How far is too far to drive?

[polly4711]

OK. So, I want to go home. I'm in school in Dallas, TX. My parents live in Chattanooga, TN. It's just shy of 800 miles and 12 hours. I've done the drive four times before, but I've always had someone in the car with me. Fall break is coming up. I could leave on a Friday, and come back on a Tuesday. I've seen my parents for a total of 8 days since January 3rd (4 of them were spent being drugged up from wisdom teeth). I wont see them until November 26 (Thanksgiving and that's for 3 days). I think that it would be so much fun to surprise my parents.

According to AAA, gas would costs about $250, which is far less than any plane ticket that I've ever bought (They usually range around the high 300's) I'm trying to find someone who will go with me, but we will have to see.

Am I crazy to do this?

[badgercat]

Crazy ? Nah. I've never driven that long of a distance by myself either, but if you've made the drive a few times, are comfortable with the route, and feel like you can afford the gas money, I say go for it. I'm sure your parents would welcome the surprise. Earlier this year I randomly hopped in my car with just myself, a change of clothes, and some snacks, and drove 4 hours to surprise my best-friend-from-high-school and watch her perform with her college's improv comedy troupe (and incidentally took a side trip on the way back to school to visit home), and I think it's one of my favorite memories of my "college days" (note: this is an absurd thing for me to say, since I just graduated in May ). Of course, just make sure someone knows when you leave and when you should be expected to arrive, just in case you have any trouble along the way.

As far as the flying option, in that respect it's too bad your parents don't live closer to Nashville... I've heard of some relatively inexpensive fares between Dallas and Nashville on Southwest Airlines, though of course you have to book usually at least a week in advance to get those cheap fares. I pretty much only fly Southwest because I can't beat their prices on nonstop flights between the two places I fly the most (Arizona and Chicago), and I've always had good experiences with their service.

Anyway, good luck finding a travel buddy or making the drive alone or whatever you wind up doing!

[withm]

I do 800 mile drives beween DE and MICH routinely. But I grew up doing this trip, and having made 50-60-70 of these round trips (but who's counting?) I think nothing of the distance and doing it alone.

But at this point in my life I would not do it for such a short time at the destination. My car is not so comfortable and it can take a day to recover from the stiffness of a trip like this. (I try to only stop when I need gas and combine any pitstops, resting, food with gas stop, but sometimes you just have to stop). I think I'd want 5 full days at the destination to warrant 2 full days in the car. But that's just me talking.

Is your car in good shape?
Are you prepared to deal with mechanical problems? Flat tire?
Cash for tolls, food?
Got credit cards in case of repairs or other emergency?
Cellphone?

I've heard rumors, but have not read anything confirming that gas is hard to find in some areas in the "south." If I were planning this trip, I'd follow up on that to be sure I'd be able to find gas. You are too young to remember the gas shortages of the 70s but it was very real, and you don't want to get stranded.

And finally, I heartily recommend books on tape/cd - a good thriller makes a trip like this go much faster. Get a couple from the library so if you don't like the narrator, or the story, you can try something else.

Good luck and have fun!

[badgercat]

Is your car in good shape?
Are you prepared to deal with mechanical problems? Flat tire?
Got credit cards in case of repairs or other emergency?
Cellphone?

These are all very good things to keep in mind for the solo long-distance driver! I'd always been pretty proud of the fact that I knew my way around the basics of my car... and then learned that I wasn't as comfortable changing a flat tire as I thought when I got a flat on a busy interstate this summer. I chickened out, since I had never done it all alone before (and didn't really want to find out whether or not I'd done it right by merging back into 70mph traffic!), and called upon the roadside assistance service I have with my cell phone plan. When I eventually got to my parents' house, though, my dad showed me how to do it again and I practiced it a few times start-to-finish by myself until I was comfortable with it.

ANYWAY. The moral of that story is always be prepared, and stuff. I'm getting rambly in my futile attempts to avoid my homework.

