what is the minimum amount of required sleep you should have before taking a long drive

The minimum recommended amount of sleep before taking a long drive is generally 7 to 8 hours. Getting at least this amount of quality sleep helps ensure alertness, sharp reaction times, and reduces the risk of fatigue- related crashes. Driving after less than 6 hours of sleep significantly increases the risk of accidents, with performance impairments and crash likelihood rising notably below 5 hours of sleep. Therefore, for safety, 7 to 8 hours is the standard to aim for before a long drive.