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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

1 hour, 40 minutes

131 replies

Pinkponyclube · 03/09/2025 14:02

Would you go out for the day to a place one hour and forty minutes away, so drive there for one hour, forty mins, spend the day there and then the same back-with a 6 year old? Or would you make a weekend out of it
Do you consider that a lot for one day?

OP posts:
BarnacleBeasley · 03/09/2025 14:30

I would do it on the train. I'd be a bit reluctant to spend over 3 hours in the car just for a day trip - it would have to be somewhere really good, and in that case I'd be more likely to think it was worth a weekend.

hydriotaphia · 03/09/2025 14:31

It's do-able if the day trip was special enough.

SeeTown · 03/09/2025 14:31

Yeah that’s not far at all to me

stichguru · 03/09/2025 14:34

Pinkponyclube · 03/09/2025 14:02

Would you go out for the day to a place one hour and forty minutes away, so drive there for one hour, forty mins, spend the day there and then the same back-with a 6 year old? Or would you make a weekend out of it
Do you consider that a lot for one day?

I think it is a lot of driving. I might do it, but it would depend on what the other options were. Could you do something closer but similar? How much is there for you both to enjoy? Is it somewhere you can guarantee you will both want to spend the full day at? Is there enough that you could make a really good weekend of it?

Thedoorisalwaysopen · 03/09/2025 14:35

We quite regularly drive to our favourite beach which is just under 2 hours from home on a nice day. Set off early, get back a bit late, well worth it.

Justploddingonandon · 03/09/2025 14:36

I would, but it would have to be somewhere that I'm fairly confident would have a enough to do to fill whole day. Saying that, my DM lives a similar sort of distance so kids are used to it (she doesn't have room to put us up and we'd have to get a hotel room, so we rarely stay over night).

Imbusytodaysorry · 03/09/2025 14:37

@Pinkponyclube 1.40hrs is not a need for an overnight .
It’s an overnight if that’s what you want to make of it .
6yrs old should be able to do that trip no problem

Plastictreees · 03/09/2025 14:39

Yes we do this fairly frequently, we like road trips (as do our DC - who are younger than 6) and it’s no issue at all. I’ve always been used to travelling though and might have a wider parameter than average when it comes to this.

Edited to say: A 4 hour round trip, with DC, is probably around our limit for a day trip without an overnight stay.

MassiveOvaryaction · 03/09/2025 14:40

If I/they wanted to go and would enjoy it then yes, day trip fine. Not every week or anything though.

Depends also how long you'd be there, for me would need to be there at least as long as the round trip (so minimum 3 hours 20 minutes in your case).

MissHollysDolly · 03/09/2025 14:40

Yep we used to do this regularly at that age. Change into comfy clothes (or pjs if there not too “cool” for that) for the ride home then straight to bed

HeartyViper · 03/09/2025 14:40

It sounds fine. I’ve taken my children to london for the day when the youngest was 3 - it was a 3 hours journey one way.
As long as you don’t do it every day, I don’t see an issue.

Miraclesforme · 03/09/2025 14:40

Of course

shuggles · 03/09/2025 14:41

@Pinkponyclube That's just a bit longer than my daily commute. You know that people drive longer than that just to go to work 5 days a week, right?

TheNightingalesStarling · 03/09/2025 14:41

Depends what it is really.
I travel further for DFs rugby matches which are 2hrs long...

Day at the beach... yes
Cinema no.

PornOfCopia · 03/09/2025 14:43

I don't drive but would do this on public transport occasionally (but not regularly).

BoudiccaRuled · 03/09/2025 14:44

Flakey99 · 03/09/2025 14:19

Can you do a nice stop on the way to break up the journey?

Break up the journey for a 1hr40 drive? Seems rather unnecessary...

Trallers · 03/09/2025 14:45

Absolutely, I driven much further for a day out with small.children (but will bring pajamas so the drive back can be 'bedtime').

Summmeeerrrrisherenearly030933939 · 03/09/2025 14:45

Yeah it’s only what 80/90 miles! Yes wouldn’t even question it!

Klozza · 03/09/2025 14:47

Sounds fine to me, we did this for Legoland with my 4 year old recently, that was a nearly 2 hour journey each way, but was worth the drive.

Sunshineismyfavourite · 03/09/2025 14:47

We have done and do this fairly often, every couple of months or so to attend family parties during the day, meet up for lunches etc. Often driving 2 plus hours each way.
We would always take our DCs when they were that age and younger. I'd only stay over if it was a late finish like a wedding or something but otherwise it's pretty normal to me. But DH and I are happy to drive that distance and DCs always happy to go and were good at entertaining themselves with snacks, films etc in the back.

LondonPapa · 03/09/2025 14:47

Pinkponyclube · 03/09/2025 14:02

Would you go out for the day to a place one hour and forty minutes away, so drive there for one hour, forty mins, spend the day there and then the same back-with a 6 year old? Or would you make a weekend out of it
Do you consider that a lot for one day?

I’ve flown to another country and back with a 3-year-old on a day trip. I’ve done the Eurostar as well. 1h40 is nothing.

Facecream24 · 03/09/2025 14:48

Gosh I’m surprised how many said this is fine for them. My max is about an hour maybe an hour 15 for a day trip. I hate driving and dislike being a passenger and my kids just fight on long car trips! Just seems like a waste of time to me to spend so long in a car. I’d see an overnight as more worth it if it was something I really wanted to visit.

Honeypizza · 03/09/2025 14:48

That sounds quite a normal distance for a day out.

Maddy70 · 03/09/2025 14:48

Yes that's a day trip!

Ponoka7 · 03/09/2025 14:49

From Liverpool we'd (including when I was a child sometimeson publictransport) go to Southport, New Brighton, Llandudno, Blackpool, Colwyn Bay (to see family), Manchester, Birmingham. I have been to Whitby for a special event, but wouldn't go that far in one day again. So yes.