[polly4711]

Thanks to both Badgercat and Withm.


Badgercat- I'm graduating in this december (was supposed to this past may, so i'm your age )

Withm- I've heard the stories a lot. My parents have talked about it, and yes that idea makes me nervous. I drive a 2002 Volvo with only 52k miles on it. It has made the trip 3 times. I haven't it's been a few months since i had my oil changed, but the car mechanics laugh at me when i bring it in due to how good condition my car is. However, i would be nervous still. I think that I could handle it. (and I LOVE books on tape too)

I'll keep you all updated on my decision.

[crazycanuck]

Driving distance is fine. Just remember to rest for about 10min every couple of hours in a well lit rest stop. There are plenty in the US! Well, at least what we saw when we drove from Calgary to Seattle.

It's also a great way to see your country! If you have the time, why not?

We're driving to Sydney & back at christmas...It's around 4000km but it's worth it! We've driven part of the way before so we're aware of the distances between roadhouses(that's pretty much it in some areas), the heat & the time.

Good luck!

C

[wildhawk]

I drove out to Wyoming from Virginia and back several times when I lived in Jackson Hole, Wy. (a distance of 2100 miles) - 3 days there, and 3 days back - just me and my dog in a 1972 Chevy. I have also driven from Florida to central Va. numerous times and the distance is also exactly 800 miles one way. The 800 miles can be done in one day with one driver, but you will need rest breaks so account for that. A lot depends on your route - mine is mostly interstate all the way. Also, the gas shortage thing is nuts in some areas, so check ahead to make sure you can fill up. With rest breaks, I can drive the 800 miles in about 13 hours. It is a big trip for only 3 days, but I know how it is when you want to see your family - it will be worth it. And your car should do fine - it is hard to stop a Volvo!

[teigyr]

What're rental car prices like? As much as I love driving my car, if it's major distance I kind of enjoy the fact I could call the rental car place if my car breaks down and they would bring me another car. That and I guess I depend on my car a lot and would hate for anything to happen to it.

That all being said, I did a 400 mile round trip a couple of weeks ago. My car LOVED it!!! I got incredible mileage and it was peaceful, in a driving kind of way.

I'd say go for it. And ditto on letting someone know where you are. Do you have Auto Club or anything like that?

[alpinerabbit]

Is greyhound no longer an option in the states?
I know it's not exactly luxury travel (done it myself a couple times), but you can sleep...

[sundial]

Or by Amtrak. My late sister-in-law used to travel by train and it was dirt cheap compared to bus or plane. I think the most it cost her was $35 on the Texas Eagle Amtrak. She got to sleep as well and there were few travelers with her.

[OakLeaf]

it's been a few months since i had my oil changed.

Then make sure you take care of all scheduled maintenance before you leave. Change the oil, check the air filter and replace if it necessary, rotate the tires if they're due, be sure the tires are topped up, if your car has a tire pressure sensor don't forget to reset it when you top up the tires. Just for the sake of thoroughness, even though they're probably fine on a car so new and you would've noticed any leaks, check the tranny fluid and brake fluid dipsticks and the coolant level. About 1-2 hours' work, and changing the oil in a car without a lift is dirty work, but well worth it.

I'm too old to drive that far straight through, but it's your call.

Next time plan a little farther in advance. Plane tickets aren't so expensive if you don't buy them at the last minute. The timing of plane ticket purchases has changed though. Definitely when I planned this trip to Dallas in early July, the fare was very inexpensive. Used to be six weeks before travel was the "golden window;" now they say to buy the ticket as soon as your plans are locked down, because they start increasing the fare as soon as the plane is more than half full.


To those who've inquired about public transit in the USA - Amtrak routes are VERY limited, it's EXTREMELY expensive because you have to pay hotel rates for a sleeper cabin on top of the transit fare which is usually the same to a little higher higher than plane fare, and it takes about two to three times as long as driving. Never mind changing trains in the middle of the night. I haven't taken Greyhound in decades, and I actually always enjoyed it, but again, travel time is so long that you really couldn't do it and turn around for a weekend.


