Why Road Trip? Advantages and Disadvantages of Travelling by Car – Episode 2
It should come as no surprise that we love a good road trip. But before you gas up and head out on the highway, let’s take a step back and consider the journey.
Road trips offer an undeniable sense of freedom, allowing you to be the true master of your own adventure. You can stop at random roadside attractions, detour to find hidden gems off the main route, and create incredible memories on the fly.
However, as great as this sounds, they also come with their own set of challenges.
Travelling by car means driving for long hours, being stuck in cramped quarters, dealing with other drivers (traffic jams, anyone?), and relying on your vehicle to get you from point A to point B without mechanical issues. It’s not for everyone!
All that considered, why road trip? Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of travelling by car. By the end of this article, you will be armed with the information to decide if a road trip is the perfect adventure for you.
Continue reading or listen to this podcast episode below.
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In this episode, we cover:
- [01:22] Advantages of road tripping
- [18:10] Disadvantages of road trips
- [19:45] Challenges specific to Canadian road trips, such as weather and gas stations in remote areas
- [26:49] Challenges specific to US road trips, including tolls and the scattered toll system
Why Do You Need to Go on a Road Trip?
Before we discuss the benefits of road trips (and possible challenges), let’s start at the beginning. Why should you consider going on a road trip?
There are many amazing travel options, each with its own advantages. But there’s something special about heading out on the open road. This is an opportunity to discover the hidden gems and roadside attractions you may otherwise miss when limited by the pre-determined schedules when flying or taking a train.
If you are interested in genuinely experiencing an area, including both the popular attractions and lesser-known stops along the way, travelling by car is the perfect solution.
What’s the Driving Force for Why People Go on Road Trips?
There are many reasons why people consider a road trip over other travel opportunities. With the freedom to decide how far you are travelling and create your own schedule, travelling by car allows you to work around the time available. This may mean a week-long adventure or a whirlwind weekend getaway. It’s all up to you!
Another reason road trips are gaining popularity is the financial strain many families are facing. With the cost of international travel out of reach, people are searching for a way to explore the world on a budget. This makes travel more accessible for everyone.
But, to better understand why people are opting to take a road trip over other forms of travel, let’s take a close look at the advantages and disadvantages of travelling by car.
Advantages of Travelling by Car
Of course, as a road trip-focused brand, we love the idea of hitting the open road and exploring the world around us behind the wheel of a car. But let’s take a moment to look at the advantages of road trips and what we like most about them.
Freedom & Control
Many travellers feel limited by the constraints of their travels. Booking a flight, for example, means being told when you’re leaving, how much you can pack, who you’re sitting near, and more. When you’re travelling by car, you have full control over every aspect of your travels.
Car travel allows you to travel at your own pace. You can start your adventure at any time, stop as frequently as you need, and not feel tied to the limitations of someone else’s schedule (like you would on a flight or public transport). This gives you the freedom to fully customize your plans.
Explore More
In addition to controlling when and how long you travel, road trips allow you to explore the area you’re visiting more (and any areas along the way, too). If you’re driving along and are intrigued by a sign or roadside attraction, you can embrace your curiosity and make spontaneous stops. After all, you never know where or when you’ll find that next hidden gem.
You also have the option to get off the highway and travel the “road less travelled.” It may sound like nothing more than a cheesy metaphor, but we have found that many of the best adventures start with a trip down a back road.
Budget and Affordability
As previously mentioned, road-tripping offers a more affordable way to get out and explore the world around us. While there are costs associated with car travel, they generally run less than the cost of flights. Plus, there are fewer hidden fees to consider during your budgeting process. Be on the lookout for unexpected tolls, especially in the U.S. You can read all about costly road trip mistakes here.
You have complete flexibility heading into your travel plans, making it easier to change them as you see fit for your budget and timeline at any point in the process. For example, if you are preparing for a weekend somewhere nearby and recognize that you have a little more money to spend on your travels, you can easily extend those plans to make it a multi-day trip and explore destinations further away.
You can also further reduce that cost with a little advanced preparation. Fast food and snacks purchased at gas stations and rest stops can add up quickly. Instead, consider preparing your snacks and meals in advance. Pack a cooler with food and drinks for the whole family at a fraction of the cost of eating out. Plus, these foods are often healthier.
Ease of Travel for the Whole Family
Planning a trip for a single person may not seem that overwhelming, but it becomes far more complicated as that family unit grows, especially if it includes children and pets. One of the great benefits of road trips is the ability to create a unique bonding experience by travelling together and making memories.
Travelling with children is a great way to expand their minds through fun, educational life experiences. However, many parents feel intimidated by having to navigate an airport or keep their child entertained in the confines of public transit. Luckily, road-tripping allows the whole family to get out and explore while having the freedom to adjust as needed to address a child’s needs and interests. This could mean more frequent rest stops than you can take on a bus or train, selecting a playlist that will entertain the whole family, or bringing other forms of entertainment in the vehicle without worrying about space constraints.
Similarly, the freedom and flexibility make it easier for those interested in travelling with pets. Airlines restrict pets from travelling in the cabin based on their size, requiring many dogs to fly in cargo. This introduces added risks that many pet parents aren’t comfortable with for a vacation or getaway. By travelling in your car, you can create a “safe” place for your pet with you and the rest of your family where they will be most comfortable.
Luggage and Other Gear
Speaking of space constraints, this is another topic to consider when considering the pros and cons of road trips. Unlike an airplane, where your luggage is restricted based on weight and size, travelling by car means your only limitation is the space available within your vehicle. This is great for those interested in bringing larger items like camping gear. Not only are there no luggage-related fees, but you also don’t have to juggle everything (and the kids) while running through the airport.
