Best sunglasses for driving

Driving with sunglasses is essential for a long drive. Without them, the sunlight's glare can be blinding and increase your risk of having an accident. But not all sunglasses are created equal, so the pair you currently own might not be the best for when you go for a drive.

When selecting a pair of sunglasses for driving, consider any prescription lenses you use for vision correction. Make sure that the sunglasses you pick have the same correction as the lenses from your DMV vision tests or whatever eye test you took for your driver’s test.

Are polarized glasses better for driving?

Are polarized sunglasses good for driving? Although polarized lenses can aid with glare reduction, experts say they are not always necessary for driving sunglasses.

Depending on the sun's angle, polarized sunglasses for driving may be less useful. They work especially well on sunny days to cut down on light reflection. Lenses with anti-reflective coating can also be effective too. They are not recommended for motorcyclists since the polarized lens picks up oils and scratches on your helmet’s visor, obstructing your view.

Best sunglasses lens color for driving

What constitutes a pair of sunglasses that are safe to wear while driving depends on a variety of elements. Different types of lenses transmit light in different ways. There are four or five category labels of glare reduction to choose from when looking for the best sunglasses for driving that meet vision requirements for driving. To that end, the color of your sunglasses is also important. Grey, amber, and copper-tinted lenses are the best sunglasses lens color for driving since they maintain color difference. Important colors that are necessary for seeing traffic lights can be distorted by light green, blue, red, and pink.

Driving in the sun: which sunglasses help you the most?

The best sunglasses for driving will shield your eyes from damaging UV rays while you're on the road, reduce glare, and maintain your attention on the road.

Look for glasses that fit organically on your face and are not too tight. Additionally, pick lenses with an anti-glare coating, a gray or amber tint, and UV protection. Choose a frame that is not too thick as well to avoid blocking your peripheral vision, which is essential for safe driving.

If you spend a lot of time driving, consider wearing transition lenses, which darken when activated by UV exposure when outside. Transition lenses can be the perfect solution for glasses for road trips, since Transitions® lenses activate even behind the windshield of a car, darken in the sun, then fade back to clear, so you don't have to change from eyeglasses to sunglasses as you drive. So, if you’ve got a long journey ahead and anticipate driving at night, transition lenses make a lot of sense.

We've chosen our top picks for the best sunglasses for driving day and night:

Ray Bans Optics Transparent Eyeglasses

Born out of necessity in 1937, Ray-Ban® has been at the leading edge of developing high-quality sunglasses to protect pilots from the sun’s harsh rays. Since then, Ray-Ban has been the eyewear of choice for visionaries and cultural creators everywhere to express their fearless and most authentic selves.

Oakley Centerboard Polished Clear Eyeglasses

The search for individual expression and personal advancement is sparked and empowered by Oakley®, who are innovators in high-performance sports glasses. Oakley eyewear is made to function for both sports and daily life and is rooted in more than 45 years of design and innovation history with products that elite and ordinary athletes around the world rely on.

Persol Striped Brown Eyeglasses

Persol frames, first produced in Turin in 1917, have earned a prestigious place in the world of cars. Even when embracing the most recent fashion trends, Persol styles are recognized for the exquisite elegance and craftsmanship that have always set them apart.