One Day Driving Distance?
Discussion
robbieduncan said:
As a kid my parents used to drive us Aberdeen to Munich for Christmas holidays. Best time they managed was 20 hours. 2 drivers. We would leave Aberdeen about 2pm (leave school early) and my mum would drive until it got too dark for her to be comfortable. My dad would then take over and get us to Dover. A bit of a rest on the ferry then he'd drive all night. My mum would then complete the journey across Germany. Totally insane. I would not consider driving it that way now! A little over 1200 miles
The autobahn miles would have helped!I used to think nothing of journeys like Aberdeen to Thirsk (to spectate at rallies) and back in a day. Approx 660 miles.
These days max is normally about 400 miles in one go. About once a month I do Fort William to Machynlleth for a weekend. Twisty A roads for the start and end interspersed with a long drag down the M74/M6. Stop Carlisle J43 Tesco to stretch legs and get food.
These days max is normally about 400 miles in one go. About once a month I do Fort William to Machynlleth for a weekend. Twisty A roads for the start and end interspersed with a long drag down the M74/M6. Stop Carlisle J43 Tesco to stretch legs and get food.
Never again?! What's all this talk? I've driven for tens of hours at a time. I'm always interested in the surroundings I'm in and on the lookout for things and places. I drove for 12 hours/450 miles doing not much more than 50mph in Storm Katie. My arse really hurt after that one [insert relevant phnarr phnarr]. Every long trip I have ever done, I would do again without hesitation.
One writer I used to love was George Bishop. He taught me that the journey is as important as the destination.
One writer I used to love was George Bishop. He taught me that the journey is as important as the destination.
No idea of millage, Cambridge>Norwich>Cambridge>Lake District>Cambridge>London>Cambridge (as a taxi driver) Granada 2.0 L, around 500 pounds that day (early 90's}. Then drove to Dover to catch the ferry in VX Cavalier SR, all done in one day.
Other, not one day. Left the Algarve 15:00 Wednesday arrived back in Loughborough 12:30 Friday including changing brake pads and ferry crossing (1540 miles) from memory, but maybe BS, Rover SD1 2.600. Rushed back for a start of term dinner, missed it, as sick as a dog.
Other, not one day. Left the Algarve 15:00 Wednesday arrived back in Loughborough 12:30 Friday including changing brake pads and ferry crossing (1540 miles) from memory, but maybe BS, Rover SD1 2.600. Rushed back for a start of term dinner, missed it, as sick as a dog.
Two stand out to me:
Leamington Spa - Cagnes sur Mere - 966 miles (each way) - 2016
Family holiday. Me, missus and two teenage kids. My car broke down the day before, so had to hire a car from somewhere which didn't explicitly bar European use (although it was prohibited in the terms and conditions, the name of the company did suggest that going to europe in on of their cars would not actually be a problem). So had a new Astra with about 1500 miles on it.
Left at about midnight, caught the 2:30am Eurostar, lost an hour in time difference, and then drove through the day arriving at our holiday accommodation at about 5:30pm local time. I left the missus to handle check in and smiling at the receptionist, saying that I needed a 20 minute lie down. What felt like 5 minutes later the missus was waking me up saying I'd been out for 2 hours. I wasn't right all evening and it wasn't until I got a proper night's sleep that I was able to start enjoying the holiday.
The return leg (a week later) was much more conventionally timed. Left the south of France at about 10am and arrived back home at about midnight. Very long days, but much more manageable when fitted in around an actual night's sleep the night before!
When I took the car back there were a few eyebrows raised about the mileage (I'd added about 2500 miles in a week), but they were satisfied with my explanation that I'd driven down for a family holiday by the coast, and pootled about a bit while I was there.
Calgary Airport - Melfort, SK - 784km (each way) - 2018
After a family bereavement, had to take the missus and her sister out to see another one of her sister's who lived in the middle of nowhere in Canada.
