When Is Driving Actually Necessary?
If you live in the US, you probably can't imagine life without your car. How would you get groceries? How would you pick up your kids? How could you go anywhere? It's not hard to see why having a car is pretty essential, and you could probably kiss most of your routine goodbye without one. All that said, that doesn't mean some tasks can't be just as easy to accomplish on foot, by bike, or using public transportation...
1. Buying Furniture
Sometimes you don't want your furniture delivered—you want to see it firsthand to verify its quality and value. But just imagine buying a mattress or a couch without a car! Even relatively small items, like lamps, can be awkward and heavy to carry.
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2. Doing a Major Grocery Haul
Heading to Costco or Trader Joe's? While you could surely attempt the trip without a car, it'll be a major hassle to lug everything back home via public transit (or worse: on foot). Think about it: heavy items like large bags of rice or bulk household supplies could quickly become exhausting to carry!
3. Taking Your Pet to the Veterinarian
Have a pet? Well, you probably wouldn't want them to wait for treatment if anything suddenly goes awry with their health. And since you wouldn't want to climb on a slow-moving bus to get them to the vet, you'd likely be much better off having a car, especially if your pet is a pretty hefty fella!
4. Taking a Loved One to the Doctor
It's not just pets—if you live with aging parents, have a pregnant partner, or care for someone with ongoing medical needs, you'll definitely want to have a car handy. Sure, you could arrange a ride through other means, but would you really want to have your loved one climb into an Uber when they're in pain?
5. Dropping Off Large Donations
Decluttering your home? If you're (finally) getting rid of your decades-old couch or your glass cabinet, have fun transporting those items without a car. Even having several bags of clothing can be pretty tough to heft around! Plus, driving allows you to deliver everything in one trip instead of repeatedly going back and forth.
6. Taking Large Loads to the Laundromat
If you don't have a washer and dryer at home, you might need to make frequent trips to the laundromat—something you can't really do without a personal vehicle. Between larger loads and heavy detergent bottles, transporting everything could get pretty tricky using public transportation alone.
7. Picking Up Your Kids
Having one kid is one thing, but having two or more? If your home is a long walk away, it's probably not reasonable to pick them up on foot or expect them to get back safely on their own. Plus, things can get complicated if you have multiple kids attending different schools or participating in extracurriculars at different times!
8. Taking Your Kids to Extracurriculars
Speaking of extracurriculars, depending on what activities your kids partake in, transporting all their equipment can be a headache without a car. They probably wouldn't be able to join sports like hockey or football, which often require bulky gear! Music lessons can also be a pain, given that some involve carrying large instruments such as cellos.
9. Picking Up Party Supplies
Whether you're hosting a birthday party or Thanksgiving, you'll often need to purchase things in bulk, from decorations to beverages and food. Having a car will therefore make it easier to transport everything together, especially when you're collecting it all shortly before guests arrive.
10. Visiting the Bank
While you can certainly head to your bank by bus or on foot, you probably wouldn't want to deposit or take out large sums. Carrying a huge chunk of cash around, even if you live in a relatively safe neighborhood, can spell out trouble without a car.
All that said, not every errand requires a personal vehicle. If you live somewhere that's walkable or has reliable public transportation, there are plenty of everyday tasks you can accomplish without getting behind the wheel.
1. Picking Up a Prescription
Is your pharmacy within walking distance? If so, there's usually little reason to drive over just to collect a prescription. Some pharmacies even offer delivery services, meaning you don't even need to set foot outside your home.
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2. Mailing a Letter or Small Package
If you're sending a birthday card or returning a small online purchase, you probably don't need a car to lug it around. Like prescriptions, there may be far more convenient options, such as using a neighborhood mailbox or having a delivery person pick it up for you.
3. Getting a Haircut
Unless you're the type to get embarrassed after a fresh cut, you're probably better off heading to your salon appointment by public transportation. That way, you won't have to find parking or pay for gas! It's even more convenient if you can find a barbershop in your neighborhood.
4. Returning Library Books
Sure, some hardcovers can be heavy, especially if you're an avid reader, but a few paperbacks are typically easy to transport. If your local branch is nearby, you can simply put your returns in a small tote bag and walk over whenever. Many libraries also have exterior book drops, making returns even easier.
5. Grabbing a Coffee
Driving several blocks just to get your morning coffee fix probably isn't the smartest thing to do. Look around: you likely have a neighborhood café you can reach on foot, even if it's not your go-to. Walking also gives you an opportunity to get some light physical activity in, so win-win!
6. Going to a Dentist Appointment
Heading to the dentist or doctor's office? Unless you're dealing with any excruciating pain that requires faster transport, this is another errand you can easily do without a car. You won't even have to worry about going during peak hours, as you won't need to waste time finding parking.
7. Buying a Few Groceries
Large grocery hauls might be difficult without a car, but when you're just purchasing a few small items, why get behind the wheel? If you have a grocery store or convenience store nearby, you can simply walk over and grab exactly what you need.
8. Dropping Off Dry Cleaning
If you just need to take a couple of shirts to the dry cleaner, you can usually do so without a car. Most garments are easy to carry, after all, though you'll still probably want to exercise more caution if you're transporting anything expensive!
9. Getting Your Nails Done
A manicure or pedicure is another appointment that generally doesn't require you to bring anything besides yourself. The only thing you might need to worry about is allowing enough time for your nails to dry properly before heading anywhere else!
10. Picking Up Takeout
Technically, you don't even need to leave the house to pick up takeout—most delivery apps can drop off food straight on your doorstep. If you still want to do it the old-school way, though, you don't necessarily need a car, either. You'll just want to make sure your order is packaged securely so you can carry everything comfortably without spilling anything.
