Prep School - Travel Times

Account18 · 2025-09-26T08:23:29+00:00

Child is hopefully starting prep school soon (age 4) On an average school day, in the morning it would take 25 minutes to get there and 25 to get back home. In the afternoon it would be closer to 15 there and 15 back. It's about 3-4 miles on high traffic roads. Is this reasonable? Is this common for Prep schools? Do you get into a rhythm? Other points to note - I work from home so there is no commute after The catchment state primary isn't for us Thank you

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Octavia64 · 26/09/2025 09:24

Completely normal.

many people will be doing that sort of journey to a state primary

LIZS · 26/09/2025 11:52

Yes very typical. However bear in mind friends may be a similar distance in the opposite direction, for playdates, parties etc

MauriceTheMussel · 26/09/2025 12:22

My whole school life was 30 mins door to door

mismomary · 26/09/2025 18:37

Similar commute for us, no problem.

Zippymonkey · 26/09/2025 18:44

Yes ours is similar to that. Although I would say that the bit that adds time is parking and taking them in. It adds another 10 mins at drop off and pick up so account for that as well especially when they are small and you need to drop them at the door.

Panadan · 27/09/2025 08:24

We're in London where schools are close together. 25 mins is a fairly average time for a prep school commute but it's much longer than a typical state primary commute (usually under 7 mins walk). I started off with a 25 min commute to prep but now moved house to be within 5 min walk. I'd find the commute a pain esp as I have 2 dcs and sometimes have 2 pickups due to one being in clubs. Also we have a few different events across the year (concerts, assemblies, meetings) so it's easier to slot in a work day as I wfh and I only need to be out for a short time. It's also nice as the dcs get more independent as they will be able to walk on their own when older.

Original poster

Account18 · 27/09/2025 20:23

Zippymonkey · 26/09/2025 18:44

Yes ours is similar to that. Although I would say that the bit that adds time is parking and taking them in. It adds another 10 mins at drop off and pick up so account for that as well especially when they are small and you need to drop them at the door.

Edited

Thank you - yes thats a good point. Parking is actually suprisingly very available nearby even at school time, so that should be one less stress. But yes probably another 5-10 mins

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easternenergizer · 27/09/2025 22:46

I did 30 mins drive each way when I was younger but we lived in north cambs/east northants and the decent prep we liked was far but on reflection, was too far and wasn't worth it.

Original poster

Account18 · 29/09/2025 21:10

easternenergizer · 27/09/2025 22:46

I did 30 mins drive each way when I was younger but we lived in north cambs/east northants and the decent prep we liked was far but on reflection, was too far and wasn't worth it.

Yes that feels a bit much if it's always at least 30 both ways.
I think the afternoon run will be 15 or less each way so may be slightly easier!

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Original poster

Account18 · 29/09/2025 21:11

Panadan · 27/09/2025 08:24

We're in London where schools are close together. 25 mins is a fairly average time for a prep school commute but it's much longer than a typical state primary commute (usually under 7 mins walk). I started off with a 25 min commute to prep but now moved house to be within 5 min walk. I'd find the commute a pain esp as I have 2 dcs and sometimes have 2 pickups due to one being in clubs. Also we have a few different events across the year (concerts, assemblies, meetings) so it's easier to slot in a work day as I wfh and I only need to be out for a short time. It's also nice as the dcs get more independent as they will be able to walk on their own when older.

What kids age did you make the move
Was the move specifically for the school

No plans to move but not out of the question

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Original poster

Account18 · 03/11/2025 22:05

Any more experiences from the community?

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OneOrTheOther · 04/11/2025 10:23

we're about to start prep school next september (home counties) and our journey time is looking around 20 - 25 mins each way also.

I'm just going to count it as "my podcast" time for half the journeys and "Quality chatting time with DC" for the other half

BlackCatGoesHome · 04/11/2025 10:26

I did this for a state school. Just be aware that there will be many extra runs when they make friends. As long as you aren't bothered about pootling about in the car, it's fine.