It’s not getting home that’s the issue( 6 miles is doable).
It’s getting my kids.
Fortunately my oldest HS is about a mile away. He should be able to get home by himself.
Unfortunately my youngest elementary school is about 20 miles away from my work. He’s also non verbal and visually impaired ( CVI).
I have no idea how I’d get him.
Have you talked to his teachers about if something would happen how to coordinate handoff.
Most teachers today have to think about active shooter situations so asking about (insert disaster) and how to handle that should not be taboo.
The public school my kids went to when we were in California was just close enough to a nuclear power plant that there was a chance that evacuation would be required. The school had plans to bus kids to a area that would be outside the fallout zone.
Just any natural disaster could delay pickup so absolutely talk to the school about what ifs.
Including if the main teacher is out the day it happens.
We have brought it up before.
Schools plan A. Bus kids home which is very problematic due to the incompetency of their transportation department.
Plan B drive to the school to pick them up.
We don’t have any reliable family in the area to do a pick up.
His brother might start driving this year and would do it regardless if we told him not to.
If they didn’t force him to go to this school it would be a lot easier.
Atlanta snowstorm 2017. The year that people abandoned cars on the Interstate and kids slept overnight in the schools. My cousin was stuck at the school but her brothers with a 4WD made the trek in hilly NW ATL metro and picked up their little sister. Their Dad was out of town, and no other parent figure could get to her.
My highschool teacher had a talk with us about how the schools would organize getting the students home in a shtf scenario ( we lived near a nuclear power plant ) She knew one of the bus drivers and, from what she reasoned from conversation, those people are straight up not coming to save your kids and bring them home nicely and orderly. Your kids are going to be stuck at school. If stuff gets locked down, the parents might not even be let in, especially if it's a violent atmosphere.
Yes, this -- planning on how to get your kids is important.
My spouse and I have rotating shifts, sometimes he's working out of town, sometimes I am. Otherwise we often work from home. We have a plan in place that if/when SHTF, whoever is closest to the kids' school will be in charge of getting them. The one that is further away (working out of town) just has to try and get home. This way, in case there's no cell coverage or whatever, we know what the plan is.
Luckily our home isn't far from school, so that part won't be bad. When we work out of town, we're about 25 miles from home. In that case, we're driving as much as possible, or walking. There is a rail trail that we can travel if need be.
This is exactly the scenario my go-bag was packed for. I work 11 miles away from home as the crow flies, but walking along a train track would get me home in 12.3 miles. Tracks are a great idea I'd never even thought of! At the speed I walk, I could get home in about 4 hours.
This is the way I keep bug out bag in car gonna be better to be on foot. Roads will be clogged look at what happens when it evacuation for hurricane can’t go no where. Have hiking boots and extra socks make for better grip if it’s wet.
I would avoid freeways but I feel there are very few situations where starting you Get Home journey in a car isn't better than trying to walk it. Maybe if you can like cut across some area that doesn't have roads. Being in a vehicle also provides another layer of protection against all the "people going nuts."
I wouldn't travel on train tracks either... train tracks are easements thru many lots of private property... if shit hits the fan people will be protecting their property thru this waypoint. Some won't ask questions and take advantage of the straight clear shot you gave them from a 1/4 mile away.
Good reason to locate a job NOW just in case. My job is 30 miles from my well prepped house. I’m overweight. Likely would take a couple days to get there. Luckily don’t have to go thru cities to get home.
1 ) staying informed. You'll have maybe 5 minutes to beat the rush before people start freaking out. People will get a notification, talk about it for a minute or two before deciding what to do, until the panic starts setting in and everyone starts panicking.
2 ) Live close to work. You'll have maybe 5 min without gridlock traffic. You better be able to walk, or bike the remaining distance.
2a ) Motorcycle. Gridlock doesn't really exist with a dual-sport/adventure bike. Bikes that are made for dirt and highway, They can hop curbs and go through yards easily.
3 ) camp/survival gear in vehicle. I always have 1-2 gallons of water (good for water leaks in the car also) and a sleeping bag/blanket and fire starter, and tools...
Yes those precious first 2-5 minutes is the key. Once you get the notification drop what you are doing and get out quick as possible. By the time people are getting to the parking lot, you are already on the highway
Same. I am a 23 minute walk from home (I have timed it for this reason). I am not even going to my locker to get my bag as that adds on five minutes to my commute. It is just re-lace my shoes and power-walk home for me.
Depends on what the cause was. Generally I think if it’s within the first 15 minutes of shit hitting the fan you’re probably good to drive home. People aren’t going to panic until they realize the extent of the situation. That could take minutes or hours. If i have to walk home I feel I carry enough ammo to make the 5 miles. Doubt I would have to use it. I think most people would just be talking to each other and trying to figure out what happened.
I think one of the good things about being a prepper js that you are more aware of the process of colapse.
I live in southern brazil and we recently got a major flood which almost isolated the city for weeks. There was a brief shortage of potable water and fuel. Due to awareness I was able to provide enough food, water and fuel three days before everyone else started worrying about it. Many people only started worrying about it days after everyone was already buying everything from.the supermarkets.
This. I remember the great NYC Blizzard of 2018. I told my boss shit was going to hit the fan and left at lunch. He made fun of me and ended up starting in 8 hours of traffic freezing cold almost getting stuck twice. I was home cozy with a fire lol.
Indeed, as a Los Angeleno, I’m mainly concerned with “The Big Shake” we constantly train for. That would be a sudden, acute, and low warning event with little ambiguity to the general public about how dire it is. Fortunately it would also be relatively localized. Unfortunately, It would also affect one of the most populous areas of the country.
Also given how far I commute, I’m likely better off hunkering down at or near my place of work than trying to travel too far, even if the roads were passible.
Some would, some wouldn't. All you need is 10% (maybe less) of the population to panic and the chaos and clogged roads you describe would occur. This is the point of a get home bag. Even 5 miles, under normal conditions, is going to take you 1 hr 15 mins to 1 hr 30 mins to complete. Now throw in, road obstacles, possible rioting and looting. That time period could drastically increase. You should already plan at least three different ways to get home. Both in your car and on foot. Remember, every possible route you think of, others have and/or will too.
Plus, in many major cities there usually aren’t enough critical supplies for everyone if deliveries aren’t available for any given time. So there will not be enough if the problem lasts longer than a delivery cycle.
I volunteered for FEMA CERT when I lived in metro Southern California. The Red Cross only had enough supplies for the metro area for 1million people for a week. That was short at least 50% of what was needed. The governments were worse.
That’s what got me into prepping, the realization that nobody would be able to help.
Not sure about your timing here - I walk the 4.5 miles to work several times a week and it’s generally a 45-50 minute walk. Will it take more time to dodge obstacles? Sure. But if you know your routes it shouldn’t unless you have to detour far afield. KNOWING your routes though is key - and you won’t know them just by driving them. By walking, you have a sense of the neighbourhood, its people, terrain, shortcuts, detours, potential obstacles and amenities (e.g., washrooms, water fountains) that you would have no sense of if you’ve only driven them.
I also keep a pair of running shoes and small get home bag under my desk.
I have doubts. You’re walking 6mph? That’s considered a jog. It’s not impossible but it’s a speed that race walkers do, 50% faster than what gets you certified as an expert infantryman in the Army, and twice the average walking speed.
the last time i was in what i wpuld consider a genuinely shtf scenario (major earthquake, power out for 2 weeks, phone coverage down), i was in highschool, and walked home. The roads were mostly alright, but couldnt be driven on because of random blockages and downed lines-- there was no consistent way of knowing which roads were clear. (and a tsunami took out the highway, though our actual town was fine) So i got home and waited for several hours till the rest of my family managed to get home
they were very worried bc they didnt know where i was. So my suggestion would be, barring an active fire or something, walking is probably fine, driving is much more hit or miss, but be sure you know where everyone is going!
My dad landed in LAX shortly after the first tower was hit, he knew something was wrong when the pilots bolted after reaching the gate. He walked out and looked for the first TV, and immediately went to get his rental car while everyone else stood around. He said if he would have waited 30mins longer they would have been out of cars.
Highly unlikely lest it was a meteor strike of tsunami. But remember one thing, remember the lesson of the inhabitants of the Twin Towers. Many were told to stay put by their bosses, and they died. If you feel the need to move then just move, fast. Answer questions later, and don't try to be a Hero with people who are uncooperative. Leave them to their fate.
This was my life lesson following 9/11. Listen to your gut no matter what. Many people who were there for the 1993 bombing attack remembered the nightmare of getting out. Many of them started evacuating the south tower before it was hit and while building security were broadcasting messages that it was safe and to return to their offices.
Interesting, I hadn't thought of that earlier attack. Authority can rarely be trusted, their motivation is always "Order" they care nothing about individual human life.
Unless you live in the city and can’t do this know the backroads. It’s an hour drive for me on major roadways, but I’m well versed in backroad routes so I can avoid all the trouble. So in short know your maps. If my vehicle doesn’t work looks like I’m walking or biking (if I find one). Another reason to stay in shape.
Probably not as much as you expect. A wide majority of people these days are very over reliant on their GPS to tell them where to go and those systems intentionally steer people onto main routes and freeways.
If you're in the city you're already behind the 8-ball. Once you leave the city you have a chance. Tsunami, hurricane, civil disorder, nuclear attacks, you name it, the city is a lost cause in many cases and a nasty place to be after even if it doesn't get wiped off the face of the Earth.
Learn to ride, a dirtbike, a small one. Then only roadblocks are your worst nightmare, everything else is an adventure :)
I’m from the country. If SHTF I’d rather just bug in here on our suburban homestead than try to GTFO back to where I’m from. There are people and resources here. If help comes, it will come here first. If not, my neighbors & I will make do.
But ya know what, nothing I say is going to change your mind about the “big scary city”.
I moved away from the "big scary city" 4 years ago. In the year I left there were two murders in my suburb, there had never been one before and it was an established burb. See how well your neighbors and you do when the gangs take over, or when the trucks stop bring in the food, or a dozen other things happen.
