I am 67. My mom just turned 97. She lives in assisted living and is about 300 miles from me, a six hour drive. I was supposed to drive to see her this weekend. I woke up this morning and it was raining and that just stopped me cold. All of a sudden, realized I just couldn’t do this long trip by myself any longer. I hate checking in to the hotel alone, kind of feel a bit scared to be alone like that, I hate the long drive, I get tired and sometimes sleepy. So, I called her and didn’t go. Dh and I discussed it and he agrees he will go with me from now on (he had an appt. today so couldn’t).
Have you ever “crossed a line” like that where you realize you really are older? @-)
And…if you are in your 60’s, are you comfortable traveling alone as I have described? Or driving that distance alone?
Im mid 50’s. I LOVE traveling alone. Checking into a hotel by myself is one of my favorite things ever. I have never however liked to drive long distances so I can’t attribute that to getting old. For me getting older means though that I just won’t put up with discomfort when traveling. I’ve gotten very picky and onky travel really nicely.
My question to you is :did you ever like traveling alone? or was it something you put up with but now no longer feel you can?
Mid-50s and I have gotten to the point where I really dislike driving in unfamiliar surroundings at night.
- My eyesight isn't what it was, so I hate driving at night, especially in unfamiliar places or rush hour traffic.
And various parts of my body hurt if I sit too long in one position – so I don’t like driving for more than about 4 hours.
I’ve never liked long drives, either as a passenger or the driver. On road trips I don’t like taking a driving shift longer than 3 hours. For a 6 hour solo drive, personally I’d prefer to just fly.
I’m 65, and my children live 14 and 16 hour’s drive from me. I make several trips a year and usually go both places. I had a knee replacement earlier this year, so I’m breaking the trip into three days. I also make time to visit friends along the way. I’m at the point where 6-7 hours in the car is my absolute max. My joints have made me old before my time!
I drove 1,900 miles, round trip, over 2 1/2 days in August to pick up our puppy. I still love driving. I will be sad when I don’t enjoy it any longer.
My question to you is :did you ever like traveling alone? or was it something you put up with but now no longer feel you can?>>>>>>
I have become a little scared of going it alone. It used to not bother me a bit to go see Mom.
About to turn 60, have driven 2300 miles 2x alone this year and will be doing it for the 3rd time in 3 weeks. I love the freedom of driving and being able to stop at out if the way places at whim.
Yes, I’m in my sixties and still love to drive long distances. The only difference between now and my younger years is that I do not like to drive after dark much anymore and do not drive after dark at all if it’s raining or snowing.
I don’t mind traveling alone, but all my travel is in the United States. I might feel differently about travel in foreign countries. This hasn’t changed with age.
I’m in my 50s and my dream would be to get in my car and drive for months…and through crazy places like North Dakota and Mississippi and anywhere else the car takes me 
@VaBluebird - did you read my mind??? I am slightly younger than you, my mother is slightly younger than your mom. She lives about 600 miles away. I was just there - major drama over my statement that I will not consider driving the distance alone ever again.
My issue is the drive - I can take a puddle jumper to visit her. I travel solo internationally frequently - solo air travel, train, public transport, hired drivers, not an issue. Solo hotel doesn’t bother me - domestic or international. The drive has just become more than I can handle alone - tie ups in and out of my metro area, sitting behind the wheel for hours at a time, dealing with weather conditions that frighten me, etc, etc. I hope that doesn’t make me old - just old enough to know my own mind and put my foot down!
I remember driving the kids to the grandparents when they were small fry and not enjoying driving alone. I was soooo sleepy that drive! That was over 400 miles. I did the drive to take my oldest to college alone once. I wasn’t sleepy, but my shoulders got so sore. I guess I tense up more than I realize. Recently I drove down to DC for a high school reunion and I was really grateful that my best friend was sitting beside me to point out that the lane we were in was about to turn into an exit only lane. It happened several times mostly on the Beltway. (What a hair raising drive!) And don’t even get me started on the spaghetti around Tyson’s Corner. I don’t mind staying in hotels alone. I drive a fair amount for my job - but never more than 50 mile stretches at a time.
Fine with long drives but hate driving at night. Might be my vision?
I have never been a fan of car rides over 4 hours in a day, as driver OR passenger. It’s just tiring. We have done longer drives but try not to do them often. On the other hand, we fly 5-10 hour flights many times/year. With those, once you’re on the plane, it’s pretty low key. As the passenger, you’re more passive and aren’t responsible for folk’s safety and any dangerous drivers.
I’m NOT a fan of puddle jumpers—more used to and prefer larger aircraft as they are more stable.
I have gotten pickier about flights and lodging as we get older—prefer better flight times, nonstops, better lodging closer to our desired location. We will pay for these better travel perks.
Twelve hour drives at least twice a year. It’s all up to the eye doctor.
Do you have alternative ways to get to your destination like airplane, bus, or train?
I don’t mind long drives, but not alone. I’ve done it, but much prefer company. This was true even before I became an old fart.
Six hours is the limit we put on driving a long time ago. Anything more than that and we fly (being in the ATL area helps with that since we can fly direct almost anywhere).
I can only think of two things that would make driving enjoyable:
- Convertible sports car like a Miata! I had a 300ZX-TT many years ago and it was fun to race around in it. Dropping the top on a Miata in the mountains would be great -- I would feel the wind rushing through (what's left of) my hair :)
- Tesla P-100D. There's nothing like pure acceleration and the P-100D has almost twice the acceleration of my old Z. Woohoo!