How long of a drive (or vacation) is TOO long?

[jdb in AZ]

RV's are work. Set up & pack up every day. Take on water, empty the toilet, and they're no joy to drive. Unless you're really into camping, I would pass. Rent a minivan & stay in hotels/motels every night instead

When I was a kid my family had a 24-ft travel trailer. We had to take it on every vacation to "get our money out of it." My sisters and I would argue in our cramped quarters in the car, and there wasn't much more room to spread out in the trailer at night. Mom didn't get a vacation from cooking/cleaning; she just took the housework with her. I wish my parents had spent their travel funds differently. When you add up the cost of the trailer, reduced gas mileage = extra gas expense, wear and tear on the car (including a new set of brakes after driving through Glacier National Park) it would have been cheaper to fly and stay in nice hotels that gave us space to spread out at night.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

When I was a kid my family had a 24-ft travel trailer. We had to take it on every vacation to "get our money out of it." My sisters and I would argue in our cramped quarters in the car, and there wasn't much more room to spread out in the trailer at night. Mom didn't get a vacation from cooking/cleaning; she just took the housework with her. I wish my parents had spent their travel funds differently. When you add up the cost of the trailer, reduced gas mileage = extra gas expense, wear and tear on the car (including a new set of brakes after driving through Glacier National Park) it would have been cheaper to fly and stay in nice hotels that gave us space to spread out at night.

It worked out for us as we had a basic popup and a big car that got 16 MPG with or without the trailer. Campsites & gas were both cheap then. These days, my sister/BIL tow a big trailer behind a big, expensive truck, and spend $40+ per night on campsites. They love camping, so they justify it that way. But, it's NOT the most economical way to travel.

 

[tvguy]

Yep - I have friends like you. I just don't. If they want to hang at the airport, fine. I just go seperately. 4 hours at MCO sounds like hell to me. I spend enough time in airports. I get some people are nervous about "OMG, missing the flight." I'm not one of them, so I don't. Its the same thing with how to do Disney, not everyone would enjoy how I do it, but I'm not going to be miserable to do a different way, nor am I going to get to the airport early to make someone else happy. I can meet them on the plane and we can all be happy together!

My one flight out of MCO was hell. Got there at 9:15 am, had our bags checked and boarding pass in hand by 9:30 am. Barely made our 12:35 pm flight due to the line to get through TSA security. If we had gotten there less than 3 hours ahead of our flight, we would have missed it.

 

[amberpi]

My one flight out of MCO was hell. Got there at 9:15 am, had our bags checked and boarding pass in hand by 9:30 am. Barely made our 12:35 pm flight due to the line to get through TSA security. If we had gotten there less than 3 hours ahead of our flight, we would have missed it.

As above, when I fly out of MCO, I use Southwest status (Alist+ Companion), or Pre-Check. Out of hundreds of flights I've missed 2. I'm glad it worked out for you, but I would quit my profession if I had to do that weekly, and I don't The monster line stories make me so thankful for TSA and the airlines allowing you to get around the lines if you're a constant airport consumer.

ETA: Also thankful that I don't have to fuss with boarding passes on Southwest, Alist gives you boarding preference, so I don't have to get up at 6:00 am to get a boarding pass. Its a perk I'd pay for if it wasn't free.

 

[tvguy]

As above, when I fly out of MCO, I use Southwest status (Alist+ Companion), or Pre-Check. Out of hundreds of flights I've missed 2. I'm glad it worked out for you, but I would quit my profession if I had to do that weekly, and I don't The monster line stories make me so thankful for TSA and the airlines allowing you to get around the lines if you're a constant airport consumer.

ETA: Also thankful that I don't have to fuss with boarding passes on Southwest, Alist gives you boarding preference, so I don't have to get up at 6:00 am to get a boarding pass. Its a perk I'd pay for if it wasn't free.

I flew Southwest last week. I hate that having to check in exactly 24 hours in advance to get a boarding pass, and yes, you still have to have a boarding pass of some sort. TSA-Pre is new, only been around 3 years, so it didn't exist then.

 

[torene03]

I drove with my 65lb dog from Mayport, FL to San Diego, CA in four days, then from Socal to Reno, then from Reno to Kansas City, MO. I used a website called Go Pet Friendly to plan out stops at hotels and dog parks. Never drove more than 9-ish hours a day and planned a one hour stop at a dog park each day. I don't have an issue driving long distances though, and my dog is a great travel buddy. I would always choose driving over flying now, if possible.

