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Original poster

Would you go on 11 hour road trip on your own?

22 replies

oreo2020 · 04/04/2022 12:39

Not really on my own, but with my 2 DC 14yo and 11yo.

My partner was meant to come but he's now allocated a surgery during that time.

The trip is driving to a campsite in Switzerland from London, staying there for a week and driving back.

I don't mind driving, but wondering if the long drive and being a single adult in charge for everything will be all too much, and even if doable will take the enjoyment out of the holiday?

Needless to say everything is already paid for...

OP posts:
NuffSaidSam · 04/04/2022 12:46

In these circumstances yes.

I wouldn't want to let the children down if it's all booked. I wouldn't want to lose the money.

It obviously won't be as relaxing as if there were two adults, but they're not exactly tiny children either so you should be able to get some downtime once you're there.

Is there any chance you could take another adult with you? Friend? Mum? Sister?

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 04/04/2022 12:46

Depends how confident you are at continental driving and if you have an overnight stop somewhere.
11hrs drivibg in one day would be exhausting.

bloodywhitecat · 04/04/2022 12:48

Absolutely I would provided DH's surgery wasn't major (mine had a Whipple's and there is no way I would've gone while he was in for that).

FelicityPike · 04/04/2022 12:54

Absolutely 100%.
Have a lovely time.

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 04/04/2022 12:56

Yes but I would do it over two days. Driving tired in an unfamiliar country with potentially fractious kids is not the safest.

PermanentTemporary · 04/04/2022 12:58

If your partner is genuinely ok with being in hospital/recovering alone, yes, potentially. I'd think twice camping as the only adult, I'd have to say.

Clymene · 04/04/2022 12:59

Yes of course. I'm a single parent. All trips are on my own

Clymene · 04/04/2022 13:00

But yes I would do it over 2 days - that's a lot of driving in one day for one person

notacooldad · 04/04/2022 13:01

Yes, I have no problem driving abroad. I used to take the kids to Chamonix every August for about 8 years starting when DS1 was about 9 and DS2 was 6. No problem whatsoever.

Original poster
oreo2020 · 04/04/2022 13:01

My partner is encouraging to go and he has his parents to take care of him.

I did try to arrange a friend to go with but she's now pulled out.

It's a campsite but we are booked to stay in a caravan, not in a tent.

OP posts:
TheBolterdahling · 04/04/2022 13:03

Absolutely but I would break the journey. 11 hours in one day is too much and could easily turn into much more with traffic and stops.

LaTomatina · 04/04/2022 13:08

Yes of course!! If the children were toddlers I wouldn't bother, but at those ages why not? I recently took my 2 older ones (10 & 8) on a 10 day road trip while dh stayed home with our younger children. It was so much fun!

BigSandyBalls2015 · 04/04/2022 13:12

I'd do it but I'd set off a day earlier if poss and book a B&B overnight, same coming back.

bluebaul · 04/04/2022 13:14

Being a single adult with 2 DC? Absolutely fine.

Driving 11 hours in the one day? I could r be arsed with it and would break it up with an overnight midway.

MarthanotMarfa · 04/04/2022 13:16

Yes without thought, the children are not little. Break the journey somewhere nice.

BlingLoving · 04/04/2022 13:20

I did a lot of long distance driving in another country when I was young so I absolutely would do this. But I would consider whether it's worth breaking the journey as 11 hours is a long way to do the driving without someone else taking a turn, especially with two kids in the car who might be a bit distracting and with the need to shift to driving on a different side of the road/road signs in another language etc which requires additional concentration and stress.

Can you leave a day earlier?

Stompythedinosaur · 04/04/2022 13:56

I would, but I wouldn't want to drive 11 hours in one day, I'd split it over two days.

AreWeThereYetMummy · 04/04/2022 14:04

I would definitely but I'd arrange a stop over en route. I'd do that even if I wasn't the only adult if I was doing all of the driving.

Also, your children aren't toddlers, they shouldn't need much looking after.

Thymeout · 04/04/2022 14:50

Yes - but I'd make the journey part of the holiday. You'll be saving money on eating out or buying food since DH won't be there. I'd use the money to break the journey somewhere picturesque and easy for a night en route. No point in starting the holiday knackered.

ProseccoStorm · 04/04/2022 14:55

I would, I do long (8-9hr) trips with much younger kids solo and very minimal breaks. But the driving gets easier towards the end which helps.

I'd likely find 11hrs a stretch solo, so I'd be tempted to break the journey overnight on the way there. Or at least have a decent break of 1hr plus.

Way back might be ok in one go as you'll be doing the UK stretch at the end, which is probably less mentally taxing (although roads probably busier)

SpringLobelia · 04/04/2022 14:56

Oh yes. I'd love it. I love driving. I love just settling into a long drive. With my Dcs it would be cup runneth over. I'd probably do it over 2 days though.

LadyHelenaJustina · 04/04/2022 15:36

We do this every year; I've driven the journey several times with no problem. We hire a hippo wifi for the duration so we have unlimited internet.

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