Picture the scene – you’ve got a car packed with snacks, a very carefully curated playlist, and an open road ahead of you… doesn’t that sound like the perfect beginning to a wonderful adventure? What it really is is the beginning of a road trip, and in the end, if you plan ahead (or not!) and enjoy the experience, those two things can end up being the same. You’ll have a chance to be as spontaneous as you want (in as controlled a way as you want…) and create some amazing memories along the way, so if you’re wondering whether a road trip is a good idea, keep reading to find out why it is.
Freedom To Explore
Unlike other types of travel, a road trip is designed to let you get off the beaten track whenever the mood strikes, and that’s one of the many reasons why it’s a good idea – this isn’t just getting from A to B because the journey itself is part of the fun. So if you want to take the scenic route through a national park or you spot a quaint cafe or unusual attraction and feel like stopping to take a look, that’s precisely what you can do (and what you should be doing on a road trip, come to that).
It’s this flexibility that makes every journey totally unique, and because you’re not tied to timetables (probably) or strict itineraries, you can explore at your own pace and find plenty of hidden gems along the way.
The Journey Is Part Of The Adventure
It’s true that flying or taking the train is convenient, especially if you’re going on a particularly long journey, but a road trip makes the journey just as exciting as the destination (sometimes more exciting), and that really has to count for something, doesn’t it? There’s just something so interesting about driving along and seeing what you can see, listening (and singing along to) your favourite songs, and enjoying conversations with anyone who happens to be with you.
And that’s because every stop, whether it’s to stretch your legs, have something to eat, or see something interesting, becomes part of the overall experience, and you’ll get the chance to step out of your everyday routine and experience something different. That’s why road trips are a better option than something you’d call more convenient – they give you a lot more to enjoy and think about.
It’s A Personalised Experience
There’s really no such thing as a one-size-fits-all road trip, and when you think about it, that’s basically the point – it’s meant to be a personalised experience that you’ll enjoy because you’re you and no one else. In other words, whatever your road trip ends up being, it should be something that reflects your style and personality, so when you’re thinking of things to do, places to go, and even what to listen to in the car, it’s got to be your choice (or a blend of choices if you’re travelling with others, of course).
You can even make your car more personalised as well as the trip itself. We’ve talked about the music or whatever else you might like to listen to, but what about making the car more comfortable with cushions, personal mementoes, your favourite air freshener, or perhaps even private number plates – after all, you can’t get much more personal than that!
The point is that your road trip needs to be about you, whereas a standard journey from A to B is about just that; getting there. So take the opportunity to think about what you like to do and how you like to do it, and ensure you put that all in place before you head off. In that way, you’ll love your road trip and you’ll know it was a good idea.
Get Into Nature
When you think about a road trip, what kind of roads come to mind? It could be a big, busy motorway, and that is probably the quickest option, but remember that a road trip is about the journey, so quickest isn’t always best, and on a motorway you’re going to miss out on a lot.
That’s why, when you’re planning your journey, you should take the country roads and winding lanes when you can – you’ll spot a lot more interesting things along the way, and the journey can be a slower, more enjoyable one where you don’t get stressed or bored and you can actually enjoy the scenery.
These are all good reasons to take this option rather than the motorway, but another reason is that you’ll get the chance to get into nature much more, and since nature is important for your mental health, that’s never a bad idea. Firstly, you might be driving through back country landscape, along the coast, even along mountain roads, but secondly, you can stop (in a safe place), get out of the car, and see all this scenery and nature up close for as long as you need to.
Imagine pulling over to admire a view or parking up and going for a wander through the woods for 20 minutes to stretch your legs – now isn’t that a nicer idea than heading to a motorway service station and walking about there?
There’s No Planning Involved
Part of the charm of a road trip is how much – or rather, how little – planning it needs to get it right. Some people do love to plot out every detail, and if that makes you happy, that’s what you can do – it could be fun to work out how long each leg is going to take, where you’re going to eat, and what you’re going to see, and if that works for you, there’s no harm in it.
Some people, however, love the idea that they can just head off with no plan in place and see what happens. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but again, it can be a lot of fun for the right people.
What we’re saying is there’s no right or wrong way to approach a road trip, and, planning or no planning, you’ve got as much time as you need to do what you want, and since that doesn’t happen all that often in life, it’s worth grabbing the opportunity when you can.
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