Four Hour Drive One Way !!

United States
February 17, 2010 9:04pm CST
One of my sons has once again been transferred to another facility and it is farther away! I was ready to make the 2 1/2 hour drive to visit him, but 4 hours is a bit much. That will pretty much be a days drive if you count in the visit and time you spend on the road both ways. If both of my sons were in the same facility it wouldn't be so bad. Trying to schedule time to see them both if they are in separate facilities is going to be challenging. I know that I will not be able to see them as often as I did when they were in the same facility and closer to home. We will still have letters and the occasional phone call. The one way I can possibly justify the trip is to call it a day trip. Focus on enjoying the drive and make it an adventure. Do you enjoy day trips? Would you drive 4 hours one way?
8 people like this
20 responses
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
18 Feb 10
I enjoy them if someone else drives. I would not be able to do it very often either. Is there anyway that you could make a 2 day trip out of it and do something else while you are there. I am so sorry he is so far away.
1 person likes this
@pupupd (1515)
• India
18 Feb 10
Ya same here. Even I like it when someone else will drive for me. The roads in our country are not so good to be enjoyed while driving. Here driving is something which very few people enjoy. We mostly hire drivers and also car if required and go for long day trips.
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
18 Feb 10
I spend 2 hours or more per day driving. I am tired. However, I can drive many hours when going on vacations whiteout getting tired. Yes, it is hard to drive 4 hours one way and come back home at the same day. I would listen to audio books. Maybe I would make stops and eat in few places to entertain myself.
1 person likes this
@pupupd (1515)
• India
18 Feb 10
when someone drives daily then they usually don't feel like driving again on weekends for vacation. But if you really love driving then of course you can take breaks in between drive as you said since you are in no hurry to reach your place on time. Still I would prefer if someone else can drive for me, I am quite lazy
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
21 Feb 10
Elusive I am so sorry that they are so far away that is just terrible I would drive 4 hours to visit yes but not very often as that is a long way and a long drive to do often I am so sorry that they are so far away Elusive Hugs to you
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
18 Feb 10
In good weather, I would do it about once a month. I have other family members who live that approximate distance from me, and I have done the trip for just a day. I am so sorry they are that far away. It sounds as if they just keep on moving them. The other thing is, how long can you visit? Is it at a certain time of day? If they will only let you visit an hour and only at a certain time, it is going to be hard to do.
@pupupd (1515)
• India
18 Feb 10
Ya same opinion here as well. Even I prefer to do it (of course with the help of Driver) only in spring time when the weather is favourable. But will not be coming back the same day of course, I will spend minimum 12 hours and come back the next day.
1 person likes this
@idowrite72 (2213)
• United States
13 Mar 10
If I were going to see my son, it would be worth it. Day trips are fun, as long as the weather isn't too bad. I have recently been taking quite a few of them. You have to decide if the trip is worth seeing your son! I picked up a friend 5 hours away, but she came to stay a couple days. When I took her away, she went to a friend's 4 hours away, and I made the return trip on my own. It was well worth it!!
@jewels49 (1776)
• United States
18 Feb 10
My best friend and I take day trips several times a year. Usually we are shopping for the holidays or back to school for the kids, or checking out a new store opening somewhere. My favorite is our day trip in the spring and fall, we borrow her dad's pick up and set off about daylight..we drive 3 and 4 hours hitting nurseries for plants and flowers, stopping to eat and check out whatever catches our eye. We do the same thing on our way home on the opposite side of the road..We have a blast. I love a good day trip.
1 person likes this
@mslena75 (561)
• United States
19 Feb 10
I actually don't mind road tripping. We like to take road trips. I'll bet it's tough on you, but just remember that what you're doing means so much! I could not imagine being inside. You are providing a much needed lifeline and a line on the outside.
@BarBaraPrz (45226)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
18 Feb 10
When I was first married, and before we moved to Vancouver, it would take about that long to visit his folks. Of course, we'd stay the weekend. I haven't taken any trips longer than two hours, and that's by bus and subway, since coming back to Ontario.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
18 Feb 10
If I drive that far for four hours then I usually stay overnight....that's a long drive for one day....eight hours on the road. I do go on smaller trips....I know that you want to make the trips...and hopefully you can....
