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Post by Zee on Jul 18, 2025 1:44:31 GMT
I HATE THEM. I've been in this car since 0700. We have over 2 hours to go and like 8 hours tomorrow.
We are bringing a U-Haul to CO to help DD move to GA. That part is nice, that she'll be close by, but I WANT OUT OF THIS CAR.
I ride as Passenger Princess when possible, in the back seat of DH's truck, with snacks, headphones, a Kindle, my phone on a charger, a thick comforter and pillow snuggling me in. I literally cannot stand to be seated in the front the entire time unless I have to because I'm driving.
I have been in, today:
Georgia
Tennessee
Kentucky
Illinois
and am now in Missouri
Can't stop until Kansas.
Shout out to the Mach 1 gas station in Benton, IL for the affordable souvenirs, clean bathrooms, snack selections, and properly brixed soda fountain. I walked in and was surrounded by a huge alcohol selection (passed, but gotta appreciate a gas station that has giant buzz balls) and every road trip toy you ever wanted as a child but your mom said No.
I passed on the "magic slate" (so you could write bad words but not get caught), the guy with the magnet mustache, the rubber chickens and fake poop; the whoopee cushions, fake spiders, card tricks, and Mexican blankets. Cowboy hats, all 50 state magnets, tiny purses and backpacks were admired but left. Giant $100 bill, left it. Skipped the tree made out of brass wire and stone chips.
The scorpions in acrylic almost got me but I have one already.
I DID leave with two child-sized corn cob pipes and a mood ring in the shape of the state of Illinois. (Current mood: blue--calm?)
We have only stopped 3x to get gas, so this is much better than the every 2 hours we had to stop last month while driving to Iowa because my SIL has the world's tiniest bladder.
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Post by auntiepeas on Jul 18, 2025 1:48:54 GMT
The older I get the less long distance driving I find myself doing so that might be influencing my opinion right now but generally I'd much rather fly, or travel by train (if and when that's an option).☺️
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Post by librarylady on Jul 18, 2025 1:50:41 GMT
I like them. I like to see America. I like to observe how others do things.
....but I am happy to get out of the car at the end of the day.
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Post by chaosisapony on Jul 18, 2025 1:51:42 GMT
Nope. What you have described sounds like my worst nightmare. I hate being cramped in a car for hours, I want out! I hate public bathrooms, I hate rest stops, I hate that when I see something cool I might want to check out I won't because I just want to get to my destination and get out of the damn car.
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Post by librarylady on Jul 18, 2025 1:52:15 GMT
I limit the day to around 600 miles.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Jul 18, 2025 1:58:49 GMT
As a kid, when my dad was transferred from PA to Hawaii, we traveled across the country 3 times. Best times of my sister and my lives. Before Interstate highways so we would look forward to each little town we traveled through. Great memories. The last long road trip was 40 years ago when DH and I traveled in a 24 foot U-Haul with all my belongings after our wedding in Louisiana to his home in the Bay Area. 3 1/2 days. Never realized Texas was THAT big!
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Post by Zee on Jul 18, 2025 2:01:37 GMT
Nope. What you have described sounds like my worst nightmare. I hate being cramped in a car for hours, I want out! I hate public bathrooms, I hate rest stops, I hate that when I see something cool I might want to check out I won't because I just want to get to my destination and get out of the damn car. I know, I hate when we pass a state park I know I'd like to see and we can't stop! |
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Post by katlady on Jul 18, 2025 2:40:37 GMT
It depends on the type of road trip. If the road trip is the vacation, to travel around, stop and see things, etc. then yes, I like that. We did a 3-week road trip of the southwest. Flew into El Paso, got in a car and traveled through New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. It was a great trip. We also did a road trip from So. Cal. up to British Colombia and back. We took the coastal route going up, and the inland route coming home. That last part through the interior of California was terrible and boring.
But, if the road trip is to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible, then no, I don't like those.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jul 18, 2025 2:42:40 GMT
I've got terrible freeway phobia and as a result make a terrible passenger. At least 20 years ago DH and I worked out a system. We decided where we were traveling to and the dates, I tell him what airport/date/time to pick me up from and then we vacation. Same thing in reverse to return home. It worked out beautifully! He could drive in peace and have his "me" time, while I had my "me" time at home, we would have a great vacation and then be able to re-enter real life on our own schedules. Totally recommend it!
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Post by don on Jul 18, 2025 3:06:35 GMT
I'd rather drive than take public transportation. The food is better, the seat is better, sleeping is better, and Roadside Attractions were placed throughout all the country just for my entertainment and amusement.
