Health

Car sick symptoms: What you should know

By Robert A. Fried, MD Aug 22, 2024 • 3 min

Car sickness is motion sickness that can occur when you’re riding in a car or similar vehicle, although various forms of travel, including airplane, boat and train, can all produce the same symptoms. While anyone can get car sick, the condition is most common in children ages 2 to 12. Women are also affected more often than men. Understanding the symptoms of car sickness can help you detect when someone in your vehicle may be getting car sick. There are a number of car sick remedies that may help.

What are the symptoms of car sickness?

In most cases, an adult with car sickness starts feeling generally unwell and then may develop any of the following symptoms:

Nausea
Vomiting
Dizziness
Cold sweats
Loss of appetite
Excessive salivation
Drowsiness
Headache
Increased sensitivity to odors
Warm sensation

Children who are too young to express how they’re feeling may show other signs of car sickness, including:

Restlessness
Pale skin
Yawning or crying
Lack of appetite
Vomiting

How long do car sick symptoms last?

The symptoms of car sickness almost always go away once the trip is over and the car stops. There is a very rare condition called Mal de Débarquement Syndrome—French for "disembarkment syndrome"—in which people continue to experience motion sickness symptoms after the end of their airplane, ship or car travel. Effective treatment options for this unusual medical condition are still being explored. 

Consult your healthcare provider if car sickness symptoms are worsening or are difficult to manage. Your provider may recommend appropriate treatments for motion sickness.

Updated by Julie McDaniel, MSN, RN, CRNI, August 2024.

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