Updated: May 19, 2025
For many, the open road conjures up feelings of freedom, adventure and exploration. Now more than ever, travelers in search of an escape are turning to road trips to fulfill their dreams of vacations without limits and on their own terms. From cost savings to open itineraries, pet-friendliness and even more, here are the top 15 reasons to take a road trip today.
Avoid the hassle of the airport altogether by driving instead of flying. You won't have to deal with early morning wake-up calls to get to the airport on time, only to then sit around and wait for hours. On a road trip, your vacation begins as soon as you start your engine.
If you've been wondering to yourself, "why take a road trip?" just imagine the comfort of your vehicle, the vast scenery outside and the endless possibilities of your vacation compared to long lines at check-in, crowded seats and even delayed flights.
It's hard to beat the flexibility of a road trip. There are no flight times to worry about or bus schedules to memorize, as you’ll have your own set of wheels to get around. Plus, if you spot something cool out the window, it’s much easier to pull over when you’re driving than if you’re flying. As long as you book hotels with free cancellation, your itinerary is flexible, too, if your plans change.
You'll also be able to plan around sudden changes of weather much better than with a pre-planned tour and this spontaneity is one of the best road trip benefits for all travelers. While unexpected rain or snowfall could delay your plans, it can also allow you to explore more of the area you’re already in or at least get some relaxation while waiting for improvements. If on a tour, you may have to continue towards your destinations regardless of comfort or scenic clarity. On a road trip, you can travel only when it’s right for you and when your destinations look their best.
Most tours focus on taking groups directly to the major destinations, which can be a great thing in many cases. However, one of the most amazing things about road tripping is discovering all the hidden gems between the destinations that will surprise you and create real, lasting memories.
Depending on where you go, these hidden gems may be smaller, less promoted state parks compared to the famous national ones. It may be a small town museum or a quirky local landmark.
When planning your road trip, pay attention to the opportunities between major destinations and you’ll likely discover some amazing attractions that you otherwise could have missed.
While flying may get you to your destination more quickly than driving, it often means missing out on the scenery and unique experiences found along the way.
Whether you’re driving along a rugged, coastal route, through a scenic desert or any one of the country's vast and diverse landscapes, there’s a tranquil beauty to be found everywhere if you pay attention.
Driving gives you the chance to take in a wide variety of landscapes and discover new sights that flying often overlooks. No matter where the road leads, you're likely to enjoy a well-rounded and memorable vacation.
If a certain destination doesn’t appeal to you, there’s no need to visit it. One of the best parts of a road trip is the flexibility it offers, allowing you to follow your interests or stick to a detailed schedule more easily than with a traditional tour or vacation.
You have much more control over your daily activities while enjoying a road trip than on a tour and with refundable hotel rooms, you can even change large parts of your trip if needed. This creates a truly freeing sense of adventure while traveling and this feeling still persists even if you follow your schedule perfectly.
By giving yourself the option to be spontaneous, even with a schedule, you open up your vacation and help to create a sense of relaxation that makes road trips a wonderful option.
Say goodbye to weight limits and luggage restrictions. With a road trip, you can pack the car as full or as light as you want. It’s especially convenient if you have strollers, toys or other bulky gear to lug around. If you need even more space for souvenirs, consider renting an SUV or an electric vehicle, which often features increased storage room in the trunks.
You won’t be able to bring a big bulky cooler filled with food and drinks on a plane, but you can on a road trip. Save money by stocking up on snacks, sandwiches and other essentials to take on the road while making sure your cooler is easily accessible to your passengers.
An added perk of bringing your own food is getting to have a picnic. Find a picnic table in a park or a rest stop and revel in your cost efficiency. As a general rule, you should aim to stop every 2 hours or 100 miles for a quick break to stretch, hydrate and smell the roses.
For pet owners, the thought of taking a pet on a flight can be anxiety-inducing, but road trips are a great alternative. Bring your pets along for the ride and add pet-friendly hotels, restaurants and activities to your trip itinerary.
Small towns are easily overlooked when you’re flying into a big city, but on a road trip you can stop in as many small towns as you’d like. Smaller towns and cities often provide more opportunities for chatting with the locals, hearing about unique things to do and eating at mom-and-pop restaurants.
Stops like these might be kitschy to some, but to many, they're a staple of a classic road trip. Some unique and interesting roadside attractions we recommend for road trippers include: Lenny the Life-Size Chocolate Moose in Scarborough, Maine; Carhenge in Alliance, Nebraska; The Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma; and Rock City Gardens in Lookout Mountain, Georgia.
Long drives offer a great opportunity for meaningful conversation, especially after a fun round or two of roadside bingo. As the journey continues, you may find yourselves talking about a variety of topics and creating lasting memories along the way. And of course, few things compare to listening to your favorite songs while taking in the beauty of new and unfamiliar scenery.
If you're taking a solo road trip, the drive can be a great opportunity to enjoy some meaningful alone time. Many experienced travelers find that driving can feel meditative, with your attention focused on the road while the steady hum of the engine provides a calming backdrop. Podcasts, audiobooks or music can make the experience even more enjoyable.
It’s easier than ever to find songs for road trips on music streaming apps and as you gear up for a trip, you’ll want to create a playlist tailored to the occasion. Make it a collaborative playlist with your travel companions to get their input and be sure to name it something memorable so you’ll be able to listen to it months from now and reminisce about your experience.
Many people look back fondly on the road trips they took with family during childhood. You can start building your own family traditions by adding a few thoughtful touches to each trip. Perhaps you play favorite songs or audiobooks to set the mood, stop for ice cream on the way home or return to the same scenic spot each summer. Simple moments like car games, picnics or even a cozy pillow fort in the backseat can become lasting memories that make each journey special.
All vacations provide incredible moments and lasting memories, but there’s a unique feeling after finishing a road trip that’s hard to compare to anything else. Regardless of how far or long you’ve driven, completing a road trip gives you a strong sense of accomplishment that’s priceless and extremely fulfilling.
The feeling of arriving home after finishing a road trip that you personally planned and enjoyed is indescribable, but also very common among road trippers. It’s that feeling of knowing you have accomplished what you set out to do and over time, all of those special, little moments of your trip will pop into your mind. This is what makes a vacation unforgettable and there’s nothing quite like a road trip to experience all the possibilities of a great trip in a unique and personalized way.
Plus, it may just create momentum for you to road trip again soon. Once you complete one road trip, the next one doesn’t seem so daunting. Pushing yourself outside your comfort zone, even just a little bit, makes that next vacation all the easier to achieve.
Even the smallest road trip can create incredible, lifelong memories and there’s never a better time than the present to make it happen.
You may remember going to your local AAA office in the past to pick up a TripTik or AAA TourBook guide before leaving for a road trip. These helpful tools are still available today, but in an easier-to-access digital format. Find route planning tools with the online AAA Trip Canvas or download a AAA Digital TourBook® to research destinations across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and all over the world today.!
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