What is the longest or farthest you'll drive alone, before looking for other means?

[topolino]

If you have to go somewhere alone, and if time isn't an issue, what is the most miles, or the most amount of hours spent driving that you'll tolerate? At what point will you say, "that's it, I'm flying", or something to that effect? What's your breaking point?

 

[Magic Mom]

I've driven 16 hours alone (with kids) before, when Dh was deployed. Not a big deal. Some trips we woud stop for the night, other trips I would drive straight through.

 

[happygirl]

If you have to go somewhere alone, and if time isn't an issue, what is the most miles, or the most amount of hours spent driving that you'll tolerate? At what point will you say, "that's it, I'm flying", or something to that effect? What's your breaking point?

If it not through major traffic, I could drive for hours and hours. Heavy traffic makes me nervous

 

[acejka]

I've driven from dc to orlando by myself a few times. I would choose just not going over flying. I'm not sure I would head west by myself if I had to go through the mountains, I get nervous in the mountains.

 

[klacey1]

Completely and totally alone? Have done five and a half hours and was going stir crazy on the drive back...could probably do seven.
With at least one other person-- up to 15, probably.

 

[Uptown Girl]

Time isn't as important as cost. If I can get somewhere faster flying and it costs less, which is often the case for one person, I fly. If the costs are close to the same, I fly, if it is significantly cheaper to drive, I will drive. I've driven round trip 16 hours totally alone before. I needed to drive that time because I was bringing some big things with me for the people on the other end but if it is more than 5 hours, usually it is more economical to fly.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

I get a little antsy after 8 or 9 hours by myself.

 

[bookgirl]

I used to drive to my dad's on my own. About 8 hours give or take depending how fast I drove. I wouldn't have any problem driving further, but more than 9 or 10 and I'd probably break it up into two days.

My only concession is that I try not to drive after dark when I make long trips by myself or if it's on back roads. Being a woman alone I figure why take that risk. I also don't like driving a new place in the dark even if I have others with me because it's hard to find your way around in a strange place, once I've made the trip in the light it doesn't bother me to drive in the dark, but even with GPS you can lose streets or turnoff or signs after sundown and getting lost in the dark just seems to be 10X as off setting as making a wrong turn in the day.

I do prefer to fly and rent a car for longer trips, but sometimes that just isn't fesible, so driving is just the way it is.

 

[FireDancer]

1,200 miles. When I moved back to Ohio From Florida I drove pretty much straight though all by myself in the U-Haul towing my car. When I got tired I pulled into a truck stop and too a 30-45 minute nap and I think I did that 3 times.

 

[Tuffcookie]

I'm with bookgirl, I do not drive after dark. I love to drive, so that isn't the deciding issue. It all depends on how much time I will be gone. It's nice to fly but it's also nice to have a car to get around in when you reach your destination. Cell phones, and the GPS are a godsend for those traveling alone. :thumbsup

TC

 

[katibosch]

We live in a very rural area so what others might consider a long distance is not a big deal for us. We have driven from Kansas to Virginia twice with no problems and will drive from Kansas to Orlando next summer. I hate flying (not scared, just very inconvenient and expensive) and will do a lot to avoid it.

 

[MomofKatie]

The farthest I have personally driven was around 900 miles. We broke up the drive into 2 days, and it was totally doable. I think I wouldn't want to go more than 1500 miles in a car- mainly because of the time factor.

 

[Swan4Me]

I once drove 6 hours alone to pick up DS who helped drive back. I hated it, and only did it as a last minute emergency thing. Otherwise-fly!

 

[Pakey]

I've done several long trips on my own. The longest was probably from California to Massachusetts but that was broken up into several days. The longest single day I've driven was from Wisconsin to Mississippi on the return home from a vacation where I hadn't allowed myself enough time to get back.

No, I am not a long haul truck driver. I have always enjoyed traveling.

 

[debster812]

South of Boston to Ottawa, ON. DS's soccer team plays 1 game per year against a team from Ottawa. The team rides a bus with the coaches, but I'd sooner take a sharp stick to the eye, than be on a bus with 30+ 14 & 15 year old boys. (Multiple teams travel together).

The drive TO Canada was fine, the drive home was very long, and very tiring, as I made the mistake of coming home via Montreal, and timed it to hit rush hour traffic. Next time, I'll head home via NY/VT and going over the Lake Champlain islands.

 

[bettymae1121]

Depends on where to and what time of year (mountains in winter would be a no-go, for example, even if it was only a few hours) but all things being equal, about 12 hours would be my limit. Beyond that I'd be afraid of being too tired to drive safely. I'd either break the trip up and spend the night someplace, or fly instead.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

For me it's a time and cost factor. If it will be less for me to fly and rent a car then I will do that, if I have the time. If not, I'll drive. I have driven to El Paso from LA several times by myself. It's a little over 800 miles, and takes me anywhere from 11-1/2 to 12-1/2 hours, depending if I stop along the way. I've driven during the day and at night - doesn't bother me. I listen to books on tape, the radio, and the DIS Podcast to keep me company.

 

[crazelion]

I have drove 10 hours by myself from TN to Orlando , Florida. Mom is usually in the care with me but she does not like to drive on freeway.

 

[Disney Doll]

I have no problem drviing however many miles is necessary to get to where I am going if I have chosen to drive.

That being said, I probably wouldn't be able to drivemore than 12 hours in a single day, so if I was doing a long driving trip (ie-cross country) I'd be stopping daily after 12 hours.

 

[pigletgirl]

About 1500 miles from Phx to St Louis MO. I rode with a friend as she was going to school there. We did it in 2 days. Whew 15 hours the first day.....