The problem with this drive was the 10 hour flight (and associated time difference) that preceded it. We were out the door at 5am (UK time) to get to Gatwick for a 9am flight - I didn't have to drive that leg. Then after a 10 hour flight we landed in Calgary at about lunchtime. Grabbed some food, picked up the hire car (a brand new Toyota Corolla) and hit the road about 2:30pm (Canadian time). Both my passengers were smokers, so there were stops every 2 hours or so for a fag, and a couple of petrol/snacks/drinks stops as well. There was also a stop for an enforced chat with a Canadian cop around why 140km/h is an inappropriate speed for an empty, straight road that stretched from 1 horizon to another (all Canadian single carriageway roads I found seemed to be 100km/h and below) - fortunately she was lovely, and got away with a talking to.
The problem with this trip was it was real MAMBA country (Miles And Miles of Bugger All), and combined with the long day & jet lag meant that the last couple of hours were a real struggle to keep focused and on the ball. We pulled into our destination at 10pm local time, 25 hours after setting off.
Leamington Spa - Cagnes sur Mere - 966 miles (each way) - 2016
Family holiday. Me, missus and two teenage kids. My car broke down the day before, so had to hire a car from somewhere which didn't explicitly bar European use (although it was prohibited in the terms and conditions, the name of the company did suggest that going to europe in on of their cars would not actually be a problem). So had a new Astra with about 1500 miles on it.
Left at about midnight, caught the 2:30am Eurostar, lost an hour in time difference, and then drove through the day arriving at our holiday accommodation at about 5:30pm local time. I left the missus to handle check in and smiling at the receptionist, saying that I needed a 20 minute lie down. What felt like 5 minutes later the missus was waking me up saying I'd been out for 2 hours. I wasn't right all evening and it wasn't until I got a proper night's sleep that I was able to start enjoying the holiday.
The return leg (a week later) was much more conventionally timed. Left the south of France at about 10am and arrived back home at about midnight. Very long days, but much more manageable when fitted in around an actual night's sleep the night before!
When I took the car back there were a few eyebrows raised about the mileage (I'd added about 2500 miles in a week), but they were satisfied with my explanation that I'd driven down for a family holiday by the coast, and pootled about a bit while I was there.
Calgary Airport - Melfort, SK - 784km (each way) - 2018
After a family bereavement, had to take the missus and her sister out to see another one of her sister's who lived in the middle of nowhere in Canada.
The problem with this drive was the 10 hour flight (and associated time difference) that preceded it. We were out the door at 5am (UK time) to get to Gatwick for a 9am flight - I didn't have to drive that leg. Then after a 10 hour flight we landed in Calgary at about lunchtime. Grabbed some food, picked up the hire car (a brand new Toyota Corolla) and hit the road about 2:30pm (Canadian time). Both my passengers were smokers, so there were stops every 2 hours or so for a fag, and a couple of petrol/snacks/drinks stops as well. There was also a stop for an enforced chat with a Canadian cop around why 140km/h is an inappropriate speed for an empty, straight road that stretched from 1 horizon to another (all Canadian single carriageway roads I found seemed to be 100km/h and below) - fortunately she was lovely, and got away with a talking to.
The problem with this trip was it was real MAMBA country (Miles And Miles of Bugger All), and combined with the long day & jet lag meant that the last couple of hours were a real struggle to keep focused and on the ball. We pulled into our destination at 10pm local time, 25 hours after setting off.
Here's one journey without any significant stops or breaks, fortunately not me. Two VOSA officials following an artic during an investigation into driving hours offences by employees of a haulage outfit.
Tinsley Park, Sheffield to Felixstowe Container port 213miles, tip load, pick up new load.
Felixstowe Container port to Aberdeen Harbour, (via M6, A1 closed due to accident) 585 miles, tip load, pickup new etc.
Aberdeen Harbour to Felixstowe Container port (This time via A1) 554 miles. Tip load etc
Felixstowe Container port to somewhere on A14 near Newmarket (VOSA inspectors falling asleep by this point) a mere 53 miles.
No proper or legal rest breaks.
Tinsley Park, Sheffield to Felixstowe Container port 213miles, tip load, pick up new load.
Felixstowe Container port to Aberdeen Harbour, (via M6, A1 closed due to accident) 585 miles, tip load, pickup new etc.
Aberdeen Harbour to Felixstowe Container port (This time via A1) 554 miles. Tip load etc
Felixstowe Container port to somewhere on A14 near Newmarket (VOSA inspectors falling asleep by this point) a mere 53 miles.
