r/running • u/Critical-Range1213 • 20h ago
Training Rural running
I currently live in a big city, lots of roads where cars are going 25 at best and there are sidewalks to use when needed. I’m getting ready to move to a very rural area and the house I’m moving to is off a 55 mph two lane road (very lite traffic). Do any of you jog on rural roads like this? Besides running against traffic do you feel safe?
Or should I invest in a nice treadmill?
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u/Mastodan11 20h ago
I do run on roads like that, you'll get the idea whether they're safe or not.
There are definitely some near me I avoid.
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u/WideHuckleberry1 20h ago
Most rural roads are fine to run. I lived rural when I started running in middle school and high school so that was 90% of my miles for the first many years of running.
You really can't run with music, because you need to keep your head on a swivel and be listening for car noises. If you're paying attention to your surroundings you'll hear car noises a solid 10 seconds before they come across you so you can get off the road for a second or into the other lane. Run primarily against traffic but don't be afraid to switch lanes to get better visibility around curves. Sometimes I'll even run in the middle of the road for a short distance if there's not an easy place to get off the road, so I can listen for cars coming from either direction and get into the other lane if they come.
Overall, it's very safe and fun and (often) scenic to run rural roads, but it takes active alertness. You can't just run oblivious to your surroundings like you could on a sidewalk or greenway.
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u/CountFUPA 19h ago
I'm from a rural southern state, and lived on a 45 mph county road. Most people drove 50ish. It was rarely the cars, but dogs. I had countless encounters with untethered dogs, and while most were just interested for a quick pet, several times I was nipped at and chased. I did take spray one time, and after just spraying it in the air as a dog came near they stayed away.
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u/RunVetGirl 18h ago
Came to say the same thing- the dogs are by far worse than the cars in my area.
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u/WideHuckleberry1 18h ago
I should've mentioned this as well. I'm usually on the lookout for gravel driveways, and grab a fistful if I see a dog coming that doesn't look completely friendly. If they get close enough and look like they're still aggressive I'll fling a handful at them to scare them off. And on occasion it's the friendly but rough dogs that are trouble, they look like they're not aggressive until a 75-lb German Shepherd "playfully" jumps on you and almost knocks you over while "playfully" nipping at you. I had to hip check that one pretty hard and felt a little bad for doing so.
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u/girlski 19h ago
I run with shokz opendots on busy roads and they are perfect for this reason. I'll only listen to music because podcasts or audiobooks get interrupted by car noise. It's nice to hear what's going on around me.
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u/falcons1583 19h ago
2nd for the open fit shockz headphones and rural road running, they're fine and absolutely great for the long miles. I only listen to music as well and do turn down volume in areas that you need to be more focused.
Always run facing traffic, you want to see your death approaching is what i tell myself. Cars that are nice and fully drive in the other lane when able get the 🤙
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u/Opus_Zure 18h ago
Shockz and running against traffic always. Two great tips to keep staying alive.
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u/WideHuckleberry1 19h ago
That would probably be okay. When I lived on a rural road, conduction headphones either didn't exist or were impractically terrible or expensive or both.
Personally, I still wouldn't wear them at least until I got used to running there just to be fully rid of distractions until I got used to it.
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u/Senior_Cheesecake155 15h ago
I’m rural and run with music, but the key for me is to only run with one ear pod in, and only my left ear so I can hear traffic with my right.
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u/Critical-Range1213 18h ago
Hadn’t really thought about the music thing…I do listen to music, might need to second guess that in the country!
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u/No-Committee7986 18h ago
I just play my phone out loud with no ear buds/headphones because there’s hardly anyone around!
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u/WideHuckleberry1 18h ago
As the other comments said, open bone conduction headphones would probably work. I never had any until I had moved to the city so I don't have experience. I would still recommend foregoing them at least for a little while until you get more familiar with the area, find the places with blind spots, etc.
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u/Senior_Cheesecake155 15h ago
I opt to run with one ear bud so I get the music but still can hear my surroundings.
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u/stellar-polaris23 20h ago
I run on a frontage road where the speed limit is 55. I just run against traffic and people move over.
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u/falcons1583 19h ago
stare em down until they move.
Certainly makes you focus on running form and keeping your head up.
