You are three hours away - I lived 2 1/2 hours away for eight years and got a room for the entire weekend, did it not less than sixteen times.

Driving three hours one way to attend a Dragon? That means you leave home at 5am and get back home no earlier than 8pm, and that's if you spend NO time with us other than DRIVING all day."

One guy was going to stay in BRyson City (almost as bad as Cherokee), here was my advice to him:

You posted in the right place, but you are staying in the wrong place.
YOU are going to be driving some LONG days. I know the lodge is not the best, but to be part of social gathering, you really want to be on site in the evenings; you can't make the social connections if you are not there. And you will be with us only ONE day - is it really worth it to drive so far for ONE day? I mean, you are welcome but you can't get out of this meet what we intend if you are not going to be with us cept for the drive on Saturday.

This is as much a SOCIAL event as a DRIVING event - MOST of us go back more for the friends and people than the roads.

And dno't forget, we leave by 9am for all the major runs.

One last thought: I"m 62 and I generally DO NOT drive far after dark on THOSE roads. Too many wild animals, fallen trees, etc.

He read that and changed his mind. He won't regret it.
But you are gonna regret your plan.