What's the longest trip you've taken by yourself?

@maezee (41988)
United States
March 4, 2009 11:25pm CST
Well, here's my story: I MAY be moving out of state in a few months for school (depending on whether or not they accept my dorm-housing application), and I don't know whether I should drive (and take my car with me on campus) or take a plane. The deal is that where I'd be going is 13 hours away. I'm scared because the most I've ever driven by myself is probably about 2 hours; and I don't know if I like the idea of driving by myself for 13 hours! Which leads me to my next question: What's the longest trip you've taken by yourself? How far (in miles) or how long (in hours) did you go for? If you have, how many times would you suggest stopping? What are some "emergency" items I should bring with me in my car for such a long trip? Thanks in advance guys!
4 people like this
11 responses
@myralmedo (815)
• Philippines
5 Mar 09
hi maezee :) wow another chapter of your life and another exciting event ;) for me i haven't taken a trip that you'll go like 13 hours that's too long :D, i just experienced 6 hours drive am with my family then but long hours of travelling, we only have 2 stops just to have snacks though we have our own food :D and to make pee :D for you 13 hours is such a long trip, i think you'll be having 5 stops for that just to check your car (if you're going to bring it), have some rest and snack too. if you will leave at morning or night you should bring emergency kit with you-flash light, extra battery for you cellphone (if you have charger better), snack, medicines (for headache, stomachache and etc) we never know what happens but being alert/ready is better. ;) uhmm what else? water lots of water though any beverages will do but i suggest for bottles of water. i think you have your complete set for your trip :) just count in/credit some suggestions ;) Goodluck and have safe one ;) happy myLotting!:) Godabless!0=)
@maezee (41988)
• United States
5 Mar 09
Thanks! You gave me some good suggestions; I'll definitely add them to my to-bring list. Thanks again!
1 person likes this
• Philippines
5 Mar 09
you're always welcome have a safe trip ;) Godabless!0=)
1 person likes this
@Lore2009 (7378)
• United States
5 Mar 09
The longest trip I've done by myself in the car is the same with you... two hours! I would hate to do that ever again, so I wouldn't want to drive by myself for 13 hours! I've been on a plane by myself for 12 hours but that was when I was young and unafraid... now I'm afraid! Do you really need your car? My friends who stayed in dorms said they never need their cars, everything was walking distances and some of them just got bikes. What are you gonna do? Good luck!
2 people like this
@maezee (41988)
• United States
7 Mar 09
Thanks! I appreciate the input! The college I'm going to is in what we call a "college town"; a place with absolutely NOTHING in it; with the nearest shopping mall/grocery store being fourty miles away or so, so I think a car is definitely necessary. And plus, with how expensive airline tickets are these days..*sigh*. Driving seems to be the only real solution. If I do decide to take a plane, buying a bike is an amazing idea! Not only will I be able to get around campus, but I'll get some exercise too! Thanks!
@Savvynlady (3684)
• United States
6 Mar 09
Let me go from the beginning to now. When I was little,my mother took me, my baby brother,grandmother back to her home in the West Indies. Dominica West Indies. Now, to make the trip, Dominica had a small airport then, Melville Hall which is not far from where my mom was born and raised, and it cannot accomodate large planes.This was in the 70s so this may have changed since then. So, we'd catch a jet from New York City to Antigua West Indies and stay at a hotel for the night, then the next morning, catch a little plane known as LIAT, that gives you these little cheese sandwiches and goes up and down and you can see the sea and everything and feel all the bumps and grinds it make for a heck of a ride. Anyway, after a short ride on that, you in Dominica, and that takes a good day. When I got into the service, I went to Korea, England and Saudi Arabia. Saudi takes about nine hours from Philly to there; Korea about twelve, thirteen hours from San Francisco, so between those two, you have the longest I have been on a trip. But I will have to say, it is probably the one to Dominica that took the longest.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Mar 09
HOLD UP!! I didn't know you meant driving. Oh boy. well that would be from up north to Alabama. That is altogether about 21 hours. don't mind it. Sorry for the long story before. Oh boy.
• United States
5 Mar 09
I have driven 27 hours on my own. To visit my sister in Utah. I suggest that you pack an ice chest with water and soda (if you drink it) and have some snack food that is easy to eat with one hand. The trip I took would have been 27 hours strate through but I pulled over and took several naps when I felt tired. I suggest that you do not stop at rest areas becasue you are by your self, instead go to convieniance stores. Keep your cell phone charged and call and check in every time you stop. As far as stoping for breaks fill up your car around half a tank so that you will not end up stranded and that should give you plenty of stops. But by all means enjoy your trip. Traveling alone is not that bad, I have enjoyed my travels by myself because I do not have to share the radio. Have a great day
2 people like this
@maezee (41988)
• United States
7 Mar 09
LOL you make a great point; I get to choose my own music! Yes! I enjoy driving by myself, too, but usually only for an hour or two, nothing like (or 27!!) hours straight. But we'll see. I'll take your advice for sure; thanks a lot!