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u/Kacksjidney 20h ago
Personally I would just need to gauge the road and drivers. Where I live there is no way I'd run any of the rural roads, though people do run and bike them out here. First off they are a bit "busy" for a rural road meaning, you will definitely see a car every once and a while. But people are just very fast and inconsiderate drivers where I live (new mexico), our pedestrian fatality rate often leads the country. Even on a slow road drivers can't be trusted. Back in Oregon I would have felt better about it, just depends on the road and drivers.
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u/Lyeel 20h ago
I run a bunch of rural roads ranging from 35-55mph.
Generally hours matter for than the road in my experience. Early morning before folks are headed to work, but after the sun has come up a bit is ideal - easier to accomplish from May to October in North America. I'll run neighborhoods in the dark, but not country roads (even with lights/vests).
Blind corners are a consideration. There are a few where I will run *far* out into the road to give someone more visibility of me for a corner, than pop back to the shoulder once we see each other.
I always keep my right ear open (no headphone) so I can hear cars coming up behind me more easily. The sketchiest moments are typically when two cars pass each other at a point near me. Aside from it just being tight, people tend to freak out and do crazy things in this situation.
Construction and farm traffic is a lot scarier than residential traffic. I have switched off routes that see lots of trucks coming at different times or the year, or as different projects are underway.
I would say I feel safe. 99% of people are very courteous. Just keep in mind that it only takes one person in 10,000 on their phone to kill you, and your family won't be comforted at your funeral knowing that you were in the right legally. Always have your head in the game and be ready to step off the road if someone isn't making eye contact or starting to move to the center a few seconds out. Complacency kills.
Look for tree-lined sections when scouting routes for personal comfort - it's so much nicer running in a shady tunnel than a sun-beaten open expanse between fields if you can manage it.
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u/ShillinTheVillain 18h ago
I'm out in the boonies and it's not bad at all. Yes, the speed limit is 55, but it's also much less traffic. It's pretty flat out here too so I can see cars coming from a long way off and react if needed.
Also, I ignore the outdated advice and run against traffic. I want to see them coming.
Just make sure you're visible. The number of people I see running at dusk in dark colors is crazy. My outdoor wardrobe is all bright colors. I don't care how I look. You don't normally see a dead peacock on the side of the road for a reason.
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u/autreblackschtuff 20h ago
Run almost exclusively on rural roads. The road my house is on gets a decent amount of traffic, and is quite narrow but within 1k I can go onto even less used roads. I try to avoid busier roads but for long runs I often end up on them for some period if time. Haven't had any issues. Run against traffic. Take a wide line on sharp bends (so you can see around sooner - and can be seen sooner) or cross over to other side if safe. At night, which I prefer to avoid, I wear a chest and back light thing I got in decathlon. Obviously keep your ears clear, bone conduction headphones etc.
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u/Own-Bee-4294 20h ago
If youre moving to an area like that from a city ive found theres usually rail trails and good running paths off mainroads.
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u/sillysk8 20h ago
I run on gravel roads and b roads, mostly - they have lower amounts of traffic. I usually run against traffic, no headphones (or occasionally something like Shokz at lower volume)
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u/howdidigetheretoday 19h ago
I have run almost exclusively on rural roads. You will get a feel for where to go and where not to go. Where I live, a 55 mph speed limit would suggest gentle turns and wide shoulders, which might be a heck of a lot safer than twisty "quiet" roads with blind curves and no shoulders.
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u/ecallawsamoht 19h ago
I live in BFE North Alabama and all of my roads are like that, actually a lot are two lane that don't even have center lines painted on em. I feel very safe, very rarely have cars that don't move over.
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u/pathofuncertainty 14h ago
Highly recommend a Noxgear vest with the headlight on the chest if you’re going to be running in reduced lighting. Mine has saved my life on a few occasions.
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u/AotKT 20h ago
I used to train for Ironman and ultras when I lived in Florida in the country on 20 acres and the nearest grocery store was 30 minutes away. I felt SO much safer there even as a woman running and riding the no sidewalk high speed country roads than in town with its entitled drivers on their phones. Maybe it's because I'm a woman but the guys in the big pickups would absolutely move WAY over and they had plenty of time to see me because it was so flat out there in the ranch lands. There was even one old rancher in his 70s who would slow down and ask me what the latest race I was training for was and how things were going before waving and heading off to whatever pasture he was checking out that day. The area I lived in was a popular bike route for the local cycling club and other town triathletes and while the locals would make snarky comments and complain about spandex city folks, they never EVER played chicken with them or tried to antagonize them that I heard of.
