The road trip is a timeless classic mode of traveling to new and familiar destinations. It’s difficult to imagine any living American who hasn’t experienced at least one of these types of vacations. During my childhood, road trips were the only form of vacation I knew, until I took my very first airline flight at the age of 15. 

My parents would pack my sister and me into the family car, occasionally the family truck, and journey to thrilling destinations, often to visit relatives or friends, and sometimes both.

It’s worth noting that this was in the 1980s, a time when my sister and I had limited entertainment options while on the road, such as the radio, books, miniature board games, and our imagination.

We also relied on games designed to help us endure the tedium of long journeys back then, such as “I spy,” “21 questions,” and the ever-popular traveling song “99 bottles of beer on the wall”. We often improvised our games and songs just to keep ourselves amused and pass the time.

Naturally, we relied on the radio for music, and our vehicle was equipped with a cassette player – yes, I’m revealing my age here. The diversity of music from various radio stations was a welcomed bonus during extended road trips. 

On a particularly long journey through central British Columbia, Canada, we had only one cassette tape featuring Randy Travis and George Strait’s greatest hits on opposite sides. When one side was finished, my father would simply flip the cassette over, and the cycle would repeat itself for hours and hours. Ironically, to this day, 

I’m still a devoted admirer of both of these singers.

Needless to say, despite all the long and often boring hours watching the landscape pass by, I still enjoy a good road trip and it’s the main way I still travel to this day. I’d say a good 80% of my traveling is in this form. 

And while I wasn’t as grateful as I should have been to my parents for our long road trips of yesteryear, I’m thankful today that they took the time to plan those trips and foster in me a sense of adventure.

With the emergence of the internet and smartphones, individuals embarking on road trips now have an array of alternatives to combat boredom during extended journeys. But sometimes boredom can be the catalyst to a discovery about yourself and the world around you. 

So take some time to pull yourself out of the digital world and take a look at all the benefits of road trips.

Taking a Respite From Social Media

Come on, you knew I was going to go there right? Getting off social media on the road is usually easy for me because I’m driving. But even if I’m not it’s still an important benefit of taking a road trip and a lot of the other benefits stem from getting your nose out of your phone.

Besides, there comes a point where social media loses its appeal and becomes more of a burden than a source of enjoyment.

Don’t get me wrong, I engage in social media on road trips just as much as the next person. But limiting their usage can significantly benefit your mental well-being while traveling. By merely taking a break from your smartphone, you can open yourself up to a whole new realm of opportunities and experiences. Keep reading to find out what some of those are.

Exploring the Countryside

As a child, I loved simply gazing out the window and admiring the beautiful countryside as it passed by. Even now, driving through scenic landscapes remains a cherished road trip pastime for me. Sometimes I’m so captivated by the beauty of the surrounding wilderness that Amy offers to take the wheel and allow me to enjoy it to its fullest. And in doing so, I’m sure she’s saved our lives more than once or at least kept our car insurance premiums down.

The freedom and exploration afforded by driving on winding roads and rolling hills provide a fun and liberating experience, perfect for day trips or weekend getaways away from the city.

The exploration of the countryside can be a reminder that the journey itself holds significance, and not just the destination. It can provide us with the inspiration that we may be lacking and craving in our day-to-day lives.

Gives Us Time to Reflect on Life

The long hours of road trips give us a chance to unwind and focus on the more important things in our lives. We have an opportunity to clear our minds and allow the miles traveled to provide clarity on life, without thinking about anything else. It allows you to gain perspective, identify what matters most, and make necessary changes if need be.

As we approach our destination, Amy and I oftentimes sense the tangible release of work-related stress, deadlines, and professional duties and obligations. Although there may be a temptation to check occasional emails, pushing away that urge as much as possible is crucial to having a prosperous and worry-free road trip.

Once we get to do things our way on our schedule, the shift in focus and mindset is significant as you can set aside all the commotion and distractions. It’s the proverbial “weight off our shoulders” as if they all simply peel away and that sensation is delightful! So make sure to use your time on the road to recharge and reset. You won’t regret it.

Enjoying a Good Book

Now I realize at first glance that may sound a bit strange. How can one read a good book while driving you may ask? You simply have it read to you either by a passenger or in audiobook form. Although I previously advised you to set aside your devices, there are numerous books that you can conveniently download and listen to directly on your phone or tablet. Therefore, in this instance, it may be appropriate to make an exception.

Early on in our relationship, Amy introduced me to an audiobook service from Amazon called Audible. The service has a vast selection of audiobooks across a wide range of genres, including bestsellers, classics, original content, and even podcasts There’s something for everyone. For people who like reading, road trips offer an excellent opportunity for avid readers to indulge in their hobby while simultaneously warding off monotony and boredom.

Amy loves audiobooks on car rides and I’ve grown to love them as much as she does. On almost every car ride we take together, whether it’s a short trip or a vacation, she eagerly proposes, “Shall we listen to our book?” Her demeanor resembles that of a child on Christmas morning, her face illuminating with a beaming smile and sparkling eyes at the mere thought of enjoying a good story together.

Make the most of a road trip by indulging in a captivating book, especially if the scenery is not unique to you or requires quite a bit of freeway driving.

To sign up for a free trial with Audible, click here.

Having a Good Conversation

Spending quality time and conversing with someone you care about can have a multitude of benefits for your mental and emotional well-being. Talking with a loved one or a friend is essential to any healthy and meaningful relationship.

There are a whole host of benefits to having meaningful conversations with others. It’s been shown to stimulate the brain, improve cognitive function, and promote mental agility. It can also help alleviate stress and reduce loneliness or social isolation.

I love talking with Amy in the car. It fills me with inspiration and joy. Not only does it bring us closer together, but it also allows us to exchange our thoughts and gain fresh perspectives, which leads to understanding and often new and exciting ideas. The origins of this blog can be traced back to one of our casual conversations during a long weekend getaway. 

Regularly setting aside time for conversation with your significant other, friend, or family member is often a challenge in the busy day-to-day. From kids to careers to family, it all takes time and emotional energy. Road trips are a valuable opportunity to engage in deep conversations, which is just one of their many benefits. 

Explore the world around you.  By yourself or with your loved ones. Your soul will thank you.