• Australia
6 Mar 09
The longest length of travle I've done alone is Brisbane - Fiji - Los Angeles - Detroit - Gaines. All up it was a combo of about 36 hours. I don't know if that really counts though as I wasn't in control of the planes or anything like that. The longest solo drive I've done was about 11 hours. I did that with about four stops to eat and drink and rest. Take lots of water with you, food too. A container of gas, just incase anything happens and you need a quick top up to tide you over. It depends on what the actual trip itself is like - will you be travelling through towns and cities, or a lot of empty countryside? If through towns and cities, then it won't be quite as daunting. Just stop whenever you feel yourself getting a bit tired of focusing on the road.
1 person likes this
@maezee (41988)
• United States
7 Mar 09
So you didn't stop to sleep overnight or anything? Thanks for the input, btw!
• Australia
7 Mar 09
For the 11 hour drive? No. See I had a really good (well relatively good) sleep the afternoon/night before. I left really early - it must've been about 1am. Leaving at that time meant less traffic, so I could get there faster, plus I wouldn't have to spend extra energy concentrating on driving in traffic. Also, by the time daylight hit, it was almsot as if that was just my day starting. By all means if a trip straight through seems too much to do, then arrange to stop at a motel or something half way. It's always better to be safe than sorry.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Mar 09
I went to spain as a foreign exchange student for a few months and it was so fun. the plane trip took 11 hours plus a two hour relay. My butt was killing me. I loved to go to spain. I went touring all through spain and I had so much fun. I went to Madrid mostly and they stay up all night to go clubbing. I wish I could go back again.
2 people like this
@maezee (41988)
• United States
7 Mar 09
Well, the nice part flying is that you don't have to worry about being the one who has to steer; you can sleep, or read, or do whatever you'd like pretty much. You don't really have to worry about something going wrong (Well, OK, not in most cases, anyway). I'm a little nervous because I have to be the one in charge; I for sure can't go to sleep && I have to be awake & coherent enough to drive for 13 hours! But I appreciate your answer; good to know that other people travel alone. Madrid sounds fun.
@myliezl0903 (2726)
• Philippines
6 Mar 09
wow! 13 hours is too long! that is so tiring! well, in my case i only got 7 hours of trip from manila to baguio ., thats the longest i had so far ., and i don't wanna experience that again ., lol!
@maezee (41988)
• United States
7 Mar 09
Uh oh! So you had a bad trip? What happened?
• United States
6 Mar 09
I would suggest driving down to school. You will definitly want your car while you are at school. It frees you up to be able to get a job or go out at night. It can also be awkward asking people you have just met for rides all of the time, and it may send the wrong message. The farthest I have ever driven is 12 hours. I played in a summer league 12 hours from my house. I did both drives in one day, however, since you haven't had much experience you may want to stay at a hotel after about 8 hours (I drive 5 hours to my college all the time). Of course, it depends on if you are willing to spend the money. I would suggest leaving around noon on one day and spending the night at about 9-10. This leaves you time to stop for a good supper. You definitly will want to bring lots of CDs and music for your drive. It is amazing how important that is. You might be interested in books on tape for a long drive as well. I would suggest stoping every other hour at least to stretch out and walk around. Also, I always treat myself to decent meals while I am on the road. It is nice to sit in a restaurant for about 45 minutes to relax. I hope this helps!
1 person likes this
@lynnemg (4529)
• United States
6 Mar 09
I have not taveled completely by myself at all, but I have traveled with my kids and no othere adults. The farthest we traveled wsd 900 miles from where we used to live to where we live now. My husband was already here and working when we made the trip. I felt like I was alone more the majority of it because my kids slept alot. We traveled strsaigh through, only stopping to fill the tank and empty our bladders. It was a little nerve-wracking for me because I was driving to a place I had never been before with my three little kids, all of our clothes and a few possessions we brought with . It took us about 10 hours. I suggerst that if you are taking a ong trip, pack yourself some snacks and drinks. Make sure you have a map handy, and your cell phone. It is also a good idea to mke sure you have a spare tire, a jack, jumper cables, a flash light, and a tool kit. Also have a blanket or two, just in case. Like I said, we only stopped when we had to fill the tank. We filled up the tank and emptied out bladders in on estop to eliminate getting off the interstate too much, and to make better time. If you go to a gas station that is right off the interstate, it is a lot easier to get back on it when you are ready to.
1 person likes this
@maezee (41988)
• United States
7 Mar 09
Thanks! I appreciate all the suggestions.
• Romania
6 Mar 09
you should take me with you, in your car :D, we can talk and drive by turns, though i dont have a diveing licenss, evryting for you :D
@maezee (41988)
• United States
7 Mar 09
Ha ha ha. Anyway, you wouldn't be very useful if you can't drive! lol.
@chi2nasrin (1101)
• Malaysia
19 Jul 09
The longest trip I have driven alone is 455kilometer, that is 4-5 hours driving. I only stop for gas. For you I will suggest stopping every 2 or 3 hours, it will be very tiring!