 

[Hikergirl]

Didn't catch the time of year. But if it's summer, you're heading into some really hot territory. And dog can't hike in any National parks plus many state parks. Pet fees at hotels can add up. Also consider that you need vaccination records to go over the border. Leave puppy at home!

Other than that...I'd stretch it out a few more days if possible. Lots of great stuff to see and it sounds like a blast. Except Salt Lake City. Most boring city I have ever been to. Skip it and hit one of the amazing National Parks- I think Utah has 4 or 5. I haven't been but there are renaissance fairs in the Midwest at that time of year. Kansas City BBQ and the brown vs board of education historic site in Topeka, KS. A western themed theme park in northern Idaho, plus beautiful mountains and lakes. The Hiawatha bike trail on the Idaho/Montana i90, it's amazing! Great carousels in Spokane and Missoula. Missoula's is funky, Spokane's is one of the oldest and most beautiful in the country.

I don't know what the parks the OP would be visiting, those may not permit dogs. It is not true that dogs can't hike in any National Park though.

 

[amberpi]

I flew Southwest last week. I hate that having to check in exactly 24 hours in advance to get a boarding pass, and yes, you still have to have a boarding pass of some sort. TSA-Pre is new, only been around 3 years, so it didn't exist then.

You don't have to get a boarding pass until the last minute on Southwest if you're Alist and you still get A boarding group. Its been that way since at least 2008 or earlier, trust me on this. Southwest also had its Alist line since before Pre-check, which is older than you suggest. It was offered to frequent travelers as early as 2012 which is when I got mine after having Global Entry, or maybe I'm getting them confused, I know for sure I had Global Entry first. I was using PreCheck before they'd just starting adding it to people's boarding pass, but way back when you had to go to the airport, get fingerprinted, and pay for the service. Sorry you got stuck in a 3 hour line though. As often as I, and my colleagues fly, I've never heard of or experienced anything like that EXCEPT when I got stranded in London due to the volcano in 2010. Now, that was the best delay ever!

 

[Westcoastwild]

I don't know what the parks the OP would be visiting, those may not permit dogs. It is not true that dogs can't hike in any National Park though.

Fair enough. But usually there are pretty strict limits- like the dog is allowed in the campground but not on most trails. I like NPs and it's always a bummer because it's complicated with a dog.

 

[aprilgail]

I flew Southwest last week. I hate that having to check in exactly 24 hours in advance to get a boarding pass, and yes, you still have to have a boarding pass of some sort. TSA-Pre is new, only been around 3 years, so it didn't exist then.

I hate not getting to pick my seats out at the time of booking- I never fly southwest for that reason!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

You don't have to get a boarding pass until the last minute on Southwest if you're Alist and you still get A boarding group. Its been that way since at least 2008 or earlier, trust me on this. Southwest also had its Alist line since before Pre-check, which is older than you suggest. It was offered to frequent travelers as early as 2012 which is when I got mine after having Global Entry, or maybe I'm getting them confused, I know for sure I had Global Entry first. I was using PreCheck before they'd just starting adding it to people's boarding pass, but way back when you had to go to the airport, get fingerprinted, and pay for the service. Sorry you got stuck in a 3 hour line though. As often as I, and my colleagues fly, I've never heard of or experienced anything like that EXCEPT when I got stranded in London due to the volcano in 2010. Now, that was the best delay ever!

You speak a lot about A-list (and hey my husband did a lot of travelling for work in 2015-2016 and he is currently A-list preferred and until December we've got a companion pass for me) but we def. remember what it was like when we didn't have his benefit and we know what it's going to be like when he no longer qualifies for it (as he isn't on-site anymore just back in the office with limited travel needed). Let's just say your way of flying is def. working out for you due to the perks but without those perks like zero of those perks it could change how you fly (due to checking in, due to priority lane [though you could still do pre-check I suppose though pre-check lines aren't always short speedy lines, don't pay enough attention to the lines of the other programs though], due to boarding procedures, etc).

FWIW we know with our home airport we usually arrive 45mins to an hour before our flight. This is not considering pre-check lane access, nor priority lane, or anything. We just know that our security is what it is (i.e. usually short) and we spend roughly 15-30mins sitting before boarding starts. We add maybe 15mins maybe 20 mins if we are parking the car at the Parking Spot and thus need to park and get the shuttle to the terminal. We don't operate this way at other airports at all though because we know the security and the layout of the airport is different. Currently at my airport if you are dropped off you walk through the doors and in front of you is different security access points for every so many gates. Once you are through security you are literally at your gate.

