Heard a pop...

[BobaF99]

So on my way into to work this morning, I heard a pop under the good followed by what at first sounded like something was caught on a tire. The nose would slow or speed up with my speed. No check engine light came on, no loss of power. I pulled into a gas station and realised the noise is associated with the exhaust. It sounds as if it is coming from underneath the plastic cover that is on the engine. I found nothing leaking and it starts and idles fine, just sounds like a train. I can smell exhaust from the area. I parked in an area that will be easy to tow from.

Do I need to tow it or can I at least drive it home?

Thanks!

2002 Explorer 90,000 ish miles, v8 4 wheel drive

Edit: sounds like this but doesn't get quieter.

 

[derfderf]

Sounds like opne of the exhaust manifolds cracked, downpipe might have developed a hole, or the flex pipe has a hole.
The sound you are hearing is that of the unmuffled engine -- no noise control. So the sound you heard likely varied with RPM.

What actually ended up being the issue?