Day Trip - how long drive

[Lilacs4Me]

We do 3-4 hours each way routinely, and will do up to 5 (each way) for the right reason.

Our closest family is about 3 hours away, and the rest are between 4-5.

Last month, me, DH, and two of the kids left Chicago and drove down to Alabama on a Sat, leaving around noon, got to our hotel around 10pm, spent the night, dropped DH off in the morning at 7 at a camp he was working at for the week, then the kids and I drove about 4 hours to NOLA.

We spent two nights, three days there, then drove to Gulfport for an overnight so the kids could experience swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, then left to go back to pick up DH. We then drove to Louisville, spent the night there, then came home Thursday night.

I worked Friday, and as soon as I got out of work, I hit the road for a 5 hour drive to my sister's house. Got there around 11 pm (hour time difference, she's in Eastern). Went to my brothers wedding shower the next morning at 11am, left about about 2pm, and drove 5 hours home. I seriously debated whether to just go home after work, spend the night in my own bed, leave home at 5am, go to the shower, and drive back home. We've done it before for emergencies.

So, yeah.....I'd drive 3 hours one way to lay on a beach for the day!

 

[ronandannette]

On the way home we'll probably break it up into two days. But on the way there we're probably doing it in one shot.

Right, but maybe you still didn't quite get the question. It's not about how long/far you can drive in one shot to go on vacation. It's about how long/far you'll drive for a single-day trip; returning the same day you left. If your answer of 15-16 hours was accurate to the original question - sorry. I guess we're all just a little incredulous.

 

[ols386]

Longest day trip I've done was 13 hours, when my kids were elementary school age, and I was the only driver.

 

[disneychrista]

No more than 90 minutes.

I would never get to go any where if this was my limit. A trip to the coast (in the same county) is 90 minutes.

 

[Squirlz]

I would never get to go any where if this was my limit. A trip to the coast (in the same county) is 90 minutes.

That would be perfect then! Seriously, if I drive 2 hours for an event I will definitely spend the night. Next week we are driving 1 hour to a Who concert. We're spending the night in a hotel there. I don't want to drive home at 11 PM.

 

[jliehr]

We routinely do 5-6 hours (2 1/2 to 3 each way) in the car for a day trip, either to see family or go to some sporting event.

I've also done 3.5 hours each way for a basketball game.

 

[jliehr]

On the way home we'll probably break it up into two days. But on the way there we're probably doing it in one shot.

We always just drive straight through unless there is something we are stopping for intentionally. Did LA to Kansas City, 23 hours straight back with just my dad and I between high school and college, that was by far the longest single effort. Longest solo drive was Charlotte, NC to Springfield, MO, think that one was 14-15 hours?

 

[ronandannette]

We always just drive straight through unless there is something we are stopping for intentionally. Did LA to Kansas City, 23 hours straight back with just my dad and I between high school and college, that was by far the longest single effort. Longest solo drive was Charlotte, NC to Springfield, MO, think that one was 14-15 hours?

How long did you stay once you got there? The original question is in relation to day-trips only, where you don't stay overnight but instead return the same day you left.

 

[sam_gordon]

Longest day trip I've done was 13 hours, when my kids were elementary school age, and I was the only driver.

But how long did you drive?

 

[sonnyjane]

This is NOT for Disney Trip. This is a beach trip.

I want to visit Santa Cruz, which is about 3.5 hours away. A hotel is over $200 per night, which is not in the budget. My plan would be to leave at 7am, go to the boardwalk (just because), visit the beach - love laying on the beach listening to the ocean, visit a few local spots and then head back. The biggest issue is trying to avoid commute traffic heading home. So I would likely not leave until after 7pm and get home around 10:30pm (so likely a 16+ hour day). Just not sure if this is going to be too much or not.

You know the beach in Santa Cruz is...well...really freaking cold, both in the water and on land?

 

[bcla]

You know the beach in Santa Cruz is...well...really freaking cold, both in the water and on land?

It hit a high of 81ºF today.

 

[sonnyjane]

It hit a high of 81ºF today.

It's a gorgeous area - lots to see, especially for a marine life enthusiast like myself, it's just not a place I'd consider great for a day of lounging at the beach, although during a heat wave it's obviously better than it normally is.

OP, I'd look at hotels again. You might not find a great deal right on the beach, but I just did a search and there are plenty of hotel rooms for $100-$150. You could make it a 2-day and explore Monterey too.

 

[disneychrista]

You know the beach in Santa Cruz is...well...really freaking cold, both in the water and on land?

Expected to be in the low 70's. The coast area where I normally go is usually in the 60's in the summer. I think it will be perfect.

 

[xlxo]

I've done 14 hours..... depends on the route and how much sleep I had the night before. Need to plan ahead for daylight, meals, road congestion and bathroom breaks.

 

[georgina]

I had 2 kids who were in different colleges, each a 4 hour drive from home. I did day trips there several times to drop them off or pick them up. It was mostly highway driving, which I don't mind. Going to the beach and being out in the sun can make me tired though.

I think most people misunderstood your question. I know I did at first!

 

[Hikergirl]

2 hours, anything more than that and I'm spending the night.

 

[Squirlz]

I've done 14 hours..... depends on the route and how much sleep I had the night before. Need to plan ahead for daylight, meals, road congestion and bathroom breaks.

For a 6-8 hour day and then drive home? You're an iron man!

 

[Hikergirl]

You know the beach in Santa Cruz is...well...really freaking cold, both in the water and on land?

LOL, when dh and I moved out to CA I was so excited to be an hour away from the beach. We packed up the car, all the beach stuff for our dd but when we got there the first thing we had to do was buy sweatshirts for all of us. Never even went in the water.

We don't live there anymore and we did visit the beach last year. It was still cold.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Not sure if I understand the question. Do you mean for a round trip in a day? Or maximum amount of time in a car in a single day?

For a day trip I would think the longest I would do is 2 hours for a 4 hour roundtrip.

As a long road trip we easily have done 10 hours in one day on our longest traveling day. Years ago as just a couple maybe it was 12 with couple meal breaks.

ETA - Just realized it was in one day. Sorry should have read further. Totally doable.

 

[rastahomie]

Right, but maybe you still didn't quite get the question. It's not about how long/far you can drive in one shot to go on vacation. It's about how long/far you'll drive for a single-day trip; returning the same day you left. If your answer of 15-16 hours was accurate to the original question - sorry. I guess we're all just a little incredulous.

Oh sorry, I misunderstood the question.