There are some people who couldn’t be paid to take a road trip; Absolutely no sum of cash could get them in a car, behind a steering wheel, on an interstate, driving somewhere. Believe it or not, even a stop or two (or three or seven) at Starbucks isn’t a sweet enough incentive to get them to hit the road. These people exist. They are out there. You might be one of them.
I can’t promise that it’s quicker or hassle-free or even cheaper to drive, but I do know one thing: road trips are medicine for the soul. Cliché? Maybe. True? Definitely.
There is no choice but to enjoy the journey. All your life, people have been telling you not to focus on the destination, but to slow down, smell the roses, and appreciate the small steps along the way. With hours upon hours on the open road and more time than you know what to do with, you’ll find that it’s the little details that mean the most.
The world is yours. Would you rather stop at the gas station with 50¢ donuts or hold out for the Frosty at Wendy’s in the next town? Why not go for both?! You are in complete control: it’s your adventure to create and your stories to write. Liberation is refreshing!
Every state has something to offer. You may have studied abroad last semester or spent the summer backpacking through Europe. Trust me, I’m jealous, but there’s something to be said about our own beloved country, too. After all, we have amber waves of grain and purple mountain majesties!
Living in the moment isn’t optional. Who said wrong turns are always a bad thing? Part of the adventure is taking the roads less traveled and finding the hole-in-the-wall diners. There are really no mistakes to be made (as long as you remember to fill up the tank here and there), only opportunities to be found and memories to be made.
There is critical bonding to be done. I’m not going to sugar coat it, road tripping will involve withstanding invasion of personal space, sharing rickety motel mattresses, and taking turns with the auxiliary cord. Let me just put it this way: if you can make it through a road trip together, you can make it through anything together. And your relationship will be brought to a whole new level – no questions asked.
Sunrises and sunsets are guaranteed. Nature is breathtaking, but we all know how life gets in the way. Luckily, it’s really difficult to miss the sun falling behind the horizon when you’re driving straight toward it. This is your chance to be one with your surroundings and to finally appreciate the beauty you’ve been too busy to acknowledge.