How far (long) do you think it is acceptable to drive in one day?

[InsufficientMum]

One person doing the driving.

How long do you think is ok to plan for one days driving? 4 hours? 6? 8? 10?

Holidays, not work related. And is it reasonable to suggest DH drives a long distance alone because it would be convenient for me (and mean he wouldn't have to spend a week visiting my family). Then we share the return journey between us and do some sightseeing on the way back over 2-3 days. For full disclosure, I am not a fan of driving and prefer to take a break after an hour- hour and a half. DH likes driving so tends to do more in every day life.

I used to drive from the South of England to the Highlands on my own. On the worst day it took 14 hours (inc 1 hour of stops) and it was horrific.

Any more than 10 hours of driving I find grim even with stops, around 8 hours would be the best I think.

What distance / journey are you talking about? 4 hours driving could get you 100 miles on a bad day or close to 300 miles on a good one.

900km

8 hours is probably around my max but I would do more in an emergency. Stopping every 4 hours or so. I would be frustrated by stopping every 1-1.5 hours.

It's up to him to decide. I could do 8 hours. But for some it would be way too much.

For me, with no co-driver, around 6 hrs driving + 2 breaks.

Bad weather and/or driving in the dark makes it more tiring though.

It's really a personal thing. DH would also do similar, no bother, but DD wouldn't do more than about 3 hrs.

Taking a break after half an hour seems totally unnecessary even if you're not a fan of driving. I'm in aus where people don't seem to blink an eye at driving 8-10 hrs in a day which o used to do rarely to Scotland with a break after 4 hours. Is swap half way if given the choice.

900km is about 10 hrs of driving, if he's able to maintain a constant 80km/h which doesn't seem very likely. I certainly wouldn't drive that in a day 5-6 hrs is my limit, but DH may be happier to.

If he absolutely has to do that journey and is unhappy about doing it in one go, I would break it up with an overnight stop en route.

I drive a lot and frequently do long distances but I might think twice about doing 900km alone.

If it was the only option I'd leave at 6am, take a few breaks along the way and (hopefully) get to the destination around 6pm. It's doable but be prepared that DH might not be good for much the next day.

The only person that can make the decision here is your DH.

For Reasons, I once drove Durham-Colchester (270 miles) in the morning and then back in the evening.

And to answer your original question, yes YABU, as presumably one person gets to fly or train it down, which is a much more relaxing mode of transport.

I do similar several times a month.

Really depends on the individual; for me it would be 90 mins for DH he would probably do 8 hours, we have done 6 hours before.

What about you driving 1.5hrs then DH drives 4 hours? Then swap again that way you are both getting a break and doing a reasonable time each.

I will drive for hours happily, but with company its much more pleasant and I wouldn't be comfortable to take a more relaxing mode of transport such as plane or train whilst my DP drove alone.

Long distance driving alone is more tiring and risky I think, easy to convince yourself it's okay to keep going when really you need a break.

As pps said, this is "how long is a piece of string" territory.

DH and I both drive long distances. I stop out of necessity only, e.g a bathroom break. DH the same.

My mom thinks it's shocking we'll drive to London and back in a day, so 400 miles (7 hours with good traffic) I think it's absurd she wouldn't.

Horses for courses isn't it.

Why is there such a sex difference in some of these answers?

Wow at all the long distances!

I'd go 2 hours as a passenger (probably with a break) and back in a day before feeling its too much. More than 4-5 hours total in the day is difficult for me and I'd suggest we stop.

3/4 hours a day driving is my absolute limit.

I start getting groggy and lose concentration after that.

I have done and do do long drives but I think 900km in one go, alone, is too much. Can’t he do an overnight stop by himself?

It is interesting isn't it.
I hate driving and only do it because I want to go from A-B and I value my independence, whereas DH enjoys it .

I used to regularly drive 900km in one day. I'd never plan stops, I'd just stop if I needed a wee & grab a coffee if there was a cafe (not a vending machine)

but that's not needed anymore.

last time I drove any distance was pre covid, but this week I'm driving up to DIY kitchens (again 😳) it's a about 300 miles there, I'll visit then drive back. So it'll be 600 miles in two chunks. I'd have (previously) happily done the other 300 if necessary.

I hadn't even thought about it until now. 🤪. I had an accident (not driving) 18 months ago, and had a few body parts replaced, it'll be interesting to see how they hold up, but I think I'll be fine.

if for any reason I'm not I'll find accommodation & carry on home the next day 🙅🏻‍♀️

Without all the details it sounds like it doesn't overly impact you, but it's DH's choice to share the driving there & spend a week with your family, or drive by himself a week later just to visit for a short while & drive back together?? If I have that right why don't you just fly/go by train both ways if he doesn't really want to visit?

To me, this isn't that far!

If your DH regularly does long drives then I'd be prepared to suggest anything up to 8 hours in a tentative "if we did it this way then that would be convenient for me and the DC because X/Y/Z but I realise it would lumber you with a really long solo drive so if you're not happy with that then we can do plan B instead". Anything over 8 hours I wouldn't even suggest as an option - because if something goes wrong with the traffic on the way then it could easily end up with an extra hour or two on top.

My DH hates driving so I wouldn't even suggest anything over 4 hours solo drive to him.

I've done over 400 miles in about 9 hours a few times. That would probably be about my limit though. I'd love to have someone to split the driving with but it's good to know I can do it myself.

@rookiemere google gives a time of 8 hours 1 minute. My idea would be to fly to my parents with the DC, spend a week with them. Then fly to a different airport where DH would meet us and drive back together doing a bit of sightseeing which we always said we would do at some point.
I hate driving and only do it because I want to go from A-B and I value my independence, whereas DH enjoys it . same in this household.