ETA: I forgot to mention my one HUGE issue and that is fatigue and sleep deprivation. When you're committed to a trip sometimes it's VERY hard to decide you're too tired to continue. Never mind that the fatigue itself is impairing your judgment. Before you take this on, I'd definitely do some soul-searching about (1) your stamina level, (2) your ability to judge your own fatigue level, and (3) your willingness to pull over and sleep if you need it. Do you regularly pull all-nighters in college, without repercussions? If so, it's good you've got the stamina, but don't do it within two weeks of the trip. Studies have shown that driving fatigued is even more dangerous than driving drunk (and IMVHO most drunk driving accidents have fatigue/sleep deprivation as a major contributing factor).

[SouthernBelle]

It's doubtful she could take amtrak, it certainly doesn't run to Nashville, so I doubt it runs to Chattanooga.

As far as the gas situation, it has freed up a lot. There was one weekend where it was hard to find, but shouldn't be any problem now.

[sfa]

I'd do it. With a AAA card and a cell phone and a couple of books on tape, long distance driving is fun!

Greyhound is also an option. It's not cheaper--$272 for the round trip. And it's slower (you leave midday on Friday, arrive early Saturday morning, then do the same thing in reverse on the way back) with a couple of transfers along the route. But if you're concerned about driving alone, it's not a bad solution.

Sarah

[tulip]

I think it'd be okay as long as you have your oil changed and the car checked out (pre-trip inspection) beforehand, have your up-to-date AAA card, and make sure to stop every couple-3 hours for stretching and a rest of about 10-15 minutes. Cell phone is a must, too. Also, check your oil every time you stop for gas.

Gas is a real issue in Atlanta area, which includes Chattanooga. It's very expensive and sometimes hard to find, so plan to fill up at half-tank; don't wait until you're empty. My mother and brother live in western NC and have had trouble finding gas, and when they do it's about $4.50 for regular (it's $3.50 here in central Virginia and there are no shortages). The gas has also been rationed over the past month, so they were not able to fill up when they did find a station (only allowed $30, which isn't very much at $4.50).

I have a friend who drove from Austin to North Carolina all by herself to see me years ago. It was the first time she had ever been out of Texas (she was 20)! I was so proud of her!

Have a good time!

[Tuckervill]

I have done 800 miles in a day, but it's not pretty. Last year I drove to the PNW, and I stupidly schedule a 900 mile day. I had to stop in Salt Lake City and take my son to the movies so I could have a long nap.

I put in a 13 hour day across TN and Arkansas on Friday. There were no gas shortages, but the gas was high between Nashville and Knoxville. Chattanooga will be getting into shortage country, near Georgia, I hear Atlanta has been hit pretty hard, but you'll be almost home by then.

What you can do is split the driving up a little. Leave late on Thursday night, drive until you get tired and pull in somewhere to sleep until morning. You can probably make it at least to Arkansas if you leave around 6 or 8. Since you're so young, you are probably more awake in the later hours anyway.

Then, either get a cheap room, or pull into a rest stop and nap in the car. I have been known to pull into remote exits with no gas stations and pull off the side of the road and sleep for hours. Some people find this dangerous. I do not. The more remote the location, the better, for me. I have a couple of regular spots on I-40 between Little Rock and Ft. Smith.

I have been known to nestle in among the big rigs on an exit, too. I don't like that as much because they are loud and they always have lights on. I don't want lights because it means someone can easily see inside my car. I feel safer if no one can tell who is in my car.

Another tip--if you have a laptop, you can pull up into any cheap interstate motel parking lot and use their wi-fi for free, check the rates at the places you can see from there, and pick the cheapest one before you go in!

Have fun! I'm sure your parents will be happy to see you.

Karen