Touring by automotive on both quick or lengthy journeys has an a variety of benefits and downsides. On this article, we’ll check out the professionals and cons of automotive journey so you possibly can weigh up your choices.
My experiences of travelling by automotive
Whereas I could be extra well-known for having cycled lengthy distances similar to Alaska to Argentina and England to South Africa, I’ve additionally undertaken fairly a couple of travels by automotive.
And I am not simply speaking about weekend journeys. In truth, my first massive journey journey concerned shopping for a automotive in Australia in 1997 and driving across the whole nation in 12 months!
That is the automotive beneath – Surprisingly I managed to drive it across the whole nation with none issues!
Since then, I’ve additionally pushed round New Zealand, and extra not too long ago, once we go Greek island hopping, we additionally take our automotive from Athens with us.
For instance, throughout our most up-to-date 4 month journey across the Dodecanese islands of Greece, we have had the automotive with us. Positive it is added some expense to our ferry crossings, however the flexibility it is given us to discover the Greek islands has been wonderful. I completely suggest renting a automotive in Greece throughout your trip so you possibly can see and do extra!
That is the automotive we’re utilizing beneath – excellent for journey on the slim roads of among the islands!
Execs and Cons of Automotive Touring
After all, there’s many benefits and downsides to planning your travels with a automotive. That is why I’ve put collectively this information.
In case you’re considering of taking a street journey, or need to embark on an epic cross-continent journey, these execs and cons of travelling by automotive will certainly show you how to make your resolution.
Benefits of Automotive Touring
There are various benefits to travelling by automotive, notably in the event you’re planning an extended journey. Listed here are 10 of the primary advantages:
1. You’ll be able to journey at your individual tempo in a automotive
Once you journey by automotive, you are the one in cost. You’ll be able to select your individual route, make spontaneous selections and alter your plans on a whim. That is nice if you need the liberty to discover with out being tied to a particular itinerary.
Probably the greatest issues about street tripping is that you may go at your individual tempo. If you wish to take your time and benefit from the journey, you are able to do so with out having to fret about making it to your vacation spot on time.
There isn’t any want to fret about making connections with flights or buses. If you wish to spend a couple of further days in a single place or transfer on rapidly, it is fully as much as you.
It will also be an awesome profit to easily sleep in on days you’re drained, realizing you needn’t rush off to take a bus or practice.
2. It is extra snug than public transport
Let’s face it, automotive transport is much more snug than taking a bus or a practice. Once you journey in your individual car, you possibly can stretch your legs, take a break once you need to, and you do not have to share your area with anybody else.
3. You can also make spontaneous stops when driving
Have you ever ever been driving someplace and seen an indication for one thing fascinating however have not had the time to cease? With a automotive, you possibly can simply pull over and test it out! This spontaneity is without doubt one of the nice joys of street tripping.
Being by yourself schedule means you possibly can cease at small villages and locations of curiosity you ight usually move by. From private expertise driving across the Greece and the Greek islands, having a automotive has enabled us to get off the overwhelmed path and discover among the fascinating however lesser identified areas.
Check out our street journey in Mani, Greece.
4. You’ll be able to journey with extra stuff in a automotive
Once you’re travelling by automotive, you possibly can carry every part you want with you – together with your kitchen sink (not advisable by the best way)!
That is nice information in the event you’re travelling with children as you possibly can pack all their toys, garments and different important objects. It additionally means that you may carry your bike or different sports activities tools with you if you wish to discover the native space throughout your keep.
I have a tendency to seek out that it additionally makes it very price efficient to refill on groceries in larger locations and then you definately needn’t purchase a lot in small locations the place items are costlier.
5. You’ll be able to share the driving to cut back fatigue
Travelling by automotive additionally means that you may share the driving to keep away from getting too drained. That is notably vital on lengthy journeys the place driver fatigue can change into an actual situation.
In case you’re planning a visit with pals or household, taking turns behind the wheel could make the journey far more gratifying for everybody.
6. You’ll be able to hearken to music on a street journey
One of many nice issues about driving is that you may hearken to music as loud as you need! That is excellent for lengthy street journeys once you want some leisure to maintain you going.
Here is some concepts of songs to hearken to on a street journey!
7. It can save you cash
In case you’re travelling with a couple of individuals, automotive journey could be less expensive than flying or taking the practice. That is as a result of you possibly can cut up the price of petrol and lodging between everybody in your group.
You can too pack your individual street journey snacks to eat alongside the best way to be able to save paying for meals at roadside diners.
In case you’re taking a look at cash saving choices in your subsequent journey, maybe contemplate going by automotive.
8. You’ll be able to keep away from crowds
In case you’re trying to keep away from crowds, travelling by automotive is a good possibility. You’ll be able to discover less-travelled roads and paths and luxuriate in a extra peaceable journey. Additionally, no extra packed buses and trains!
9. You are not reliant on public transport
Once you journey by automotive, you are not reliant on public transport, which could be unreliable, particularly in rural areas. You additionally do not must spend a lot time ready in a bus station, or going by means of fairly nerve-racking instances in the event you miss an important connection.
10. Automotive journey is an journey
Final however not least, one of many major benefits of travelling by automotive, is that it’s an journey in itself! There’s one thing thrilling about hitting the open street and seeing the place it takes you.
It would check your driving abilities, supply unbelievable alternatives to see stuff you won’t in any other case, and offer you an actual sense of freedom. In case you’re on the lookout for an journey, travelling by automotive is a good possibility.