 

[amberpi]

You speak a lot about A-list (and hey my husband did a lot of travelling for work in 2015-2016 and he is currently A-list preferred and until December we've got a companion pass for me) but we def. remember what it was like when we didn't have his benefit and we know what it's going to be like when he no longer qualifies for it (as he isn't on-site anymore just back in the office with limited travel needed). Let's just say your way of flying is def. working out for you due to the perks but without those perks like zero of those perks it could change how you fly (due to checking in, due to priority lane [though you could still do pre-check I suppose though pre-check lines aren't always short speedy lines, don't pay enough attention to the lines of the other programs though], due to boarding procedures, etc).

FWIW we know with our home airport we usually arrive 45mins to an hour before our flight. This is not considering pre-check lane access, nor priority lane, or anything. We just know that our security is what it is (i.e. usually short) and we spend roughly 15-30mins sitting before boarding starts. We add maybe 15mins maybe 20 mins if we are parking the car at the Parking Spot and thus need to park and get the shuttle to the terminal. We don't operate this way at other airports at all though because we know the security and the layout of the airport is different. Currently at my airport if you are dropped off you walk through the doors and in front of you is different security access points for every so many gates. Once you are through security you are literally at your gate.

Yep - that's why I've said since the beginning, with my flyer status and perks, that's how I travel. Part of my gig is and always be getting off and on airplanes, so I just have a very different opinion on it than a LOT of people. In MY life though, the whole getting to the airport early - nope Travel time is just the price to be paid for fun (or, usually...work).

Companion pass is amazing! I haven't paid for a domestic flight since like 2004; sometimes when I'm flying home late Friday night I have to find happiness somewhere and being able to fly for free is one of them.

 

[Hikergirl]

Fair enough. But usually there are pretty strict limits- like the dog is allowed in the campground but not on most trails. I like NPs and it's always a bummer because it's complicated with a dog.

There are quite a few that are pretty dog friendly, and there are some that are less so but still have some trails that you can take your dog on.
I agree though, it can be complicated and it is always a good idea to research before heading out with your dog. There is nothing worse than getting somewhere and finding out you can't bring them with you.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Yep - that's why I've said since the beginning, with my flyer status and perks, that's how I travel. Part of my gig is and always be getting off and on airplanes, so I just have a very different opinion on it than a LOT of people. In MY life though, the whole getting to the airport early - nope Travel time is just the price to be paid for fun (or, usually...work).

Companion pass is amazing! I haven't paid for a domestic flight since like 2004; sometimes when I'm flying home late Friday night I have to find happiness somewhere and being able to fly for free is one of them.

Oh I totally got where you were coming from it certaintly makes it easier for most folks with the perks it's just when you're not that frequent traveler with the perks (no matter what airline I should say) it generally changes how you fly was just sorta putting it out there.

 

[bellebud]

OP, for me it would totally depend on my dogs, if they would mind being away from us for that long. I've had both types of dogs. With my current 2, the GSD wouldn't do well for that long, so I wouldn't do it.

 

[tvguy]

You don't have to get a boarding pass until the last minute on Southwest if you're Alist and you still get A boarding group. Its been that way since at least 2008 or earlier, trust me on this. Southwest also had its Alist line since before Pre-check, which is older than you suggest. It was offered to frequent travelers as early as 2012 which is when I got mine after having Global Entry, or maybe I'm getting them confused, I know for sure I had Global Entry first. I was using PreCheck before they'd just starting adding it to people's boarding pass, but way back when you had to go to the airport, get fingerprinted, and pay for the service. Sorry you got stuck in a 3 hour line though. As often as I, and my colleagues fly, I've never heard of or experienced anything like that EXCEPT when I got stranded in London due to the volcano in 2010. Now, that was the best delay ever!

TSA Pre was announced in July 2013 and the first testing started in the fall of 2013. https://www.tsa.gov/news/releases/2013/07/19/tsa-launch-application-program-tsa-precheck

I did sign up for Rapid Rewards, but you have to fly 25 flights per year on Southwest to get Alist, and this year I will fly 4. And the other issue is Southwest doesn't service all the cities I fly to, or, as I discovered when my FIL was ill, their air fares aren't always the lowest.

 

[amberpi]

TSA Pre was announced in July 2013 and the first testing started in the fall of 2013. https://www.tsa.gov/news/releases/2013/07/19/tsa-launch-application-program-tsa-precheck

I did sign up for Rapid Rewards, but you have to fly 25 flights per year on Southwest to get Alist, and this year I will fly 4. And the other issue is Southwest doesn't service all the cities I fly to, or, as I discovered when my FIL was ill, their air fares aren't always the lowest.

