in a no passing zone.


On the interstate you don't have to worry about the semi coming at you blowing you off the road.


You do need to be aware when pulling along side someone to pass them, especially if there is a car in front of them. You do need to be aware of vehicles merging onto the interstate but fortunately that is every few miles, not every mile like the 2 lane roads.


I am more relaxed on the interstate than 2 lane roads, that's not to say I don't enjoy 2 lane roads, I do but for me I am always on high alert on the 2 lane, the interstate I can relax a lot of the time.


we do about 1 3/4 to 2 1/4 hours between stops, get gas, rehydrate and flatten the bladder.


But then again we are weird, many of our trips are about the destination not the journey. If we want to spend as much time riding around and enjoying Colorado and we only have a week to do that, then we need to hit the interstate and hit it hard so we have more time to enjoy Colorado or the black hills or Yellowstone or where ever it might be we are going

 

IF you keep up with the traffic flow on a interstate then you have to stop every couple hrs for gas and most of the time stops between gas stations is more likely not exactly 2 hrs. Just plan your stops for the gas and stopping after 100 plus miles is not a bad idea.

 

I can tell you for sure there are more riders that take a break after and hour or two than there are who ride non stop for 4 or 5 hours. Life is just too damn short to be in that big of a hurry to get someplace. Relax, smell the roses and poke along at the speed you and your wife are happy with. Life is great if you don't push it.

 

We ride until we need gas, however if somebody wants to stop for whatever reason we stop. There was a time when I didn't like the interstate driving but I find it to be safer. I don't feel like riding on the interstate tires me any quicker than a two lane road. He'll who am I kidding as long as I'm riding im happy!!!!!