Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
ajandjjmum · 23/08/2015 17:39

So long as driving isn't a stress for you, it'll be fine. Enjoy the peace! Grin

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 23/08/2015 17:56

blimey we travel 6 - 7 hours to my hometown in one day and have done loads of times, DH is a 'twitcher' and has travelled to scotland from devon then home again in a day. 3 hours each way would be heaven Smile

Original poster
TheOrchardKeeper · 23/08/2015 17:57

Grin I will ajandjjmum

Thank you for the advice. I've got lots of audio-book CDs and music so hoping that & lots of breaks will make it easier. I wasn't even worried about it until I told family I was doing it and they couldn't believe it!

OP posts:
BikeRunSki · 23/08/2015 18:04

DH does that kind of journey several times a week for work. I used to do Sheffield to Truro, work, and drive back from time to time.

thenightsky · 23/08/2015 18:08

Its very doable. 3 hours each way is easy. What sort of car is it though? I much prefer long journeys in something quiet and a bit comfier.

twirlypoo · 23/08/2015 18:15

I honestly wouldn't have questioned it, I think it's easily do-able (I used to cover London up to scotland as a field rep though)

Take lots of haribo and get water bottles with sports caps on. Nice tunes and enjoy the peace!

Imnotaslimjim · 23/08/2015 18:19

DH has done Liverpool-London and back with an 8-10 hour workday in the middle before now, so 3 hours each way is perfectly doable

I enjoy long journeys on the motorway, something good to listen to, Bliss

dontrunwithscissors · 23/08/2015 18:24

Shouldn't be a problem (without young DC, anyway).

IndridCold · 23/08/2015 18:32

I do it regularly, it's fine. The worst thing is dehydration, so take some water, and plan a quick stop to grab a sandwich.

Arnoldparnoldpeanuthead · 23/08/2015 18:37

Newcastle to south Cornwall in one day fine, we go every year but generally travel at night....daytime always depends as the crap traffic going into Cornwall could add 20 percent to the time it takes, way home not too bad if you have passenger to talk to?

quietbatperson · 23/08/2015 18:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Desertedislander · 23/08/2015 18:46

I don't think that's particularly far at all. Would you have children travelling with you? If not, then yes, it's perfectly manageable.

Why is this in AIBU?

derxa · 23/08/2015 18:46

I drive from Herts to Scotland regularly. 7+ hours. Sounds like it's no prob. and others are sticking their oar in. As long as you take some breaks it'll be fine. I love driving and once the music/radio is going I'm fine. Safe driving OP

pinkbegonia · 23/08/2015 18:46

Fine, unless it's a Friday or a weekend in the school holidays.
Not sure where you're going from but the A30 can be horrendous.

You will know the news very well that day Smile

Kitella · 23/08/2015 18:56

If you don't mind driving, then it's fine. I did the reverse trip yesterday. Three hours up to Shropshire to pick my kids up, and then returned.

Just look at timings to ensure you miss hot spots for traffic delays, and have an alternative in case the M5 is nasty.

fakenamefornow · 23/08/2015 18:57

I think it sounds like bliss. Six hours in the car sitting down listening to whatever I want on the radio with a nice cup of coffee close at hand.

Original poster
TheOrchardKeeper · 23/08/2015 18:59

Thanks.

It's in aibu because everyone in rl thinks ibu Wink

OP posts:
Greengardenpixie · 23/08/2015 19:12

It will be fine. My dh does Scotland to Cornwall in one day. Its a long drive but fine :)

Original poster
TheOrchardKeeper · 23/08/2015 19:14

Wow. Kudos to your DH! Brew

OP posts:
WhatWas · 23/08/2015 20:20

My Dad drove my three brothers and I from Cornwall (Penzance) to Aberdeen in one day back in the 70's. He chain smoked the whole way and my brothers and I fought in the back seat. The dog got the front seat. i remember it well but not in a good way Confused

steppemum · 23/08/2015 20:26

dh took dd away to camp. It was 3.5 hours drive away, so he had a 7 hour round trip. It was fine.

I would be more reluctant, as I know that if I get tired I start to nod off and need to stop. But when I was 24 I drove home to see parents in the middle of the night, and drove down to France 10 hours driving etc.

honeyroar · 23/08/2015 20:28

It sounds perfectly doable to me. But then I drive from the Northwest to London and work a long haul flight every week!

Could you get up early and do one sector on quieter roads? It would make a big difference. Other than that, plenty of breaks, food and drink etc and you'll be fine.

Original poster
TheOrchardKeeper · 23/08/2015 20:33

The chainsmoking trip sounds horrid! Hopefully it won't be terrible.

And I plan on leaving at about 5am for the journey there. I'll get to Cornwall for about seven or earlier and miss the morning rush. Then it leaves lots of time for breaks too!

OP posts:
Ellypoo · 23/08/2015 20:43

I often drive to Kent & back in 1 day - 4 hours each way is nota bad run without a stop, so perfectly possible.

JustBeingJuliet · 23/08/2015 20:43

Last week, I did Legoland and back in a day - 3.5 hrs there and 5.5 hrs back due to traffic. The driving didn't bother me, but I was knackered on the drive back, after walking around all day as well!

Next week we're off on holiday to Holland, and, although we're stopping off overnight on the way there, coming back I'm doing it all in one go, apart from the break on the ferry, so will be driving for about 8 hrs in total.

It didn't bother me when I was younger, but I'm finding now that I'm struggling doing longer distances and I'm having to stop more often to stretch my legs!