Do I have to wear hijab when traveling long distance by car?

I thought I read once that it was permissible for women to take off the hijab if they are traveling by car for a long distance. Is this correct? I understand if you stop at a public place to eat or use the bathroom that it must be put back on. But is it ok to take it off while driving?

 

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. May his abundant blessings be showered on his beloved prophet, the best of creation.

The specificness of the method of travel or the length of the journey is not of concern here. What is of utmost importance is that the area of the body including hair which is by the Shariah necessary to cover not become exposed to strangers.

So in a long journey by car, wherein traffic is relatively light and no genuine fear of exposure exists, one may temporarily remove the hijaab. However, the covering should be kept within close reach at all times. Nothing can compare to safety. (As such, it may be best to simply ‘loosen up’ the hijab when it is highly unlikely that others will see anything, but with one’s head still covered.)

And Allah knows best.

Yusuf