Does anyone else HATE driving places they don't know?

[slinkydinkydonkey]

Me and DH have had a massive argument because of this and it stresses me out so much. I have always hated driving places that I don't know where I'm going - I can't explain why but it causes me extreme anxiety and I just hate it. My DH on the other hand doesn't get this at all and calls me ridiculous and he cannot understand why I get so panicked about this.

Am I weird or does anyone else get this?

I hate driving. I can do it, but I choose not to as much as humanly possible!

It's good in a way though, as it keeps me fit... well, less unfit than I would otherwise be. And the cost of petrol these days wouldn't entice me to start driving more.

My mom is like that, it’s a nightmare to drive with her because she will obsess about all the things that could happen on an unfamiliar road. I can’t understand it at all …

I passed my test a year ago and I used to get nervous about unknown areas. I'm fine as long as I can use sat nav now.

I hate driving absolutely everywhere.

I don’t hate it, but I don’t like doing it. It’s the unfamiliar junctions that I don’t like, where there are multiple lanes to chose from. Like a pp said, other drivers aren’t always considerate enough to let you in if you need to change lanes, which does stress me out!

I always have a look at street view beforehand, just at what look to be busy junctions so that I know what to expect.

Yes this is me entirely.
I get extreme anxiety about going places I don't know and haven't been too. It's worse since having my DC.
Friends/family don't understand and think I'm being awkward when I say I can't meet them somewhere new on my own. I would need DH to drive.
Wish I didn't have the problem but I do.

This is 100% me. I get so worked up worrying about it when I have to drive somewhere new. I've got a half hour drive on two motorways to pick up my new chickens next weekend and I've been worrying about it for weeks. I worry I won't be able to park when I get there or i won't be in the right lane at a roundabout or I'll miss my turning....all sorts off scenarios! I do suffer with anxiety though and take medication for it so always put it down to that.

No, but a lot of women seem to.

You gotta fight against it, because it shrinks your world.

Just drive more. It’s lack of practice. I’m guessing your husband does most of the driving on long trips? This is how it starts - thinking that significant driving is a man’s job, and then it becomes his job.. and you feel too scared to do it.

GPS also makes driving in unfamiliar places much easier, so get out and practice.

sometimes i go wrong with my phone sat nav and i hate it
without a sat nav the signs are often obscured by foliage

or my sat nat takes me down tiny lanes

Yes I have this issue. I dont have a dh anymore so all driving falls to me. I am terrified of merging.

I took the dc on holiday this year and we did about a two hour drive. Touched on the beginning of a motorway but no actual merging was required. But a lot of changing lanes as it was more of an intersection of various motorways and A roads.

I just want to encourage you to do it. I am still scared of driving somewhere unknown but making myself do a shortish journey did me the world of good. I used Google maps which helped as it told me when I which lanes I needed to be in.

Also on other journeys I plan ahead by looking at google maps the day before as if I am driving down the road to look for landmarks of where to turn etc

I saw a quote earlier in the year from Rose Alying-Ellis which I found helpful which says.
'Stay afraid. but do it anyway. What's important is the action. You don't have to wait to be confident. Just do it and eventually the confidence will follow.'

I hate driving somewhere new. DH doesn't drive (due to a medical condition before anyone starts) so I always have to. I'm OK as long as I've got someone to navigate, but I get really anxious beforehand. I absolutely dread having to do it by myself! I get really stressed, especially if I'm having to do busy junctions as signage is frequently unclear - particularly where the lane markings etc are painted on the road and not shown on signs (I'm looking at you York!) so you can't actually see them when it's busy.

I've been driving for 20 years and I'm OK driving to towns I don't know but if I have to drive to a city other than my nearest one I get the train. I can't stand the thought of being lost in very heavy traffic or not being able to find a place to park.
I used to think I was very cowardly but now I think that getting the train is better for the environment and my blood pressure so I don't worry about it.
I also agree that parents are usually very good about sharing lifts to sporty things so don't be afraid to ask.

Mines not so much the driving. It's the parking. I tend to google earth my destination to visualise the parking before hand

It's so strange. I have no idea why I'm like it or where it comes from.

In this instance i can understand your DH frustration, are you saying you won't take son because it is somewhere new?

As pp said, i don't understand it as rules of the road are the same as where you live

Honestly it is so ridiculous I actually get embarrassed but it's so crippling how it makes me feel. I just have zero confidence and I pancknso much. DH has a ver low tolerance of things like that ( not in a disrespectful way) he just cannot fathom how I can make some so miner into a major life crisis. I don't even mind if it's only a small journey but a big 2 hr one is terrifiing me

Mine is definitely the parking, I get in a right stew about it even if the drive there is quite easy and always look on Google earth first. Then there is the worry that the carpark will be full and I will have to go elsewhere that I haven't looked at first.

Just use a satnav and stop bring a drama lama.
You're taking your kid to a hobby, not heading off on a round the world driving expedition.
Just set off early so you can go at your own pace and compensate if you take any wrong turns.

Oh this is also massively terrifying esp if it takes you on a one way system in the opposite direction lol

@slinkydinkydonkey I'm with you 100%. I've come to the conclusion that I suffer from severe anxiety having to do this. They've now built a bypass to get around our local big city, but I'm terrified to use it so still use the old road. I hate having to join a busy road and I just panic so better not doing it at all. It's just as well there are no motorways anywhere near me as I just couldn't be brave enough to use one,

@alwaysmovingforwards I know, I get it. For me it's harder than that lol it's hard to explain

Google Street View is your friend. I usually look around the destination and any junctions I am unsure about. Massively reduces my anxiety.

We also have a caravan that DH tows and I have told him that if anything happens and he can't drive, there is no way on earth I would be able to tow it and I would have to pay someone else if I had to.

I get you. But I don't get your DH. I passed in automatic after many fails in manual. It was DH who persuaded me to switch to auto lessons as I was drowning. I passed second time. I am very very strict with myself and driving, I take it extremely seriously and consider it a huge responsibility. I am.always trying to find ways to be a better safer driver. I do not put myself in situations where I feel.like I can't make a good decision. When it's a new journey I will check the full journey steps on Google maps (the street view on each step is a godsend for a nervous driver, it really really helps) and I really check myself to feel confident. I felt an idiot for doing this but DH pointed out that this is exactly what professional drivers do, they check the route. I felt better about it then. I check ahead for parking, I recheck for accident alarms, I am ready with a battery for my phone, the lot. I do not put myself or anyone else in danger where possible. I don't feel.bad anymore as DH has been a great support over it. Maybe one of my methods might assist you in going for an unfamiliar journey. I wish you luck, and don't be pushed.

I'm the exact same OP. Sympathise x