India, Dec. 19 -- With holiday airfare climbing and flight cancellations becoming more common, driving is a popular alternative for holiday travel. To help you prepare for your next long drive, we asked professional drivers, from tour bus operators to long-haul truckers, for the essential tips and tricks they rely on during winter travel.

Essential comforts for the long haul Robert Pace, owner of World Trade Logistics in Maryland, polled his team of long-haul drivers about how they make hours behind the wheel manageable. At the top of the list are seat cushions and quality insulated bottles. His drivers recommend cushions with a coccyx cutout and gel or memory foam layers. "Coffee is very popular with drivers, so a good thermos flask is ...