Yeah - like I said, I can't remember, I know work said "ya'll go get Global Entry" and then "ya'll go get pre-check." The point I was making is that for someone who gets on a plane, at least once a week, sometimes hitting multiple cities, the very idea of getting to the airport 3 hours early is shudder inducing and I don't do it. I've even said I have more cautious, less frequent traveling friends, and I just join them at the airport. It works out fine.

Personally, I don't just fly Southwest, although its my favorite domestically, I've also got something stupid with American and with United. I've been traveling for a long time, and I do and lots of people do, take advantage of the available perks.

ETA: Having those travel perks is a nice offset to the weeks you have to spend in the nicest hotel in some place like Bozeman, MT, which is a Hilton Garden Inn, eating at chain restaurants and it takes longer to get there than it does to get to London from Nashville. It isn't glamorous when your local TSA airport guys know you.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Never thought of that. Point taken! I will surely do that instead. I've never been camping a day in my life and have no desire.

I wouldn't give up on the RV idea w/o serious consideration. We had an RV a few years, until we decided DH couldn't take enough time off to justify the expenses involved in having one sit idle for long periods of time. I loved it. Admittedly, it was slightly better for me than DH, but he really enjoyed it too. He did all the driving, while I fixed us something to eat, lay in the bed & watched TV, etc. I'm the one who needs all the bathroom breaks, so he could keep driving w/o stopping for me. He loved that. We mastered the hook up & unhooking processes. We're seriously considering buying another RV, when DH retires to tour the US, Canada & Mexico at a leisurely pace. I would definitely choose touring the country in an RV over driving a car & staying in different hotels all the time. With an RV, there's no unpacking & repacking all the time. If you do decide to go the RV route, I'd recommend renting one for the weekend a few times, just to get used to setting it up & unhooking.

ETA: OP, sorry to go OT. The most we consider driving is 12 hrs to visit family & we always have at the very least an overnight stop in both directions. That said, if I was healthy & had plenty of time to make the drive you're considering, I would definitely give it serious thought. We once spent 2 weeks driving from Tampa, FL to San Antonio, TX & back, with stops along the way. We always spent 3 nights at a single destination though.

 

[tvguy]

The point I was making is that for someone who gets on a plane, at least once a week, sometimes hitting multiple cities, the very idea of getting to the airport 3 hours early is shudder inducing and I don't do it. .

I traveled for about a year for work 37-38 years ago. No security checkpoints in those days. On PSA. They had what they called "Write Your Own Ticket" in those days. Company would buy a book of 20 tickets at a shot, you'd walk up to counter, hand them a ticket, WITHOUT a reservation, they would hand you a boarding pass, you walked right on the plane. Sacramento to Los Angeles. My record was 3 round trips in one week. I think in one 3 month period I made 18 roundtrips. Traveling with 7 large equipment boxes, and my suitcase. You were allowed 2 suitcases in those days, and it was $25 for each extra bag. The Skycaps at the curb knew our cars, how many pieces of luggage we had, and that there was a $20 tip in it. Amazingly, we never got charged for extra baggage. Business manager my first trip questioned the $20 tip, and when told about the baggage fee, never questioned it again.

 

[amberpi]

I traveled for about a year for work 37-38 years ago. No security checkpoints in those days. On PSA. They had what they called "Write Your Own Ticket" in those days. Company would buy a book of 20 tickets at a shot, you'd walk up to counter, hand them a ticket, WITHOUT a reservation, they would hand you a boarding pass, you walked right on the plane. Sacramento to Los Angeles. My record was 3 round trips in one week. I think in one 3 month period I made 18 roundtrips. Traveling with 7 large equipment boxes, and my suitcase. You were allowed 2 suitcases in those days, and it was $25 for each extra bag. The Skycaps at the curb knew our cars, how many pieces of luggage we had, and that there was a $20 tip in it. Amazingly, we never got charged for extra baggage. Business manager my first trip questioned the $20 tip, and when told about the baggage fee, never questioned it again.

Sounds like me at the valet in my local airport, they'll leave the line, give me a ticket, I have my pass on my phone, roll through TSA and board. I've done 3 rounds in a week - often, but I spent a couple of years pretty much commuting to Chicago - fly in, have a couple of meetings, fly home in time for dinner. NBD. The point for this posting, is that 30 hours in a car is a LONG time.