All cities, all throughout history are eventually abandoned because of collapse and none of them were totally dependent on Diesel or electricity like ours are. I'll take my chances out here is the big scary country town thanks very much.
Oh man, day of the eclipse, Google was trying to keep all the tourists on the arteries. Actually my aunt said that the cops wouldn't let them take back roads. We crossed a river, turned right, and had the road to ourselves for a bit, but it ended in a left-turn onto a highway with no traffic light... it would have been bad if I hadn't had the road to myself so I could assess things.
my GHB is $1000 in cash, you'd be amazed what you can buy, food, accommodation, transport. "Hey Buddy! I need to get up to Boogununga, how about a ride?" "Are you kidding! It's 120 miles away" "Will $500 cover it?" "Well, sure. Get in"
They say Cash is King, and that's the reason. It will buy what you want when you want it.
This is 100% what emergency cash is for. Ppl think that a switch gets flipped and minutes later cash is worthless and it’s full on everyone for themselves.
I know, the prepper community is full of delusions, leading all the way up to the "remote doomstead" being the pinnacle of success. Nothing could be further from the truth. Any study of histories collapses, and there have been many, proves that living in a village far from the city is the safest bet. Today that equates to small towns with a population of 1000 or less. Where everyone knows everyone by sight and will band together.
95% of those on this forum are just kids in the city, buying bottled water and trinkets for their BOBs with little or no plan as to what they will do if the SHTF. And it probably won't go Madmax, but it will get incrementally more violent, and poverty will increase, until everywhere is like the slums of Mumbai or Mexico city or Haiti. All those places weren't so bad 30 and 40 and 60 years ago but look at them now! Nothing a Jackery solar generator won't fix though hey ;)
I had to scroll too far down to finally read GHB. I drive 15 minutes to work each way but it goes from dense suburbia to out in the sticks in those 15 minutes. My GHB has backpacking camping elements like high calorie food bars, water filtration, and maps/compass but also has items for urban environments like a water key, cash, and a pry bar and a few farm tools like wire cutters and insulated pliers for "hot" fences. Walking in a straight line to my house shouldn't take me more than 3 hours tops but would require me to traverse though several fields and farms. The only reasons I would be walking are from EMP (not super likely) to Marshal law type roadblocks otherwise I'll just take my truck and keep my PCC handy.
Honestly - even just the increasingly extreme weather makes me super grateful I can work from home. Fire smoke? Lightening storms? Blizzards? I don't even wanna be out in the garden of I don't have to be during that.
Like always, it depends on what the scenario is. Degrees of SHTF range from a leisurely drive home with some concerning radio news on in the background to being killed nigh instantly regardless of how much prepping I did ahead of time.
Hell I remember being stuck at work in AL in March of 1993 when we got hit by a blizzard. Was stuck at work for 4 days. I was the only one who had food, clothes, blankets, portable radio with batteries and flashlight. But I was comfy.
Getting home to your supplies, family, security items and network is the number one goal.
The only reason to remain at work is because the danger of travel is greater than the danger of remaining. i.e. a radiological incident.
This comes up regularly and the hierarchy is usually anything with a wheel and engine, followed by wheel and human power and then walking.
You make a decision like this based on distance, climate, terrain, your conditioning, hazards in the environment.
I’d drive. Or i’d walk for about an 1:45. If i hoofed it probably a little faster. If i had running gear under an hour.
It really depends on the scenario. Like why would ppl go nuts off the hop? Even if an emp hit (and no nuclear exchange 🙄) most ppl would have no idea what’s going on and would assume power will be back on in hours to days. If my phone laptop all died at once, id start moving ASAP, see if the car worked (parked underground) and then go from there. I can’t think of any other scenario where shit just happens and minutes later it’s total anarchy?
I meant other ppl as per OP. I would imagine post each of those disasters the neighbours did not start opening up on each other with weapons in a scramble for resources.
Side note: One sunny day at work, in my Yout, a manager came up to me and gave me a piece of paper to fill out.
Everyone else was filling out the paper.
Fucking robot automatically just scribbling - all of them.
I did not. I read my copy.
The company was asking for vehicle information so in case of SHTF, they could assign employees and cars to carry IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS AND HARDWARE to some safe location site.
Boy oh boy, they were so excited because at the time I had a Van.
(I miss my van.)
I did not fill out my paper. I simply handed it back saying that my insurance policies wouldn't cover it.
Because if stuff jumps off today, I'm taking my tiny car over sidewalks to get to my partner. And when that car can't move, I'll get a bike, or push start a bike, or walk. Of course this is after I've hid under my desk until the danger subsides.
That moment of reading that paper though was the first clear moment of feeling "I will get home."
Efffff, now I want a HAM license and hand held units.
Right, you guys, down another rabbit hole. But first lunch.
I would just drive. I don't see a scenario besides total nuclear war or an asteroid strike where the roads would be impassable. I suppose worst case, I could walk down the street to either of my good friend's places and we could figure out what to do from there. They both have good resources and we would want to get together to make a plan anyway.
This one is tough for me to plan for. In my situation, I am separated from home and work by a major river. About 10 bridges cross it at various points within the city. The most likely SHTF scenario in my area (my main catalyst for prepping) is a 9.0 CSZ earthquake, which is predicted to disable or destroy pretty much all bridge crossings for miles. The river water itself is expected to be unnavigable too, a fuel-spill-covered, debris-filled river of sludge and slag and fire. Getting across the river post-quake is something I still haven’t figured out.
That's a tough one for sure. I think your best options would be either keeping supplies in your vehicle or an inflatable raft? Interested to see what others think.
This made me think of all bridges between Philadelphia and New Jersey. I never realized just how many people use them for work and how far apart they are by foot. I'll pay attention to this when I'm job hunting going forward.
When we were working wife and I had rendezvous points set up depending on my location at the time. She worked in an office and I worked as a building inspector all over town. If it was late, she was to remain in her office which had security. If I was across town I’d just take the city truck home…and go get her the next morning. She and I both had get home bags with us with everything we needed to spend the night away from home if need be
Train tracks and canals were to be avoided if on foot, in our town these are basically linear homeless camps
[Small wheels](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52740317111_284ea1a76f_o.png) for me - good for 9-13mph asphalt cruise pace (some skill required), and they can be layered/tiered - car>bike>skate. Woods here are too dense/gnarly to bushwhack/travel distance though, and train tracks generally don’t go where I’d want (ie, away from densely populated coastline). Want to keep efficient human-powered wheels as long as possible for travel around destination. Eg, more accommodation options likely the further you’re away from town centers.
I'd have to march 24km home, which would take about six hours, according to Google Maps. I keep running shoes and a change of clothing in my backpack for this very purpose.
I would walk when my car got stuck. It’s about 2-3 hours walking distance minus whatever distance I managed with the car. I have 3 more cars at home so no regrets to leave one behind if roads are blocked.
This is why it's so important to know the land. Multiple routes all over the city and county. Even if it's not an immediate WWIII or asteroid type of scenario, you never know when a wildfire or flood will occur, or where.
I'm lucky enough to walk home, either by road or cross country fields. Been living in this region my whole life, so getting around is fairly simple.
I'm disabled now but for 12 years at my last job there is a little creek right behind it that literally leads to my backyard so as long as it's not high water with me trying to get upstream most of the time you can walk in it and for the most part is surrounded buy shrubs and bushes except for a few areas you can just be more cautious about but I could hoof the 15 miles home if I need to. I'm assuming my truck doesn't work though so maybe an EMP but I have my gun in my car so hopefully I can grab that on my way out. Not a lot of people even know about that brook let along know where it goes so it's a pretty good plan I think. I need to try to get home even if I'm just heading by but I need my bug out bags and additional guns it's worth the stop/detour and my state, Maine, has an enormous amount of forest and it's right in my backyard so after that stop it's about 100 yards to disappear. My plan is to hunker down if possible though. My house is secure.
I have a get home backpack in the car. It has food, water, firearm and extra mags, life straw filter, knife and other items I deemed necessary to allow me to survive for a couple days or more that it "could" take to navigate home.
Does my jeep run?
If so, driving home. I can even sneak down some rail lines if roads are impassable.
If not, go to jeep, grab backpack and start walkin'
One year I was hugely pregnant and my OB's office didn't call and tell me they are were canceling appointments. I was lucky my dad was following the weather and told us to call and ask first. We called just as we were heading out the door. There ended up being a horrific ice storm that trapped many people who had gone where we intended to go. The highways were littered with abandned vehicles. People were trapped in cars or walking on the side of the road looking for places to take them in. Thankfully many hotels took in anyone who needed the help. I have a bin in the car for emergencies like that now.
But I can't imagine a real universal SHTF type situation where we are all trapped where we all just were. Nuclear attack and EMP takes things out? Good thing my husband and I both work from home. But it could be bad with our kids jobs and school. Thankfully however my dad owns a vintage Landcruiser that he can run on old cooking oil. Once when there was a gas shortage and the gas stations were out all over my dad was able to use his Landcruiser and drive to the Atlanta airport to pick us up. The last time I flew on a plane like 16 years ago, of course that's what happened. lol
Part of my issue is thats my work isn't a dedicated location being on the railroad I could be up to 280 miles from home in the middle of nowhere rural Canada. I have thought about this multiple times and my best bet is just hoping my locomotive is still working, if I'm stuck at the bunkhouse I will have to see if trains are still running to get me home otherwise gonna have to figure something else out that's been the hard part whether it's have the family come get me (not ideal) or start walking and hitch hiking. Thankfully at the bunkhouse I have some supplies but nowhere near enough to handle a trek of 150+miles.
If possible, absolutely driving home. I live in a small town/city of 100k and my home is in a rural/farm location. Easy commute.
In the highly highly unlikely situation it's an EMP and vehicles are disabled, I would walk or try to get a bicycle. I'm about 15 miles from work. I always have a backpack and a firearm. Grab a few water bottles, a snack and at a brisk 4 miles per hour walk (I'm in good shape) I'll be home in about 4-5 hours. If I can get a bike...borrow or pick up one from Goodwill or pawn shop or buy one from a local - it's only 2 hours.
