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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask you if I'm nuts for trying to drive this far in one day?

87 replies

TheOrchardKeeper · 23/08/2015 16:51

So I need to get to Cornwall and back in one day to pick someone up. It's a 3hr drive on a good day so that's 6+ hours plus traffic and breaks whenever I feel knackered/need a coffee and a leg stretch. I plan on leaving very early AM to avoid rush hour traffic (it'll be midweek at least) and coming back either midday or after the evening rush hour traffic (partly just so I can gather myself a bit before doing the return journey too)!

I've driven there one way and it's fine with breaks etc...

OP posts:
londonrach · 23/08/2015 16:54

Could you stay overnight or can they meet you half way by travelling via train.

GloriaHotcakes · 23/08/2015 16:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

absolutelynotfabulous · 23/08/2015 16:56

I think it's fine time-wise. But the very real possibility of heavy traffic would put me off. It would add time, stress, frustration.

pippitysqueakity · 23/08/2015 16:56

I probably couldn't do it now, but could when I was younger. Used to drive to Edinburgh from Luton overnight as a matter of course.

DefinitelyNotElsa · 23/08/2015 16:56

I don't think you're nuts. We regularly visit family who are 3 hours away on a day trip.

Sounds like you've thought it through sensibly.

iwantgin · 23/08/2015 16:56

It's perfectly doable. Just try and have a sit down and relaxed break in the middle.

Am just back from hols and spent most of last Saturday driving. I did at least 8 hours. DH probably 2 hours.

Original poster
TheOrchardKeeper · 23/08/2015 16:58

I could try and stay overnight somewhere. But it's the cost that's made me want to try and just do it in one go. It's motorway all the way to Cornwall then the trickier bit is actually in Cornwall.

I wish the trains to and from were cheaper and had less changes Hmm Grin Might have to re-think it. I could always just see how it goes and find somewhere to stop/sleep if I'm too tired.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheOrchardKeeper · 23/08/2015 17:01

Ah ok Smile I'm 24 and quite enjoy driving, even in less ideal conditions (yes I know that is a bit mad) so I'm not worried about the stress side of things. I just don't want to fall asleep at the wheel Grin But I'd take a break wheneever I felt drowsy as per usual etc.

None of my family like driving much/avoid it so I needed to ask for some opinions! that weren't biased

OP posts:
LL0015 · 23/08/2015 17:02

Piece of cake.

DoreenLethal · 23/08/2015 17:03

We've driven back from the South of France in 1 day - 8 hours to Calais, 2 hours wait, 2 on the ferry and 4 to get home. I often drive 3.5 hours to my brother's house, then spend the day there and drive 3.5 hours home.

Just don't drive over 2 hours without a break - you should be fine.

DJThreeDog · 23/08/2015 17:05

I would do it no problem, so long as I a) had not children to take into the mix; and b) was not governed by any sort of timetable.

It's ok to say it would be nice to be back by 6, but it would be annoyed if I had to be back by six. Because of course then awful traffic would happen!

Crosbybeach · 23/08/2015 17:05

Skye to Lake District in one day. That was a long drive, lots of breaks, but fine.

Original poster
TheOrchardKeeper · 23/08/2015 17:05

Thanks for the advice. I'm used to driving with DS in the car who is lovely but very distracting and that gets tiring fast but I'll be doing this journey minus DS which I always find a lot easier!

OP posts:
Tulipblank · 23/08/2015 17:08

Totally fine. I regularly do a 10 round trip to hq in a day. Tiring but doable.

notinkansasanymoretoto · 23/08/2015 17:10

Dh has a three hour round trip commute every day. If we need to be in the city for something in the evening, he often does it twice..
We are also used to driving from Glasgow to the south east to see grandma, or from Germany to the south-east for the weekend for the same. (You do get a short break from driving on either the ferry or train that way).
Three weeks ago we ended up with 1200km on a Sunday because dd2 forgot her teddy and we went back for it...

I wouldn't even have questioned a couple of three hour drives as a one-off, tbh.. Although having dealt with some corking delays and diversions (round half of pissing Belgium with a starving 6mo and no one else in the car) I can attest that unexpected delays can be wearing....

NorbertDentressangle · 23/08/2015 17:10

Perfectly do-able but you need to factor in horrendous holiday traffic (family in Cornwall so we regularly visit and there's never a "good" time to travel IME)

Daffydil · 23/08/2015 17:13

I'd probably relish it as a break from my DS if I was in that position Grin

Totally doable, though probably easier in September than in school holidays, if it can wait that long. If not I'd try and avoid fri/sat/sun and go mid week.

caravanista13 · 23/08/2015 17:13

Perfectly doable, and a treat to have so much time to yourself!

NoonAim · 23/08/2015 17:13

I drive to see family several times a year.

The journey there takes between 7 and 8 hours (with a few stops for coffee, lunch and loo breaks).

I don't particularly enjoy driving but I find it's fine, honestly - just relax and don't hurry and stop as many times as you need to.

However, if you don't feel happy about doing it in one day, there's always travelodge or premier inns which are reasonably priced.

Icimoi · 23/08/2015 17:13

Yes, it's perfectly doable, but you will almost inevitably hit traffic jams on the A30. Also around Stonehenge if you're going via the A303.

chipsandpeas · 23/08/2015 17:15

wouldnt bother me at all, i've done that and longer rounds trips, plenty of breaks and good music in the car

NorbertDentressangle · 23/08/2015 17:25

The more I think about this the more I think that, if I were in your shoes I would be telling everyone that due to the likelihood of bad holiday traffic I'd prefer to do it over 2 days.

I'd then book a cheap hotel somewhere, find somewhere nice to eat nearby and enjoy a quiet evening to myself. Heaven Smile

ScribbleScrabble · 23/08/2015 17:27

Perfectly doable - it takes us 7+ hours just to get to Cornwall and we go quite regulary.

spanieleyes · 23/08/2015 17:30

I take my son to uni and back-which is 5 hours each way-twice a year! I set off early, arrive around 10, spend 2-3 hours unpacking and shopping then set off back. I have a 15 minute break at the half way point. Cornwall would seem a doddle!

WhatWas · 23/08/2015 17:38

I'd happily do it but I'd be knackered afterwards. I'm always surprised by how tiring a long drive is even though I'm comfortable and relaxed when I drive.

I'd do the drive down in one shot then try and have a good long break and drive back in one shot. If there is heavy traffic then id take more breaks.

I'd download a lot of interesting podcast to listen to as I find they pass the time brilliantly.