How far would you drive for a day trip?

[wishesuponastar]

Yesterday we drove 3 hours away to a beach town for the day. After swimming we went out for dinner then ice cream then we headed home at 8 pm. I was so glad to get home safely and was telling DH that I think next time we go that far away we should get a hotel for the night.

Even though he drove down and I drove back home I think it's too much. We're not getting any younger lol

So at what point would you get a hotel?

 

[Meriweather]

3 hours each way for sure.....depends, maybe even 2. But I am already older

 

[Wishing on a star]

We've done 2 1/2....
For three hours or more, would def. consider staying overnight!

 

[NewRVLady]

2 hours

When it's 3 I want to stay the night

 

[wishesuponastar]

I'm glad most of you say 3 hours then get a hotel. It was a long day.

 

[disney world dreamer]

my family has often driven 3 hours away as a day trip.

as a child sometimes during the summer my mom would get home from work at about 4pm and we'd drive 2 hours to the beach we like, stay for 2 hours, then get dinner, and drive back.

my family has never had an issue with 2-3 hour day trips.

heck a couple years ago we drove 5 hours to a beach boys concert and then 5 hours back and my sister who is a teacher got up a couple hours later and went to work.

 

[bigbabyblues]

2-3 hours is fine for a day trip for us. We drive that to go to Columbus, OH, for a ball game, or to hike in the New River Gorge or Hocking Hills.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I would do 3 hours (each way) but not more than that.

 

[E&Cmom]

Probably 2 hours but even then I would prefer to stay in a hotel depending on where it is. When we go to either Seattle or Whistler which are both just over 2 hours away, we always stay at least a night. I hate feeling like I have to rush back. I have done both these trips as day trips in the past but rather not.

 

[acebatonfan]

I don't think 3 hours for a day trip is that bad. My family has done day trips to locations 6 hours away, though those tend to be quick "visit family for a few hours, grab a bite to eat, and leave" trips.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

Probably about 2 to 3 hours or so. Any more than that and we're staying a night.

 

[bcla]

When I was a kid my parents did a day trip to Reno. Takes a little over 3 hours.

The longest day trip I recall doing myself was from home to Lassen Volcanic National Park. I was planning on going camping but my wife bailed on me and I cancelled and just did a day trip by myself. Took me almost 4 hours to get there. I left just before 6 AM and arrived before 10 AM. Did a bunch of hiking (Bumpass Hell and Manzanita Lake) and then drove to Redding for a haircut, meal, and some shopping. Went to the Sundial Bridge at night and got home just about midnight.

 

[Katy Belle]

Probably 4....depending on the circumstances. It's certainly harder than it used to be! Three we would not stay, unless there was a reason we couldn't start driving home by 9p.m. Getting home at midnight is reasonable to me.

 

[usnuzuloose]

We do those about two times a month. We are used to the drive.

 

[ronandannette]

3 hours is an easy (and common) day trip for us. We've also gone 8 hours each way for the weekend (leave on Friday afternoon and come home Sunday morning) many, many times. We have family at both distances.

 

[Dizlvr]

We have done 3 hr day trips but my cut off is 2 1/2 so if its more than that we'll stay the night.

 

[Tiffylv]

.

 

[sharona]

We drive 1 hour+ sometimes to get to our favorite beach for the day but that's about my limit. We frequently go to the NH White Mountains which is 2+ hours away but only when we can stay at least 2 nights.. I think it's too much driving for even a 1 night stay.

 

[mondragon]

We live about 2.5-3 hrs from disney. Before baby we would wake up in the morning and say lets go to Disney. 3 hrs later we are at the parks but that drive home after all day at the parks is not fun. Now we just grab a room at like holiday inn express or something like that and drive home in the morning.

 

[wishesuponastar]

I don't think 3 hours for a day trip is that bad. My family has done day trips to locations 6 hours away, though those tend to be quick "visit family for a few hours, grab a bite to eat, and leave" trips.

Oh wow! That's 12 hours just in driving in one day then visiting...I could never do that.