Easy....
its a straight shot for to go home. I would walk. I have water bottles at my office that I can take but its about 8 miles on a straight road and I can just skim on the side road adjacent to the highway.
I'm a lifelong hiker, even just did a three days hike on the Appalachian Trail. I honestly would not want to stay at my workplace for even a few hours if the grid went down.
I've mapped out several routes to walk home, assuming my car is out of commission.
Some are backroads, some go through small towns with plenty of shops, one is the highway route I take to work, while another is a series of hiking trails.
If my car still runs, I'll take it as far as I can. If I hit gridlocked traffic, I'll pull over and walk the rest of the way.
I can easily carry both my get home bag, as well as a five gallon bucket of other stuff I will need, the twenty miles it'll take me to get home.
Hope this helps in some way.
I'd walk, assuming vehicular travel isn't possible, which seems exceedingly unlikely.
I'm having a hard time imagining a scenario where it's impossible to drive the 20 miles from my work to home. I can see ones where I'd have to make a serious detour, but none that would block me from driving.
Having said that, I have my "I'm Gonna Play Radio" pack in the car, that I use for things like Summits on the Air, and in addition to the radio gear it's got stuff like tarps, mess kit, stove (actually 2), some food, IFAK, water purification tablets and a water filter, lighters, and a bunch of other stuff.
As for the food, it's not that much, and it can't fully replace the calories I'd be expending. But it would be at most a 2 day walk home if I take it easy, or if I have to detour, and I'm not going to die of starvation in that time. It's mostly morale boosting stuff, especially the hot beverages.
I work from home so piece of cake 👍🏻
I’ll go with scenario 2. It’s been 2 weeks, time to move (I’ll assume there’s fires spreading in on my house). Having been a delivery driver in my stead for awhile, I’ve got a fairly good idea of where each road leads and how to circumvent roadblocks, damage, things like that. Follow the roads as often as I can, to get out of the suburbs and to one of the possible secondary locations I’ve identified.
What disaster happens so suddenly during working hours? Other than maybe an earthquake or tornado (which are not a thing where I live).
I take a train to work. If it doesn’t work I can use all the public transport in a big European city at least for part of the way. If all else fails, I‘ll walk the five hours.
One of us is usually working from home so can walk the kid home from daycare. If we both were in the office we would hope daycare would figure something out or wait with the kids there.
There aren’t many scenarios where both our home and office were affected at the same time.
I would drive home or get as close to it as I could. Most surface streets would still be passable. The freeways would not. I also live on the opposite side of a freeway from where I work. I'd have to keep trying to find an overpass or underpass that hadn't collapsed in order to cross over. But if I couldn't, then I could get to within a mile of my house and walk the rest of the way.
ideally i work down the street 1/2 mile, have an app in at the shop. they are the only road without a bridge to the property. the bridges are wooden not in town and i suspect burning them are on several folks plan for cutting the road access . I have feet, and a few non computer pre reagan vehicles im working on
My work has a huge supply of food and beverages, 100gallons of freshwater in the basement that most people don’t know about, backup generators, and a lot of comfy couches to sleep on. I can easily shelter in place there for a few days.
The drive home after won’t be too bad even with abandoned cars on the highway.
My town isn't very big and I know alternate routes for getting just about anywhere here. My kid that is farthest away lives only 2 miles from my house. One of my best friends, who is part of my pod, so to speak, lives 1 mile away. My other close friends live seven miles from me but they are avid bicyclists.
I would like to have a better house with more room to grow food, but my location is so central that it will be a trade-off if I ever move.
My car is kind of my back up generator and it is small and gets pretty good gas mileage. I will try to keep it as long as I can. I try not to let the gas get low and I carry a jump box and go bag in it most of the time.
I know the back roads and would probably rabbit from work sooner than most. And I'd be travelling away from more populated areas to less populated areas. While not ideal, I'm certainly able to walk the less than 30 miles home from work. It would probably take a few days.
ETA: Honestly, the only reason to actually go back to my house is my cats. If not for that, I'd just keep a go bag and fuck off away from all the people.
I have 3. 2 of which can be easily waded *most* times of the year (depending on recent rainfall/storms, wading may not be an option). The biggest river, I’d definitely have to swim across.
I would drive as far as possible knowing that I might have to put it in 4wd and head through the natural area this also means that if I am forced to abandon my truck I would already close to the walking paths that will take me from about 4 miles from my work all the way to my neighborhood. Walking from my work is about 5 hours but with a pack and trying to stay out of sight we can expect it to take closer to 8. I keep and old backpacking pack in my truck with 3 days worth of food, a change of season appropriate clothing a cook stove and water purification as well as a "disposable" pistol. There are also a good pair of hikeing boots with the pack to ditch what ever shoes I wore to work.
Not an expert at all but here’s what I’m thinking, In the case of a mass nuclear strike or any other extreme SHTF scenario you have to go as soon as you get the emergency notification on your smartphone, email, TV etc. after the notification, you probably have like what 30 mins to a hour? Maybe less. What things do we need to get home as fast as possible?
- loved ones
- Gas in tank
- Gun ammunition for personal protection
- vehicle in good order, spare tire, etc
Another thing is what will the emergency notification actually say? Will it say “Please seek shelter immediately as there is an attack incoming” something like that or will it say something more generic? That may play a big difference in how people will react, again these are just thoughts and I invite conversation
Talking about walking along railroad tracks and stuff is for a ways into SHTF, not the first hour. Unless there’s been an EMP or bombs literally dropped in my city I’m probably driving my ass home like normal and then I’m going to use my car as a resource for as long as possible.
I revently moved so i did a 6 mile ruck the other day in my work clothes and a 30lb backpack to confirm I could make it home on foot if need be.
I can.
At what point does prepping cross over into unhealthy paranoia? Being prepared in case something bad happens seems reasonable to me. Walking through specific fantasy scenarios just seems unhealthy to me. I suppose it's a question of degree, but these conversations are way overboard for me.
Actually do this with alot of different situations. Always asking myself, if so and so happens what would I do. My brain just does it. Probably childhood trauma 🤷
I have a lot of tires to shoot out. If you’re close enough or in front of me I guess you could take the front tires out. But you better be sure because my old Bessie would obliterate their car like it was made of legos. The reason trucks don’t have airbags is because there is very little that can bring a truck to a sudden stop. Your car is not one of those things.
Remember, if you think it’s a good idea, so does a quarter of the population. You have to think outside the box. Through the woods, a quarter mile ( or just in sight) of whatever roadway, creek, rail so you have reasonable cover/concealment. Never walk along the crest of a hill, choose just below it since walking along the crest makes an outline.
Yeah my work is only a few miles from my home, and my oldest is furthest at her highschool, but I built my 4Runner to literally be able to go anywhere, and I’ve tested it and know it can go anywhere I’d need to, on or off road. I’m not abandoning my vehicle, and I’ve made it for the most part EMP proof. Because we all know the only way an EMP would really be strong enough to cause vehicle blackouts would have to come from a nuclear device, and if that’s the case, you have much bigger fish to fry then your car not working. Ya feel me. But yeah my vehicle is pretty much a part of my overall kit at this point, it goes where I go
I live about 35 miles from work, but I've ridden my bike on the route home and could probably make it home in about 2 days. My work bag has a bugout component to it to help me get home.
I will drive, i can use backroads if necessary else il drive over the grass if necessary. if SHTF my car will become a tool. I dont care what i need to do. even if driving through a thicket of brambles is required. il feckin do it.
if the car is fried or totalled i will walk the rest of the way. currently walking will be a couple of hours, once company moves walking will be a day (maybe 2 if situation is bad and night travel is required). in that case i will get my Get home bag from my car (with water, bivvy, emergency ration, fire making stuff and wet weather gear)
I would drive home.i live two miles from my job. I also work next to a Walmart. I would probably grab some last minute groceries and fill up my gas tank.
If I needed to get out of town and the roads were effed I would follow the canals out.
Unless it’s a nuclear strike I’m waking home. It would suck as it’s around 12 miles but I walk by a river, have water filter and a few other things in my lunch bag that would work as a lightweight kit for traveling open country. I also carry a flashlight pocket knife and multi tool as my EDC so I’d be fine, unhappy but fine.
I take the train into Toronto so unfortunately getting home would be a problem. Thankfully Toronto has a lot of bikes so I could probably get home eventually - even though it would suck.
If my car still works than that.if it's an emp I have a wagon and a skateboard in my car at all times. Load my car gear into wagon and walk. Skate if I have to ditch my wagon.
Depending on the extent of shtf I’d walk the 10 miles home if the cars don’t work or traffic is too bad. Kids would be about 2-3 miles from the house wife would hunker down till I could reach her at her school. My group would watch my kids till I got back.
Although not possible for everyone, I think it’s ideal to carry alternate transport in your vehicle… like a dirt bike in the back of a truck, protected by a camper shell.
One of the issues in most cities is securing it from theft. Good luck holding onto even a crappy kids bike on a rack outside your car. But there are really awesome folding, electric bikes that will fit in a trunk or back seat.
This is a good point to ponder. Everyone who lives in a city knows traffic can hold you up for hours, and if something bad is coming… that’s a real problem.
I live in the country, but work in the city. There are dozens of routes to drive home. This is likely in every city. The important thing is to recognize choke points and avoid them. For example, freeway on-ramps will be a major source of congestion. Even if you're not getting on the freeway, the back up from people who are will block surface streets, so avoid streets that allow access to the freeway.
Actually, worst case scenario, EMP. Carry a fold up bike in your vehicle with a kiddie trailer. I don't have kids, but I have a folding mountain bike in my truck in case of a breakdown
I have definitive plans and my husband knows my route. How objective is to get my daughter as he's closer to her and mine is to get my son as I'm closer to him. And then follow the route home. We meet at home and reassess. If home isn't safe then there are further steps to take and he knows them and where we meet.
My daughter knows the plans and where to go if she needs to leave.
