The Washington Post runs an article about a Wyoming woman who drove just over 400 miles to get an abortion in the university town of Missoula, Montana, and another 400 home. That is a long drive, no question.
On the other hand, those of us who live in the Big Empty are accustomed to long drives to do relatively routine things. Our nearest reasonable shopping - beyond groceries, fuel and minor hardware which are local - is nearly 100 miles away, and we drive it several times a summer.
It's not uncommon to drive over, catch a matinee, do some shopping, have dinner, and drive home - total miles near 200. On occasion we've driven four hours to catch a plane, though we normally fly from airports only an hour and a half to two hours away.
Our twice a year (sometimes more often) relocations between CA and WY run ca. 900 miles each way. Long drives are the downside of living in a place with low population density, the considerable upside is elbow room - clean air, no traffic and no close neighbors. Plus beautiful mountain scenery, and the naturally cool summers at our 6000 ft. elevation.
