Post by Wallflower on Sept 22, 2014 19:18:57 GMT -5
I'm probably selling my condo and moving back east sometime in the next few months. I'll drive on my own (the 2 cats don't have their licenses), and I'm trying to plot out how long it will take me, where to stop, etc.
If you were driving on your own, how long or how far would you try to go in a day?
Post by irishbride2 on Sept 22, 2014 19:20:06 GMT -5
I've driven 10 hours in a day on my own. That is far as I've gone.
That is probably my max in one day but I would have no problem doing a multi-day trip alone. I would just break it up. I enjoy alone time though I'd get some books on tape.
Post by MixedBerryJam on Sept 22, 2014 19:27:27 GMT -5
Sheesh. I'm soft I guess. I did 8 hours once and I'll never do that again. I'm really not comfortable driving more than 3 hours on my own. Maybe I could do 3 hours, take a long break, and do another 3 hours, but I doubt I'd do it if I didn't have to. (I am a dawdler, though, and always look for reasons to stop and get out of the car.)
My answer depends on how many days in a row you'll be doing it. I could do one day of 14 hours, 2 days of 10 hours, and anything over 20 hours of driving, I'd divide equally into 8 hours or so. I'd probably try to take relaxing stops that include more than bathroom and food...maybe a walk or sightseeing or shopping. Make it a journey and enjoy it rather than rushing to get there, if you have that luxury.
Post by FrozenSunshine on Sept 22, 2014 19:34:35 GMT -5
I drove from Tampa to Rapid City in 2 days, they were about 14 hour days. I had no pets with me and it was a get the hell out situation with everything I owned that would fit in the back of my truck.
We grew up driving to and from Alaska and Florida every few years, so my gauge of driving time/distance is a bit off because of that.
Post by spankswife on Sept 22, 2014 19:39:52 GMT -5
I drove 14 hrs once. It was the full distance. I wasn't going to do two days of 7 hrs. Not to mention it was only a long weekend so I had to drive 14 hours back three days later.
Just me, I wouldn't go over ten hours. I did Ohio to Washington in four days, including a white-out, accident, icy road conditions and below-freezing weather. I don't recommend it.
Post by underwaterrhymes on Sept 22, 2014 19:45:32 GMT -5
I also think the point about the number of days is critical.
We drove from South FL to MA in 2 days with our 2 cats when we moved here a few years ago and it was AWFUL. We were cranky and exhausted and there is no way I would do it in 2 days again. (Although, frankly, the cats had a lot to do with it. They started hissing and yowling at each other on the Jersey turnpike and then our little girl cat got car sick.)
Several years back, though, H and I did a cross-country trip over the course of two months with a documentary crew. We had VERY long days because we had events all over the country, but the driving was well-broken up for the most part and that made a huge difference.
Under both circumstances we had each other, though. Being alone makes being on the road even more exhausting for me, but you know yourself best.
I can do 12 plus hours, but I enjoy driving. I'm also that person whose camped out in their car over night, so take that with a grain of salt. For safety sake, I do a max of 14 hours and make plenty of stops.
Close to 15 maybe? I spent a ton of time driving back and forth places in HS and college so it just doesn't phase me. Heck, I didn't fly with someone else (despite flying dozens of times growing up) until I started dating H so 20?
H is still the only person I like to road trip with now - I'm much more used to doing it alone.
Post by bluetopaz on Sept 22, 2014 19:54:31 GMT -5
I think the most I've ever driven on my own is maybe 3 hours. I'm not opposed to a longer drive, but I've always had someone with me if I'm going very far. When we do the FL-to-DC drive, we usually stop in NC for the night.
Post by Wallflower on Sept 22, 2014 19:55:36 GMT -5
Thanks so much, folks! I'm planning three days, between 8.5 and 9.5 hours a day. I've done 6 hours previously with no issue, but just wanted to make sure I don't over estimate what I can do. With the cats, I have to be able to plan out the hotels where we can stay - otherwise, I'd probably drive until I felt ready to stop.
Oh hell, I have to admit I'd probably plan it out to the mile even without the cats. I'm just neurotic and obsessive, but like to tell myself that in other situations, I'd be relaxed and casual.
Post by youbetcha on Sept 22, 2014 21:08:48 GMT -5
The most I would do personally is about 6. I know how I am and I get drowsy and bored after a while. I would do even less if it were through the middle of nowhere with nothing to look at and no turns/speed changes.
I did 13 pretty routinely when I was in college. Austin to Denver or vice versa. How long is your drive? I'd consider pushing it if it's roughly that long, but any longer and I would split the drive over two days.
Post by sparrowsong on Sept 22, 2014 21:37:57 GMT -5
I drove from Denver to St Louis. I can't remember how many hours it was, but I remember when I arrived that when I closed my eyes I would still see the stripes of paint from the lanes in my mind, flashing past me.