Advice Alan..Anyone?

[Roudysmum]

Im 37 wks and have been getting what i presume are pre-labour pains,(which i never had with my first and had a 14 hr labour), the last lot lasted about 2hrs but where irregular. still very exciting though.
So heres my prob i live two hrs away from the hospital and have know where to stay befor bub decides to arrive and the cost of hotels are rediculas(spelling?) so we are waiting till thingas happen befor we leave. If my waters break like they did last time im right cause ill know we have to go but if they dont how do i know when to go to the hospital once contrctions start, i dont want to go to hospital and have them tell me to go home until things are stronger because it is a 4 hr round trip but i dont want to leave it and then not make it and be delivering on the side of the road, my DH just wouldnt cope.
Since my waters broke naturaly last time does that mean they will this time or not?
And since im getting pre labour does this mean my labour will be relitivly shorter than my last.

So when do i go?

Also what should i pack as an emergancy birth bag incase we do have to deliver our selves, two of the previese women that have lived in this house have not made it to the hopital.

Sorry this is long and has so many questions i just feel i need to be a little bit more prepared just incase.

Thank you.