Drunk New Jersey man takes 'embarrassing' five-hour, $2000 Uber ride

Kenneth Bachman woke up to be told he was an hour from New Jersey. Image / Google Maps

Have you ever wondered what it would be like — and how much money it would cost — to travel more than 480km across four states via Uber?

Well, a young man from New Jersey can tell you.

New Jersey man Kenneth Bachman was visiting friends late last week near West Virginia University and had been drinking at a fraternity party. Many would argue that he did the responsible thing and ordered an Uber to take him home. The only problem? Home was a five-hour ride away.

No fear! His driver was up to the task — for the right price: a whopping US$1635.93 ($2256.92).

"We went to a frat party and then went to the bar. I was getting drinks all night. I probably spent, like, $200 at the bar after already drinking all day," Bachman told CBS Philly. "Basically, I kind of just blacked out. The last thing I remember was being at the bar, and then I just woke up in the Uber next to an older dude telling me I was an hour out from Jersey."

"I was just like … 'That's crazy. Why did you agree to take me to New Jersey from West Virginia?' " Bachman told the station about the sobering moment when he realised what he had done.

It's unclear who holds the record for the longest trip via a car-sharing service.

In the summer, three Chinese professionals called an Uber to take them from the Dallas-Fort Worth area to Nashville when their connecting flight was cancelled, ABC affiliate WFAA reported at the time.

That's more than 1050km — and the trip took more than 11 hours, according to the station.

When asked about Bachman's Uber adventure, a spokeswoman for the ride-hailing company confirmed to the Washington Post that the high-priced trip did happen, and that the driver took the passenger to the destination he requested.

Uber contacted the passenger, the spokeswoman said, and he agreed to pay the fare.

Bachman told CBS Philly that he suspects the ride would have cost about $800 had he ordered a standard Uber — but he ordered the more expensive UberXL.

Looking back on it, he told the station, "I guess it's kind of embarrassing."