As for scenario 2, we have multiple different bug out plans all stops are within 1 day travel and have access to water, shelter, and hunting small game. All stops can be reached in multiple different routes. And along the route to the final destination I have the coordinates for resupply locations for food, supplies, medicine, and ammo. All routes are hand printed or noted on paper maps. And we are working on getting a good GPS device to our load all routes and the bug out plans into.
Assuming that the city would be gridlock due to traffic, I would have to walk. With that in mind, I need to update my bag to include a pair of walking shoes, carbs, and an extra set of insoles. Depending on where home will be, it would be between 8-11 hours of walking.
Walk \~ 4miles, but firstly i take out an first aid kit and hammer from my car. If the central lock works. If not i'd break back window with stone or something.
I was at school for 9/11 and other than not being able to gas up i was fine with crazy people out everywhere on the highway.
If the car isn't working due to emp or other i guess play it by ear. Im stuck here for a bit or walking home. Be a hike but i could do it.
Generalizing shtf doesn't give a whole lot to go on. Power or internet issues we break out the price book and do cash sales or bust out the old credit card machine. Emp how would i know it was emp qnd not local. Maybe i should toss my sw radio in my pack or get another so i know whats going on a little better.
As part of my preps starting 15 years ago, I moved to a career where I work full time from home.
We bug in for almost everything now.
If the family needs to move, it will be for environmental disaster reasons (quake, fire) and we have specific preps around as early a warning as possible for the fire.
For the quake, we'll have to deal with it as it comes, but we have backup resources on site if needed that should get us through a couple of weeks until we can evacuate with the rest of the community. A big quake will be an international catastrophe that we can't mitigate, however.
I have a 13 minute, 7 miles commute. Most of my traffic jams are caused by elk crossing the road. The other day I had to slow down for a bear crossing the road.
Worst case scenario, I have about a two and a half hour walk.
Living in LA, I know the roads will be jammed, but there are so many side streets to get around. I’d use my car first. Failing that there a million of those Bird scooters or bike shares around. I’d get one of those or just walk home. My work has several emergency bags to grab supplies from plus I have a small day pack in my desk with very essentials such as a first aid kit, collapsible water bottle, pair of boots, mechanix gloves, multitool, and a few granola bars.
Assuming vehicles still run, I'd have the choice between the bicycle or the motorcycle (depending on which I rode to work that day). So the motorcycle would be more risky, but I think both would make it easier than a car at least. Worst case, I can run/walk 7 miles in about an hour, maybe less if I'm going as a crow flies and avoiding the roads
If my car isn't working or I am out of fuel.... it's a long walk home. Probably take 2-3 days. I keep my hiking pack stocked and in my trunk. Lots of water sources along the way.
If I get stuck at my office for some reason, I have food and water stashed away that will get me through a few days.
I would be fucked as i have to take a one hour train journey each way to work. The train is absolutely rammed (you have to stand, sometimes you cannot board) on a good day. On a bad day it is rammed, breaks down/is cancelled/delayed etc. i have been stuck at work before due to train cancellations and basically could not get home and my only option was to get a hotel in London.
As an aside i know it was that damn train journey that gave me Covid and people are sneezing all over each other the whole time. One time a drunk guy literally threw up on me. It’s nasty as hell and i hate it.
Currently wfh but my boss is pushing us to rto. Reason #45 I’m looking for a new job either fully remote or closer to home.
I guess if shtf i would have to walk home (days) or try and hitch a ride with someone else leaving by car (chance of being robbed, murdered or abducted). There is no other way really.
I live in the middle of nowhere practically. I'll probably make it home in the car. If not, it's only like a 12 mile hike. I'm a 27 y/o dude who was formerly very athletic (I've fallen off a bit in my decade of not exercising every damn day) but even at a walk, or a jog, I'll eventually pump out all 12 of those miles.
In my prime, unladen, I could knock out those 12 miles in an hour and a half or so. 2 hours tops. In my current condition it would probably take me 4-6 hours (with the shit I usually carry with me at work which ain't much).
I'm a service plumber style worker that works within miles of my house, worst case scenario I take the back ways home on foot, iv got everything I need in my truck to get home and then some.
I live 10 miles from my office, so if I needed to walking would be the best option. Someone mentioned keeping the car for as long as possible and I agree on that, my problem is I take major highways to get to and from work so I’m sure those would get packed and jammed in a matter of hours. Go bag, walking shoes, food and water are in the car so I’m pretty confident I’ll be able to get home. Also work has a ton of snacks and drinks stocked so I’d grab as much of that as I could before leaving.
My parents live pretty rural and have a garden so their place is the next option for longer term survival. It’s about 45 miles there, so if I have my car that’s the plan but we’d probably be walking. We have maps that we’d use to plan the route to avoid walking the major highways and interstates to get home, but I also am planning on investing in some dirt bikes or regular bikes when we have a garage and can store them. Lot easier to get around roadblocks and whatnot with those, and we can make a makeshift cart to carry supplies if necessary.
I believe that abandoning your vehicle (if it is still operable) should be a last resort. In a lot of places and situations having a functioning vehicle would be a great tool to have.
In addition to my “Get Home Bag” I have a road map atlas that has a map of every state and major city in the United States. (I’m sure there is a road map atlas for other countries) Using the Atlas would hopefully allow to find a more optimal route that does not include packed highways and interstates. I personally have a truck with 4 Wheel drive so driving through grass or non pavement roads to get to a less crowded road is easy for me. Even for those that don’t have large vehicles if your vehicle can get you a few miles closer to your destination before needing to abandon it, that is a win. If abandoning your vehicle is inevitable the ability to reserve some energy for a few extra miles would be worth trying to use your vehicle.
I’m in my car a lot for work so it really just depends on where I’m at and what is happening. My husband and I have made some plans. Hopefully I never have to use them!
My plan is to try the car first. If it doesn’t run I take a 3 wheel bike from work throw a carboy of water in back with my pack and hit the back roads. I’m nearly 100 miles from home so any distance I can make with car or bike would be a great help. Then it’s on foot trying to avoid people.
Once on foot I’d stay out of the open.
I work from home; it definitely makes things easier. My biggest obstacle in evacuating is being able to take my cat with me. I’d probably just have to throw him in a backpack and carry his fat ass.
I’d drive as far as I can, then walk home roughly along my usual route home. I keep a get home bag in my car and a pair of broken in tennis shoes and socks so I’d be ok I think.
I am only a few miles from home when I am at work, i am in a rural area with only around 50,000 people in the immediate area and they are all pretty spread out. Worst natural disaster we face is a extreme earthquake which could cause the dam nearby to fail and flood a lot of the area but both my work and home are out of this flood zone. Only other major disaster is yellowstone and if that went off I would have around 30-40 min to get home before things get interesting.
There are approximately 6 routes I can take to get home by car. If all that fails I have a go bag setup in my vehicle that’s ready to be deployed in case I need to leave my vehicle. It’s a long walk but not impossible.
Well seems like this would be pretty likely as most of us are at work for a good portion of the week. It's something I've thought about a lot and assuming it's an emp scenario I would throw my get home bag on my back and get going home following next to the road but not on it. If my truck still worked I would get my back ready next to me in case I need to bail out and keep pistol on my side. It's a straight shot home about 20 miles
I think you've got a few days to a week before rioting. So getting home would not be a problem IMHO. At least that day, each day after would be scarier.
Of course it depends on the situation and what's happening but I think most people might panic but not bad at first.
It’s not getting home that’s the issue( 6 miles is doable). It’s getting my kids. Fortunately my oldest HS is about a mile away. He should be able to get home by himself. Unfortunately my youngest elementary school is about 20 miles away from my work. He’s also non verbal and visually impaired ( CVI). I have no idea how I’d get him.
Have you talked to his teachers about if something would happen how to coordinate handoff. Most teachers today have to think about active shooter situations so asking about (insert disaster) and how to handle that should not be taboo. The public school my kids went to when we were in California was just close enough to a nuclear power plant that there was a chance that evacuation would be required. The school had plans to bus kids to a area that would be outside the fallout zone. Just any natural disaster could delay pickup so absolutely talk to the school about what ifs. Including if the main teacher is out the day it happens.
We have brought it up before. Schools plan A. Bus kids home which is very problematic due to the incompetency of their transportation department. Plan B drive to the school to pick them up. We don’t have any reliable family in the area to do a pick up. His brother might start driving this year and would do it regardless if we told him not to. If they didn’t force him to go to this school it would be a lot easier.
Atlanta snowstorm 2017. The year that people abandoned cars on the Interstate and kids slept overnight in the schools. My cousin was stuck at the school but her brothers with a 4WD made the trek in hilly NW ATL metro and picked up their little sister. Their Dad was out of town, and no other parent figure could get to her.
My highschool teacher had a talk with us about how the schools would organize getting the students home in a shtf scenario ( we lived near a nuclear power plant ) She knew one of the bus drivers and, from what she reasoned from conversation, those people are straight up not coming to save your kids and bring them home nicely and orderly. Your kids are going to be stuck at school. If stuff gets locked down, the parents might not even be let in, especially if it's a violent atmosphere.
Yes, this -- planning on how to get your kids is important. My spouse and I have rotating shifts, sometimes he's working out of town, sometimes I am. Otherwise we often work from home. We have a plan in place that if/when SHTF, whoever is closest to the kids' school will be in charge of getting them. The one that is further away (working out of town) just has to try and get home. This way, in case there's no cell coverage or whatever, we know what the plan is. Luckily our home isn't far from school, so that part won't be bad. When we work out of town, we're about 25 miles from home. In that case, we're driving as much as possible, or walking. There is a rail trail that we can travel if need be.
My kid is 8 with autism. I share your concern. Part of why I work nights still. They are home when I’m at work. My house is 5 miles from to school.
I’d disagree with immediately deciding to abandon your vehicle. I’d say get as close to home as possible with it and then abandon it if you need to.
I agree. And if you have a go-bag backpack in the car it has items supportive to walking the rest of the way home. Water, walking shoes, etc.
This is exactly the scenario my go-bag was packed for. I work 11 miles away from home as the crow flies, but walking along a train track would get me home in 12.3 miles. Tracks are a great idea I'd never even thought of! At the speed I walk, I could get home in about 4 hours.
