The Long Road Home
Does the idea of driving for six hours straight scare you or excite you? If you're like most, you'd probably pick the former—you'd rather not be on the road longer than you have to be. After all, driving can be incredibly demanding and tedious, and being trapped in traffic only makes everything worse. At the same time, however, being in complete charge of the journey offers plenty of freedom you wouldn't get with any other transportation method. That said, it's not surprising that going on road trips can still divide a lot of people.
1. Sitting Still Gets Uncomfortable
If you've ever flown halfway across the world, you'd know that sitting for too long can actually be as bad as standing for too long. Similarly, spending several hours in the driver's seat can leave your back, shoulders, and legs feeling stiff and sore, no matter how comfortable your seat is.
2. Staying Alert Is Exhausting
Driving might not look physically demanding, but given that you always have to maintain focus for hours can still be fairly draining. By the end of a long drive, all that sustained attention can leave you feeling worn out and make you want to sleep for a week.
3. Traffic Can Destroy Your Schedule
Even if a trip should only take five hours, it can quickly become longer when congestion or construction on the road brings everything to a crawl. It doesn't matter how meticulously you've planned your itinerary and arrival time—the traffic around you has a mind of its own.
4. Bathroom Breaks Become an Ongoing Problem
When you're trapped by cars on all sides with no indication of when things will clear up, even something as simple as finding a restroom can be surprisingly inconvenient. Gas stations and rest areas don't always pop up exactly when you need one, either, especially if you're on remote stretches of highway. So, even if you're thirsty, it'll have to wait.
5. Bad Weather Makes Everything Harder
Driving through heavy rain, snow, or fog is bad enough on short trips, but long ones? From poor visibility to slower speeds, everything requires more concentration than usual. It doesn't help that you can't just "will" away the bad weather when the forecast turns against you halfway through your journey.
6. Other Drivers Test Your Patience
Traffic is annoying enough on its own, but when every driver around you acts like it's their first time behind the wheel, you'll only want to pull your hair out more. Some may camp in the passing lane, others may cross several lanes, and everyone thinks they're the king of the road. Dealing with that behavior for hours can make even the most patient insane.
7. The Scenery Can Get Repetitive
Not every long drive passes breathtaking scenery—some routes may just show you an endless stream of cars and highways, or long stretches of farmland where the landscape barely changes for hours. Without much to look at, it's easy to see how it can get pretty boring behind the wheel.
8. You're Responsible for the Car the Entire Time
Not only are you responsible for watching the road, but you're also expected to pay close attention to the condition of your car. Even the slightest odd sound or strange warning light can be incredibly stressful when you're hundreds of miles from home. Anyone who already regularly worries about car trouble likely hates going on road trips.
9. Traveling with Passengers Can Be Draining
Having company might make your journey more energetic, but it really depends on your passengers. Some may fight with you about the temperature, music, or even your driving pace, which can make spending those several hours together in a confined space exhausting.
10. Getting There Takes Most of the Day
Even if you love driving, you probably wouldn't want to waste most of your day behind the wheel. You've got better things to do! Spending eight hours on the road compared to flying might save you money in the long run, but it also costs you time that could've been better spent at your destination.
As we've seen, long-distance driving clearly has its drawbacks, and it's not surprising why people avoid doing it. And yet, others may still enjoy the experience. Here's why:
1. You Control the Entire Schedule
For all the gripe driving long-distance gives you, you have far more freedom doing it. After all, you're not tied to boarding times or other transportation timetables; if you want to leave earlier or later, you can change your plans whenever you feel like it.
2. You Can Stop Whenever Something Interests You
See something you like? Go ahead and park aside so you can take a look. One of the biggest advantages of traveling by car is being able to make spontaneous stops. No matter if it's an interesting restaurant or a scenic lookout, you can always pull over and explore.
3. There's Plenty of Room for Your Stuff
If you're the type to overpack, you'll appreciate having your own car. No more stuffing everything into one piece of luggage and hoping it doesn't exceed the limit—you can bring extra clothes, pillows, or whatever you may need, all without a fee!
4. A Good Playlist Makes the Hours Enjoyable
Another great thing about driving long distances is that you'll get uninterrupted time to enjoy your playlist. Have an album or podcast you've been dying to listen to? A road trip is the perfect time to put that bad boy on!
5. You Get Some Time to Yourself
Don't have any passengers? Even better. You can drive for as long as you'd like, stop whenever, and not have to deal with constant conversations happening in the background. You're still focused on the road, of course, but not having to socialize or respond to anyone for a while can be pure bliss.
6. Road Trips Create More Shared Time
If you do have passengers, road trips also give you plenty of time to reconnect. Hours in the car can give way to some interesting stories, music recommendations, and even fun road games to play. You'd be surprised just how memorable those ordinary stretches between destinations can become.
7. You See Places You'd Otherwise Miss
Flying gets you to a destination quickly, but driving lets you see all the in-between stuff that you'd otherwise miss. From secret beaches to scenic rural landscapes, it's often these types of unexpected landmarks that become part of the experience.
8. There's No Airport Hassle
Another advantage driving has over flying or other forms of transportation is that you don't need to arrive at a set time. You don't need to deal with all the hassle, the crowds, the seemingly endless lines. Once the car is packed and everyone is ready, you can simply leave.
9. Driving Can Feel Rewarding
You know the feeling you get after completing a long road trip? Yep, it can be pretty freeing. There's a certain sense of accomplishment knowing that you've successfully navigated unfamiliar roads that you just won't get anywhere else. Reaching the destination can feel far more rewarding when you were the one who got yourself there.
10. You Have Freedom Once You Arrive
Even after you've arrived at your destination, that's not where your freedom ends. Since there's no immediate need to depend on public transportation or rideshares to get around, you can sightsee and explore to your heart's content. It doesn't matter how spread out the attractions are!
