Why Traveling by Car is the Best Way to Travel

It’s not for everyone, nor is it for every situation, but I have a deep appreciation for driving that isn’t really fulfilled with other methods of travel. Maybe this is a hot take, but I think driving is the superior way to travel and explore.

Planes are a nice way to get somewhere far away quickly, but they’re cramped and there are so many people. I really like trains, but mostly just for a slow, scenic view. I love walking and hiking, too, but I get tired of the scenery so quickly. Boats are fun but not super practical.

Here are my top reasons why I think driving is the best way to travel.

No. 4: You get to choose your route

One of my favorite things about driving is that even when you go to the same place more than once, you can always change up the scenery by changing up the route you take. Every time I go to Texas or New Mexico I take a different route. I have my favorites, of course, but its so fun to see what other places are hiding. You never know when you’ll come across something neat you wouldn’t have known about is there otherwise!

No. 3: Your stuff stays with you

I have traveled by plane a handful of times and if there is one thing that causes me so much anxiety, its the idea of checking my bags. The horror stories of misrouted luggage, lost luggage, and even broken items is enough to make me love driving. I can keep everything I need with me and barring an accident or a break-in, I know that it’s more than likely to be in one piece when I reach my destination. I’m also terrified of dropping things into water, so there’s that.

No. 2: You have control over your environment

It’s probably no surprise, but I am a windows down kind of gal. It’s one of the reasons I love having short hair so much! I also love singing to my steering wheel at the top of my lungs. It’s for those two reasons that driving is my preferred way to travel. You can fully control the temperature, the windows, the pace, and the volume. There’s also no limits on snacks (except maybe soup…soup sounds like a bad idea).

No. 1: You get to be independent

Hands down, the number one reason why I love traveling by car is that I get to be independent. I love traveling, but there’s something about flying and taking public transportation that really, really zaps my energy. I’d rather do calculus than try to do public transportation math (and I’m not even exaggerating). That’s not to say that public transportation isn’t something we should support – it absolutely should be expanded – but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was absolutely stoked any time I get into my car after relying on others to get to point A to point B. Perhaps its because I’m a daisy picker at heart, or maybe its my desire to be spontaneous…either way, I love to drive.