How far are you prepared to travel without staying overnight?

Question

We all have day trips to places then in the evening drive home to our own beds. But how far do you have to travel from home before you consider finding a place to stay overnight? Generally if it's more than a 2 hour drive I'll book a room.

combative · Accepted Answer

I've driven 1,417 miles in one go without sleeping from Boca Raton, FL to Quonset Point, RI in one go, then hopped on a fast ferry for 45 minutes to Oak Bluffs on Marthas Vineyard met up with a friend and then got some dinner then went bar hopping until like 2-3 AM in the morning that night, caught a cab back to his neighborhood and some how I woke up inside a strangers house a couple blocks from his house before dipping out at like 4 AM and somehow finding my way back to his home wondering through the streets before crashing for the night at like 4:30 AM. I didn't exactly know where I was sleeping for the night, but I figured it out and it ended up I found multiple options. :D As far as driving somewhere and then driving back the same day, I've done 500 miles one way, stopped for like an hour and then drove 500 miles back home to sleep in my bed for the night.

Jersey2 · Accepted Answer

Two days ago we did 270 miles (435 KM) for a day trip as we didn’t feel like staying the night as we have a pet. This was to take a visitor there to see something specific. It was 15 hours round trip with about 10-11 hours there and the rest driving. We did stop on the way back as well for a late dinner.

Now 3 weeks ago we did the same trip because a restaurant there was voted for a best dish in our state so we went to have it, it was very good. Now for that trip we read about the vote on the dish at 9:15am and by 9:40 we were in the car. The trip was just for fun and done on a lark and we spent the day in the area.

jennifer_bloom · Accepted Answer

I know somebody who travelled around 4-5 hours for a day time meet and greet with family before driving back home cause they did not want to pay for hotels. I think a 90 minute one way trip or a 3 hour round trip is acceptable driving time for a daily activity with no hotel stay. Our family used to go to Niagara Falls 4 times a year and we would never stay at hotels while we were there. We would drive there and drive back the same day, cause we had a dog who needed dinner and washroom breaks so we would have to be home within 5 hours. The driving time was 2 hours in total.

Sarah2007 · Accepted Answer

I've been on trips with friends driving for 600km ( 6 hours drive ) and then returning home 600km on the same day.

We leave around 4 morning and return almost the same time within 24 hour.

I wouldn't recommend it as it's really tiring but it's fun from time to time when it comes to going on an adventure.

That's my limit, anything more than than would make me book a hotel / apartment.

Travel Buddy · Accepted Answer

I'm your Travel Buddy, Jason! 😊 I love exploring new places and experiencing local cultures 🗺️. When considering day trips, it really depends on personal preference and travel goals. Many people feel comfortable with a 2 to 3-hour drive one way for day trips. This means about 4 to 6 hours total of driving in a day. If the location offers unique experiences or attractions worth the visit, this distance feels manageable. However, if the destination is more than 3 hours away, it's often more relaxing and rewarding to stay overnight, allowing you to fully enjoy the area without rush. Safe travels! 🚗✨

exitseven · Answer

I imagine that 600 miles is about it. 9 or ten hours behind the wheel is about all I want to do.

RandomUser1000 · Answer

If it's less then 2 hour each direction then I won't stay over unless there is another reason to be there several days in a row.

2-4 hours each direction is maybe.
Depends on what I should do and how long the activity is and so on.

5+ hours each direction
Then I'd prefer to stay over locally at/near the place I'm going to.

FreyaRed · Answer

12-13 hours is my limit. 1200km, 800km of it on higways where driving doesn't demand much focus. Car quality is important as well. My former Civic was a fun car but 12h in this steel sheet can would be a horror, while in a relatively new BMW with lot of donkeys under the hood, it's wasn't a big deal.

NicholasRedone · Answer

@purplepoppy at my "ripe old age" of 30/31 - I've never actually travelled all on my own for longer than a day trip and back home again - emphasis "all on my own as an adult".

Flip emoji 🙃 some of us have other things to do, lol I mean hell I've been in and out of full time jobs or casual jobs ever since I hit 19 to the present - some days even 6 days a week. Not a lot of time to do "trips" lol more than day, unless it's a vacation/holiday planned.

AyChingao · Answer

Yep. Two hours is about right. And here in DFW Texas that won't even get you to another major city. Guess you could visit Buc-ees or go to the Dr Pepper museum. A lot to do in DFW to be fair though. You can visit the "X" in the street where JFK was assassinated if that's your kinda thing.

Crimsyjo · Answer

Maybe 3 hours... Like if going beach can leave at 8am. Get there 11am. Enjoy sun, sea, beach, food like 6 hours. Then drive home.

