Road trips in the USA – The Advantages and Disadvantages

There is a specific place for the wanderlust of road trips. When road tripping with kids, there is an excitement of opening an activity book or winning the first game of “I Spy”. When you go with friends, you bond over where to stop and who brought the best snacks. 

When I think of the ultimate road trip, I think of those you can take in the U.S.A. But no matter how many people have driven that road before you, careful planning and consideration need to be taken. 

If you think a US road trip is a vacation you want to take, we recommend that you consider the advantages and disadvantages before deciding to go.

Check out some of the common advantages and disadvantages of taking a road trip as your next holiday. 

Advantages of road trips

The joy of unplanned sightseeing

There are so many wondrous and beautiful sites to see while you are driving. There are many sights that can’t be found in a guidebook, so cannot be planned for. Memories can be made in an unusual sculpture. Or you can stop at a roadhouse in the middle of the desert and have the best dessert of your life.

There is no denying that the sense of adventure during a road trip is heightened. There is more flexibility to stop and see how other people live in different towns. Road Trips help us connect with one another, and enjoy unique sites, and beautiful scenery. 

The food and snacks

You will see signs after signs of “the world’s best…” restaurants. There are some great lists out there of road trip routes specifically for foodies. 

Some of the best vacation memories are made over a particular food. By taking a road trip you are more likely to stop at a restaurant you have never been to before And try foods and dishes you may have never heard of. You don’t necessarily have to do a lot of research on restaurants before you leave. Just pay attention to the signs telling you where to stop at the next exit. 

Road Trip playlists

There is nothing better than creating your own road trip playlist. Singing all your favorites with not a care in the world. There is something about having the right background music for the perfect scene outside the car window. It can’t be replicated by any other form of travel.  

Even if the playlist is a flop, searching through the radio stations will often deliver some classics. Yes, radio stations still exist! If you run out of data this is a great alternative, even if the music is bad there is sure to be some laughter. 

You can choose to be flexible

Choosing to take a road trip gives you the most amount of flexibility. You can choose to drive 12 hours a day, or 3. There is no plane to catch, or train to get to in time. Your car will patiently wait in the parking lot until you are ready to go again. 

This flexibility will allow you to stop at places you otherwise would not be able to. National parks are great for this and offer some of the best places to stop in the U.S. Having the flexibility to get off the highway and explore new towns and national parks is sure to be an advantage of going on a road trip. 

The availability of cheaper accommodation

Don’t believe everything you see on tv or in the movies. There are some great motels and accommodations in the U.S, even on a budget. Did you know you can even choose the option to camp in your car? Car camping isn’t necessarily sleeping uncomfortably in your car seat.  It can also be bringing a small tent and some pillows/blankets. 

There are plenty of safe places you can camp on your road trip. State parks are usually the least expensive. Consider the KOA chain for a safe place to stop as they have showers and bathrooms which is important when going on a road trip.  

Disadvantages of road trips

It can be expensive if you don’t like “winging it”

If you aren’t ready to head off without a plan or camp outside your car, then you will have to factor in hotel costs. These can add up very quickly. Most hotels ask that you pay for the first night of your stay as a deposit. But if you are only staying one night you could be paying multiple deposits for your trip. 

You could book your hotels the same day, but then you might risk not finding a hotel that night and be forced to drive further than you wanted to. If you are planning a shorter road trip this may not be as big of a disadvantage. But if you are planning a longer road trip, consider then make sure you factor in the cost of your accommodation as well as the stress of needing to get to a certain destination on time. 

The price of gas (fuel/petrol)

Speaking of costs, let’s get the financial burden of gas as a huge disadvantage of road trips. Gas costs hike up during peak road trip times, like summer or spring break. If you are road tripping with a group (probably of four) then you can always split the cost, but for families, there is only one person responsible for this. 

When deciding if it’s worth it to drive, consider looking at gas prices, the route you’ll take, and how far you plan to go each day. This will help you see what your daily gas cost will be.  

Car Sickness 

Car sickness is a horrible feeling. It can cause vertigo, and even vomiting. If you know you have motion sickness of any kind, staying in a car for hours each day is sure to create some car sickness. 

Unless you have the luxury of getting out of the car every few hours, there is no way to avoid car sickness. Eating smaller meals, and drinking plenty of water can help. Make sure you consider your route carefully if you do need to make more stops than normal. 

It is a slow way to travel

Road trips are notorious for being slow. They seldom go according to plan and often go longer than originally expected. This slower pace is not ideal if you are on a time crunch to get somewhere or only have a short time away from work commitments. 

If you are planning a trip during a school break, consider going somewhere closer to home. With heavier traffic and busier stops, this will give you plenty of wiggle room in your plans. 

Traffic

The biggest disadvantage of road trips is the traffic. There is always construction traffic somewhere,  and even with the assistance of technology, you cannot avoid traffic jams in busier times.  

Take into consideration the need for extra time when getting from A to B. Pack snacks and leave early. You may even want to keep an eye on traffic conditions and reports a few days before you leave. 

Final Thoughts

All vacations will come with their advantages and disadvantages. One thing is for sure though, you need to at least have one road trip adventure under your belt before making an informed decision. It will be an experience like nothing else and you will have memories that will last a lifetime.