Disadvantages of Automotive Touring
After all, there are additionally some disadvantages to contemplate earlier than hitting the open street. Listed here are 10 of the highest disadvantages to remember:
1. You would possibly encounter automotive bother
In case you’re driving an older automotive, you may need to take care of flat tyres, breakdowns and different automotive issues. This may be irritating, particularly in the event you’re in the midst of nowhere.
With the ability to repair minor automotive issues is important in the event you’re planning to journey by automotive. It is also a good suggestion to have breakdown cowl in case of emergencies.
2. What occurs in case your automotive get stolen?
One other drawback of automotive journey is that your automotive may get stolen. Potential theft is very a threat in the event you’re travelling to a rustic the place crime charges are excessive.
In case you’re fearful about this, it is vital to take precautions similar to parking in well-lit areas and never leaving valuables in your automotive. It goes with out saying that you really want good automotive insurance coverage in addition to journey insurance coverage!
3. A better threat of street accidents
The extra you do of something, the upper the probabilities of one thing occurring change into, and this positively applies to automotive accidents.
In truth, research have proven that the danger of being in a automotive accident will increase with every hour you spend driving. So, in the event you’re planning a protracted street journey, you should definitely take common breaks and drive safely.
4. Automotive journey could be tiring
Driving could be tiring, particularly in the event you’re behind the wheel for lengthy intervals of time. For this reason it is vital to take common breaks and share the driving if potential.
One high security tip is to keep away from driving at evening in the event you’re feeling drained. It is because your response instances are slower and it is harder to remain awake.
5. You would possibly get misplaced
In case you’re not used to studying maps, there’s an opportunity you would possibly get misplaced when travelling by automotive. This may be irritating and waste numerous time, particularly if it’s important to preserve stopping to ask for instructions.
Earlier than setting off in your journey, you should definitely plan your route and have map useful. In case you’re fearful about getting misplaced, you would possibly need to think about using a GPS system or good outdated Google maps.
6. You’ll be able to’t at all times discover parking
Relying on the place you are travelling, discovering parking generally is a actual problem – and a pricey one at that. In massive cities, you may need to pay for parking and in rural areas, you may need to park your automotive a good distance out of your vacation spot.
Once we drive round Greece, we frequently have to depart our automotive parked in facet streets. This could be a bit nerve-wracking for individuals not used to doing it!
7. You may need to pay tolls
In case you’re driving on a motorway or expressway, you may need to pay tolls. This could add up, particularly in the event you’re making a protracted journey. For instance, driving from Athens to Thessaloniki can price round 30 euros in tolls!
After all, there are methods to keep away from paying tolls, similar to taking again roads or planning your route prematurely. However this is not at all times potential, and even fascinating in the event you’re quick on time.
8. Automotive journey could be costly
Travelling by automotive can truly be fairly pricey, particularly in the event you’re making a protracted journey. For instance, it’s important to pay for petrol, tolls, parking and lodging.
In 2022 specifically, petrol prices have been very excessive right here in Greece. We have been fortunate to get it for lower than 2.50 Euros a litre!
You may also must pay for automotive repairs in the event you encounter any issues on the street. All of those prices can add up, so it is vital to issue them into your finances earlier than setting off.
9. Visitors Jams
I am positive I needn’t inform you that site visitors jams are some of the irritating issues about automotive journey. They’ll trigger delays, wasted time and even accidents.
After all, there’s not a lot you are able to do about this besides plan your journey prematurely and attempt to keep away from peak instances. However even then, there is no assure that you will escape the site visitors!
10. Different street customers
And eventually, some of the irritating issues about automotive journey is different street customers. This consists of aggressive drivers, individuals who do not know tips on how to park and cyclists who appear to assume they personal the street! I am not one among them – I promise!
As you possibly can see, there are each benefits and downsides to contemplate when travelling by automotive. Finally, it is as much as you to resolve whether or not the professionals outweigh the cons. In case you’re planning a street journey, be sure to do your analysis and plan forward as a way to have the absolute best expertise.
Suggestions for touring by automotive
In case you’ve determined that you just need to go by car in your subsequent journey, these 10 insightful ideas will show you how to put together:
1. Get good utilizing Google maps!
2. Do not go away valuables within the car
3. Permit loads of time in your journey particularly in unhealthy climate
4. Double examine the situation of the automotive
5. Test the place you discover the gasoline stations with the very best petrol costs utilizing an app
6. Share the driving if potential
7. Keep away from driving at evening in the event you’re drained as that is when many crashes occur
8. Be sure to have your driving licence and insurance coverage particulars at hand
9. Be ready for sudden bills and hidden prices
10. Have a optimistic perspective!
Here is some automotive rental ideas you would possibly wish to learn.
Remaining Ideas
Whether or not you are planning a street journey or travelling by automotive for one more purpose, it is vital to contemplate the professionals and cons of this mode of transport. On the entire, driving provides you extra freedom and adaptability than different types of journey, however there are some disadvantages to remember.
Personally, I discover utilizing a automotive an effective way to journey for longer journey.
What are your ideas on travelling by automotive? Have you ever had any good or unhealthy experiences? Let me know within the feedback beneath!
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– Dave BriggsDave is a journey author who spends his time touring round and writing about Greece. In addition to placing collectively these insights into the professionals and cons of touring in a automotive, he has written tons of of journey weblog posts about locations and journey actions. Comply with Dave on social media for journey inspiration from world wide:
