8hr road trip — is it worth it?

[Anonymous]

DH wants to take an 8hr road trip to the mountains for four nights during a weeklong furlough he has off from work. (I am a school administrator and off all summer, fwiw.) To me, this seems like an incredibly wasteful use of time, gas, and money. Is it just me? I will admit I’m not a road trip person; I didn’t take them growing up and don’t enjoy the journey. He claims we will stop along the way to break up the trip, but that just makes it longer. So, sell me on a 16-hour round trip drive to spend 72 hours in the mountains!

[Anonymous]

It can be some beautiful scenery along the way. Let's say it's 500 miles each way and your car gets 30 mpg. That's 16 gallons of gas * $4/gallon = ~$70 which isn't crazy.

[Anonymous]

Some people would drive longer for even less time at a destination. Some people would not drive a 10 hour RT for 96 hours at the destination. Everyone is different.

Why not just do it? What is the worst that could happen? If you hate it, you don't do it again. It's very possible you don't mind it as much as you think you will.

[Anonymous]

I agree with you. 8 hours easily can turn into 10-12 hours depending on stops and traffic. So it’s 2 days driving to stay 2 -3 days. Find somewhere closer to drive to. 4 hour drive would be ideal for this. But 5-6 ok cause with delays it can go up to 8.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t be keen on it with kids but with just my husband? Sure. He drives, I play passenger princess and we get some time together.

[Anonymous]

I wish my husband would suggest doing this! Sounds like fun. Maybe a little bit long, but you'll have fun stopping in different places. Which mountains?

[Anonymous]

I would do eight hours for a weeklong trip but not four days if I could help it.

My parents live 6 1/2 hours to seven hours away and the only reason I leave after three or four days is because they are tough to deal with

I just had to pick up my kid at college eight hours away. On the way there I stopped halfway and stayed at a $50 a night hotel. That was awesome. On the way back after the 3 day weekend, I drove the whole eight hours myself. I was frankly exhausted, and I generally like driving.

[Anonymous]

I do this somewhat often. When you add in the trip to the airport, waiting for the plane, picking up bags at baggage claim etc, its often pretty comparable or you're only saving 1 or 2 hours. And with planes you deal with delays, luggage issues, etc.

My best tip is to leave really early if possible. Like 4am. Shower the night before, pack the car, and then when you wake up, just make coffee and go. You don't even realize what's happening until 2 hours later and you start waking up and feeling good around 4 hours. Then it's halfway done.

[Anonymous]

8 hrs is nothing to me, and I’ve done this often to visit family in CT, so I’d be fine with it. No extra stops, though. One, maybe two max, quick stops for a bathroom. Leave early and just get there. I say try it at least once. If you truly hate it, no need to repeat the experience.

[Anonymous]

Last summer we drove from DC to NH in a day. It was about 11 hours with traffic. We couldn’t fly because we were bringing the dogs on vacation too.

It really wasn’t that bad. DH and I split driving time, we saw places and scenery we’d not seen before, and we downloaded some fun audio books the whole family enjoyed.

4 nights like you are going M-F? I’m not sure I’d drive that far for a short time. If you could squeeze another day or two though, I’d jump at it.

[Anonymous]

Yuck

[Anonymous]

I think it’s fine, I’m more curious as a teacher how you have off all summer as an admin. Every admin I know is a 12 month contract.

[Anonymous]

It’s not the destination, it’s the journey. If he has to “sell” you the idea, you obviously don’t get it. The only reason I wouldn’t do it is if I have to spend 8 hours on I-95 traffic.

[Anonymous]

Life is short. Do it and find ways to enjoy it. It’s a lot of driving for the amount of time you’re spending at your destination but you can always make the trip part of the adventure. Bring fun snacks, make a great playlist and even download a good audio book you both will enjoy (I love doing this with my DH), or a Podcast series. Bring pillows for the ride, comfy socks, a pair of slip on sandals, find a fun or kitschy place to stop, and place to eat.

[Anonymous]

We do 9 hours every summer. The drive and change of scenery along the way are part of the fun. Only one kid though. Could see how with multiple kids it might be more chaotic.