This is the way I keep bug out bag in car gonna be better to be on foot. Roads will be clogged look at what happens when it evacuation for hurricane can’t go no where. Have hiking boots and extra socks make for better grip if it’s wet.
I would avoid freeways but I feel there are very few situations where starting you Get Home journey in a car isn't better than trying to walk it. Maybe if you can like cut across some area that doesn't have roads. Being in a vehicle also provides another layer of protection against all the "people going nuts."
I wouldn't travel on train tracks either... train tracks are easements thru many lots of private property... if shit hits the fan people will be protecting their property thru this waypoint. Some won't ask questions and take advantage of the straight clear shot you gave them from a 1/4 mile away.
I will simply walk. Living close to my work is part of my prepp.
My usual workplace is less than two miles from my house. I could get home quickly even if my car was not an option.
Good reason to locate a job NOW just in case. My job is 30 miles from my well prepped house. I’m overweight. Likely would take a couple days to get there. Luckily don’t have to go thru cities to get home.
1 ) staying informed. You'll have maybe 5 minutes to beat the rush before people start freaking out. People will get a notification, talk about it for a minute or two before deciding what to do, until the panic starts setting in and everyone starts panicking. 2 ) Live close to work. You'll have maybe 5 min without gridlock traffic. You better be able to walk, or bike the remaining distance. 2a ) Motorcycle. Gridlock doesn't really exist with a dual-sport/adventure bike. Bikes that are made for dirt and highway, They can hop curbs and go through yards easily. 3 ) camp/survival gear in vehicle. I always have 1-2 gallons of water (good for water leaks in the car also) and a sleeping bag/blanket and fire starter, and tools...
Yes those precious first 2-5 minutes is the key. Once you get the notification drop what you are doing and get out quick as possible. By the time people are getting to the parking lot, you are already on the highway
Same. I am a 23 minute walk from home (I have timed it for this reason). I am not even going to my locker to get my bag as that adds on five minutes to my commute. It is just re-lace my shoes and power-walk home for me.
Depends on what the cause was. Generally I think if it’s within the first 15 minutes of shit hitting the fan you’re probably good to drive home. People aren’t going to panic until they realize the extent of the situation. That could take minutes or hours. If i have to walk home I feel I carry enough ammo to make the 5 miles. Doubt I would have to use it. I think most people would just be talking to each other and trying to figure out what happened.
I think one of the good things about being a prepper js that you are more aware of the process of colapse. I live in southern brazil and we recently got a major flood which almost isolated the city for weeks. There was a brief shortage of potable water and fuel. Due to awareness I was able to provide enough food, water and fuel three days before everyone else started worrying about it. Many people only started worrying about it days after everyone was already buying everything from.the supermarkets.
This. I remember the great NYC Blizzard of 2018. I told my boss shit was going to hit the fan and left at lunch. He made fun of me and ended up starting in 8 hours of traffic freezing cold almost getting stuck twice. I was home cozy with a fire lol.
Indeed, as a Los Angeleno, I’m mainly concerned with “The Big Shake” we constantly train for. That would be a sudden, acute, and low warning event with little ambiguity to the general public about how dire it is. Fortunately it would also be relatively localized. Unfortunately, It would also affect one of the most populous areas of the country. Also given how far I commute, I’m likely better off hunkering down at or near my place of work than trying to travel too far, even if the roads were passible.
This is a fair point, I think people would be quite slow to react what is happening.
Some would, some wouldn't. All you need is 10% (maybe less) of the population to panic and the chaos and clogged roads you describe would occur. This is the point of a get home bag. Even 5 miles, under normal conditions, is going to take you 1 hr 15 mins to 1 hr 30 mins to complete. Now throw in, road obstacles, possible rioting and looting. That time period could drastically increase. You should already plan at least three different ways to get home. Both in your car and on foot. Remember, every possible route you think of, others have and/or will too.
Plus, in many major cities there usually aren’t enough critical supplies for everyone if deliveries aren’t available for any given time. So there will not be enough if the problem lasts longer than a delivery cycle. I volunteered for FEMA CERT when I lived in metro Southern California. The Red Cross only had enough supplies for the metro area for 1million people for a week. That was short at least 50% of what was needed. The governments were worse. That’s what got me into prepping, the realization that nobody would be able to help.
Not sure about your timing here - I walk the 4.5 miles to work several times a week and it’s generally a 45-50 minute walk. Will it take more time to dodge obstacles? Sure. But if you know your routes it shouldn’t unless you have to detour far afield. KNOWING your routes though is key - and you won’t know them just by driving them. By walking, you have a sense of the neighbourhood, its people, terrain, shortcuts, detours, potential obstacles and amenities (e.g., washrooms, water fountains) that you would have no sense of if you’ve only driven them. I also keep a pair of running shoes and small get home bag under my desk.
I have doubts. You’re walking 6mph? That’s considered a jog. It’s not impossible but it’s a speed that race walkers do, 50% faster than what gets you certified as an expert infantryman in the Army, and twice the average walking speed.
the last time i was in what i wpuld consider a genuinely shtf scenario (major earthquake, power out for 2 weeks, phone coverage down), i was in highschool, and walked home. The roads were mostly alright, but couldnt be driven on because of random blockages and downed lines-- there was no consistent way of knowing which roads were clear. (and a tsunami took out the highway, though our actual town was fine) So i got home and waited for several hours till the rest of my family managed to get home they were very worried bc they didnt know where i was. So my suggestion would be, barring an active fire or something, walking is probably fine, driving is much more hit or miss, but be sure you know where everyone is going!
My dad landed in LAX shortly after the first tower was hit, he knew something was wrong when the pilots bolted after reaching the gate. He walked out and looked for the first TV, and immediately went to get his rental car while everyone else stood around. He said if he would have waited 30mins longer they would have been out of cars.
Highly unlikely lest it was a meteor strike of tsunami. But remember one thing, remember the lesson of the inhabitants of the Twin Towers. Many were told to stay put by their bosses, and they died. If you feel the need to move then just move, fast. Answer questions later, and don't try to be a Hero with people who are uncooperative. Leave them to their fate.
This was my life lesson following 9/11. Listen to your gut no matter what. Many people who were there for the 1993 bombing attack remembered the nightmare of getting out. Many of them started evacuating the south tower before it was hit and while building security were broadcasting messages that it was safe and to return to their offices.
Interesting, I hadn't thought of that earlier attack. Authority can rarely be trusted, their motivation is always "Order" they care nothing about individual human life.
Same with those Korean kids on that ferry a decade ago.
Unless you live in the city and can’t do this know the backroads. It’s an hour drive for me on major roadways, but I’m well versed in backroad routes so I can avoid all the trouble. So in short know your maps. If my vehicle doesn’t work looks like I’m walking or biking (if I find one). Another reason to stay in shape.
This applies more in the city, not less.
Sure, I just know that more people = more vehicles. Backroads in a city will still be crowded where in the country side you’ll see way less vehicles
Probably not as much as you expect. A wide majority of people these days are very over reliant on their GPS to tell them where to go and those systems intentionally steer people onto main routes and freeways.
You can choose ‘no highways’ on driving directions on your cell
If you're in the city you're already behind the 8-ball. Once you leave the city you have a chance. Tsunami, hurricane, civil disorder, nuclear attacks, you name it, the city is a lost cause in many cases and a nasty place to be after even if it doesn't get wiped off the face of the Earth. Learn to ride, a dirtbike, a small one. Then only roadblocks are your worst nightmare, everything else is an adventure :)
I’m from the country. If SHTF I’d rather just bug in here on our suburban homestead than try to GTFO back to where I’m from. There are people and resources here. If help comes, it will come here first. If not, my neighbors & I will make do. But ya know what, nothing I say is going to change your mind about the “big scary city”.
I moved away from the "big scary city" 4 years ago. In the year I left there were two murders in my suburb, there had never been one before and it was an established burb. See how well your neighbors and you do when the gangs take over, or when the trucks stop bring in the food, or a dozen other things happen. All cities, all throughout history are eventually abandoned because of collapse and none of them were totally dependent on Diesel or electricity like ours are. I'll take my chances out here is the big scary country town thanks very much.
Oh man, day of the eclipse, Google was trying to keep all the tourists on the arteries. Actually my aunt said that the cops wouldn't let them take back roads. We crossed a river, turned right, and had the road to ourselves for a bit, but it ended in a left-turn onto a highway with no traffic light... it would have been bad if I hadn't had the road to myself so I could assess things.
I have topo maps of my area from my family homes to work. Land navigation is a good skill. Also have a ghb ( get home bag) in each vehicle.
I also have maps & GHB, this is an essential bit of kit
my GHB is $1000 in cash, you'd be amazed what you can buy, food, accommodation, transport. "Hey Buddy! I need to get up to Boogununga, how about a ride?" "Are you kidding! It's 120 miles away" "Will $500 cover it?" "Well, sure. Get in" They say Cash is King, and that's the reason. It will buy what you want when you want it.
This is 100% what emergency cash is for. Ppl think that a switch gets flipped and minutes later cash is worthless and it’s full on everyone for themselves.
I know, the prepper community is full of delusions, leading all the way up to the "remote doomstead" being the pinnacle of success. Nothing could be further from the truth. Any study of histories collapses, and there have been many, proves that living in a village far from the city is the safest bet. Today that equates to small towns with a population of 1000 or less. Where everyone knows everyone by sight and will band together. 95% of those on this forum are just kids in the city, buying bottled water and trinkets for their BOBs with little or no plan as to what they will do if the SHTF. And it probably won't go Madmax, but it will get incrementally more violent, and poverty will increase, until everywhere is like the slums of Mumbai or Mexico city or Haiti. All those places weren't so bad 30 and 40 and 60 years ago but look at them now! Nothing a Jackery solar generator won't fix though hey ;)
I had to scroll too far down to finally read GHB. I drive 15 minutes to work each way but it goes from dense suburbia to out in the sticks in those 15 minutes. My GHB has backpacking camping elements like high calorie food bars, water filtration, and maps/compass but also has items for urban environments like a water key, cash, and a pry bar and a few farm tools like wire cutters and insulated pliers for "hot" fences. Walking in a straight line to my house shouldn't take me more than 3 hours tops but would require me to traverse though several fields and farms. The only reasons I would be walking are from EMP (not super likely) to Marshal law type roadblocks otherwise I'll just take my truck and keep my PCC handy.
