Anxiety about long drive

MikeL93

In a few weeks I will be driving from the North West down to Wembley Stadium and back again in a day and for some reason I've developed really bad anxiety. I am a good driver, I've had my licence for 15 years almost after passing whilst in college and I've done other long drives to places such as Newcastle and the Harry Potter studios.

I won't be doing this journey on my own, my friend will be with me in the car but for some reason I'm feeling quite anxious. Not so much the journey there but making the journey back. I keep thinking to myself "If I leave at around 7pm I should be back for 10:30" to try and reassure myself.

Any help?

MayDogsandCoffee

What is the anxiety about the drive back though, amount of traffic? the need to get back at a certain time? hours out of the house? It is a long trip in a day - have you factored in some breaks - plan which service stations you will stop at etc.

user1977

Can your friend do some of the driving? Do you need to go by car (or do the whole thing in a day)? I wouldn't be anxious about it but would avoid just because it's tiring.

MyRealNameToo

What part of it is making you feel anxious?

Personally I would prefer to be driving away from London than into London on the later part of the trip so you've got the better ordering

You passed 15 years ago whilst at college which probably means you are likely to be mid 30s so young for being one of those that have decided they dont like driving in low light.

MikeL93

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81999459#Comment_81999459

I think it is the number of hours out of the house away from my son even though he will be totally fine for one day. I have already planned my route so will be going down the M6, M6 Toll and then M40 as it looks a much easier and quieter route.

MikeL93

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81999470#Comment_81999470

Being honest my friend isn't a good driver so I wouldn't want him driving. And driving down to Wembley Stadium is the lesser of three evils. We could have looked to go on the train but it was ridiculously expensive and I don't find trains trustworthy with cancellations etc. We could have also go on the coach but we have had experience of this in the past and 5 hours both ways is something that I wasn't prepared to do any more.

MikeL93

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81999486#Comment_81999486

I think it is the number of hours out the house and the thought of getting stuck in traffic on the way home if the motorway is shut for whatever reason. Once I am doing the drive it will be fine it is just the thought of it that is making me anxious I think.

Goudy

Have you thought about getting a train or coach?

Let someone else take the strain.

MikeL93

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81999558#Comment_81999558

Yeah I looked into the train but it was way too expensive and I find trains to be too unreliable. As for the coach we have gone to Wembley this way in the past but it is usually a 5 hour trip both ways and is incredibly uncomfortable. It was viewed as the lesser evil to drive in the comfort of my own car and stop as and when I want to. As it will be around 6-7pm when we are leaving if everything is straight forward I could be home in just over 3 hours.

born_again

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81999556#Comment_81999556

Why on the way home?

Shurly as you are going to a event, it would be the trip down that would be the worry, so you do not miss the event?

How old is you son?

fatbelly

If you are just retracing your route on the way back you should be more familiar with the roads. Should be easier.