That dreaded long drive to pick up a game....(Do you mind driving long distances?)

emig5m

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That dreaded long drive to pick up a game....(Do you mind driving long distances?)

I have a dreaded nine hour (round trip) drive ahead of me tomorrow to pickup my last and final game...grr, does anyone else hate driving long distances? It's not only so much that I really hate driving but the gas expenses in a Supercharged V8 with only a four speed and 3.73 gearing is kind of a buzzkill too, lol. I should be used to long drives with my 2hr/day work commute (in a much more fuel efficient Honda Civic) plus I've driven up to 12hrs in one day to go to a Motocross race and back in the same day which even just spectating Motocross takes up a lot of energy to walk around the track all day up and down hills in the sun and heat with a backpack full of supplies (drinks, lunch, extra batteries for camera, ice packs, etc). I dunno, 'sometimes' I like a good drive but most of the time I hate driving.... and then when I get back have to deal with bringing the game up steps and around a tight corner. Well at least my truck has a stock top speed of 147mph so at the very least I can make up some time with raw speed? hehe.

Anyone else hate driving long distances and what's the longest you're willing to drive for a game? I think this is the longest I'm willing to go before the gas money starts to cost as much as the game does. Sometimes I wish we had the Star Trek beaming technology, imagine the worldwide fuel savings if we could just beam stuff long distances, LOL. Imagine buying a arcade game and having it instantly beamed to your garage! :D ;)
 
> "last and final game"

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I made the mistake of mentioning a " final cabinet" myself several weeks ago and was mocked mercilessly.

That doesn't answer your question....but I gotta be honest....I might make a 6-hour round trip if the game and the deal was so good I couldn't pass it up. Otherwise, " Hello, Michelle Bianchi at Beltmann Logistics, is that you? I need a shipping quote."
 
I made the mistake of mentioning a " final cabinet" myself several weeks ago and was mocked mercilessly.

That doesn't answer your question....but I gotta be honest....I might make a 6-hour round trip if the game and the deal was so good I couldn't pass it up. Otherwise, " Hello, Michelle Bianchi at Beltmann Logistics, is that you? I need a shipping quote."

It's rare for ANY cabinet to pop up for sale where I live that doesn't require close to a 6 hour round-trip drive...
 
I delivered some games I sold a few months back, where I went from Vegas to two locations in the LA area that couldn't be further apart. And because the trailer I rented got a flat tire outside of Hesperia, it ended up being about 10 hours round trip. But since I brought my daughter and my dad, it actually turned to be an awesome road trip.
 
I've done an 8hr round trip fairly recently. It was for two games so I felt it was really worth it.
Being out here in the desert we have to be willing to travel to Arizona, California, Utah or we end up pulling the trigger on games we don't really want because we've been waiting for the right games so long.
 
You should enjoy the drive while you can.

One of these days the government is going to say you can't drive anymore.

then you'll just sit there with your phone and surf KLOV...
 
I remember driving from Sac to O.C. fairgrounds one summer in my box truck without AC and the prices were so high I didn't buy anything and turned around and drove back next day and almost died in Bakersfield like 110 degrees no AC. I took off my tshirt and put it in the driver's window to stop the sun from beating my arm and face up. That trip took forever.
 
Long trips are no problem as long as the game is a sure guarantee. I don't think I would ever risk taking a long drive for a game that could get swiped at any moment.
 
I live in west Texas. It's at least a two hour drive one-way to find anything, ever. For the good stuff, six hours one-way.

You get used to it.
 
I live in west Texas. It's at least a two hour drive one-way to find anything, ever. For the good stuff, six hours one-way.

You get used to it.

Two hours = El Paso. Six hours = Dallas.

I was born in Midland. ;)
 
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I've never minded the drive. I've pulled a 24 hour round trip with animesuperj when we were each grabbing games fairly close together, and was seriously considering a north-of-Chicago-to-New Jersey trip.

The cost would've been similar to shipping, and I'd get it quicker and knowing it would be transported gently. I did ultimately decide to ship that one though.
 
I like the long drives. Haven't done one in a while. It's nice alone time to clear your head especially if you're driving through some scenic areas.
 
I always stay within 4 hours one-way. I had a Honda Fit that I would use to haul pins or smaller games, and although very reliable and fuel efficient, it would get very uncomfortable after anything more than a couple hours of driving. I could feel my sciatic nerve screaming at me. It has since been sold because it was simply too uncomfortable for long trips. I ended up buying a nice used Infiniti G35X as my daily driver to replace it. Much comfier and a lot more fun to drive, but can hold zero games, boo.

My normal game hauler is a 2000 Toyota Tacoma with the inline 4-banger. It has zero testicular fortitude and only 2wd, but comfy enough for long trips and has been exceptionably reliable. I have taken it to the bay area on numerous occasions to deliver/pick up games with zero problems, mechanical or spinal. On the downside, it was an ex-route operator truck and has 357,000+ miles on the odometer. Still runs like a clock but reeks like... well... an ex-route operator truck with 357,000+ miles on the odometer. Whenever I hauled machines to CAX or PAGG, I ended up smelling like a pack of Marlboros with a hint of dank warehouse funk by the time I got there, and I don't smoke cigs. Can't say I don't love the truck for what it is though.

BUT, that will all change in this week, as I am finally biting the bullet and picking up a new Tacoma TRD Sport double cab with the 6' bed to replace both vehicles. I anticipate the long trips being much more enjoyable very soon. Can't friggin wait.
 
I enjoy the drive usually. My average has gotta be at least 4 hours away. I always take a buddy or two so it's a fun time to throw on some playlists, grab some local crafts if it's somewhere far out enough, check out a local diner or two, answer all the "OH MY GOD YOU CAN HAVE THOSE IN YOUR HOUUUUSE!?" comments whenever we stop for ten minutes, etc...
 
Long drive game pickups used to be fun but then arcade outsiders stopped recording shows so now they suck.

seriously though I don't mind them and listen to reruns or other podcasts.
 
I've enjoyed the long trips so far. Both alone and with friends/family. Always makes for a great story.

I wonder if I'll ever score a local game (<100 miles). Would be strange. Not sure I could handle it.
 
I rather enjoy a good road trip (the games gotta be worth it though).
Ive done several game runs to California and back which is normally 5-6 hours each way when you count stoping for gas etc. If your quick about loading and not hanging round too much is an easy 12-14 hour day just to pick up a game with a few stops for food and gas. Even did one once with Nethawk86 where it was over 24 hours and we stopped in multiple locations to pick up games. The key on the longer trips is to get an arcade buddy to go with you. Time flies by when you have someone cool to talk to.
 
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