Think I can do this or am I nuts?

debbie in seattle

debbie in seattle

Senior Member
Location
Seattle
Thinking on visiting my daughter in Scottsdale in early October......am now thinking on driving. Am I nuts? It’ll be by myself, have a new car, so no issues there. Too early for any snow, that’s a big concern for me. Would you guys (gals) do this on your own?
 

I would fly and rent a car when I arrived but that is only because I don't like to drive.

It would also be cheaper for me because I would have to break the trip up and rent a room for at least two nights, gas, food, etc...

If I did make the drive I would look for a couple of interesting stops along the way to break up the monotony

Also check your car insurance to make sure you understand what roadside assistance you have for changing a flat, a tow, etc...

Good luck!
 
No I wouldn't do it, that's way out of my comfort zone.

The most I'm comfortable driving is about 4 hours without stopping.

Also, even if you don't get snow you could get rain and fog, etc.

But good luck and safe trip if you do decide to do it!
 

I think that it just depends on how you feel about driving that far. I used to drive long distances and it was fun, but I wouldn’t drive that far by myself anymore, especially if I had to drive in any kind of heavy traffic going through a large city.
If you feel confident in driving that far, then I think that it is a great idea, and something that you would really enjoy.
You didn’t say how long you would be staying, so another concern is how the roads would be when you come back home again. Even if they are fine in October when you go down there, that can literally change overnight, especially in Arizona.

I remember one trip that I took from Seattle down through California and then back across Arizona when we were coming home, and it was hot and desert one day, and the next day, we had to drive through a literal blizzard through the northern part of Arizona and most of southern Oregon, and didn’t get back out of the snow until we were back into Washington State.
 
I kind of like driving and now that I'm retired it's great. My daughter lives 10 hours away, I used to drive to Colorado when I lived in Florida. I still drive to Colorado, New Mexico, all over west Texas and the Texas panhandle. Anyway, here's some tips for an old gal who drives alone all the time:

1.Get AAA or some roadside assistance plan through your insurance just in case you have a flat etc. I've paid for it for years, only used it once but it was worth it.

2. I use the GPS on my phone, but sometimes I see some little obscure town I want to go check out so I pull over and text my daughter to let her know that I changed my route, where I'm going, also I let her know if it looks like the weather might be bad and I'm stopping somewhere for the night. Don't take risks with flooded or snowy roads. It's not worth it.

3. I plan my route ahead of time. I usually stop in a smaller town for gas so I can avoid getting off of the freeway in larger cities. I usually drive straight through the larger cities especially since I don't know which areas of larger cities are safe. I also usually eat in a smaller town.

4. Carry a paper map (in case GPS doesn't work, some areas don't have any service).

4. Be mindful of your belongings. Keep out of sight in car. Be sure to lock your car. Do not flash large amounts of cash around. I actually have a bra strap wallet in which to keep my drivers license and medicare card and carry a small purse with room for my phone, only a small amount of cash for food and my gas credit card. I keep some items in my suitcase in the trunk of the car. Pay attention to who is around you. Who might be following you. Keep all passenger doors locked. I have a pepper spray, a taser that looks like a pink lipstick case and high pitched squealy body alarm that looks like a sparkly pink heart. Try to keep your keys in your pocket not in your purse in case you need to set off the car alarm. Just whatever you feel comfortable with(in other words, wearing pants/shorts with pockets is a must).

5. carry paper towels, windshield cleaner(some places the bugs are horrible), carry an ice scraper, extra water, blanket and whatever else you think you might need.

6. I NEVER drive at night.

It looks like a bit of a drive so google some interesting places you'd like to see. I've found some wonderful places and met wonderful people. I think most people are very welcoming and smaller towns are especially appreciative of having some business (gas stations, restaurants, local shops) especially since so many highways bypassed their towns.

Enjoy the journey, take pictures, stop and stretch (I try to do this about every three hours or I get so stiff I can't get out of the car).

On long stretches of highway I take good music (I can't always find a decent radio station) and I usually find books on CD. I can usually listen to an entire novel on my trip to/from my destinations.

Personally, I'd do it
 
Well I’ve driven all the way across the country, almost coast to coast, with various children of various ages and no other adult 3 different times over the last 30 years. I drove alone from Nashville TN to Disney world and back again (about 13 hours)just last year. I’ve driven to Atlanta, Chattanooga, Kentucky by myself over the last 5 years.

I currently have less less problem driving long distances alone than i did when I was younger because current technology/the many apps I have on my phone ensure that I will always find an inexpensive but well rated place to stay, a restaurant serving the ethnic fare that I prefer, a bathroom. If I should get lost I’ll easily find my way again, I’ll not be bored because I have an endless supply of audio books at my fingertips, and friends and family are just a phone call away. I have my Bluetooth headset so that I’m completely hands free and I can tell my phone to call whomever I want, start or stop my audio book, talk to text or take a note.

Im set for whatever adventure I choose!!
 
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According to Mapquest, it’s about a 22 1/2 hour drive. Personally, I wouldn’t have a problem with it, however, I carry protection and am trained to protect myself. For a female, I would recommend not traveling late at night. I don’t mean to sound or be sexist, but that is the reality today.
 
911 is right.
Deb, I couldn't handle it, I get antsy on drives more than 3 or 4 hours. It sounds like you'd like to try it, though and in which case I'd say go for it. Have some tunes in the car.
 