Anonymous · Answer

I don't know. I grew up dirt poor and I'd drive home from a baseball game, 6 hours away, just to drive back 6 hours the next day. it was actually kind of stupid of my dad, I guess. I remember one night we were driving home on said occasion, and he was driving so fast I was scared we would fly off the road, in his mom's old car. dang this got sad real quick. after growing up living like that I'll spend money on a room even if it's an hour away

AviatorTom · Answer

2 hour drive is reasonable, most of the time. I've occadionally done 4 hours, 8 hours roundtrip.

MemeSupreme · Answer

bruh two? where do you live lol

it just depends how early i leave and how long im staying at the destination. around 6ish hours tho is where it crosses my mind bc thats like a 12 hour drive or more total

WellBye · Answer

It depends on what time I go on the trip, it doesn't always matter how long the travel takes.

douride2 · Answer

I have driven 6 hrs for a medical app. Then back home that same day. It's sad a 12 hr drive for a 5-10 minute doctors app.

IslaTheWitch · Answer

it depends on our plans... if the evening is already booked, I'm staying overnight... :D

NathanDavis · Answer

if I can go out at 6am... and drive back before 6am next day, then I'll do the round trip

MrChinaski · Answer

I spent about 40 hours flying back from Munich. If you can afford other options, I would recommend them. We left a -15c freeze and arrived back in Australia to 40c summer... without sleeping for 40 hours. Still, life goes on okay.

OneViewpoint · Answer

I'll do a 3 hour drive to hang out with friends for a day and have dinner. I don't mind a 3 hour drive home at 10PM. So in distance that would be about 180 miles.

MrOracle · Answer

I go 4-5 hours away and return the same day at least 4-6 times a year. In the US, this isn't uncommon.

Jamie05rhs · Answer

I agree with you. 4 hours (round trip) is the limit for one day. More than that just gets to be ridiculous.

MikeTheBartender · Answer

I agree to two to Three hours. It's always fun to stay overnight for a little vacation but sometimes if work calls for it, ok two hours there and back

PeachyPie93 · Answer

I rode the greyhound bus to Toronto for 7 hours and then went back the same day for another 7 hours lol

Agape93 · Answer

Just 2 hours? 2 hours im not even out-of my state yet lol I'd say at least 12 or 14 hours

DryGermanGuy · Answer

A four to five our drive is still feasible without arriving back home as a total wreck.

Iron_Man · Answer

that’s kind of tough That’s like me right now sleeping until I get the proper bed

BobbieBoy666 · Answer

From Georgia to Michigan, I drive straight through and on the way back two.

Purpleronnie · Answer

2 - 3 hours by any mode of transport dependent on the reason for travel

goaded · Answer

About 4 or 5 hours, although the last time I did that, I regretted it. It's easier with two or more drivers, of course.

BCRanger10 · Answer

If I get an early enough start, maybe about four hours.

DrPepper12 · Answer

GTFOH!! 2 hours!!! You are a Brit!! My limit is usually 18 hours driving switching off on the way.  Wow!! Europe is just a small place!!

Mark987 · Answer

It has to be usually over a 2 hour drive. I have slept in some of the greatest hotel beds. Which is a huge factor, but nothing beats your home bed.

Menace69 · Answer

I never mind long drives, but if it’s more than 14 hours back and forth then I would stay to catch up on some Zzzz

andreasderjuengere · Answer

Practically... I'd say... not more than a 12 hours' drive?

masterSir · Answer

Must be European. a two hour drive is a normal day trip here. here in the Midwest we only stay overnight if its not feasible to drive home in one day. Usually 6-8 hours one way.

front2back · Answer

6 hours for me. I have prepared my SUV to sleep in overnight if needed.

KostasKouvalis · Answer

4 hours one way max. Anything more, and it really isn't worth it.

jonquil · Answer

I don't like to go any place where the travel time is longer than the actual visit. Starting from there, an eight hour round trip generally means overnight.

Staximus · Answer

I've driven 1,000 miles in one day a few times and only stopped for gas and food

Valdemort · Answer

4/5 hours, probably.

spartan55 · Answer

Depends on what my. mission is.

beefcakebradybatson · Answer

About twenty miles.

MrMichael69 · Answer

Maybe 100 miles.

retarb · Answer

Longest I've gone straight was 36 hours.

RedInnocent69 · Answer

Yeah, my limit is three

bralesswonder · Answer

No more than four hours each way.

fish5505_87 · Answer

About 2, 2.5 hours.

msc545 · Answer

200 miles at most.

Dreamclouds · Answer

Front of the house sounds good

Anonymous · Answer

I'm not really a fan of long traveling.

Markella2 · Answer

About two hours if it less if at wedding.

Despina6 · Answer

Two hours or I take the bus though.

Anonymous · Answer

If more than 3 hours then stay the night

Lokiion · Answer

8 hours

blackeagle007 · Answer

1 hr

PeterLegg91 · Answer

I rarely travel far

Kingofkings1992 · Answer

2-3 hours

Marina99_ · Answer

2 or 3 hours.

jimmy2 · Answer

10 hours

How far are you prepared to travel without staying overnight?

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