Would you cancel your LONG auto trip to see the relatives if freezing rain/snow were forecast? (snow storm, ice)

[Stranded and Lonely]

My wife's parents have begged all my wife's brothers and sisters to make it to Cleveland Ohio for Christmas. Most of my wife's brothers and sisters committed to come to the family event because we have not all met for Christmas for years.

That was until the recent snow storm that has walloped the east coast. Another storm is forecast to drop some rain, freezing rain and snow on Christmas Eve and Christmas and lake effect snow will continue over the weekend.

Now some of the family are starting to say it may not be worth the hassle of fighting the heavy traffic in rain, snow and ice.

Would you cancel the trip if there is snow in the forecast if you were driving 400-600 miles to see the family at Christmas, or would you make the trip even if it took twice the time and put your self in danger, all for family?

[Jammie]

I would cancel the trip. I'm not sure where you live or what direction you're going, but there is a HUGE snowstorm brewing right now and it's getting ready to hit my area. I wouldn't risk my life to make a trip.

If everyone is excited and would like to get together, I'd set something up for Easter or the 4th of July. It'd just be much safer.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do and let us know how you turn out.

[suecen]

I'd cancel - it's more important to be alive and then you can all get together when the weather improves!! Good luck in whatever choice you make.

[MistyVT]

I guess I would cancel...unless I had an awesome studded tire four wheel drive vehicle! (and someone else to drive me) LOL

[lifelongMOgal]

I don't think relatives would want you to risk your lives to make the trip. If you can leave earlier than planned, well ahead of the storm, do it; otherwise, it is not worth the risk. Ice on the highways is most unforgiving.

[susancruzs]

You betcha! I was supposed to go to Iowa the 11th (only 325 mis. or so) we cancelled and went the 18th instead the roads were dry. Next year I am not doing it, I'll go without seeing my family.

We still had snow issues Sunday driving from Tipton to Amana and on to Des Moines (not that far) but snow squalls and cars off I-80 like crazy. It was insane the number of cars in the ditch and it was not that bad out.

We drove home yesterday from Des Moines, on dry roads but I am so glad I'm home, winter driving to see relatives, just not worth the risk.

[TANaples]

We knew there was a blizzard coming to NY when we drove up from Florida on Saturday. It was a very, very bad trip, but it is worth it to be here with family and have a nice cold White Christmas. BTW, there were a LOT of Florida plates we saw on the trip up North. They must have know about the blizzard also. It was all over the local Florida news.

[debey]

While only a 3 hour drive, and not supposed to travel, until Saturday, our Christmas trip was called off......yesterday. vehicles can eventually be replaced. people cannot.

[ColdCanadian]

Cancelling sounds reasonable, especially since it's a long distance.

I wouldn't be worried about my own driving ability and I have winter tires,
but you never know who you'll sharing the road with.

[M3 Mitch]

I would definitely 86 this "Lemming Run" for sure, bro. Maybe Amtrak? Southwest Airlines?

The overall level of driver competence in the States is miserable, at best, most people have no idea how to handle a skid, even theoretically, and I would say the worst half have never practiced skid recovery in a snowy parking lot, ever. Not to mention it's socially acceptable to not really pay attention to driving tasks, instead to talk on the phone, argue with passengers, rubberneck out the side window, ad nauseum.

So, even if you had say an Audi S4 or Subie Impreza, with a fresh set of Blizzaks all round, and had just completed a snow driving school, even then, you simply can't be good enough, and the car can't be good enough, to dodge all the meatheads.

Like Stalin said, quantity has a quality all it's own. Certainly applies to an Interstate full of typical American drivers.