I ask because I've taken several trips up to san francisco alone the last few months. It's a 10-11 hour roundtrip drive and several times people (both genders) have expressed shock that I'd do it alone...seemingly mostly because I'm a woman. I don't understand it! It's nearly 2010 and woman still need company if we want to travel?

No

Not at all and I really encourage women to do so

I have been driving long distances alone since I was 18 and I continue to do so at 45

sometimes my trips take 2 days of 12 hr driving one way - so what

I think it's strange NOT to

Not strange at all. I used to drive long distances by myself. My mom drives alone on 13-18 hour trips (one way) several times a year.
Well, she does take her dog.

Mach said:

exactly! the idea of being confined because you need company, or that it's 'less safe' just because you're a woman drives me nuts.

evenstar3 said:

Well I have my Dad to thank for teaching/showing me the importance of independent travel ~ and I am so SO greatful !

I don't always wanna be WITH another on my journeys

I think ANYONE driving alone long distance should have someone with them. Falling asleep at the wheel, someone to help navigate, etc. I used to drive the 6 hours from NC to ATL to see my cupcake all the time alone. But damn it sucked. But if it goes over ten? I think I'd like someone there. That goes for men too.

Whole lotta foolishness in this world, just because you're a dude doesn't make you worry free. My little sister drove herself from Omaha, NE to Scramento, CA by herself. That worried the shit outta me. It's a long drive that had her driving up a damn mountain to get there.

Gosh, no! When I was an older teen/younger lady, I traveled alone freely around most of the US, sometimes by bus and then in a little beater car I bought from a junk yard. Even after I was married, I spent about ten years driving tractor trailers all over the US and Canada. It feels perfectly natural to me to drive alone.

I don't think it's strange at all...but, like Katt said, driving long distances alone can be potentially dangerous for anyone; while driving or when you stop somewhere...if you're gonna take a long distnace trip alone, plan ahead...where to stop, alternate routes, etc...and prepare for the unexpected, 'cause crazy shit happens out on the road...
one good thing about being a woman tho...if you get a flat, motherfuckers will come outta the wood work to change your tire...if you're a guy, those same fucks will nearly run over you as you struggle to change one....

Maybe if you were hitchhiking, but shit, you're driving

KatSkrizzle said:

The best way not to fall asleep at the wheel is to get adequate rest before and during the trip.

And I would rather do my own navigating. Most of my women friends can't read a map for shit. The only times I've ever gotten lost were the times I let someone else take charge of the navigation.

I am an advocate of having AAA or some other kind of roadside assistance plan. If you're covered that way, the worst that can happen is that you have to wait for a tow truck or someone to come change a flat tire. You should also factor the cost of an emergency into the trip - either cash or credit.

No, I used to drive from Ottawa to Moncton alone all the time (that's a 12 hour drive one way).

Genesia said:

Oh yeah, for SURE. Me too.

JustErin said:

You have quite the stamina when you're the one behind the wheel.

JustErin said:

that's in NB, isn't it? fuck, that's a long drive.

I think some people are weirded out by anyone spending that much time alone.

Which is silly to me.

I do think anyone who drives, regardless of gender, should be able to perform basic maintenance and minor repairs-- check and add oil, change a tire and monitor pressure, replace bulbs, that sort of thing.

CarrieMpls said:

That's definitely an element of the "What? No one else is travelling with you?" reaction. They probably could never do it on their own.

Horsefeathers said:

exactly....

Horsefeathers said:

True, but you can't tow yourself or boost your own battery*. That's where AMA can be relied upon.

*okay, you could carry a battery booster, don't nitpick.

I'm not arguing the usefulness of a roadside plan, but IME a lot of roadside problems were simple things that could have been prevented or fixed with a little know-how. When I was traveling a lot, the last thing I wanted was to sit on the side of the road for several hours in the middle of the night and in the middle of nowhere waiting for help if I could avoid it. I've had that experience more than once and more than once it had the potential to get ugly.

I do agree that a roadside plan is a good idea, but I'd hate for anyone to develop a false sense of security with it, or decide they really don't need to know basic maintenance and minor repairs. I was all about getting out of there as quickly as possible even if it meant patching it up enough to limp it to safety. I look at roadside plans as more of supplemental insurance (well, it is technically, but still).

evenstar3 said:

No

Cinnie said:

Ya got that right, baby.

whistle said:

It is in NB! I once drove from Winnipeg to Moncton, now THAT'S a long ass drive...I wasn't alone though...but I did do all the driving.

JustErin said:

JustErin said:

sorry, you've made me curious. is your family from Moncton?
apologies for the nosy questions.

whistle said:

I lived there for 8 years, so I have friends there and 2 of my brothers still live there.

JustErin said:

I drove from MN to NY several times by myself!
MA to Chicago, NC to NY, NC to FL, the whole state of FL in one day-that's a big ass state MA to NC....

Now that I'm gettig older I hate the long distance drive, but when I was younger, you couldn't tell me nuthin' And many of these drives were in my old raggedy beat down car of the moment LOL!! or a UHaul!!

I think it's awesome. Just BE CAREFUL!!!!!

nope don't think it is strange @ all.....I travel alone all the time and have for years. I love traveling alone I don't have to answer to anyone/wait for anyone.

I have never felt threatened but then again I dont' travel to strange places.... Mostly to shop or for seminars & I always stay where my vehicle can be brought to the door 4 me