Hotel or Drive, that is the question

An hour or slightly more is the most I'll drive the morning of the race. Up at 3am to drive won't kill you, but it won't be a lot of fun either.

What about packet pickup? Some race don't let you pick up your packet the morning of the race, that might be a determinant.

My first race was 2:20 away and started at 7am.  I left my house at 3:15.  Definitely not ideal, but it wasn't terrible.  I'd do it again, although I'm more careful about race location now. 

Bear's right about packet pickup.  Even if you can get it the morning of, make sure you get there early so you have time to set up.

Have a great first race!

How well do you sleep in unfamiliar surroundings?  I don't sleep well the first night in a strange place, so I'd only get a few hours sleep either way. 

Just make sure you've packed and checked your stuff the night before, because your mental gymnastics at 3:15 might be a little flaky. 

x2.  Totally agree with this.  Last year we got a hotel room for Pleasant Prairie which is about 1.5 hrs from my house.  I got all of about an hour's worth of sleep.  This year I'm sleeping at home, driving up and I'll get more sleep, and better sleep in my own bed. 

The key either way is to get plenty of sleep at home the two nights before since you won't sleep much the night before the race.  Good luck!

Up at 3:45, out the door by 4 - 4:05, onsite by 6 - 6:05. It's all good. I usually wake up at 4 for the races that are close anyway, so getting up 15 mins early wouldn't kill me. The drive isn't bad - you listen to music, fuel and hydrate, etc.