to think that 2 hours isn't that far?

[SkylarkMA]

An old friend thinks that 2 hours is a long way to drive to meet up for the day (it would be 2 hours back as well).

I don't think 2 hours is bad if it's only very occasionally and if this is a half way point between us.

Would you drive 2 hours to meet an old friend a couple of times a year? Or AIBU?

Wouldn’t bother me at all. Would perhaps have been a bit of a drag when DCs were little but I’ve still done it fairly often as have friends and family all over the place.

bout to chip about Australian roads. Two hours is zip because you're moving nearly all the time, for the most part, at the speed limit so not the same sense of waiting at lights/congested roads.

Punt Road in Melbourne is an exception to this rule

Having said all that, an occasional two-hour drive to meet someone half way seems very reasonable.

OP, what does your friend propose as a better option?

I don't think it's that far. I suppose it depends on how you view driving. I'd do that without batting an eyelid.

it is far, as it's 4 hours in one day, not just 2. Especially if there are children involved.

Yes, we do it several times a year. MIL lives approx 2hrs from us in a seaside town. We occasionally stay but mostly travel back on the same day. She does the same drive to visit us but tends to stay over.

There is one child involved but he's only 2.5 months old and sleeps very well in the car :)

4 hours of driving in one day? That is more than I can comfortably manage and isn’t a casual trip to me.

Should have said, we have 2 DD’s and have done the journey since they were babies.

It depends on circumstances. I work full time (with a drive each way which varies from 20 minutes to 60 minutes depending on traffic). I also work very long hours and weekends are precious times for recuperating and sorting out all the domestic stuff. I have a dh and grown up children. I probably wouldn't want to spend 4 hours of my weekend driving tbh.

If I didn't work I would in a heart beat. If I was 20 years younger, again in a heartbeat.

I also dislike driving in the dark much less than I used to unless I'm on roads where I know every pothole and camber.

DD will go back to uni in a couple of weeks. If traffic is good it's a drive (100 miles) that can take about 1hr 50. If traffic is bad (usually on the way back it can take 3.5 hours. On these short winter weekends if we leave at 9.30 - there at 11.30 unload, unpack, have a walk and lunch and it's easily 2.30/3pm. I just don't want to drive back on dodgy motorways and A roads (it's not a good drive) in the dark, getting home at 7pm. So, at this time of year we leave a bit later, have dinner and I stay at an hotel and whizz back at 7am the following morning.

With a newborn? Not a chance. Even if they normally sleep in the car, that is not guaranteed. A 2 hour drive could take half a day with a baby having a growth spurt or just a bad day.

I cant manage 4 hours driving in a day. Id stay over. Doubly so with small people.

DS isn't a newborn though. He's also been driven 200 miles 3 times since he was born! He's used to the car and I stop every 2 hours.

Maybe I just like driving...

Totally fine! I do this quite regularly. With my pre school aged kids.

Tbh depends on the friend ;-)

Also depends on your circumstances. Wouldn't bother me but I can afford the petrol, enjoy driving and have a great car to do the journey in.

I can also imagine it's not a great prospect if money's tight, you hate driving and/or don't have a comfy/reliable car.

I get exhausted travelling now, so it would be too far for me. I would however travel and overnight if I wanted to meet up with someone.

If she think it’s too far for her, it’s too far for her.

I’m guessing you’re a little annoyed she’s giving off vibes of not being all that arsed about seeing your baby? It’s fine to be annoyed with her, but I doubt you’ll change her mind.

I think it depends on where you are going and when. Also who is in the car. DH and I are going to Liverpool on NYD and it will take us two hrs to get there and have been asked to get there 'early' and then expect a late lunch 🙄. I have said the earliest we will get there is 10.30am but this means leaving at 8.30

Interesting that some think it's too far, I wonder if those posters have families and friends who all live in the place they grew up.

I don't and neither do most of my friends, none would think twice about a similar day trip especially as for lots of people it's not massively longer than a work commute.

I’m guessing you’re a little annoyed she’s giving off vibes of not being all that arsed about seeing your baby?

Eh? No...

Unlikely I’d want to do it, especially with my DD in tow. I work during the week, to lose a whole day out of my weekend for a brief catch up and have my child confined to the car for 4 hours (I have a v active toddler who hates being strapped down) nope! I’d have a long phone call instead

Depends. 2 hours by google maps or 2 hours with half on the m25 (meaning anything from 2-5 hours)?

Id probably prefer to stay overnight nearby and do 4 hours one day and take turns. If you meet halfway how long will you meet for and where? An hour or two for dinner or a whole day out?

My friends from school and I drive and fly to meet up with each other usually 3 times a year! 2 hours drive isn't that far but We arrange an overnight stay wherever we are meeting and drinks so we can unwind and chat.

2 hours drive for a meal and return isn't much fun!

I quite happily do that with several friends a couple times a year.
Driving long distance doesn't phase me at all

Too far for me.
Unless it's someone I REALLY want to see the friend or it's a special occasion.
2 hours (4 hours round trip) is a long time to be in the car with young kids. I wouldn't travel that far just to meet for the afternoon or something.

If it’s two hours then fine.
But I have friends in a city two hours drive from me and that 2 hours has very often been 3, 4, 5 hours.