MetaChat - Ask MeCha: fly or drive?

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09 April 2009

Ask MeCha: fly or drive? →[More:]So, an old friend is going to be in Brisbane for a few days... which is great, but while that's a lot closer than Buckinghamshire, it's still 1000 miles from where I am.

There are cheapish flights to be had, but I'm thinking I might drive it. It'd be cool to have a car at the other end, and I've been underwhelmed by public transport in Australia of late. I'll probably be alone, though of late my car is fairly well stocked with entertainment.

Will I go mad? I haven't been on a big drive since (thinks), well, quite a while. Haven't driven outside the state for over a decade.

Waddyareckon MeCha?

post by: pompomtom at: 01:02 | 12 comments

I always loved these long drives, especially if it spurred a cathartic experience. Do it in two days unless you know for sure you can handle 20 straight hours of driving. I'd try to find somewhere cool you want to see that is roughly halfway there.

I would love to do this.

posted by Schyler523 09 April | 01:11

Oh, definitely not doing it in one go. I've done Melb to Sydney in one go, and that was quite enough for me.

Was thinking I'd stop at Parkes, and look at the telescope... though Coonabarabran is tempting, just cos I love the name...

posted by pompomtom 09 April | 01:32

I've done this before - we stopped over night. It was totally do-able. Get some good audiobooks / and or good tunes and you're laughing. We drove up the Hume, and then inland through Forbes etc.

posted by jonathanstrange 09 April | 03:40

Don't try and do it in one go if you are alone - you'll probably die.

Do it over two days and then you can relax without the pressure of having to keep driving and staying awake. Long drives are great, especially by yourself. You can listen to whatever you want as loud as you want and sing along if the mood takes you. Any more than about 10-12 hours alone is more than enough, though. Watch out for kangaroos and speed cameras, though.

posted by dg 09 April | 03:56

Driving is more enjoyable, but flying is much, much faster. If you're going to drive, it should be one of those deals where the journey is part of the appeal.

posted by box 09 April | 07:01

I love road trips! I find them much less tiring and more interesting than flying. Even those long-ass flat areas that seem to go on foreverrrrr and bore other people always have something to interest me.

posted by deborah 09 April | 09:45

Long road trips aren't really fun unless you have someone to share them with, in my opinion. And wouldn't you rather arrive fresh to see your friend than tired from your drive?
I'd fly and then rent a car.

posted by rmless2 09 April | 10:10

I say if driving means you get to go through Wagga Wagga, by all means, do it.

That's about the same distance as from where I grew up to NW Indiana, where my extended family is. We've made that drive in two easy days lots of times. Not really all that taxing, and can be lots of fun.

posted by mudpuppie 09 April | 10:13

... those long-ass flat areas that seem to go on foreverrrrr and bore other people always have something to interest me.
If you do some long-distance driving in Australia, you might change your mind about that. In some places, you can literally drive for several hours with absolutely no change in the scenery.

posted by dg 09 April | 19:25

Oh, I dunno--I like the slow rhythm of that kind of long-distance driving. Meditative, y'know? It's probably my favorite kind of driving, even.

posted by box 09 April | 19:36

I've driven Bris-Melb a few times. I think you should do it at least once in your life - will your car stand up to it? Also have you actually costed it out? With fuel prices as they are it might be way more expensive to drive (+ the price of the motel for the night).

posted by goo 10 April | 07:22

Like box said. It recharges my batteries.

posted by deborah 12 April | 23:01

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