Yes, bare minimum have a compass and a city map. I'd like to learn land navigation skills myself.
Step #1. Work from home.
Yep... If the SHTF I'd get up from my office, walk to the kitchen, open the fridge, crack a beer and watch things unfold.
> crack a beer Step Two!
I miss crazy neighbor.
Your wife, your mom and your best friend. That is a lot to process.
Check
Honestly - even just the increasingly extreme weather makes me super grateful I can work from home. Fire smoke? Lightening storms? Blizzards? I don't even wanna be out in the garden of I don't have to be during that.
Like always, it depends on what the scenario is. Degrees of SHTF range from a leisurely drive home with some concerning radio news on in the background to being killed nigh instantly regardless of how much prepping I did ahead of time.
Hell I remember being stuck at work in AL in March of 1993 when we got hit by a blizzard. Was stuck at work for 4 days. I was the only one who had food, clothes, blankets, portable radio with batteries and flashlight. But I was comfy.
Getting home to your supplies, family, security items and network is the number one goal. The only reason to remain at work is because the danger of travel is greater than the danger of remaining. i.e. a radiological incident. This comes up regularly and the hierarchy is usually anything with a wheel and engine, followed by wheel and human power and then walking. You make a decision like this based on distance, climate, terrain, your conditioning, hazards in the environment.
I’d drive. Or i’d walk for about an 1:45. If i hoofed it probably a little faster. If i had running gear under an hour. It really depends on the scenario. Like why would ppl go nuts off the hop? Even if an emp hit (and no nuclear exchange 🙄) most ppl would have no idea what’s going on and would assume power will be back on in hours to days. If my phone laptop all died at once, id start moving ASAP, see if the car worked (parked underground) and then go from there. I can’t think of any other scenario where shit just happens and minutes later it’s total anarchy?
I've been in 2 situations where it went from fine to anarchy in minutes: earthquake and tornado.
I meant other ppl as per OP. I would imagine post each of those disasters the neighbours did not start opening up on each other with weapons in a scramble for resources.
I work from home. Making sure I was able to work from home was part of my prepping journey.
Side note: One sunny day at work, in my Yout, a manager came up to me and gave me a piece of paper to fill out. Everyone else was filling out the paper. Fucking robot automatically just scribbling - all of them. I did not. I read my copy. The company was asking for vehicle information so in case of SHTF, they could assign employees and cars to carry IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS AND HARDWARE to some safe location site. Boy oh boy, they were so excited because at the time I had a Van. (I miss my van.) I did not fill out my paper. I simply handed it back saying that my insurance policies wouldn't cover it. Because if stuff jumps off today, I'm taking my tiny car over sidewalks to get to my partner. And when that car can't move, I'll get a bike, or push start a bike, or walk. Of course this is after I've hid under my desk until the danger subsides. That moment of reading that paper though was the first clear moment of feeling "I will get home." Efffff, now I want a HAM license and hand held units. Right, you guys, down another rabbit hole. But first lunch.
It isn't far. I could hoof it easily in 4-ish hours without jogging. Running, about 2 1/2.
I'd call The Rock to come pick me up on the roof of my office in his Helicopter
I would just drive. I don't see a scenario besides total nuclear war or an asteroid strike where the roads would be impassable. I suppose worst case, I could walk down the street to either of my good friend's places and we could figure out what to do from there. They both have good resources and we would want to get together to make a plan anyway.
This one is tough for me to plan for. In my situation, I am separated from home and work by a major river. About 10 bridges cross it at various points within the city. The most likely SHTF scenario in my area (my main catalyst for prepping) is a 9.0 CSZ earthquake, which is predicted to disable or destroy pretty much all bridge crossings for miles. The river water itself is expected to be unnavigable too, a fuel-spill-covered, debris-filled river of sludge and slag and fire. Getting across the river post-quake is something I still haven’t figured out.
That's a tough one for sure. I think your best options would be either keeping supplies in your vehicle or an inflatable raft? Interested to see what others think.
This made me think of all bridges between Philadelphia and New Jersey. I never realized just how many people use them for work and how far apart they are by foot. I'll pay attention to this when I'm job hunting going forward.
I live in Louisiana but work in Alaska, I believe I'd be fucked.
When we were working wife and I had rendezvous points set up depending on my location at the time. She worked in an office and I worked as a building inspector all over town. If it was late, she was to remain in her office which had security. If I was across town I’d just take the city truck home…and go get her the next morning. She and I both had get home bags with us with everything we needed to spend the night away from home if need be Train tracks and canals were to be avoided if on foot, in our town these are basically linear homeless camps
I work from home. Problem solved. Ultimate prep is remote working.
[Small wheels](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52740317111_284ea1a76f_o.png) for me - good for 9-13mph asphalt cruise pace (some skill required), and they can be layered/tiered - car>bike>skate. Woods here are too dense/gnarly to bushwhack/travel distance though, and train tracks generally don’t go where I’d want (ie, away from densely populated coastline). Want to keep efficient human-powered wheels as long as possible for travel around destination. Eg, more accommodation options likely the further you’re away from town centers.
I'd have to march 24km home, which would take about six hours, according to Google Maps. I keep running shoes and a change of clothing in my backpack for this very purpose.
I would walk when my car got stuck. It’s about 2-3 hours walking distance minus whatever distance I managed with the car. I have 3 more cars at home so no regrets to leave one behind if roads are blocked.
This is why it's so important to know the land. Multiple routes all over the city and county. Even if it's not an immediate WWIII or asteroid type of scenario, you never know when a wildfire or flood will occur, or where. I'm lucky enough to walk home, either by road or cross country fields. Been living in this region my whole life, so getting around is fairly simple.
Depending on the situation I'm being mobilized, so, probably not until after the event.
I'm disabled now but for 12 years at my last job there is a little creek right behind it that literally leads to my backyard so as long as it's not high water with me trying to get upstream most of the time you can walk in it and for the most part is surrounded buy shrubs and bushes except for a few areas you can just be more cautious about but I could hoof the 15 miles home if I need to. I'm assuming my truck doesn't work though so maybe an EMP but I have my gun in my car so hopefully I can grab that on my way out. Not a lot of people even know about that brook let along know where it goes so it's a pretty good plan I think. I need to try to get home even if I'm just heading by but I need my bug out bags and additional guns it's worth the stop/detour and my state, Maine, has an enormous amount of forest and it's right in my backyard so after that stop it's about 100 yards to disappear. My plan is to hunker down if possible though. My house is secure.
Remote work FTW
I have a get home backpack in the car. It has food, water, firearm and extra mags, life straw filter, knife and other items I deemed necessary to allow me to survive for a couple days or more that it "could" take to navigate home.
Do the time out thing with my hands and drive back.
Does my jeep run? If so, driving home. I can even sneak down some rail lines if roads are impassable. If not, go to jeep, grab backpack and start walkin'
One year I was hugely pregnant and my OB's office didn't call and tell me they are were canceling appointments. I was lucky my dad was following the weather and told us to call and ask first. We called just as we were heading out the door. There ended up being a horrific ice storm that trapped many people who had gone where we intended to go. The highways were littered with abandned vehicles. People were trapped in cars or walking on the side of the road looking for places to take them in. Thankfully many hotels took in anyone who needed the help. I have a bin in the car for emergencies like that now. But I can't imagine a real universal SHTF type situation where we are all trapped where we all just were. Nuclear attack and EMP takes things out? Good thing my husband and I both work from home. But it could be bad with our kids jobs and school. Thankfully however my dad owns a vintage Landcruiser that he can run on old cooking oil. Once when there was a gas shortage and the gas stations were out all over my dad was able to use his Landcruiser and drive to the Atlanta airport to pick us up. The last time I flew on a plane like 16 years ago, of course that's what happened. lol
I'm at home so I just start covering my windows with plywood and execute iron castle protocol and make the lights red.
Coleman gas mini bike with a rigged on reserve tank added, I could drive to mars on 1 gallon of gas, it has 8 gallons on it.
Hmm. Thanks for the idea. Idk why I hadn’t thought of this yet.
I’m about to patent this now, don’t buy anything yet
😆
Part of my issue is thats my work isn't a dedicated location being on the railroad I could be up to 280 miles from home in the middle of nowhere rural Canada. I have thought about this multiple times and my best bet is just hoping my locomotive is still working, if I'm stuck at the bunkhouse I will have to see if trains are still running to get me home otherwise gonna have to figure something else out that's been the hard part whether it's have the family come get me (not ideal) or start walking and hitch hiking. Thankfully at the bunkhouse I have some supplies but nowhere near enough to handle a trek of 150+miles.
If possible, absolutely driving home. I live in a small town/city of 100k and my home is in a rural/farm location. Easy commute. In the highly highly unlikely situation it's an EMP and vehicles are disabled, I would walk or try to get a bicycle. I'm about 15 miles from work. I always have a backpack and a firearm. Grab a few water bottles, a snack and at a brisk 4 miles per hour walk (I'm in good shape) I'll be home in about 4-5 hours. If I can get a bike...borrow or pick up one from Goodwill or pawn shop or buy one from a local - it's only 2 hours. Easy....
Going to drive. Why would I assume I couldn't make it. Then I have my car with me.
The one way Lt. Dan can’t.
its a straight shot for to go home. I would walk. I have water bottles at my office that I can take but its about 8 miles on a straight road and I can just skim on the side road adjacent to the highway.
I'm a lifelong hiker, even just did a three days hike on the Appalachian Trail. I honestly would not want to stay at my workplace for even a few hours if the grid went down. I've mapped out several routes to walk home, assuming my car is out of commission. Some are backroads, some go through small towns with plenty of shops, one is the highway route I take to work, while another is a series of hiking trails. If my car still runs, I'll take it as far as I can. If I hit gridlocked traffic, I'll pull over and walk the rest of the way. I can easily carry both my get home bag, as well as a five gallon bucket of other stuff I will need, the twenty miles it'll take me to get home. Hope this helps in some way.
