I’m in rural PA and often also work with the sunset. I normally do not take a signing if I can’t get to the location before dark. I am breaking thar rule twice this week though. I’d actually rather find a rural house where driveways are fewer and further I between than a busy area where houses are packed close together. If I have access to the whole address before accepting, that allows me to male an I formed decision. Yes, being 47 with astignitism and bifocals is making night driving more difficult. It wasn’t as bad before when I still had contact lenses but now it’s awful. I only took the ones this week because I have the grandkids here until tonight, Tuesday evening, so need to play some catch up. I do know which companies I can get away with adding on an extra few $ though for after hours dark time driving.
3 hours! That’s 3 hours out and 3 hours back plus signing time and prep time!
Good afternoon, I would like to address a few things! The first thing is that being of a mixed background, then you have to be conscious of Sundown locations! Please think safety first when deciding to take a notary assignment! Your life is more important than anyone else’s paperwork! If you can’t see at night then try and negotiate earlier time! I hope this helps!
I too, am of a certain age (60) and driving at night is something I don’t like to do. I’m in a mixed area and the zip codes can be in town or the middle of nowhere. I’m no longer doing evenings based on zip codes alone. If I have the full address and it’s close, I might consider it.
I’m the same, my cutoff is at 4:00 PM due to the time change.
You might want to give some consideration to getting a GoLight (https://golight.com/). I bought one 10-12 years ago and I love it! You can place this light (it’s magnetic) on the roof of your car. It plugs into your cigarette/power socket. It has a wireless remote that enables you to pan and tilt the light as you drive. Going around curves is much easier/safer because you can pan the light to “look ahead” (i.e. further around the curve). It has the added benefit of brightly illuminating mailboxes to make it easier to find the address you’re seeking.
I’m on the West Coast NorCal and my location is within city limits but surrounding areas are semi rural (wine country, foothills, agricultural and orchards) and night visibility can be challenging. I typically will not accept the offers but doing so impacts my income on the loan signing end. My Living Trust delivery’s are flexible as I’m in control of scheduling and work amicably with the client.Typically when I receive a request from my companies offering closings I always ask “are they time flexible” before I decline their offer. You’d be surprised how many will say “sure give them a call and see if they’re flexible”.
I just don’t take them. I have the same common issues with driving through dark rural roads (often 2 lane roads). When I get calls after 3 rounds of SS requests (offers starting at $85 for Refi to $125), they want to know how much I will accept. First, I let them know the safety issue on rural roads, and then I ask them when does it have to close by. There’s ALWAYS a closing window they they won’t tell you. Second, If this closing is at the beginning of the window, I’ll ask them to allow me to coordinate a better time with the Borrowers. Bottom line is, NO AMOUNT of money will get me out of my house for a rural area, or in rough inclement weather. I was once asked in 2024 to do a closing during a hurricane. Nobody cares about the people on the ground! We are a business and good businesses should always look out for the safety of their employees. NO is a perfectly acceptable answer.
I am also of a certain age and I’ve grown to really dislike looking for addresses at night. I seldom take a signing that starts after dark. The ones I usually end up doing are the ones that have been rescheduled from a previously scheduled daytime start, and my choice is to accept it or give back the job.
Understand racially mixed background ~ that would be me. As females also need to be carefull going out in the evening hours. Mix in being 76 and my knees don’t work so well if I have to run from a bad situation. Fortunately, took combative martial arts in my younger life and still practice Tai Chi for health today. Do not underestimate this old lady ~ can still formulate a powerful blow if necessary.
HAHA yeah I am old enough to remember Thomas Guides too. And now I am 100% dependent on my Garmin GPS. About the only time I see anyone attempting to read an actual map these days is when I watch The Amazing Race.
Folks with night driving issues – you might try a pair of yellow-tinted night driving glasses. I have a prescription pair and they are amazing. They make a huge difference for me.
Carmen do you get those from the optometrist? They sound like what I need. I am often blinded by headlights.
Started with plain yellow lens then moved to a prescription pair, yes.
It’s it a supplement you take? Can you give us some details? Thanks.
Absolutely! 
I’m the opposite. I’d rather drive a rural road than have oncoming lights in my face. Rural houses are spread further apart and easier to pinpoint the exact location. I still uncharged for winter darkness though.
Our rural roads in North East Florida are single lane two way roads without lights, and headlights in my eyes is one of two major issues. Depending on the neighborhood or community I’m going to, it’s not easy to find the home. Either there are mailboxes that aren’t maintained, signs on trees that you can’t see, wooded dirt roads off the main road, etc., it’s impossible to find them.
I’m in WA State and agree with your statement. Have noticed new subdivisions painting address numbers on curbs which is very helpful. Some people in the burbs have tall recreation trailers covering home addresses. Usually when I call to confirm appointment ask for color of home and any other descriptives such as color of vehicle in front of home, etc. Helps in city and country. Country descriptions can be different such as 3rd tree and turn right, look for goats, etc. Happy hunting all !!
I decline anything that has a start time after dark, unless it’s very close to me and I’m familiar with the logistics of the neighborhood (meaning the location, parking situation, etc.) Whenever possible, I’ll look up the address on Google before accepting any job. If I don’t like the location, I’ll decline. I’m too old to be searching for addresses in the dark 
After always answering the phone after midnight between 2000 and 2005, I learned my lesson about advertising a 24-hour notary service in the yellow pages. Most of the calls came from areas of San Diego County that are now famous for lawlessness. I picture my modern replacement as a Subaru-driving cat lady with a handgun in her briefcase, doing acknowledgments at 2 am for $15 and a $50 travel fee.