Should you use cruise control when driving?

Yes, cruise control can be beneficial on long, straight highway stretches to reduce fatigue and help maintain a steady speed, especially when your vehicle has adaptive cruise control. However, it is not a substitute for attentive driving and should be avoided in rain, snow, ice, heavy traffic, or winding roads where quick intervention may be required.

What cruise control does

Crank up the car, set a desired speed, and traditional cruise control will hold that speed without you pressing the accelerator. Adaptive cruise control (ACC) goes further by automatically adjusting speed to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead. Modern systems may also offer stop-and-go capability, lane-centering, and other driver-assistance features, but they still require you to monitor the road and be ready to take over at a moment’s notice.

Types of cruise control

Different vehicles offer different flavors of automation. The following list outlines the main types you’re likely to encounter on modern cars:

• Traditional cruise control — Maintains a constant set speed without adjusting for traffic or following distance.


• Adaptive cruise control (ACC) — Maintains a set speed and automatically adjusts to keep a safe distance from the car ahead, using radar or camera sensors.


• ACC with stop-and-go or traffic-jam assist — Can bring the car to a full stop and resume driving in light traffic, though driver attention remains essential.


• Predictive or map-based cruise control — Uses navigation data and road-grade predictions to optimize speed ahead of curves, hills, and speed-limit changes.

Modern variants may combine ACC with lane-centering or other steering assist features, but these should be treated as assistive rather than autonomous driving. Always know your system’s limits and keep hands on the wheel when needed.

When to use cruise control

Engage cruise control in conditions that favor steady speeds and reduced fatigue, but avoid it when hazards are likely or attention is needed. The following guidelines help determine appropriate usage:

• On long, straight, dry highways with light or moderate traffic and clear visibility.


• When you want to maintain a steady speed near the posted limit and reduce pedal fatigue on extended trips.


• In vehicles equipped with ACC, use it to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead, especially on busy highways.


• Avoid using cruise control on wet, snowy, icy, or windy roads, in heavy traffic, or in construction zones where quick braking and steering may be necessary.

In practice, cruise control (especially ACC) is a useful helper on appropriate highways, but you must stay alert, keep your hands near the controls, and be prepared to take over immediately if conditions change.

Limitations of cruise control

Traditional cruise control does not brake for slower traffic, cannot anticipate hazards beyond the vehicle in front, and may not respond promptly to sudden obstacles. Adaptive systems improve following distance but can still brake abruptly or disengage in heavy rain, reduced visibility, or poorly marked lanes. None of these systems replace the driver’s responsibility to scan the road, monitor pedestrians and cyclists, and control the vehicle in emergencies.

Tips for staying safe

Before engaging cruise control, ensure you understand your vehicle’s specific features and limitations. Keep a firm grip on the wheel, remain attentive to traffic, and be ready to override or disengage at any moment. If the system feels uncertain—such as in rain, fog, or winding roads—take over manually and drive with full situational awareness.

Summary

Cruise control can ease long highway drives and help maintain consistent speeds, especially with adaptive versions that manage following distance. It should be used selectively, in good weather and clear road conditions, and always with ongoing driver vigilance. As technology evolves, stay informed about your car’s capabilities and limitations, and treat cruise control as an aid rather than a replacement for active driving.

What are the disadvantages of cruise control?

The disadvantages of cruise control include increased risk of distracted driving, reduced driver alertness, and a delayed reaction time in emergencies. It is also unsafe in adverse weather conditions, heavy traffic, or on winding and hilly roads, and can lead to overconfidence and a false sense of security. 
Driver and reaction time issues

• Reduces driver alertness: By handling the speed of the vehicle, cruise control can lead to "zoning out," daydreaming, and a decrease in overall vigilance. 
• Increases reaction time: It can create a delay in disengaging the system to respond to unexpected hazards, as the driver must manually react. 
• Promotes distracted driving: The system can give a false sense of security, leading drivers to become more distracted with other tasks. 

Unsuitability for certain road and weather conditions 

• Hazardous in bad weather: It is not designed to handle rain, snow, ice, or heavy fog, and can be dangerous to use in these conditions, as it cannot detect slippery roads. 
• Inappropriate for complex roads: Cruise control is ill-suited for winding roads, steep hills, or areas with frequent curves, where speed adjustments are constantly needed. 
• Not for high-traffic areas: Using it in congested traffic is unsafe and can lead to accidents when you need to quickly change speed or stop. 

Other disadvantages

• Potential for speeding: Drivers may not monitor the speedometer as closely, leading to unintended speeding, especially when transitioning to lower-speed zones. 
• Increased risk when tired: It is not recommended for tired drivers, as it can increase the likelihood of falling asleep at the wheel. 
• Difficult to slow down quickly: In some cases, it can be harder to quickly slow down using the brake pedal once cruise control has been engaged. 

Is it better to use cruise control or not?

It is better to use cruise control on long, flat, dry highways with minimal traffic to improve comfort and fuel efficiency. Avoid using it in heavy traffic, hilly terrain, or poor weather conditions, as it can reduce driver alertness and reaction time, and you should always maintain full control of your vehicle. 
When to use cruise control

• Long highway drives: Reduces driver fatigue by taking your foot off the accelerator. 
• Flat, straight roads: Optimizes fuel efficiency by maintaining a steady speed, which can save you gas. 
• Low traffic: Prevents unintended speeding and keeps a consistent pace with other drivers. 

When not to use cruise control

• In cities or heavy traffic: It's safer to have full control to react to frequent stops, pedestrians, and cyclists. 
• On winding or hilly roads: Your car will constantly use more gas to accelerate up hills, and you'll have to manually disengage it often, which can be less efficient than manual driving. 
• In bad weather: Never use cruise control in rain, snow, or icy conditions, as it can cause you to lose control of the vehicle. 
• When you are tired: Cruise control can decrease alertness, so it's best to be fully engaged when you feel fatigued. 

Should you use cruise control at 30 mph?

Cruise control is designed to work best when you're driving at a speed of 30mph or above – so best suited to driving on high-speed roads like a motorway or a duel carriageway. So the first stage is getting up to the desired speed that you want to cruise at. (Making sure not to break the speed limit, of course.)

When should you not use your cruise control?

You should not use cruise control during adverse weather conditions like rain, snow, or ice, or in situations with heavy, stop-and-go traffic. Avoid using it on winding or hilly roads, and when you need to be highly alert due to poor visibility, such as at night. 
Weather and road conditions

• Slippery conditions: Never use cruise control when roads are wet, icy, or snowy, as it can cause a loss of traction if the tires skid or hydroplane. 
• Winding or hilly roads: On curvy roads, your car can't adjust speed for corners, and on hills, it may accelerate unexpectedly downhill or struggle uphill, requiring more active driver control. 

This video explains when it's dangerous to use cruise control, especially in adverse weather conditions: 56sRV MilesYouTube · Jul 31, 2025
Traffic and visibility

• Heavy or stop-and-go traffic: Using cruise control in heavy traffic increases the risk of a collision because it can delay your reaction time to sudden stops or changes in traffic flow. 
• Poor visibility: Turn off cruise control at night or in fog, as reduced visibility requires your full attention and immediate reaction time. 

Other situations

• Frequent stopping and starting: Don't use cruise control in city driving or any situation where you will need to frequently slow down or stop. 
• When feeling tired: Cruise control can lead to passive driving, so it's best to stay engaged and in control when you are sleepy.