I agree with you that if you take public transport you need a lot of time and shouldn't be bothered by endless waiting for the bus (hopefully it does stop), the train or whatever you have in mind (airplane which can be delayed as well).
By now I can't say the own vehicle is more expensive. So is public transport. If there would be a stop nearby and it would drive frequently I might take a bus or train. I say might because 25 euro's for a one way ticket for a distance of 40 kilometers (time duration 3 hours if I don't count the hour it takes to arrive at the nearest busstop or trainstation) is rediculous if it costs me 10 euros at most for gasoline and half the time without walking, taking a bus, train, train, bus and walking.
So, where did you hid to? I hope you had fun. With us there are in average two or three days per week the roads are extremely crowded (Friday night and Monday are two of them).
A happy new year to you.