I wouldn't want to take such a long drive on my own Debbie, I don't love driving and my limit to feel comfortable is no more than 6 hours a day, more like 4. If the distance is what 911 said, it would take me days to get there driving, for me anyway, would go from pleasurable to a chore. I've never driven any really long distances by myself, my husband was always there and did most of the driving.
 
Driving better known as a road trip, depends a lot on a person's sense of adventure. That and finances. If getting there fast at a lower cost then airfare and car rental is the way to go. For sure driving is more expensive.


We've done both but enjoyed road trips far more since we could stop and see sights others only read about in books. Memories & pictures like picnicing in Yellowstone watching buffalo graze or walking both small trails under the carvings at Mt. Rushmore are just two of our many experiences that can't happen at 30,000 ft. in the air flying some place.
 
I love to drive but only with another person who knows where I'm going. I can't even find my way out of my own driveway. Maps,GPS are no help to me. I have absolutely no sense of direction. My second problem is worrying about the car. The hubby and I took a long trip in our new car several years back and had nothing but problems. I envy women who just hop in the car and go wherever they please. Debbie, if you feel comfortable, go for it. You probably will regret it if you don't. I'm just a wimp.
 
911 said:
According to Mapquest, it’s about a 22 1/2 hour drive. Personally, I wouldn’t have a problem with it, however, I carry protection and am trained to protect myself. For a female, I would recommend not traveling late at night. I don’t mean to sound or be sexist, but that is the reality today.
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Agree here, & I'll add that if you want to do it it should be no problem....if you are having anxiety over the thought of it?....maybe make other arrangements..jmo.
 
As long as you like to drive and feel confident of your skill, you're not susceptible to highway hypnosis when driving in the desert, and don't drive at night, sure, go ahead. It could be a great adventure! And once you get there, you can pat yourself on the back and remind yourself that you're not "too old."

Heck, I'd do it in a heartbeat. I'll be 78 soon, and my car is 15. It's a Subaru Forester, though...don't know that I'd trust just any old car for a trip that long, but you say yours is new. Fine.

Might be a good idea to join AAA, just in case?
 
Thanks for all the honest replies everybody. My husband passed in May so this is a “I can do this’ kind of trip. Have driven the route I’d go, safe, good roads, etc. Tough decision, think I just want to prove to myself I CAN do this.
 
911 said:
According to Mapquest, it’s about a 22 1/2 hour drive. Personally, I wouldn’t have a problem with it, however, I carry protection and am trained to protect myself. For a female, I would recommend not traveling late at night. I don’t mean to sound or be sexist, but that is the reality today.
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Totally, 100% agree with 911 here.
 
debbie in seattle said:
Thanks for all the honest replies everybody. My husband passed in May so this is a “I can do this’ kind of trip. Have driven the route I’d go, safe, good roads, etc. Tough decision, think I just want to prove to myself I CAN do this.
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Nothing to prove to yourself! It's just plain smart for a woman NOT to drive by herself that far. But, you do what you want to, but just how safe do you think it is doing that? What would you think if your daughter was to tell you that she was going to do this to see you?
 
ClassicRockr-
My daughter did do that! She also travels alone for her job. I don’t understand why it’s NOT smart for a woman to travel that far alone. My mom prior to passing drove from Florida to Washington State alone, though I thought she was being stupid..... Hmm, now you’ve got me thinking.......
 
Debbie,

Safety issues aside, what is the reason you are considering driving? If it is to see some of the sights you would miss by flying-then drive. If you've been down those roads before prior to you husband passing away and you would rather spend more time with your family or if your time is limited, then fly. Flying would give you at least 3 extra days to spend with your family. If you want to explore once you get to your destination you can rent a car so you'll have a way to get around if your family has to work.

I often drive because I have so many friends and family who live in rural areas. If I flew, I'd have to rent a car and still drive 3 to 4 hours anyway so my feeling is I just as well drive it all and not have plane layovers etc. because there are no direct flights to where I'm going.

As far as women driving alone, I know many women who drive for their jobs, who drive 18 wheelers, who drive delivery trucks etc. It would just depend on what your reason is for wanting to drive.
 
Taking a long car trip cause for concern? All anyone has to do is Google "women attacked at local mall" or news stories about women molested on flights. Being aware now is never ending. Bottom line you are going to do what you are most comfortable doing.
 
When my husband was alive, we would often take long road trips from Seattle to wherever we were going. We had one daughter in CA and one in TX, and sometimes drove down to visit both of them.

I would not try a trip of that length now, partly because I'm not very savvy about car problems, and partly because I'm just too old and would probably find it exhausting. I think the answer to your question is different for every person.
 
debbie in seattle said:
Thanks for all the honest replies everybody. My husband passed in May so this is a “I can do this’ kind of trip. Have driven the route I’d go, safe, good roads, etc. Tough decision, think I just want to prove to myself I CAN do this.
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Sounds like you answered your own question.

Go ahead, give it a shot!

Maybe take a little local day trip of 8 hours or so, round trip, to see how it feels before making a final decision.

IMO any problems you encounter along the way will be purely random and could happen on your way to the local grocery store.

Just take reasonable precautions, be smart and be safe.

Have a nice trip!
 
Years ago I would have but not now. The world is different now!! I would fly first class, rent a car and have a lovely time. Too much road rage these days for me.
 
I have done that drive before and I enjoyed it but then I don't mind driving long distances alone. The weather will be perfect then and the leaves should be turning on many parts of your trip. Just make sure your cell is always charged and load good music on it or a good audio book and you are set :)
 

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