I've done both! Took 2 guys home with me over Christmas (a 20 hour drive from Houston to Chicago)...They live in tubs so all I had to do was pop the top on and go...just bought 40 hour heat packs for the drive and loaded up their heat pads and thermostat for when I got to my Mom's house. They did great (being in their own tubs made it a breeze). They even ate on schedule while there (a good show for the family members that were curious)! In fact, I think the snakes where more popular than me...there are more pics of my family with them than with me! LOL!

But I've also left them at home while going on vacation, too...I don't have a problem leaving them for a week or two as long as I have a cat sitter who is willing to just make sure the temps are okay (ie. the thermostat is working)!