Mazda Repair: Squealing noise when driving, luck chris, safe side

Question
For several months now I sometimes hear a squealing noise while I'm driving, it's been very sporadic..sometimes I don't hear anything for several days at a time.  But it's been happening more frequently the last week, in fact when I drove to an appt. this morning (approx 10 miles) it squealed the entire way.  However, on my way back home it didn't squeal at all.

The only thing that stops it from making this noise is when I press on the brake pedal.  I don't have to press it very hard, just a slight tap on the brake and the noise stops. But as soon as I lift my foot off the brake pedal, it starts up again.  

I'm supposed to drive to my parents this weekend, take approx 1 1/2 hours to get there and I can't get an appointment as Mazda until Monday.  Do you think it's safe to drive it?  

Answer
Hi Lynn thanks for asking
This sounds to me like your brake pads are worn out on the back or the front depending on which side the noise is coming from. the squeeling noise is the wear indicators warning the driver that the brakes need to be serviced, this provents furhter damage to other brake system comonents. Its hard to say if its safe to drive or not because i cannot see how much brake you have left. But to be on the safe side because the indicator is squeeling i would try not to drive it.
Good Luck
Chris P