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If we have a set schedule...driving to actually get someplace, the focus is getting to the destination, so as many miles possible per day is on the agenda. Once we stop, it's to eat and sleep...repeat as necessary.
NOW....if the journey across the country IS the agenda (nothing wrong with that)..then the evening stops would be coordiated to some place that interests us. I saw Branson menitoned...then we would get to the room, rest a bit, the go to a show, get something to eat or walk around.
I'm a big fan of the quirky little attractions...like the biggest ball of string, the largest skillet, Hannibal Mo...those types of places.
So the average traveler is only on the road to get somewhere and drives 14 hours a day to make it there quickly and can't enjoy the communities on the way? How sad!
If we have a set schedule...driving to actually get someplace, the focus is getting to the destination, so as many miles possible per day is on the agenda. Once we stop, it's to eat and sleep...repeat as necessary.
NOW....if the journey across the country IS the agenda (nothing wrong with that)..then the evening stops would be coordiated to some place that interests us. I saw Branson menitoned...then we would get to the room, rest a bit, the go to a show, get something to eat or walk around.
I'm a big fan of the quirky little attractions...like the biggest ball of string, the largest skillet, Hannibal Mo...those types of places.
The biggest ball of twine is in Darwin MN, about 40 miles from our former MN dairy farm ( son owns it now)
So the average traveler is only on the road to get somewhere and drives 14 hours a day to make it there quickly and can't enjoy the communities on the way? How sad!
Unless time is unlimited, every day spent on the road is one less day at your destination.
Unless time is unlimited, every day spent on the road is one less day at your destination.
With the high cost of gasoline and higher prices for hotels and eating out if you are in a rush to get somewhere it would be better to fly. I drive places to enjoy the attractions and communities along the way.
I used to drive and drive and drive when on the road. (Prefer to fly my own plane)
One day I just could not drive anymore and fell asleep. Somewhere on the freeway I ended up waking up after hitting a Diesel truck and rearanging the family van in such a way that we would not be able to continue on our trip. I realized then and there that my family was more important to me than getting to the destination.
Read some statistics about driving and found that most people seem to fall asleep at the wheel during the night time. A lot of people are out on the road that should be sleeping. Many think that they can drink coffee, open the window, put on the AC, turn up the radio or some other thing to help them stay awake.
For night time driving It is suggested that you do not drive when you are tired. It is suggested that if you are not normally awake at lets say 2 am than maybe you should not be driving at 2 am. It is also suggested that 2 hours in the car is the max that someone should drive. Oh and switching drivers is a fallacy that many people believe. If two people are in the same car both need to get out and walk around every couple hours.
Try this on your next trip. Get out of the car after 2 hours of driving. Walk around for 20 minutes and see how you feel then. It takes a while to register to the mind that the body is too tired to drive. After 20 minutes most people will be ready for bed or they will have the sence to take it easy out there.
For us we have a plan on the road and designated places that we will stop along the way. My thought is that I would rather live a long life than to pretend it is a race.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Originally Posted by Old Tired Man
With the high cost of gasoline and higher prices for hotels and eating out if you are in a rush to get somewhere it would be better to fly. I drive places to enjoy the attractions and communities along the way.
I usually fly / drive to save time (but I LOVE road trips... ex-professional driver).
Last week I flew 2000 miles for $38.00 so can't buy much fuel for that. (But fuel COST is not an issue when using my 50 mpg veggie oil cars... FREE fuel at Chinese restaurant).
Usually I fly SWA cuz I can change at will for free.
I rent cars on Priceline / hotwire for ~$12/day.
Nights... I often drive the boring stretches at night (Take a nap in the park during the day)
For touring, I use Private guest homes $10 - $20 / night, so I enjoy learning about others, their locales, sharing a meal, and helping them around the house or farm. Often we sing or play music, but we always have a great time.
I do have a habit of looking for local events; concerts, speakers, town halls, High School plays, club meetings (Garden / camera / hiking / art / 4H).
The journey and the people I meet are a very special part of my travels.
YMMV
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is not an issue when using my 50 mpg veggie oil cars... FREE fuel at Chinese restaurant).