A flight is on its way to Paris when a blonde in economy class gets up, and moves to the first class section and sits down. The flight attendant watches her do this, and asks to see her ticket.
She then tells the blonde that she paid for economy class, and that she will have to sit in the back.
The blonde replies, “I’m blonde, I’m beautiful, I’m going to Paris, and I’m staying right here”.
The flight attendant goes into the cockpit and tells the pilot and the co-pilot that there is a blonde bimbo sitting in first class, that belongs in economy, and won’t move back to her seat.
The co-pilot goes back to the blonde and tries to explain that because she only paid for economy she will have to leave and return to her seat.
The blonde replies, “I’m blonde, I’m beautiful, I’m going to Paris, and I’m staying right here”.
The co-pilot tells the pilot that he probably should have the police waiting when they land to arrest this blonde woman who won’t listen to reason.
The pilot says, “You say she is a blonde? I’ll handle this, I’m married to a blonde. I speak blonde”.
He goes back to the blonde and whispers in her ear, and she says, “Oh, I’m sorry” and gets up and goes back to her seat in economy.
The flight attendant and co-pilot are amazed and asked him what he said to make her move without any fuss.
I told her, “First class isn’t going to Paris “
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Post by cmpeter on Jul 18, 2025 3:55:05 GMT
I enjoy them when we don’t try and just power thru. Give me 5-6 hours driving. Start with a fabulous local breakfast and a late lunch/dinner. Stop to see some sites and sleep in a comfy hotel bed.
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Post by ntsf on Jul 18, 2025 4:21:02 GMT
when we were growing up.. we drove from seattle to st paul MN several times to see the grandparents. we always camped along the way. occasionally we would take the train.
so I took my kids cross country on road trips for vacations.. and we always camped along the way.
I take long road trips all the time.. 2-5 a year we drive from SF to seattle or sf to idaho.. 12-13.5 hours one way and we do it in one day usually. I don't mind driving but dh likes to drive too. we drive these routes all the time, so we know where to stop, what the rest areas are like, etc.
my relatives in Wales were amazed that I thought nothing of driving from their place 5 hours to heathrow.. in territory I didn't know. these days, I feel better driving overseas when one of us is navigating and one is driving.
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Post by busy on Jul 18, 2025 5:08:14 GMT
We are bringing a U-Haul to CO to help DD move to GA. That part is nice, that she'll be close by, but I WANT OUT OF THIS CAR. I love road trips, but this isn't a road trip to me. This is just transportation and a means to an end. Road trips are when the journey is the point. Where you're exploring along the way, not just pushing to a destination. We took a great road trip last month to Lassen NP, Mt Shasta, Point Reyes, Redwoods NP, and Oregon Caves NM. It was 2200 miles over 10 days and we stayed in a few different places. Our first day was a long drive (Portland to Redding) but nothing else was very long. That's the kind of trip I adore. |
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,493 
Location: Colorado
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Post by snyder on Jul 18, 2025 6:12:02 GMT
We are bringing a U-Haul to CO to help DD move to GA. That part is nice, that she'll be close by, but I WANT OUT OF THIS CAR. I love road trips, but this isn't a road trip to me. This is just transportation and a means to an end. Road trips are when the journey is the point. Where you're exploring along the way, not just pushing to a destination. We took a great road trip last month to Lassen NP, Mt Shasta, Point Reyes, Redwoods NP, and Oregon Caves NM. It was 2200 miles over 10 days and we stayed in a few different places. Our first day was a long drive (Portland to Redding) but nothing else was very long. That's the kind of trip I adore. I'm with you. Since I also travel to places in like a 300 or 400 mile radius around where I live, my first and last day may be longer travel time because I love going to new places, and I would have to travel that first 300-400 miles to start seeing new things. I make out a tentative schedule with all the things I want to see and do, but as we travel, if we see something that was not on my list that is of interest, we do it. I never make reservations so that I can be very flexible with my travel. I may make a hotel reservation the evening before for the next night if I know for sure I will be where that hotel is located. To me, road trips are leisure trips and should not be rushed. |
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Post by JoP on Jul 18, 2025 7:34:45 GMT
when we were growing up.. we drove from seattle to st paul MN several times to see the grandparents. we always camped along the way. occasionally we would take the train. so I took my kids cross country on road trips for vacations.. and we always camped along the way. I take long road trips all the time.. 2-5 a year we drive from SF to seattle or sf to idaho.. 12-13.5 hours one way and we do it in one day usually. I don't mind driving but dh likes to drive too. we drive these routes all the time, so we know where to stop, what the rest areas are like, etc. my relatives in Wales were amazed that I thought nothing of driving from their place 5 hours to heathrow.. in territory I didn't know. these days, I feel better driving overseas when one of us is navigating and one is driving. Waving to you ntsf from Wales 🏴 😀 |
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dawnnikol
Prolific Pea
'A life without books is a life not lived.' Jay Kristoff
Posts: 9,460
Sept 21, 2015 18:39:25 GMT
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Post by dawnnikol on Jul 18, 2025 10:03:44 GMT
Welcome to Kansas! Quick trip and Love’s are usually super clean and friendly. Although Love’s carries my coffee creamer so that’s a win.
