Stick to water, coffee, or soft drinks—anything without alcohol
If you're the designated driver, your Subway order should contain zero alcohol. That means water, coffee, tea, lemonade, Coca-Cola products, Sprite, or any other non-alcoholic beverage Subway stocks. The reason is straightforward: even a single drink impairs your ability to drive safely, and if you're stopped, any alcohol in your system complicates your legal position—even if you're under the legal limit.
Many designated drivers order a large water or iced tea and make it their anchor drink for the night. It's cheap, keeps you hydrated (which actually helps you stay alert), and there's no ambiguity about what you're drinking. If you're at Subway with friends who are drinking, ordering something visible and clearly non-alcoholic also signals to them that you're taking the role seriously.
Key Takeaways
- Your drink must contain zero alcohol—water, coffee, tea, and soft drinks are all safe choices.
- Staying hydrated with water or unsweetened tea helps you stay alert during a long night of driving.
- A visible non-alcoholic drink signals to your passengers that you're committed to safe driving.
- If you're stopped by police, having ordered only non-alcoholic beverages protects you legally and makes the interaction clearer.
- Eating a full sandwich or salad alongside your drink keeps your energy stable and helps you focus on the road.
Why food matters when you're driving others home
Order a full sandwich or salad, not just chips or a cookie. Food slows the absorption of any substance into your bloodstream, stabilizes your blood sugar, and keeps you alert. A six-inch or footlong sub with protein (turkey, roast beef, chicken) and vegetables gives you sustained energy. Avoid anything loaded with straightforward carbs and sugar alone, because the energy spike and crash can make you drowsy.
Eating also gives you something to do during the drive home if your passengers are quiet or if you're waiting for them. A meal keeps your hands and mind engaged in something other than fatigue or distraction. Subway's portions are substantial enough that you'll feel satisfied and stable for several hours of driving.
Avoid anything that could be mistaken for alcohol
Do not order anything that looks like it contains alcohol, even if it doesn't. This includes energy drinks with names that sound alcoholic, kombucha (which contains trace amounts of alcohol), or anything in a dark bottle that a police officer might question. The goal is to remove any doubt—both for yourself and for anyone who might observe you.
If you're pulled over, a clear non-alcoholic drink in your cup makes the interaction faster and less complicated. Officers are trained to look for signs of impairment, and a visible water bottle or coffee cup removes one line of questioning entirely. Clarity protects you.
Timing your meal so you're not eating while driving
Eat your Subway sandwich before you start driving or during a planned stop, not while you're behind the wheel. Eating while driving divides your attention and increases crash risk. If you're picking up Subway before a night out, eat it beforehand. If you're grabbing it on the way home, pull over safely or wait until you've dropped off your passengers.
Many designated drivers eat their meal at the restaurant or in the parking lot, then focus entirely on the road. This keeps your hands on the wheel, your eyes on traffic, and your mind on driving—which is the actual job you've taken on.
What to skip entirely
Skip the cookies, brownies, and sugary drinks if you can. They cause energy crashes that make you drowsy. Skip anything spicy if you're sensitive to it, because digestive discomfort is a distraction. Skip anything you have to unwrap or assemble while sitting in the car. And skip anything that requires two hands to eat—you need at least one hand free for the wheel at all times.
Also skip any "energy drink" that's marketed as an alcohol substitute or that has a name designed to sound edgy. These can confuse passengers or look suspicious to law enforcement, and they don't actually improve your driving ability. Plain coffee or water does the job better.
Why being the designated driver matters legally
When you're the designated driver, you're held to a higher standard than a passenger. If you're stopped and there's any question about your sobriety—even if you haven't had a drink—the interaction becomes more serious. Your food and drink choices are part of how you demonstrate that you're taking the role seriously and that you understand the responsibility.
If you're ever charged with DUI or DWI, your choices that night become evidence. Witnesses can testify about what you ordered and drank. Video from the restaurant or your car can show what you consumed. Ordering clearly non-alcoholic food and drinks creates a factual record that supports your defense. It also means you're genuinely safe to drive, which is the point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a sip of someone else's drink if I'm the designated driver?
No. Even a single sip impairs your judgment and reaction time. If you're stopped and there's alcohol on your breath, you're in a worse legal position, even if you're under the limit. The role requires zero alcohol—not "just a little" or "just one sip".
What if I get thirsty during the drive home?
Order a large water or unsweetened iced tea at Subway and keep it in the cup holder. Staying hydrated actually helps you stay alert. If you need a refill, pull over at a gas station or wait until you've dropped off your passengers.
Does coffee actually help me stay awake while driving?
Coffee can help, but it's not a substitute for sleep. If you're genuinely exhausted, caffeine won't fix that—you need rest. Coffee works best when you're alert but slightly tired. Drink it before you drive, not during, so you're not distracted.
What if a passenger offers to buy me a drink?
Politely decline. Explain that you're the designated driver and you're not drinking. Most people respect that boundary. If someone pressures you, that's a sign they don't respect the role you've taken on, and you may need to reconsider whether you're safe to drive with them in the car.
Can I eat a Subway sandwich while I'm driving?
Not safely. Eat before you leave or after you've dropped off your passengers. Eating while driving takes your hands off the wheel and your attention off the road. Pull over if you're hungry, or wait until you're home.