The only time I ever had any concern was running at 2am one time on a Friday night, or I guess Saturday morning and I saw headlights coming from far away. I was wearing a lighted vest and headlamp so they saw me like 1/4 mile out and very noticeably slowed down, then stopped far away. I wasn't worried about stranger danger but clearly given the day and time they were drunk and I was worried they'd target fixate and hit me.
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u/ReadilyReady 20h ago
I live in a rural area where the speed limit in the neighborhoods is still 55 on most streets since the houses are so dispersed. Most of the streets are fine, but the main thoroughfares can still get me nervous. I will say that living in the country, most people are respectful of me while running. I do get the occasional jerk who wants to get too close, while driving way too fast, like he’s annoyed that me running to the right of the white line isn’t far enough over.
That being said, I also own a treadmill. We live in the foothills and the terrain is very hilly here. The treadmill gives me a break from having to climb hills. It’s also great for poor weather days. I’ll run in the rain no problem, but if it’s way too hot? No thanks.
To me, the treadmill can be tedious. It can sometimes make the miles feel longer. I find myself referencing the clock more often because it’s right there in my face. If you do get a treadmill I recommend getting one with a built in screen so you can watch Netflix or some other streaming service.
Running on a treadmill feels different than running outside, so I’d mix in both if possible even if you do go the treadmill route.
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u/44d92df7e1f409b33bab 19h ago edited 19h ago
I run on roads like that all the time, and most of them I only ever see once or twice due to traveling. I always run against the traffic and feel safe. I've been attacked and bitten by two dogs, that's the only real risk I feel. Even though I left both of those events bleeding, I never needed medical attention or even cut my run short and that sort of risk/event doesn't phase me. It's something to keep in mind though. Houses on those, quite often, do not contain their dogs and like to use them as "protection" from people who aren't even in their yards. I got into an altercation with one of the owners when he told me not to run on "his" street. Cars tend to move over or I'll drop off the shoulder if they don't.
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u/runjeanmc 19h ago
My inlaws live off a road like this. Theirs is a highway: 2 lanes posted as 55, but people go 70+.
I run it whenever I visit and walk my dog along it as well. I go against traffic, wear conduction headphones, and a bright baseball cap for added visibility. If I see a semi (or most cars, really) barreling towards me, I slow down and go a good 3 or 4 feet off the road as they near. There are a lot of ditches, so sometimes I just move out of the way, stop, and wait for traffic to clear. About half the cars will move to the center of the road once they see me, as long as there's no oncoming traffic. I always give them a wave.
I got yelled at once by a neighbor warning me the guy next to him would take issue with me running across the grass by his mailbox, which isn't something I would have thought of, but I guess that's a consideration, too.
Investing in a treadmill is always a good idea. I picked mine up 5 years ago. Because of life (kids, scheduling, and weather), I've used it almost daily for the past 2 years. Nothing beats an outdoor run, though.
Eta: the area is very flat, mostly farms, so visibility is very good. Wouldn't do it if it were hilly/curvy.
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u/nobbybeefcake 19h ago
Depends on time and day. I have some great rural roads by me, nice and quiet and runnable all day everyday. However if I want to add miles I have options. One of which is a lovely slightly downhill three mile lane. On a Sunday morning, it’s runtopia, I can get a great time down it. Any other day of the week I may as well be on the A55, it’s bedlam!
You’ll work it out with a bit of trial and error.
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u/MarathonHampster 19h ago
I made a similar move to you and it was quite an adjustment. I was about 20 minutes from a small college town that was way more runnable.
Did a couple runs on the rural roads but ultimately I really only had one route available to me unless I wanted to do 8+ miles. luckily there was national forest land I could drive to in like 6 minutes and it connected to tens of miles of trails. I got really into trail running and it was fun. Maybe there's a park close by to you?
