I had been planning to drive to London in a couple of weeks time with 22mo DD. It will be about 400 miles each way. I will be 33 weeks pregnant.
I hadn't even considered that this might not be the right thing to do until my DM started telling me "Oh, you'll never cope with the journey, its too far for you to be travelling on your own" etc etc. I should say that DM can be fairly negative/pessimistic and tends to look at situations from the point of view of whether SHE could do them, not the person who will actually be doing it. She wouldn't drive to London on her own now.
But she's made me think, will it be too difficult? I had thought it would probably be easier than getting the train, if we took it slow and did lots of stops to let DD have a break etc, although DD can be a bit difficult to keep entertained in the car.
For comparison, the train takes about 3.5 hours, usually with one change but there are a few direct trains. I will have to carry DD's buggy, travel cot, a rucksack with our clothes in and a day/change bag. I could get a lift once we arrive in London, so don't have to worry about tube etc. And it would be easier to draw/read etc with her.
I'm not a huge fan of long distance/motorway driving, but am perfectly capable of doing it if needed. I should also say that the trip may not end up happening for other reasons outside of my control, so if I booked tickets ahead (which I would want to do to get seat reservations) I may end up not being able to use them. There may also be a chance that DH comes with us for at least one of the journeys (whether on the train or in the car) but I won't know that until much nearer the time either.
So, train or car?