How long do you drive for your kids' sports?

[Anonymous]

My 9yo daughter has a couple of friends who go to a gymnastics gym that’s about 30–35 minutes away, and they’ve asked her to join. We took a trial class and I'll admit, the gym was great. We both loved the vibe and she enjoyed the instructors. Now she really wants to switch, but honestly, the drive feels like a bit much. Her current gym is about 20 minutes away and although I've never loved it, it has definitely been easier.

For those of you with kids in activities, do you make the longer drive for a better experience (team, coaching, atmosphere, etc.), or do you stick with what’s “good enough” and closer to home? Trying to decide if it’s worth the extra time in the car…

[Anonymous]

I'm about to switch to driving 30 minutes versus 10 for my 11 year old.

For my 13 year old I already drive 30.

[Anonymous]

35 minutes is nothing. What are you, British?

[Anonymous]

If she tried it because of friends, can you carpool?

I personally limit to good enough/20 minutes, but would expand that if we could count on a good carpool.

[Anonymous]

Carpool is key. It depends on what you're looking to get out of it. We kept our kids close until 14, at that point because they aspire to compete in college, we were willing to drive further for a program/coaching that gives them a better shot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:35 minutes is nothing. What are you, British?

I am British. We didn't do travel sports, and only local rec stuff, for that reason.

[Anonymous]

35 minutes plus since age 10 for a better team than those that are closer for one kid.

[Anonymous]

35 minutes for one kid for a better team. We have no one to carpool with, and I'm totally burned out and not sure I'll keep doing it once they can play high school, which is very soon.

[Anonymous]

You shouldn’t benchmark this. It’s completely personal. Everyone has different priorities.

[Anonymous]

Your current gym is 20 min away, so the difference isn't that much for a much better program. And if you have a carpool it's definitely worth it.

[Anonymous]

By age 9 I probably would do it.

For my kids, before age 8 we did local sports, less than 20 min, but by age 8 we were driving farther, up to an hour, for more elite instruction.

[Anonymous]

By older ages 35 minutes doesn't seem like much to get the programming you need or want most. For younger than 12 it's probably not necessary though.

Really depends on your schedule and priorities, its not a one size fits all.

[Anonymous]

My daughter is about to turn 15. The last 3 years we drove 35-45 min each way depending on traffic, 3 times per week plus tournaments. Different sport. 2/3 years we had a carpool. Last year was very hard because we didn’t have anyone to carpool with. Even without it, it’s a lot of time in the car.

If you can avoid this at the young ages I would find a place closer to home. It’s one thing for the kids but a lot of the parents. Like many others, I would bring my laptop there and get some work done but everything else in the house feels the strain (laundry, basic cooking, dishes, other kids…)

[Anonymous]

35 mins is just about my max without traffic, and 45-55 at rush hour. We're pretty centrally located in Annandale so in practice that means I'm good with most areas in NOVA but I draw the line at crossing the Potomac, the Occoquan, or Rt 28. I have teens though. When they were younger we kept it to 30 mins or under.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is about to turn 15. The last 3 years we drove 35-45 min each way depending on traffic, 3 times per week plus tournaments. Different sport. 2/3 years we had a carpool. Last year was very hard because we didn’t have anyone to carpool with. Even without it, it’s a lot of time in the car.

If you can avoid this at the young ages I would find a place closer to home. It’s one thing for the kids but a lot of the parents. Like many others, I would bring my laptop there and get some work done but everything else in the house feels the strain (laundry, basic cooking, dishes, other kids…)

which sport