I prefer driving to flying, more control. I’m the navigator and take care of everything else while we are on the road. DH just drives. And skips songs on the playlist. However, I hate driving in the desert. I love the Chatty area of Tennessee when we go that way.
The only exception is when there’s bad weather. I hate, hate, hate it.
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Post by lainey on Jul 18, 2025 10:18:25 GMT
Nope. Zee you've been on the roads in Ireland you know why 😂 Its 2025 are we still doing blonde jokes  |
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Post by littlemama on Jul 18, 2025 10:27:30 GMT
9 hours is my limit (it took us 10 to get where we were going earlier this year thanks to an accident), but even that is starting to feel too long. I do all the driving.
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Post by melanell on Jul 18, 2025 10:57:42 GMT
I want to love them, but then there are other people on the road, and there goes that.  |
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Post by Zee on Jul 18, 2025 12:01:29 GMT
We are bringing a U-Haul to CO to help DD move to GA. That part is nice, that she'll be close by, but I WANT OUT OF THIS CAR. I love road trips, but this isn't a road trip to me. This is just transportation and a means to an end. Road trips are when the journey is the point. Where you're exploring along the way, not just pushing to a destination. We took a great road trip last month to Lassen NP, Mt Shasta, Point Reyes, Redwoods NP, and Oregon Caves NM. It was 2200 miles over 10 days and we stayed in a few different places. Our first day was a long drive (Portland to Redding) but nothing else was very long. That's the kind of trip I adore. True. I do hate it all, either way. |
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Post by Zee on Jul 18, 2025 12:05:02 GMT
Nope. Zee you've been on the roads in Ireland you know why 😂 Its 2025 are we still doing blonde jokes I'll never forget it, lol. Although at least it was much shorter distances in one day when we drove 'round Ireland, and I was free to stop and see whatever I wanted on that trip. Much looser itinerary! I soon grew to know why there are Virgin Mary grottoes (prayer stations?) dotted along all the roads. It was too dangerous to even stop at most of them! You best bet I offered a prayer at one I could reach safely without getting killed! |
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Post by tmarschall on Jul 18, 2025 12:12:24 GMT
I'd rather drive than take public transportation. The food is better, the seat is better, sleeping is better, and Roadside Attractions were placed throughout all the country just for my entertainment and amusement. A flight is on its way to Paris when a blonde in economy class gets up, and moves to the first class section and sits down. The flight attendant watches her do this, and asks to see her ticket. She then tells the blonde that she paid for economy class, and that she will have to sit in the back. The blonde replies, “I’m blonde, I’m beautiful, I’m going to Paris, and I’m staying right here”. The flight attendant goes into the cockpit and tells the pilot and the co-pilot that there is a blonde bimbo sitting in first class, that belongs in economy, and won’t move back to her seat. The co-pilot goes back to the blonde and tries to explain that because she only paid for economy she will have to leave and return to her seat. The blonde replies, “I’m blonde, I’m beautiful, I’m going to Paris, and I’m staying right here”. The co-pilot tells the pilot that he probably should have the police waiting when they land to arrest this blonde woman who won’t listen to reason. The pilot says, “You say she is a blonde? I’ll handle this, I’m married to a blonde. I speak blonde”. He goes back to the blonde and whispers in her ear, and she says, “Oh, I’m sorry” and gets up and goes back to her seat in economy. The flight attendant and co-pilot are amazed and asked him what he said to make her move without any fuss. I told her, “First class isn’t going to Paris “ Blonde jokes in this day and age? On a message board made up mostly of women (or anywhere, really)? Not cool or funny. |
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Post by mikklynn on Jul 18, 2025 12:20:42 GMT
It depends on the type of road trip. If the road trip is the vacation, to travel around, stop and see things, etc. then yes, I like that. We did a 3-week road trip of the southwest. Flew into El Paso, got in a car and traveled through New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. It was a great trip. We also did a road trip from So. Cal. up to British Colombia and back. We took the coastal route going up, and the inland route coming home. That last part through the interior of California was terrible and boring. But, if the road trip is to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible, then no, I don't like those. I'm with you. I like a leisurely road trip, with frequent stops to see the sights. But, when we'd make the 12 hour drive to DS's I hated it. DH like to drive straight through. |
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Tearisci
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,964
Member is Online
Nov 6, 2018 16:34:30 GMT
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Post by Tearisci on Jul 18, 2025 12:47:16 GMT
I've taken a few road trips over the years. The most memorable in recent times was when my sister and I drove a uhaul from DC to DFW when I moved down here. We did it over the Martin Luther King weekend and only made two stops. We went through a lot of states I had never been in before so that was cool but I had a bit of PTSD as it was a quick move to to divorce.
