Q: Brakes: Dealership vs Dad

I was just at the mechanic because I've heard a scraping noise when turning left. My car is a 2012 Toyota Corolla. After looking at it, they said I need new brakes. There is no material on left inner pad, outer pad is approximately 1.2mm. They said $500 to replace brakes and rotors.

My dad says he can do it for a lot less this weekend. The problem being I would need to continue driving my car to work all week (25 minutes each way) and then drive it 250 miles up to Maine because that is where my dad lives. I understand there is a risk of damaging the calipers. I am not clear, though, whether I am risking my life or someone else's.

My question is...am I being an idiot to drive it that far in order to save a few hundred dollars? Are the mechanics trying to scare me into giving them the job? Should I bite the bullet and pay the $500 if they can do it tomorrow?

My car has 65000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.