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
19 Feb 10
I have 4 boys, 2 of which live with their families on the west coast of the US. I live in Ontario Canada in the summer,so they are about 3000 miles away. They usually get home once in the summer, so its not too bad.In the winter my wife and I drive 2000 miles from Southern Ontario Can. to our winter home in Alamo, South Texas US. Its a 4 day drive, and we take turns driving 2 hours at a time. Each of us is able to doze off while the other drives, and we do not drive after dark. Its not a problem for us, as we enjoy the trip both ways. We sometimes catch a flight to visit the boys in Santa Clara and Seattle, but we are not planning such a trip this season.
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
19 Feb 10
When my sister moved to Fresno, we used to make the trip, it was about a 3 hour drive, 4 with stops. But I don't think we ever made it a day trip, more like a weekend. I do enjoy day trips, but generally if it's as long as a four hour drive, it's longer than a day trip.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
18 Feb 10
Bless your heart, it's about time u caught a break. I'm sorry they didn't keep your sons together. It would be so much easier for u if they had. i'm sure u will go as often as u can as i'm sure i would. Take care of yourself.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
19 Feb 10
It does depend on how you enjoy driving and how much time you have! It is a bummer that your son has to be so far away! I guess you could call and write as you said and organise a visit every few months. It must hard for you especially when they both are in different facilities! Hang in there...I suppose you could turn the long drive into a bit of an adventurous day trip and incorporate a picnic etc. I would do it, just not as often as I would like...
@pupupd (1515)
• India
18 Feb 10
Four hours of driving everyday can be very tiring. You better don't do it regularly, you won't realise the after effects until after few days you might get back pain or something similar. Try to visit them weekly which will be more convinient. Also four hour drive is not so safe. I just hope your both sons soon come together in same facility which will releave of you of this trouble.
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
18 Feb 10
Awww EB I am so very sorry, for you and your sons. 4 hours is a long drive, but its worth it. Plus the time spent visiting will be so special. We can always hope that both your boys will end up in the same facility closer to home.
@mari61960 (4893)
• United States
18 Feb 10
I would just make it a day trip. If you have company you could stop and get a bite to eat. Maybe look in little shops. Visit a towns historic landmark. Just to give the trip a boost. That way when you leave you won't be so depressed ..you will have a little adventure to tend to before making the drive home. There's bound to be things you haven't seen along the way...lol And yes I would drive it no problem. I love road trips. Many times I drove 4.5 hours to my dad's and then home the same day. Of course now with gas prices you can't do things as often.
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
18 Feb 10
I've done Austin to Houston for a luncheon, but I wouldn't want to do it too often (tho my roomie, J, is planning to drive 8 hours for a weekend visit with her daughter in her broken down car.)
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
18 Feb 10
hi ElusiveButterfly y es I used to enjoy day trips when it was a three hour trip from our farm in South Dakota to Rapid City but these were pleasure trip s and we often ate out in Rapid or took a picnic lunch. But to compare mine to yours is unfair to you. there is so much pain and love and well I can imagine all sorts of emotions floating in you as you drive to see your son.I really wish that they had put both your sons in one facility at least. But yes focussing on the enjoyable part of a day trip , that is the very ticket. I am hoping for both of your sons a nd your sakes that they get out of prison in a shorter time due to good behavior. I admire you courage and fortitude, it takes a brave woman to take this on and not be shedding tears all over the place.Is it okay Elusive if I send a bunch of prayers wending their way to you and your boys that this will all be over sooner than you expected and that they will both get a great new start on life.
@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
18 Feb 10
driving for two hours is already tiring and what would it be if 4 hours. i used to drive 2 hours in one way, driving from the city to my wife's place in the province. we just take some rest in the middle of the trip. but even if how many hours it would take you to travel and drive that far, tiredness is nothing as long as you love to get in to the place safe. as long as it leads you to your love.
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
18 Feb 10
I love long day trips. I would make the best of it packing food and drinks for the trip. I would do what I could so I could see my kids no matter what. Driving and listening to your favorite music can be such an enjoyable trip but I just wouldn't make the trip by myself. Maybe if you can make a trip the beginning of the month to one son and then the end of the month to the other son that may work for you. Bring a friend or another relative and just enjoy it. If you can't do it twice a month then once a month to one and then the other month to the other son. Good luck to you.