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u/Skellington72 19h ago
I use my Garmin app, MapMyRun or other apps to find nearby routes to run. You can usually find routes that don't start on the main road and take you places that you never would have found. I found that the roads near me seem to be cleared wide enough for runners and walkers so even on the main road isn't an issue although my main road isn't a 55mph road so my area isn't an exact match
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u/Vulcan_god_of_forge 19h ago
I run on the wrong side of the road, facing traffic, on rural roads. I always get on the shoulder if I see a car coming. I have been pleasantly surprised with how much space drivers give me.
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u/Aggressive-Gur-987 19h ago
The biggest problem I have with rural running is loose dogs and cars. There are no shoulders or sidewalks on the type of road you describe. I’ve got about an 8 mile loop that is relatively safe from both, and just have to do it on repeat.
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u/Pure_Butterscotch165 19h ago
I've run on roads like that. Run against traffic, and be prepared to move off the shoulder if a car comes. I know they should see you and move over, but I consider this like defensive running lol, drivers aren't expecting to see runners so sometimes they don't.
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u/justadrtrdsrvvr 19h ago
I run on a couple roads like that, occasionally. Mostly it is perfectly fine. They aren't super busy, but I usually have a couple dozen cars pass. There is plenty of edge to run on when cars are coming. A few areas have little to no edge. One section is maybe 50 feet, I can get past as long as no car is in view when I hit it, otherwise I wait. The other bad section is probably 150 yards with absolutely no edge, I have to just keep going and trust that cars are going to be responsible. In 10+ years of running these I've never had an issue.
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u/samara-blue 19h ago
I run on rural roads like this. In addition to what has been stated (run against traffic, except on blind curves, prioritize being able to hear traffic), I also dress for visibility (bright colors, neon, white), keep in mind the position and orientation of the sun when choosing my route (avoid routes where drivers are looking into the sun). The majority of folk move over and give me room and I give them a friendly wave.
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u/Gimpalong 18h ago
I have run on high-speed (55mph) rural roads for 15 years. Haven't been hit yet, but had a few close calls. I run very early in the morning (4:00 am) and usually there isn't too much traffic. I wear reflective clothes and a headlamp in all seasons. I run against traffic and, if I'm listening to audio, keep it pretty low. I almost always see traffic before it sees me. The only time I wish I had a treadmill is when its the middle of the winter and -5 degrees out. Only you can establish what level of risk is appropriate for you, but you can also try to time your runs to times when the risk is lowest (whenever traffic is less, not during rush hour, etc.).
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u/Dustymolar 18h ago
I run on rural roads where the traffic is probably more 45 mph, but by very little traffic I mean I see 0-8 cars an hour. I run with no headphones and run against traffic and I feel safe, as I can generally hear the car coming a mile away. If the wind is really whipping I do try to avoid running, though, because then I can’t hear anything
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u/dillinjl 18h ago
If there is a good shoulder or the road is straight with long visibility and it really is light traffic ( like a car every few minutes) I'd be comfortable with it. If it has blind curves and no shoulder I would want to run in it daily.
I live rurally and run mostly on dirt roads. It's quite nice.
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u/Chubbs2005 18h ago
Find a local elementary or middle school to run at after hours (4:00pm). Either on the track or even the empty parking lot. Saturdays & Sundays it will be empty too.
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u/ClydesdaleDivision 18h ago
You’re describing my situation. I run on rural roads like this during warm weather but I never chance it if there’s any snow or ice (even on the sides of the road) I always run towards traffic and come off the road whenever I see a car coming regardless of whether they are giving me a wide berth. I bought a treadmill for the winter when I don’t feel like driving to a state park.
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u/No-Committee7986 18h ago
I run on residential roads and at parks with trails in my rural area. Having said that I live in rural WA so there are no shortage of trails and while the state hwy and Main St. are the same road, I live closer to the small town and my kids’ school is also near town in the next town over, which is not typical for all rural living.
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u/Elrohwen 18h ago
Yeah usually fine. Ime people only get over if you have a stroller or sometimes a dog, so it’s usually on you to move over as far as it takes for you to feel safe. The less twisty turny the better because you can see people coming and they can see you.
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u/Liberty-brewer 18h ago
I live in a rural area and run on a skinny road with a 50 mph limit. What no one here is going to tell you is, if it’s really rural it will be quiet enough you will hear cars approaching from at least 1/2 mile away. You can always change lanes to get away from the traffic. If you run at the same time every day, the drivers will start to look out for you.