More Privacy and Personal Space
Are you the type of person who prefers to protect their “personal bubble?” If so, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, this makes travelling on a plane, bus, or train feel like a nightmare. When travelling in a car, you can enjoy travelling in the privacy of your own space with your family or friends instead of a bunch of strangers.
Space can still feel limited, depending on the size of your vehicle and how many people are travelling with you. But you have more freedom to make adjustments, plan for a secondary vehicle for larger groups, and ensure everyone is as comfortable as possible during the trip.
Travel More Often
A major reason we love road-tripping is that it allows us to travel more frequently. Not only does it help stretch the budget, as we already mentioned, but it also makes it easier to work around time obligations like a full-time job.
For some, getting vacation time approved is a frustrating process that doesn’t always provide a solid answer as quickly as they would like. When you get approval for that extra day off, you can take advantage of it without worrying about flight schedules or the train you were considering is now booked solid. Instead, just pack your car and go.
Disadvantages of Travelling by Car
We aren’t going to pretend that road trips are all puppy dogs and rainbows. Just like any other form of travel, you may face challenges. Here are a few of the more common disadvantages of road trips to consider.
Costs
We mentioned the affordability of road-tripping compared to booking a flight, but that doesn’t mean there are no costs associated. You will still need to consider your budget as it relates to your travel plans. One of the biggest expenses you will face is the cost of fuel, but it’s not the only cost. You should also consider the wear and tear that road trips will put on your vehicle, especially if you travel frequently.
A great way to keep gas costs down is to use an app to monitor gas prices and fill up when it makes the most financial sense. In some areas, there are many miles between gas stations. By filling up, you will significantly reduce the risk of running out of gas in the middle of nowhere.
Stuck in a Confined Space
You have more control over your space in your vehicle than in a plane or bus, but that doesn’t mean it’s automatically comfortable. This small, confined space can be incredibly uncomfortable on longer trips. Luckily, there are ways to reduce discomfort, like taking frequent breaks to stretch your legs, investing in a lumbar support pillow, and positioning your seat in the most comfortable position.
Fatigue
One of the major disadvantages of travelling by car is that you can’t just sit back and enjoy the ride. Instead, you’re driving the full distance unless you share those driving responsibilities with another traveller. On a shorter trip, that may not seem like much of a concern. However, many drivers find themselves feeling tired and fatigued on longer trips.
Traffic Jams and Other Drivers
As drivers, we can control our choices and plan accordingly, but many situations can arise on the roads that are out of our control. One unknown factor to consider is the other drivers. On longer trips, traffic jams, construction zones, and detouring around car accidents can add considerable time to an already lengthy drive. This assumes you are just detouring around and weren’t involved in the accident.
Another risk that can impact your travel plans is the weather. An otherwise quick, easy trip can become significantly longer and more stressful if you are driving through a snowstorm, a common struggle in Canada and the northern states. While we can monitor the weather forecasts leading up to a trip but always be prepared for the unexpected.
Tolls and Borders
Before heading out, take a moment to look into whether you will be driving through an area where you will need to pay tolls, as is common in many regions of the U.S. If you know you will be driving through an area with several tolls, you may wish to consider purchasing a prepaid toll pass like the E-ZPass. This allows you to load up your account with a credit card or cash at a participating toll location, and it will automatically charge tolls from that account using a small electronic transponder on the windshield of your vehicle.
Alternatively, with enough planning, you can avoid any toll routes on the way to your destination. However, this may lengthen your travel time.
Another area to consider when planning your trip is whether you will be crossing the Canada/U.S. Border. Not only does this require you to pay a toll, but you will also need to have the appropriate documentation for customs. You should also familiarize yourself with what items can and cannot be carried across the border. There are restrictions on many food-related items, such as certain fruits, vegetables, and animal products.
Car Troubles or Breakdowns
One of the most significant recommendations we can make for anyone interested in road-tripping is to invest in a CAA/AAA membership. Many problems can arise when you rely on your vehicle for your travels, like a flat tire, mechanical problems, or an accident. If something happens, you want to be prepared to address it accordingly.
While these are the most comprehensive programs available, you may also be able to access roadside assistance through your insurance company or a credit card. Ensure you know what is and isn’t covered with your plan. If you plan on travelling a longer distance, especially if you are crossing the border into a different country, verify coverage will follow you.
You May Get Lost
Do you have solid navigation skills? If not, do you have a reliable GPS or a confident navigator willing to do the work from the passenger seat? One of the challenges that you may face when road-tripping somewhere new is getting lost, which can be frustrating or stressful for some. At the same time, it could also be an opportunity to discover new, exciting destinations along the way.
Tired of reading? Listen to this podcast episode on Spotify.
Finding Parking
Depending on your destination, parking may also pose a problem. If you are staying at a hotel, you will likely have parking included but will still need to consider finding a spot on any outings or excursions you plan during your stay. This likely won’t be difficult in a smaller town or lesser-known spot. But you may want to prepare yourself if you’re heading into a busier city, as we witnessed in Montreal. We had difficulty finding parking because Montreal promotes itself as a walkable city.
Is a Road Trip Right for You?
After considering the advantages and disadvantages of travelling by car, the question remains: is a road trip the perfect adventure for you?
There is no “right” answer. Instead, it will depend on your priorities, who you are travelling with, and your preferred style of travel. While road trips offer freedom and flexibility, they also come with some challenges, like long stretches of driving (and the fatigue that accompanies it) and the risk of car troubles.
Listen to this podcast episode on how to define your travel style.
If you love to explore and adventure “off the beaten path,” a road trip may be the perfect fit. But if you prefer comfort and a solid pre-planned itinerary, you may be happier booking a flight for your next getaway.
Regardless of what you choose, the most important thing is to get out and make memories!
