8-10 is my limit now. When I was in my 40's, I could do 12 easily.
I like driving.

I like to keep it under 10 hours. But, I stop often, get out of the car, walk around, take pictures, moo at cows etc. If I end up getting sleepy, I might even nap in a rest area. Most times I drive all the way in one day when I go to my daughters, 11 hour trip.

Moni

The only reason I'd stay the night after only driving 3 hours is if I got a very late start.

For a six hour trip, I'd stop after 3 hours, eat a bite, walk some at a shopping mall type area and then venture on.

Usually 9 hours but I like 8 or less. I have driven about 14, on a trip we took out West, actually the last leg of the trip. The kids wanted to be home and so did I so I just drove through till we got home.

We drive 6 hours to see the boys, usually stop at rest stops twice, eat, and then go on our way.

When I was much younger, I would drive 9 hours straight to go visit my folks,who live 400 miles away. Now I fly.

I don't mind 8, possibly 9 hours. I stop every couple of hours to stretch my legs, go to the bathroom, eat a snack. I really do not like to stay in hotels or motels by myself so I would rather drive longer hours to get where I am going. If I have to stay over along the way, I find a place with inside corridors and a little more upscale than if I was traveling with someone.

i surprised myself on several occasions driving 8 hours, but then again, i made stops when necessary and sometimes just because. it wasn't so bad, because there was always someone else in the car with me.

i do a 4 hour trip on occasion that at times i do on my own and it bores me to tears and i make a minimum of 2 stops.

i'm not a real fan of driving. i really prefer to keep things within a 2 hour drive - 3 is pushing it. when i'm rich and famous or in my next life, i will have a personal driver.

maryanne

I'm such a white-knuckle driver it wears me out. I really don't like mountain driving so I'd probably be worn out in 3-4 hours, too.

8 to 10 hours is all I can stand with my bad back and that includes a stop at a picnic table ot restaurant to eat.
When I was 42 I drove for 21 hours with a stop for one meal and a couple of bathroom stops. my grandson, who was five and usually a very sweet kid bacame a monster when we went on vacation. I put up with him for 5 days and once we got on the road I kept going. I couldn't wait to get away from him. I don't think I could do that now.

Linda

I'd say 8 to 10 hours now (age 52).
In my early 30's I could go 12 to 14 but not now.

Ron

I always do the driving. I drove to AZ last February, about 1350 miles, and took 2 days. But we'd stop every few hours. Either to potty, eat, or just stretch our legs. Then driving home the same thing. Only we came through Colorado, and spent the night in Colorado Springs, at friends of my sisters. That was the longest trip I've driven. I was really tired, it got dark on me, and we were in the mountains. Won't take that route again. I like to drive at least 8 hours a day 10 at the most. I always like to get to the motel around 5:00.
Leslie

I hate driving long distance. We just drove to Disneyland and it was 6 hours. That's about my limit. Anything longer and I'm flying.

If DH is with me and driving I can handle being in the car about 6 hours. If I am alone 4 hours is about my limit.

I'm not a good passenger, but driving I enjoy. I'd rather drive than fly. No fear of flying, I just like a road trip. I like to drive, traffic, mountains, doesn't matter. I do not like to follow or be a passenger-- it's a control thing. ;o)

I make road trips to central Ohio (9-10 hours) and central Florida (8-9 hrs) a few times a year. Most of the time, DH does not go with us, just me and the kids. It is no problem for me or the kids. We stop every 3 hrs or as long as we can make it without a restroom. ;o) I don't like driving in the dark though, so I prefer to leave at sunrise. The longest I've done solo was Nashville to central FL when we lived in TN, about 12 hours. That was even w/a toddler. We used to drive from south FL to Ohio, which took 2 days of 12 hours each; but I never did that alone, DH was always there to switch off. Long road trips just do not phase me right now.

My parents are drivers, too. The make long road trips just for fun, like following A1A along the Atlantic coast for a couple days or anything. So maybe I got the road trip gene.

I don't want to drive more then 1 hour if I don't have to! I get very sleepy, especially in the summer sun & heat. I need a rest stop just to make it to work somedays!

By myself, I can do 8-12 hours without too much trouble. Together, we'll drive straight thru to FL, a 20+ hour drive, on our way down. We leave about 2 AM and arrive about 10 PM, depending on conditions. If we get a late start, we'll stop for the night somewhere, but if we're within a couple of hours of our destination, we push thru til we get there.

I like to fly, but I really like the convenience of having my car with me so I can load it up with stuff that I can't find at home.

I used to do 8 or 9 with no problem. Now 4 is my limit. My Granny used to say "I feel like I'm still riding" after a long trip. I thought that was a strange thing to say. Now I understand what she meant.

Linda

With a lot of stops, I can do 8-9 alone. Actually, 9-10 is about my limit anyway! DH likes to get where he's going, about 500 miles a day, but he will shortly learn to stop sooner! He usually does the driving, but I don't mind as long as I know where I'm going and I don't have heavy city traffic, and by that, I mean not much traffic at all! I could not drive in Chicago, or CA.

Tami

DH and I agree that 5 hours is a comfortable day--6 hours would be our limit. We've done longer days in the past, but age has reduced our tolerance.

If I were making a 6-hour trip alone, I would definitely make it a 2-day trip.

I haven't tested my limits, especially alone. The most I've driven is 8 or 10 hours at a time, with DH, before Nick arrived. As long as I'm moving, I'm okay. I don't even mind heavy traffic as long as it's moving traffic. I couldn't do mountain roads with drop-offs or too many high bridges.

I drive on the long trips. It would drive me crazy to be a passenger past 2 hours.

Can I assume that you will be expensing these motel costs?
Taking two work days to hadle a job that can be done in one?
Maybe you should tell your employer that you aren't able to handle this territory, and ask for a smaller one.

Thanks for the replies. It isn't just riding in the car, but driving solo that is so tough. Different people have different talents and driving long distances is not one of mine. LIke someone else mentioned, I get so sleepy and tired.

These aren't "territories" but book signings, lectures and research. I have the "luxury" of stopping overnight if need be. I just wish I could drive longer but I don't seem to have the skills. Drat. Glad to hear I'm not alone. :)

Rose

Books on tape, beef jerky, a bottle of water and a bit of chocolate, I'm good for 8 hours or so of actual driving, plus a few stops to stretch, get gas, eat a nice lunch. But I only did it once, and it is much nicer when DH or a kid is with me.

I like to start a long trip at about 4:00-5:00 am and drive until 5:00pm. Stopping at rest stops and restaurants.

Let me say that driving on a Mountain Ridge, is a whole other story. I drive as long as I have "dry" underwear! Scares the "P" outta me.

Gayle

I don't like driving (or riding in a car) for long distances no matter how many people are with me. I got spoiled at 19, when I learned I could pick up a phone to call my cousin or another pilot to take me where I wanted to go. Even if there aren't airports for airliners, there is usually an airport for small aircraft in most areas you wouldn't expect to find one. But, I have driven 3 hours, 1.5 hours each way, to the outlet mall up north a bit from me. Did that several times to either go shopping or to visit a friend who lives in that town.

I'm not sure. When my lower back is acting up 2 hrs is to long.

I make the trek to Indiana from Georgia every summer...its 8-10 hours, depending where we stop first...I'm staying 5 days or more, otherwise I fly and rent a car! I don't mind it much, but I do stop lots to stretch, eat, shop, whatever it takes to get me outta the car a bit!!