Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

What is the furthest you would travel in a day?

77 replies

PeanutPies · 07/04/2025 20:25

It could be my travel anxiety speaking but we need to go to Manchester tomorrow, driving from St Albans. We need to travel back as have other plans for the day after- for some reason I feel this is too far and not sensible to drive back the same day. Is it my anxiety speaking?

OP posts:
Original poster
PeanutPies · 07/04/2025 20:27

Bump

OP posts:
Buttonknot · 07/04/2025 20:28

So that's about a 3 hour drive each way? I'd do it, but it would be on the upper limit of what I think is acceptable.

myfavouritemutant · 07/04/2025 20:28

We did Surrey to Manchester in a day a while ago - so further than your journey and it was ok, though not ideal. Made it a very long day. How many drivers will you have? If 2 of you so you can swap over I wouldn’t be worried, but would be less keen if 1 person had to do it all.

Scottishgirl85 · 07/04/2025 20:29

We regularly do Bucks to Mull in a day, takes us 15 hours! 3 hours there and back would fine for us, but I guess it depends what you're doing when you get there and what you're used to. Can you share the driving?

2025willbemytime · 07/04/2025 20:29

I have done a ten hour round trip in a day and also driven from Wales to Kent and back in a day.

Feliciacat · 07/04/2025 20:30

I have connections with both areas and it can take only 3.5 hours if traffic is ok. It’s just about doable in a day though not ideal. Is there anyone who you can share the drive with? Maybe you do one way and they do the other?

I have travel anxiety too and sometimes get the train even though I can drive. Is that an option for you?

jewelcase · 07/04/2025 20:31

I regularly do six hour return journeys in a day. Have done Inverness to Taunton in a day once (12 hours). So it’s definitely doable, and with a big gap in the middle I wouldn’t consider 6 hours too much at all. But if you’re anxious, maybe share the driving or plan where you might stop en route?

Radiatorvalves · 07/04/2025 20:32

DH and I drive to the south of France from London in about 13 hours, including the Chunnel. On my own I stop overnight. I’d do your trip in a day but might depend on how busy I’d be at the destination.

MrsTerryPratchett · 07/04/2025 20:33

I’ve done Milan to London in one day. With one driver. I do not recommend that! But 6 hours is totally doable.

MrsTerryPratchett · 07/04/2025 20:33

I’ve done Milan to London in one day. With one driver. I do not recommend that! But 6 hours is totally doable.

MrsTerryPratchett · 07/04/2025 20:33

I’ve done Milan to London in one day. With one driver. I do not recommend that! But 6 hours is totally doable.

MrsTerryPratchett · 07/04/2025 20:33

I’ve done Milan to London in one day. With one driver. I do not recommend that! But 6 hours is totally doable.

Wildswimmer79 · 07/04/2025 20:34

What will you be doing whilst in Manchester as that could make a difference to how easy it will be to return straight after?

I've done a four hour drive for an interview and came back the same day. I was tired the day after but it had to be done.

Radiatorvalves · 07/04/2025 20:34

If both of you drive I think it’s very reasonable.

MerryBeret · 07/04/2025 20:36

I'm not sure what my longest journey is, but I'm pretty sure that MrsTerryPratchett has gone all the way to Milan.

BassesAreBest · 07/04/2025 20:36

I think it depends on what you’re doing there and how long the total,day would be. If it’s 3.5 hours each way, I’d happily set off at 7, get there at 10.30 for a mooch around and a relaxed lunch with friends, leave at 3 and back by 6.30. I”d be less happy about leaving at 5, get there at 8.30 for a full day of intensive work and leaving at 8 to get home at 11.30.

NancyJoan · 07/04/2025 20:37

At a push I would do that, but no more if I was the only driver. I have no issue with travelling, but sitting in driving seat for too long makes my back hurt. Did a 5 hour round trip a couple of weeks ago, and really felt it. If I could split the driving it would be fine.

Needspaceforlego · 07/04/2025 20:43

6hr drive in a day is fine. But it also depends what you are doing in between the journeys.

If you mean leaving at 6am getting to work for 9am a normal 8 hr work day, leaving at 5.30 not home until 8.30 I think is far too much.

But if you mean leaving at 8am meeting friends for shopping and lunch leaving about 3/4pm home for 6/7pm its probably fine.

MrsMoastyToasty · 07/04/2025 20:59

We've done Bristol to the Isle of Mull in a day. (Includes 2 ferries).

TappyGilmore · 07/04/2025 21:00

It wouldn’t be unusual for us to do a drive of that length. I have relatives three hours away and we sometimes visit just for the day so 6 hours return. It’s do-able.

TheNightingalesStarling · 07/04/2025 21:02

I often drive between South Yorkshire and Kent. Leave after morning rush hour, there in time for lunch. I don't find it overly far...

However we used to live in Germany and drove back to the UK from there reasonably regularly. DH drives to Austria which us a 2 day trip.

madaboutpurple · 07/04/2025 21:02

I would not think this is a good idea personally. Are you able to rearrange things so you can stay overnight. ?

RhaenysRocks · 07/04/2025 21:04

Wouldn't think twice about it. Perfectly fine. I do 8 hours on a fairly regular basis.

AcquadiP · 07/04/2025 21:05

4 or 5 hours driving in one day is the max for me.

Neurodiversitydoctor · 07/04/2025 21:05

I think it is Bill Bryson who says the Americans think 200 years is a long time. The Brits think 200 miles is a long way.