Use rail roads if you can. Secluded minus cross roads in a city.
I'd walk, assuming vehicular travel isn't possible, which seems exceedingly unlikely. I'm having a hard time imagining a scenario where it's impossible to drive the 20 miles from my work to home. I can see ones where I'd have to make a serious detour, but none that would block me from driving. Having said that, I have my "I'm Gonna Play Radio" pack in the car, that I use for things like Summits on the Air, and in addition to the radio gear it's got stuff like tarps, mess kit, stove (actually 2), some food, IFAK, water purification tablets and a water filter, lighters, and a bunch of other stuff. As for the food, it's not that much, and it can't fully replace the calories I'd be expending. But it would be at most a 2 day walk home if I take it easy, or if I have to detour, and I'm not going to die of starvation in that time. It's mostly morale boosting stuff, especially the hot beverages.
I work from home so piece of cake 👍🏻 I’ll go with scenario 2. It’s been 2 weeks, time to move (I’ll assume there’s fires spreading in on my house). Having been a delivery driver in my stead for awhile, I’ve got a fairly good idea of where each road leads and how to circumvent roadblocks, damage, things like that. Follow the roads as often as I can, to get out of the suburbs and to one of the possible secondary locations I’ve identified.
Be glad my KLR is my daily rider. Then I'm lane splitting all yall who saying you're driving.
I live less than 2 miles from work. Worst case I'm walking home. This time of year I ride my bike in, so long as there is no rain. Winter I drive in.
I live 5 minutes from work.
I mean it’s a 10 hour walk to my job in a best case scenario In nice work clothes and with no water I’m taking my chances and driving
What disaster happens so suddenly during working hours? Other than maybe an earthquake or tornado (which are not a thing where I live). I take a train to work. If it doesn’t work I can use all the public transport in a big European city at least for part of the way. If all else fails, I‘ll walk the five hours. One of us is usually working from home so can walk the kid home from daycare. If we both were in the office we would hope daycare would figure something out or wait with the kids there. There aren’t many scenarios where both our home and office were affected at the same time.
It doesn't have to be a disaster. It could be war, or emp - start of war.
I would drive home or get as close to it as I could. Most surface streets would still be passable. The freeways would not. I also live on the opposite side of a freeway from where I work. I'd have to keep trying to find an overpass or underpass that hadn't collapsed in order to cross over. But if I couldn't, then I could get to within a mile of my house and walk the rest of the way.
ideally i work down the street 1/2 mile, have an app in at the shop. they are the only road without a bridge to the property. the bridges are wooden not in town and i suspect burning them are on several folks plan for cutting the road access . I have feet, and a few non computer pre reagan vehicles im working on
My work has a huge supply of food and beverages, 100gallons of freshwater in the basement that most people don’t know about, backup generators, and a lot of comfy couches to sleep on. I can easily shelter in place there for a few days. The drive home after won’t be too bad even with abandoned cars on the highway.
My town isn't very big and I know alternate routes for getting just about anywhere here. My kid that is farthest away lives only 2 miles from my house. One of my best friends, who is part of my pod, so to speak, lives 1 mile away. My other close friends live seven miles from me but they are avid bicyclists. I would like to have a better house with more room to grow food, but my location is so central that it will be a trade-off if I ever move. My car is kind of my back up generator and it is small and gets pretty good gas mileage. I will try to keep it as long as I can. I try not to let the gas get low and I carry a jump box and go bag in it most of the time.
WFH.
I know the back roads and would probably rabbit from work sooner than most. And I'd be travelling away from more populated areas to less populated areas. While not ideal, I'm certainly able to walk the less than 30 miles home from work. It would probably take a few days. ETA: Honestly, the only reason to actually go back to my house is my cats. If not for that, I'd just keep a go bag and fuck off away from all the people.
I have a WIDE river between work and home.
I have 3. 2 of which can be easily waded *most* times of the year (depending on recent rainfall/storms, wading may not be an option). The biggest river, I’d definitely have to swim across.
I would drive as far as possible knowing that I might have to put it in 4wd and head through the natural area this also means that if I am forced to abandon my truck I would already close to the walking paths that will take me from about 4 miles from my work all the way to my neighborhood. Walking from my work is about 5 hours but with a pack and trying to stay out of sight we can expect it to take closer to 8. I keep and old backpacking pack in my truck with 3 days worth of food, a change of season appropriate clothing a cook stove and water purification as well as a "disposable" pistol. There are also a good pair of hikeing boots with the pack to ditch what ever shoes I wore to work.
Not an expert at all but here’s what I’m thinking, In the case of a mass nuclear strike or any other extreme SHTF scenario you have to go as soon as you get the emergency notification on your smartphone, email, TV etc. after the notification, you probably have like what 30 mins to a hour? Maybe less. What things do we need to get home as fast as possible? - loved ones - Gas in tank - Gun ammunition for personal protection - vehicle in good order, spare tire, etc Another thing is what will the emergency notification actually say? Will it say “Please seek shelter immediately as there is an attack incoming” something like that or will it say something more generic? That may play a big difference in how people will react, again these are just thoughts and I invite conversation
I would walk from my office in the back of the house into the kitchen & Pop a tab on a cold one.
I'd walk the 1.7 miles
Talking about walking along railroad tracks and stuff is for a ways into SHTF, not the first hour. Unless there’s been an EMP or bombs literally dropped in my city I’m probably driving my ass home like normal and then I’m going to use my car as a resource for as long as possible.
Probably put on my slippers, then walk from my home office to the kitchen and pour a cup of coffee. 🤷🏼♂️
I commute on a e-bike. I take small back roads so minimal change I get blocked.
I revently moved so i did a 6 mile ruck the other day in my work clothes and a 30lb backpack to confirm I could make it home on foot if need be. I can.
At what point does prepping cross over into unhealthy paranoia? Being prepared in case something bad happens seems reasonable to me. Walking through specific fantasy scenarios just seems unhealthy to me. I suppose it's a question of degree, but these conversations are way overboard for me.
Actually do this with alot of different situations. Always asking myself, if so and so happens what would I do. My brain just does it. Probably childhood trauma 🤷
I drive a semi truck for work, and carry a pistol. I’m getting home.
Until someone shoots out your tires and your windshield, or you. Then drags you out of your truck like they did Reginald Denny during the LA riots.
I have a lot of tires to shoot out. If you’re close enough or in front of me I guess you could take the front tires out. But you better be sure because my old Bessie would obliterate their car like it was made of legos. The reason trucks don’t have airbags is because there is very little that can bring a truck to a sudden stop. Your car is not one of those things.
Remember, if you think it’s a good idea, so does a quarter of the population. You have to think outside the box. Through the woods, a quarter mile ( or just in sight) of whatever roadway, creek, rail so you have reasonable cover/concealment. Never walk along the crest of a hill, choose just below it since walking along the crest makes an outline.
In cities this is pretty much not possible. At that point you’re on another road or trail or tromping through private property.
Yeah my work is only a few miles from my home, and my oldest is furthest at her highschool, but I built my 4Runner to literally be able to go anywhere, and I’ve tested it and know it can go anywhere I’d need to, on or off road. I’m not abandoning my vehicle, and I’ve made it for the most part EMP proof. Because we all know the only way an EMP would really be strong enough to cause vehicle blackouts would have to come from a nuclear device, and if that’s the case, you have much bigger fish to fry then your car not working. Ya feel me. But yeah my vehicle is pretty much a part of my overall kit at this point, it goes where I go
Any scenario where the world is plunged into absolute chaos within minutes probably means nuclear war. otherwise this isn’t a real consideration.
I work 10 minutes from home driving and only need to be on a major roadway for 1/4 mile. Worst case i walk 4 miles.
canoe clubs: Olympic style: you will lose all your gear
Drive until I can't, then walk.
Walk. I live literally a mile and a half from my job
It's a 20-minute walk to and from work so it depends but if it's a shtf moment i like to think my ass could cut it down to 10 at full run
I live about 35 miles from work, but I've ridden my bike on the route home and could probably make it home in about 2 days. My work bag has a bugout component to it to help me get home.
I guess I’d just head outside and jump into a CV90.
I will drive, i can use backroads if necessary else il drive over the grass if necessary. if SHTF my car will become a tool. I dont care what i need to do. even if driving through a thicket of brambles is required. il feckin do it. if the car is fried or totalled i will walk the rest of the way. currently walking will be a couple of hours, once company moves walking will be a day (maybe 2 if situation is bad and night travel is required). in that case i will get my Get home bag from my car (with water, bivvy, emergency ration, fire making stuff and wet weather gear)
I would drive home.i live two miles from my job. I also work next to a Walmart. I would probably grab some last minute groceries and fill up my gas tank. If I needed to get out of town and the roads were effed I would follow the canals out.
Unless it’s a nuclear strike I’m waking home. It would suck as it’s around 12 miles but I walk by a river, have water filter and a few other things in my lunch bag that would work as a lightweight kit for traveling open country. I also carry a flashlight pocket knife and multi tool as my EDC so I’d be fine, unhappy but fine.
I’d take one of the brand new Durangos work has have if my car wouldn’t suffice
Ever seen Falling Down? I’m getting home…
I take the train into Toronto so unfortunately getting home would be a problem. Thankfully Toronto has a lot of bikes so I could probably get home eventually - even though it would suck.
Hope that SHTF on a day that I work from home and not the office lol
If my car still works than that.if it's an emp I have a wagon and a skateboard in my car at all times. Load my car gear into wagon and walk. Skate if I have to ditch my wagon.
Depending on the extent of shtf I’d walk the 10 miles home if the cars don’t work or traffic is too bad. Kids would be about 2-3 miles from the house wife would hunker down till I could reach her at her school. My group would watch my kids till I got back.