Next weekend I'm flying up to WA state to see my BFF and go wine tasting. We'll do a mini road trip from the west side of the state to the east side. I made a fun playlist so hopefully the drive will go fast. We always take the scenic route back across the Mt Rainier park and stop to take pictures. It's very beautiful and even though it takes longer going this route, we always take it.
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Post by Merge on Jul 18, 2025 12:49:58 GMT
Nope. Hate them. We’re on the way to my family reunion in nowhere South Dakota, and I’m dreading the four-hour drive from Minneapolis (we’re flying that far at least).
My brother and his wife drove all the way from Atlanta to Yellowstone and will be doubling back to South Dakota on the way back. Then driving back to Atlanta. Sounds like the ninth circle of hell to me.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Jul 18, 2025 13:18:33 GMT
There is a town called Sidney by the Sea near me. It’s 20 min away and that’s as road trippy as I get. I just cannot drive that far.
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Post by gar on Jul 18, 2025 13:22:39 GMT
Nope. Zee you've been on the roads in Ireland you know why 😂 Its 2025 are we still doing blonde jokes Apparently 😏 |
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Post by Linda on Jul 18, 2025 13:55:57 GMT
It depends on the type of road trip. If the road trip is the vacation, to travel around, stop and see things, etc. then yes, I like that. We did a 3-week road trip of the southwest. Flew into El Paso, got in a car and traveled through New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. It was a great trip. We also did a road trip from So. Cal. up to British Colombia and back. We took the coastal route going up, and the inland route coming home. That last part through the interior of California was terrible and boring. But, if the road trip is to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible, then no, I don't like those. this is my bench.
When DH only got 1 week vacation/yr and we would drive to my mum's it was 2 VERY long days (16+hrs) each way for 5 days at our destination with 3 kids and ugh...hated every minute of it.
We've did an Epic road trip in 2017 - but only 4-5 hrs on the road each day and we had some planned stops and some stops where we just saw a sign for something interesting and stopped. That was fun
2 days each way last Christmas with 4 cats? they were both shorter drive days (4-5hr each) but I've never road tripping with cats again if I can help it
I had to laugh at Zee 's comment about her SIL with the world's tiniest bladder...because yeah, that's me |
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SweetieBsMom
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Posts: 4,926
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Jul 18, 2025 14:52:16 GMT
I don't think I've ever taken a road trip. I did chaperone DS's field trip to NY one year, bus got lost 6+ hours to get to NYC from MA. Does that count?
I don't mind being a passenger princess but since DH passed I'm the driver. I don't think I'd mind driving on a road trip though. I don't mind car rides. But I'm a planner so I could never just "wing it", that would cause me too much stress.
The only road trips I've taken are to get from point A (home) to point B (the Cape or NH).
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Post by whipea on Jul 18, 2025 15:40:07 GMT
Update: Will try a link for the photo.
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This thread has perfect timing. Just returned from a two day 1500 mile road trip to pick up my new puppy. Lost my beloved old Whippet several weeks ago and was heartbroken. Was fortunate I found the new puppy so quickly. Do not really care for all the driving, plus was on a tight schedule but it was for a good cause. Only stopped once on the way up for gas/bathroom and twice on the way back for gas and bathroom. Brought snacks so good in that area. The first day had to attend a remote meeting for work. Then on the way back and since traveling alone I had the challenge of finding a bathroom where I could bring in the puppy. Not a small puppy either, 7 months old, 25 pounds so not easy to sneak in regular rest stops inside buildings. Was lucky, there was a rest stop where I could bring her with me. Only stopped once on the way up for gas/bathroom and twice on the way back for gas and bathroom. Brought snacks so good in that area. Limited water intake, no coffee to avoid bathroom stops. Now that it is over, I guess it was kind of an adventure. Nice change of scenery and best of all got my little girl! No pictures, could not post due to site restrictions?
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