I have to drive cross country but I hate driving

[Anonymous]

You are much safer on the interstates. Just try not to drive during peak traffic time. Use by-passes to avoid driving through large cities when you can. Pick the most rural route to avoid congestion. Stop when you feel tired or stressed. And try to enjoy the trip. We love those cross-country drives!

[Anonymous]

It does not take 10 days to drive across the country on the highways. 4 days, max.

Google suggests to San Francisco from here 1 day 17 hours of driving using the fastest route. Selecting "avoid highways" gives me 2 days 9 hours, or 40%ish longer. We did the drive to San Francisco in 4 days, stopping for quick meals, gas and potty, plus sleeping in a hotel at night, driving 10 hours a day (doable with 2 drivers). I suspect using local roads would be at least a week, because 10 hours would be harder with one driver.

OP I like the idea of getting a friend or family member to help you drive. My husband did that when we had to move cross country and i was indisposed with a sick family member.

[Anonymous]

You might be surprised at how inexpensive it is to have a car hauled - probably $500 - $600. I'd fly if you hate it that much and have the car full of stuff hauled.

[Anonymous]

Consider therapy and anti-anxiety meds. This is not normal.

[Anonymous]

I would fly because I hate to drive too OP and I can't read a map and don't trust Siri or wayze.

If you have to drive, do as others have suggested and get someone to go with you. You might find some nice college kids to go with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love driving. I could go with you and do all the driving for a little road sex. Are you female?

Is this a joke

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Audio books are the way to make driving palatable to me. Plus, stopping every three hours no matter what. Getting out walking around, stretching, getting something to eat and drink and filling up the gas tank.

Sarah Vowel's book on Lafayette got us to West Lafayette and back. Funny and informative.

Thank you! Now this is a helpful tip

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, driving cross county on the interstate takes 10 days?

By back roads do you mean state highways? Or real back roads?

Once you get out of highly populated areas I feel divided interstate is much safer than single lane state highways with oncoming traffic in the adjacent lane. And state hwy speed can be 50 at least.

Well, my car is really fully loaded with stuff. Also, it takes a longer time to brake than any car I've ever owned, and thats with nothing in it. I just don't feel comfortable going 70 mph when the car is so loaded that I know it's going to take me much longer to brake, even though I have quick reaction times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are much safer on the interstates. Just try not to drive during peak traffic time. Use by-passes to avoid driving through large cities when you can. Pick the most rural route to avoid congestion. Stop when you feel tired or stressed. And try to enjoy the trip. We love those cross-country drives!

Thank you! I enjoy them too- the "seeing the country aspect"... I just hate the actual driving, if that makes sense. It makes me nervous, not to mention it does get a bit tedious. But I absolutely love seeing the rural parts of the country and all the beautiful parts of America

[Anonymous]

Do not drive 40 mph in any area that has a higher speed limit posted. You become a driving hazard as the cars going faster than you approach much to quickly and there is an assumption that the cars on the road in front of you are traveling at least the posted limit. Your slow driving actually puts you at a much greater risk. Audio books might help you but given your nervous state I honestly don't think you neeed any distractions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, driving cross county on the interstate takes 10 days?

By back roads do you mean state highways? Or real back roads?

Once you get out of highly populated areas I feel divided interstate is much safer than single lane state highways with oncoming traffic in the adjacent lane. And state hwy speed can be 50 at least.

Well, my car is really fully loaded with stuff. Also, it takes a longer time to brake than any car I've ever owned, and thats with nothing in it. I just don't feel comfortable going 70 mph when the car is so loaded that I know it's going to take me much longer to brake, even though I have quick reaction times.

Are you crazy?

[Anonymous]

OMG you sound like such a nervous nellie that you should ship the car and fly. you are a bigger risk to others than the avg driver, because you are not at ease behind the wheel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It does not take 10 days to drive across the country on the highways. 4 days, max.

Google suggests to San Francisco from here 1 day 17 hours of driving using the fastest route. Selecting "avoid highways" gives me 2 days 9 hours, or 40%ish longer. We did the drive to San Francisco in 4 days, stopping for quick meals, gas and potty, plus sleeping in a hotel at night, driving 10 hours a day (doable with 2 drivers). I suspect using local roads would be at least a week, because 10 hours would be harder with one driver.

OP I like the idea of getting a friend or family member to help you drive. My husband did that when we had to move cross country and i was indisposed with a sick family member.

+1 to all of this

It won't take that long

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, driving cross county on the interstate takes 10 days?

By back roads do you mean state highways? Or real back roads?

Once you get out of highly populated areas I feel divided interstate is much safer than single lane state highways with oncoming traffic in the adjacent lane. And state hwy speed can be 50 at least.

Well, my car is really fully loaded with stuff. Also, it takes a longer time to brake than any car I've ever owned, and thats with nothing in it. I just don't feel comfortable going 70 mph when the car is so loaded that I know it's going to take me much longer to brake, even though I have quick reaction times.

It sounds like you need new brakes, for starters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any tips?

I already plan to avoid highways because it's the speed and danger of driving that freaks me out. Any other ideas for ways to help a driving averse person get through a cross country trip?

Could I turn my hazards on and go like 40 mph on these little back roads- my car is loaded with stuff?

I don't think you understand how driving works....driving is not "dangerous". And driving on highways is safer than backroads....try again.

http://www.seattletimes.com/life/lifestyle/the-most-dangerous-activity-driving/

What was your point...there are many contributing factors besides "driving" (i.e drinking). Ive been driving 30 years and have 0 injuries from it, so it seems fine to me as long as you don't drive stupidly. And highway driving is still safer than backroad driving.