There are some destinations that a car can’t reach. For example, if you’re traveling to Europe, spending time in the airport is unavoidable. However, there are plenty of destinations that are perfectly reachable when you drive a vehicle.
That can complicate things, however. Just because you can drive doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Is it still better to fly to your destination, or should you consider a road trip instead?
Here are seven reasons why you should consider a road trip with a car versus an airplane.
For those who are afraid of flying, taking a car is a no-brainer. If, however, you know your statistics, you probably know that although plane crashes are more deadly than car crashes, when they do happen, you’re much more likely to find yourself in a car accident than a plane crash.
Just don’t make the mistake of thinking that driving is entirely unsafe. It’s a lot safer than you think.
Cars are safer now than ever before. With automatic braking, lane assist, and GPS, taking a road trip is more reliable now then it has been in the past.
You can worry a little less about other drivers too. Other drivers are driving safer vehicles, including truck drivers. There are licensing requirements, as well as a limit on the number of hours truck operators can spend behind the wheel during a single time.
Still a little worried? Look for less busy routes to your destination, pull over during inclement weather, and keep your phone on silent in the backseat.
Gas can be expensive, but so can plane tickets. Average domestic flights can cost around $300. That doesn’t include the extra fees you’ll pay for checked bags and the outrageous prices you’ll spend on food and drinks at the airport.
Most destinations are more affordable when you drive, but they are even more affordable if you’re traveling with others. Splitting gas money means you could end up spending less than $100 to get to your destination.
Car travel is especially popular with families. It’s a lot cheaper to pack the kids into the car than it is to buy multiple plane tickets!
There’s considerable pressure when it comes to air travel. You have to make sure you get to the airport on time, you have to make sure you pack the right things in your carry on—leaving other items in your checked bag—and you have to contend with delayed flights and missed connections.
There’s a lot less pressure if you’re planning a road trip instead. You don’t have to travel based on anyone else’s schedule, you can pack whatever you want into your bags, and you don’t have to worry about missing a connecting flight because of the weather.
It’s also better when it comes to eating and bathroom breaks. You can make a stop at any time when you’re in a car while trying to make it to the bathroom before someone else does on the airplane can be a nightmare.
When you are flying, you’re traveling according to someone else’s schedule – the airline. When driving, you go based on your own schedule.
That provides you with a lot more flexibility.
A few ways a road trip is more flexible than flying include:
The most exciting discovery you’ll make during air travel is how expensive the sandwiches are at the airport. The findings you’ll get to experience on a road trip are endless.
There’s a lot to see and do on the road that you’ll fly right over if you’re in an airplane. Roadside attractions are popular, but you may also drive through a quaint little town that deserves a stop. Many travelers also find lovely shops full of affordable treasures and antiques.
These new discoveries are fun on their own, but they also contribute to a feeling that your vacation is more than your destination. Getting there is half the fun when you’re driving a car.
Quality alone time on the road can be great for relationships. Even though road trips can be messy, and tempers can flare, but there’s just something about them that makes families stronger.
For many kids, spending so many hours close to parents and siblings is the perfect example of a difficult time! However, working through the challenges together makes them stronger, and it can equip them with better interpersonal skills back home. After all, nothing brings a family together as efficiently as an unforgettable road trip!
It can strengthen other relationships, too, between friends or couples. In the end, a road trip can provide a shared experience for friends to revisit in the future.
There is a bunch of debate on which option is more eco-friendly driving or air travel. The answer depends on a few different things.
First, short distances when traveled by car are more eco-friendly than flying in an airplane. You’ll create a lot fewer greenhouse gases driving instead of flying for short-distance trips. Furthermore, domestic flights are not fuel-efficient compared to cars.
The kind of car you drive matters too, as does the number of passengers you have. A fuel-efficient vehicle is generally better for the environment than taking an airplane, but a less fuel-efficient car may still be more eco-friendly if you’re traveling with a spouse and two or three kids.
The next time you’re planning a trip, don’t automatically assume it’s time to start shopping around for plane tickets. There are plenty of reasons why road trips are better than flying. Hopefully these seven reasons will help you reconsider into taking everyone on a road trip instead!
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