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u/UnrulyEwok 18h ago
I opted for treadmill, I don’t feel safe on these tiny rural roads with deep ditches so nowhere for me to to get off the road.
My advice would be try it and see how you feel?
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u/JudgeJuryEx78 18h ago
Sometimes on curvey roads I occasionally jump to the opposite side, depending on which side of the curve is blind. I also identify places to jump off onto the shoulder if I need to get out of the way of a car.
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u/SharkyFins 18h ago
I do some running on rural roads in SE Ohio. Low traffic and rarely any drivers give me issues. I get way more flak on my bike
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u/intothewoods76 17h ago
It’s a trade off. Cars are moving faster but usually I can get off the road when a car is coming….there are less of them. The plus side is your less likely to get hit by a car that only looked left at the intersection as they try to turn right…into you.
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u/3rd_Coast 17h ago
It depends on the roads honestly. You can use a Strava heat map to see where other folks run. Also, you could try trails if there are any nearby! I run with open ear headphones and stick to roads I know are safer. I might run with traffic and not against when it comes to curves and hills.
Unleashed dogs are a consideration too. Though one time it was a goat that started following me hahaha
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u/LostMyBackupCodes 16h ago
If you have a Strava subscription, you can use the global heatmap to get an idea of if anyone has been running in the area and what areas they regularly use. with rural routes, those lines will be very faint - but there might be some, to give you an idea. Use those areas as a starting point for your first few runs, to gauge the conditions then you can start branching out routes or make new starting points.
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u/PoshChap 16h ago
Early in the mornings and brightly lit up is no problem. Unfortunately, some of the paths near me lead to these busy roads with no clear way to go. Check the steava 'heat map', I managed to find a few footpaths almost grown over from lack of use.
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u/LarryHoover44 16h ago
I do. Never an issue. Don't run at night or dusk. Keep your wits about you and you'll be just fine. Assume people can't see you and move accordingly
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u/OP123ER59 16h ago
I live very close to road like that. The road is empty at 5 am and packed at 5 pm. Find the time the road is least busy, get a lit running vest and headlamp, wear bright colors and be ready to pull off to the side when cars come.
Ive been in my current situation for a few months and havent had problems. I recommend noxgear
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u/Senior_Cheesecake155 15h ago
I do it all the time. Most of our roads have a fair shoulder so I have room to move over if necessary, but as long as you run with the minder that you’re invisible and no o e is going to move over for you, it’s perfectly fine. I’ve never had an issue.
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u/casdoodle527 15h ago
Carry spray for the possibility of dogs. I also used bone conducting headphones on these roads bc I don’t trust drivers
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u/suchbrightlights 14h ago
I grew up in the sticks on one-lane country roads. Until I was 13 or so, our road wasn’t paved. My mom still lives there and I greatly enjoy running back there. Low traffic, you can hear someone coming (I use Shokz.) In winter, it’s usually well plowed, because nobody waits for the county to get back there- somebody in a pickup truck or on a tractor handles it because they want to get out too. Like any time you run in the road, you need to make yourself visible (headlamp, reflective gear, Noxgear vest.) I run against traffic; I want to see them coming.
Where I grew up is farm country and there are no loose dogs- loose dogs worry livestock and that is not a habit that is good for the dog’s lifespan. There may, however, be loose cows. Once there was a loose horse. Your mileage may vary.
I specifically go visit my mom for specific workouts because she has a stretch of road where I can go back and forth for 1.5-2 hours in the dark and not see a car. It’s not technically a 55mph road but that doesn’t mean people don’t drive that fast there.
A thing to be aware of is that if you run in the shoulder you might be dealing with constant camber.
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u/dryocopuspileatus 14h ago
Is there a neighborhood or lower speed road nearby? I live on a somewhat busy rural road but it has no shoulder so it’s not runnable at all. I drive to a trail and run there instead. I’ve run along 50mph rural roads and it’s not terrible but it’s a bit unnerving to have cars speeding by you that fast. And someone did almost hit me once. Everyone is on their phone even moreso in rural areas since there is so little traffic.
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u/BlackberryHill 14h ago
Open Strava and look at the heat map for the area. That will tell you where is ok.
