sudden loud engine noise

I hate to be that guy who asks for help without even saying hello, but..... I need help!

I have a 2001 4 cylinder 4x4 with about 75 k on it. Yesterday, while driving around beautiful Pontiac, MI, it all the sudden started making a lot of engine noise. The noise was no different (no ping, knock, etc) than normal engine noises but it was probably 4-5 times louder than normal. Anyway, it still is just as loud the next day. THere are no performance differences.

I don't have time to get it looked at before my 300 mile Thanksgiving journey tomorrow morning, so I'm hoping you guys can put my mind at ease and say my car is not going to blow up.

For what it's worth, I just got my oil changed the day before this started happening.

Thanks