Testing center is 3 hours away, hotel or bear the drive?

[hope24718]

Has anyone had experience/thoughts in regards to traveling far to take the MCAT? I've checked out other threads, but their usually written by people going out-of-state (6+ hour drive).My test is scheduled for next week at a location that's 3 hours away from me. The test starts at 8am. In order to account for possible traffic and time to check in, I will need to leave my house at 4am at the latest! I'm wondering if it is worth it to get a hotel close to my testing center or if I should bear the 3 hour drive? Is it a big deal to drive this far? Not sure which would be the better option. Luckily, my dad is willing to drive me, so at the very least I wouldn't have to drive 3 hours before my test. I don't want there to be the possibility of feeling tired during my exam, but I also don't want to get a hotel if that will somehow "throw me off".

Getting a hotel seems like the better option, but I would appreciate anyone's advice or past experience with this!

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[mspeedwagon]

Absolutely not. Three hours of driving (even if it is not you driving) + Five hours of test taking is so not worth it. Get a room at the Motel 6 for $49 bucks.

 

[Cawolf]

I would totally get a hotel!

Not from experience but that would be my choice without question.

Check in nice and early the night before, have a nice dinner, watch some TV in a comfortable bed, and easy commute.

Worth!

 

[pithy84]

3 hours is a long drive, and it is especially bad before an 8 AM test in my opinion. A longer drive would be more tolerable before a 1 PM test because of when you get to wake up.

In short, I would go for a hotel.

I think the tipping point for me would be a 1.5-hour drive, or maybe 2 hours.

 

[Twilson016]

I would absolutely get a hotel room. Mine is at the end of this month about 4 hours away from me and I'm actually going up two days before so I can find the testing center and figure out how long it takes to get there from my hotel.

The last thing you want is to deal with unexpected traffic or not being able to find the testing center immediately and stressing yourself out before you even take the test. Even if everything worked out fine and you arrived there on time just the stressful situation I feel would affect my mindset. But, everyone handles everything differently so take it with a grain of salt. Good luck!!!

 

[hope24718]

Thank you all for the replies, I will definitely get a hotel!

Good luck, everyone!

 

[mspeedwagon]

P.S. The AAMC offer discounts for stays at the Hampton Inn. Checkout their website. I'd just go to hotels.com and get the best reviewed / cheapest hotel within 5 miles of the testing center.

 

[valkener]

I would get a hotel and also go to bed wayyy earlier just because the quality of sleep could be significantly lower. 🙂

 

[Mavs88]

Way too many reasons to get a hotel.
-You don't want to take the exam after waking up at like 3-4 am, no matter how early you went to bed.
-Imagine terrible traffic, weather, car wreck, etc.


You'll just have more peace of mind and not be rushed....it will totally be worth it.

 

[House D.O.]

Hotel no question. Money is temporary MCAT scores are forever.