5 ways in which American road trips are not overplayed
What is your idea of an ideal vacation? Is it taking a plane and head to the aquamarine lagoon of Bora-Bora? Or taking a walk along the Seine in Paris after visiting its grand museums and palaces? The thought of hitting the road in the United States itself might not make you enthusiastic even if it were as exhilarating as Sal Paradise’s adventures in Jack Kerouac’s On the Road. But if you give it a go, chances are you’ll be fulfilled. Here’s why.
Get to see some amazing scenery
America boasts these endless scenic highways that don’t seem to have any turns. They just cut right through the desert into emptiness and then out of the blue, snow-capped peaks, rugged cliffs or sapphire blue waters come into view. Apart from its excellent road network, the country counts an undeniable diversity of stunning vistas that you’ll get to conveniently admire from behind the windshield or from the side-window of a car. When the spectacle gets too breathtaking, just pull over.
It is affordable
This is one vacation that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg especially if you rent a gas-saving vehicle. Bonus: it’s able to offer you comparable emotions that a faraway destination would. On the way, you can opt for reasonably priced lodgings, or better, camp outside in front of a bonfire and have a picnic where you can indulge in some comfort food. Renting a caravan with beds, a stove and fridge will further grant you peace of mind by saving your wallet and protecting you from unpredictable weather conditions.
Disconnect from your hectic lifestyle
When was the last time you could really take in the orange-purple haze of an intense sunset? When last did the only light you got at night come from the stars? When last was your cell phone out of reach? While disquieting for some, this tranquilness will offer you a real opportunity to sync with your deepest self or bond with your co-road trippers, be it your family, friend or partner. Whether you opt for the short routes or longer distances, this voluntary lonesomeness will perk you up for whatever its duration.
Go at your own pace
Pack your bags, hop in the car, fill up the tank, and hit the open road. You have no planes to catch, no visas to secure, no pesky check-in procedures and you can bring along a lot of gear you would not have room for if you traveled on a plane — including your pet, and no excess baggage to pay for… Yes, you are the one behind the steering wheel and, no, your excursion coach won’t leave you behind if you spend too much time at one attraction or if you oversleep. And if you can’t go, there’ll be no cancellation fee. Could there be a better example of a hassle-free vacation?
Taste the real adventure
A good road trip is less about the destination, and more about the journey and those you take along, they say. Road trips are indeed a real adventure where you can be spontaneous and wander off the beaten path. So, breathe, let go of your worries and enjoy the long freedom of the road!