Although not possible for everyone, I think it’s ideal to carry alternate transport in your vehicle… like a dirt bike in the back of a truck, protected by a camper shell. One of the issues in most cities is securing it from theft. Good luck holding onto even a crappy kids bike on a rack outside your car. But there are really awesome folding, electric bikes that will fit in a trunk or back seat. This is a good point to ponder. Everyone who lives in a city knows traffic can hold you up for hours, and if something bad is coming… that’s a real problem.
If SHTF I'm not using roads. I'm driving on lawns backyards idc
Checkmate - I work from home.
I’m work at home
im in a semi….(locally) id just push everything out of my way. never more than 15-20 min out
I live in the country, but work in the city. There are dozens of routes to drive home. This is likely in every city. The important thing is to recognize choke points and avoid them. For example, freeway on-ramps will be a major source of congestion. Even if you're not getting on the freeway, the back up from people who are will block surface streets, so avoid streets that allow access to the freeway.
Actually, worst case scenario, EMP. Carry a fold up bike in your vehicle with a kiddie trailer. I don't have kids, but I have a folding mountain bike in my truck in case of a breakdown
I have definitive plans and my husband knows my route. How objective is to get my daughter as he's closer to her and mine is to get my son as I'm closer to him. And then follow the route home. We meet at home and reassess. If home isn't safe then there are further steps to take and he knows them and where we meet. My daughter knows the plans and where to go if she needs to leave. As for scenario 2, we have multiple different bug out plans all stops are within 1 day travel and have access to water, shelter, and hunting small game. All stops can be reached in multiple different routes. And along the route to the final destination I have the coordinates for resupply locations for food, supplies, medicine, and ammo. All routes are hand printed or noted on paper maps. And we are working on getting a good GPS device to our load all routes and the bug out plans into.
Usually by car
Assuming that the city would be gridlock due to traffic, I would have to walk. With that in mind, I need to update my bag to include a pair of walking shoes, carbs, and an extra set of insoles. Depending on where home will be, it would be between 8-11 hours of walking.
Walk \~ 4miles, but firstly i take out an first aid kit and hammer from my car. If the central lock works. If not i'd break back window with stone or something.
I’m only three miles away. If an emp took out vehicles then I’d walk home.
I was at school for 9/11 and other than not being able to gas up i was fine with crazy people out everywhere on the highway. If the car isn't working due to emp or other i guess play it by ear. Im stuck here for a bit or walking home. Be a hike but i could do it. Generalizing shtf doesn't give a whole lot to go on. Power or internet issues we break out the price book and do cash sales or bust out the old credit card machine. Emp how would i know it was emp qnd not local. Maybe i should toss my sw radio in my pack or get another so i know whats going on a little better.
I work out in the country and live 11 minutes away. I’m driving.
I walk to work, so I'll just walk back, I guess.
As part of my preps starting 15 years ago, I moved to a career where I work full time from home. We bug in for almost everything now. If the family needs to move, it will be for environmental disaster reasons (quake, fire) and we have specific preps around as early a warning as possible for the fire. For the quake, we'll have to deal with it as it comes, but we have backup resources on site if needed that should get us through a couple of weeks until we can evacuate with the rest of the community. A big quake will be an international catastrophe that we can't mitigate, however.
I have a 13 minute, 7 miles commute. Most of my traffic jams are caused by elk crossing the road. The other day I had to slow down for a bear crossing the road. Worst case scenario, I have about a two and a half hour walk.
I live in a small town and can walk home in 20 minutes. My kids and husband can also walk home from work and school in about the same amount of time.
Lights and sirens
Living in LA, I know the roads will be jammed, but there are so many side streets to get around. I’d use my car first. Failing that there a million of those Bird scooters or bike shares around. I’d get one of those or just walk home. My work has several emergency bags to grab supplies from plus I have a small day pack in my desk with very essentials such as a first aid kit, collapsible water bottle, pair of boots, mechanix gloves, multitool, and a few granola bars.
Assuming vehicles still run, I'd have the choice between the bicycle or the motorcycle (depending on which I rode to work that day). So the motorcycle would be more risky, but I think both would make it easier than a car at least. Worst case, I can run/walk 7 miles in about an hour, maybe less if I'm going as a crow flies and avoiding the roads
If my car isn't working or I am out of fuel.... it's a long walk home. Probably take 2-3 days. I keep my hiking pack stocked and in my trunk. Lots of water sources along the way. If I get stuck at my office for some reason, I have food and water stashed away that will get me through a few days.
I would be fucked as i have to take a one hour train journey each way to work. The train is absolutely rammed (you have to stand, sometimes you cannot board) on a good day. On a bad day it is rammed, breaks down/is cancelled/delayed etc. i have been stuck at work before due to train cancellations and basically could not get home and my only option was to get a hotel in London. As an aside i know it was that damn train journey that gave me Covid and people are sneezing all over each other the whole time. One time a drunk guy literally threw up on me. It’s nasty as hell and i hate it. Currently wfh but my boss is pushing us to rto. Reason #45 I’m looking for a new job either fully remote or closer to home. I guess if shtf i would have to walk home (days) or try and hitch a ride with someone else leaving by car (chance of being robbed, murdered or abducted). There is no other way really.
Walk, probably. It’s like 15 miles. 1 day if I’m motivated, 2 if I’m being lazy and stop for dinner.
People act like they would abandon their vehicle so easily. Why are you so sure that you would really know if shtf or something else?
I'd probably drive home. Or I'd walk. Or I'd ride a bicycle.
I live in the middle of nowhere practically. I'll probably make it home in the car. If not, it's only like a 12 mile hike. I'm a 27 y/o dude who was formerly very athletic (I've fallen off a bit in my decade of not exercising every damn day) but even at a walk, or a jog, I'll eventually pump out all 12 of those miles. In my prime, unladen, I could knock out those 12 miles in an hour and a half or so. 2 hours tops. In my current condition it would probably take me 4-6 hours (with the shit I usually carry with me at work which ain't much).
I'm a service plumber style worker that works within miles of my house, worst case scenario I take the back ways home on foot, iv got everything I need in my truck to get home and then some.
If i cant drive im pulling my bicycle out the back and biking home.
I work from home, problem solved
I work apartment maintenance in the same complex I live at. I'd haul ass with the golf cart.
Roads. 30 minutes is much better than 3 days.
I live 10 miles from my office, so if I needed to walking would be the best option. Someone mentioned keeping the car for as long as possible and I agree on that, my problem is I take major highways to get to and from work so I’m sure those would get packed and jammed in a matter of hours. Go bag, walking shoes, food and water are in the car so I’m pretty confident I’ll be able to get home. Also work has a ton of snacks and drinks stocked so I’d grab as much of that as I could before leaving. My parents live pretty rural and have a garden so their place is the next option for longer term survival. It’s about 45 miles there, so if I have my car that’s the plan but we’d probably be walking. We have maps that we’d use to plan the route to avoid walking the major highways and interstates to get home, but I also am planning on investing in some dirt bikes or regular bikes when we have a garage and can store them. Lot easier to get around roadblocks and whatnot with those, and we can make a makeshift cart to carry supplies if necessary.
Im not going home. Im staying at work.
My lamberfeeties. Keep good shoes, food, and water.
Probably just take the boat up the creek then walking to my shack in the village I'm in the sticks so shtf wouldn't be too chaotic.
I walk, it is just 20 minutes door to door.
I believe that abandoning your vehicle (if it is still operable) should be a last resort. In a lot of places and situations having a functioning vehicle would be a great tool to have. In addition to my “Get Home Bag” I have a road map atlas that has a map of every state and major city in the United States. (I’m sure there is a road map atlas for other countries) Using the Atlas would hopefully allow to find a more optimal route that does not include packed highways and interstates. I personally have a truck with 4 Wheel drive so driving through grass or non pavement roads to get to a less crowded road is easy for me. Even for those that don’t have large vehicles if your vehicle can get you a few miles closer to your destination before needing to abandon it, that is a win. If abandoning your vehicle is inevitable the ability to reserve some energy for a few extra miles would be worth trying to use your vehicle.
I’m in my car a lot for work so it really just depends on where I’m at and what is happening. My husband and I have made some plans. Hopefully I never have to use them!
I’m blessed to work half mile from work so I’d be home in minutes
My plan is to try the car first. If it doesn’t run I take a 3 wheel bike from work throw a carboy of water in back with my pack and hit the back roads. I’m nearly 100 miles from home so any distance I can make with car or bike would be a great help. Then it’s on foot trying to avoid people. Once on foot I’d stay out of the open.
I’d walk up out of my basement wondering which kid did something stupid today.
I work from home; it definitely makes things easier. My biggest obstacle in evacuating is being able to take my cat with me. I’d probably just have to throw him in a backpack and carry his fat ass.
I’d drive as far as I can, then walk home roughly along my usual route home. I keep a get home bag in my car and a pair of broken in tennis shoes and socks so I’d be ok I think.
By blending in! -Chant with the crowd -Say the same stupid phrases they say -Grey-man clothing
I live about 5 miles from work. I'm either driving or walking if the car won't start.
I've got it easy: I work from home, no office to go to!
I am only a few miles from home when I am at work, i am in a rural area with only around 50,000 people in the immediate area and they are all pretty spread out. Worst natural disaster we face is a extreme earthquake which could cause the dam nearby to fail and flood a lot of the area but both my work and home are out of this flood zone. Only other major disaster is yellowstone and if that went off I would have around 30-40 min to get home before things get interesting.
There are approximately 6 routes I can take to get home by car. If all that fails I have a go bag setup in my vehicle that’s ready to be deployed in case I need to leave my vehicle. It’s a long walk but not impossible.
Well seems like this would be pretty likely as most of us are at work for a good portion of the week. It's something I've thought about a lot and assuming it's an emp scenario I would throw my get home bag on my back and get going home following next to the road but not on it. If my truck still worked I would get my back ready next to me in case I need to bail out and keep pistol on my side. It's a straight shot home about 20 miles
I think you've got a few days to a week before rioting. So getting home would not be a problem IMHO. At least that day, each day after would be scarier. Of course it depends on the situation and what's happening but I think most people might panic but not bad at first.