No proper or legal rest breaks.
So the OP asks what would be a sensible distance to drive In a day and just about every subsequent post is about the mega distances/hours that people have driven.
Personally, having made several trips to Italy and back, I reckon on a maximum of 5 to 6 hours of actual driving each day which, with pee breaks and a stop for lunch, usually equates to 7 or 8 hours from start to end if you manage to average around 50mph. If your journey is likely to consist of motorway driving then you would probably manage a slightly higher average, but 50 seems to be about right for a mix of roads.
I guess it really depends on whether you just want to get to your final destination or would like to enjoy the journey and stops along the way.
Personally, having made several trips to Italy and back, I reckon on a maximum of 5 to 6 hours of actual driving each day which, with pee breaks and a stop for lunch, usually equates to 7 or 8 hours from start to end if you manage to average around 50mph. If your journey is likely to consist of motorway driving then you would probably manage a slightly higher average, but 50 seems to be about right for a mix of roads.
I guess it really depends on whether you just want to get to your final destination or would like to enjoy the journey and stops along the way.
Edited by DIW35 on Tuesday 8th October 01:10
DIW35 said:
So the OP asks what would be a sensible distance to drive In a day and just about every subsequent post is about the mega distances/hours that people have driven.
Personally, having made several trips to Italy and back, I reckon on a maximum of 5 to 6 hours of actual driving each day which, with pee breaks and a stop for lunch, usually equates to 7 or 8 hours from start to end if you manage to average around 50mph. If your journey is likely to consist of motorway driving then you would probably manage a slightly higher average, but 50 seems to be about right for a mix of roads.
I guess it really depends on whether you just want to get to your final destination or would like to enjoy the journey and stops along the way.
It depends on more than that: the vehicle, the driver, the type of road, time of day, traffic conditions, the weather - all of which is why you've read so many different distances and times in previous posts. These days I'd drive a maximum of 400 miles a day on motorways in my A8 or, when in my Riley on B-roads, around half that; there is no single answer.Personally, having made several trips to Italy and back, I reckon on a maximum of 5 to 6 hours of actual driving each day which, with pee breaks and a stop for lunch, usually equates to 7 or 8 hours from start to end if you manage to average around 50mph. If your journey is likely to consist of motorway driving then you would probably manage a slightly higher average, but 50 seems to be about right for a mix of roads.
I guess it really depends on whether you just want to get to your final destination or would like to enjoy the journey and stops along the way.
Edited by DIW35 on Tuesday 8th October 01:10
Riley Blue said:
DIW35 said:
So the OP asks what would be a sensible distance to drive In a day and just about every subsequent post is about the mega distances/hours that people have driven.
Personally, having made several trips to Italy and back, I reckon on a maximum of 5 to 6 hours of actual driving each day which, with pee breaks and a stop for lunch, usually equates to 7 or 8 hours from start to end if you manage to average around 50mph. If your journey is likely to consist of motorway driving then you would probably manage a slightly higher average, but 50 seems to be about right for a mix of roads.
I guess it really depends on whether you just want to get to your final destination or would like to enjoy the journey and stops along the way.
It depends on more than that: the vehicle, the driver, the type of road, time of day, traffic conditions, the weather - all of which is why you've read so many different distances and times in previous posts. These days I'd drive a maximum of 400 miles a day on motorways in my A8 or, when in my Riley on B-roads, around half that; there is no single answer.Personally, having made several trips to Italy and back, I reckon on a maximum of 5 to 6 hours of actual driving each day which, with pee breaks and a stop for lunch, usually equates to 7 or 8 hours from start to end if you manage to average around 50mph. If your journey is likely to consist of motorway driving then you would probably manage a slightly higher average, but 50 seems to be about right for a mix of roads.
I guess it really depends on whether you just want to get to your final destination or would like to enjoy the journey and stops along the way.
Edited by DIW35 on Tuesday 8th October 01:10
Having been reasonably active in rallying during the mid late 70s onwards, including internationals with 36 hour loops and long distances covered, paradoxically the most dangerous times imo were long link sections on motorway type roads.
ked when I arrived...Have done the trip a few times since but always with overnight stop in/around Luxembourg.
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