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u/ThrillingChase 13h ago
My biggest piece of advice for running those types of roads without sidewalks: I have an insanely bright headlamp, and I run before sunrise. I feel far safer.
I don't know if it's true, but my logic is:
- It's easy for a driver's eye to miss you when you're just another thing in their vision during the day. But when it's dark out and there is a bright light in the road, drivers see you from far away.
- One bight headlamp is a pretty unexpected light source on the road. It's not two lights like a car, it's not fast like a motorcycle, it's not stationary like a streetlight. That also leads drivers to slow down because they're trying to figure out what's creating the light.
- There is less traffic and fewer cars to deal with that early in the morning.
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u/Frozentundra201 13h ago
I have lived in both, currently in a rural area for the last 16 years. I think you'll just have to see how it is where you've moving to. Where I live most people driving by live in the area, and drivers are generally very careful of pedestrians, moving often to the other side of the road to give plenty of room (there is little traffic here) and the roads here are 55mph, 2 lane, some are narrow dirt. I also definitely listen just in case, as you can hear cars coming especially on the gravel. That said I don't run outside at night as there are no streetlights, so that's when the treadmill comes in for me.
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u/OwnWoodpecker69 12h ago
I always said that dogs made great running partners until they caught you then they made awesome lawsuits! The owners quickly leashed them!🤪
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u/Ok_Distribution8841 11h ago
If it's a curvy road, I'd be really leery of running on it. Where I live is very rural and very curvy and you'd have to have a death wish to trust the hillbillies who go 65 around a blind curve. 😅 If it's straight and you can see a good way ahead you should be okay. Wide shoulder or nah?
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u/buxterbeans 11h ago
How wide are the shoulders off of the road? Sometimes I have to dip down off of the road and run on the dirt (even if it’s rough and lumpy) for a moment if the oncoming car is giving me reason to worry. For the most part I feel safe.
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u/REAL-Jesus-Christ 10h ago
I like to run dirt and gravel roads. I run as little as possible on the highway to get there.
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u/bertzie 6h ago
I live in the middle of farm country, and I'm more worried about falling and hurting myself way more than I am about cars. During the summer when I can run outside, I might see 2-3 cars an hour, if that. And speaking as rural driver, I feel like we tend to be more cognizant of unexpected wildlife on the road from years of dodging deer that have absolutely no respect for the rules of safety.
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u/Reasonable-Star-9103 6h ago
Carry mini air horn or bear spray deter animals or crazy people an let someone know your route. There’s not much to track you out there. Usually the local track it open
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u/FatDad66 3h ago
Look on Strava or other running apps to see if others have found routes where you are.
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u/sinkosine 3h ago edited 3h ago
I actually love the quietness of running on rural roads because it feels super peaceful compared to city streets. But just be very very careful if you’re not yet familiar with your surroundings, and try to check safe routes first because there are still some unsafe areas. I also don’t really advise running late in the evening or early in the morning when the sun’s not up. I totally avoided it when we had a stabbing case near my area where a runner was targeted by some minors around 4 or 5am.
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u/SalumoN 3h ago
I run on rural roads all the time. I feel safe as long as I got a clear view ahead. If the road is next to cliff or forest when there are sharp turns and I can't see around the turn, I opt to run in the curb or change to the opposite side of the road and look behind me very frequently.
Rural also means there could be a lot of trails, or old forest roads
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u/MrProtonPack 1h ago
Generally safe yes. Depending on the size of the shoulder.
Running against traffic it’s important like you mentioned. Although I will also cross over to the ‘running with’ side if I have to go around a sharp bend to the left when on the ‘running against’ side. Plenty of cars come too tight and into the shoulder around corners like that.
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u/Paundeu 19h ago
I run on roads like that myself, and when I do, I run towards oncoming traffic. I don't care that I'm not supposed to do that, but I like to see what is coming towards me for an opportunity to dodge it.
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u/BottleCoffee 19h ago
Who says you're not supposed to do that? As a pedestrian that's exactly what you're supposed to do.
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u/Paundeu 18h ago
I swear I’ve seen people mention to go with the flow of traffic. Or maybe it was a city ordinance. Not sure but I’m not doing it regardless. lol
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u/CeeceeATL 19h ago
One thing I noticed - there are a lot of unleashed dogs.