Road trips are all about the car, aren’t they? That’s why they’re called road trips in the first place; you’re traveling by road. Yet there can be problems with taking a road trip, even if you really want to do it. One is cost; fuel is expensive (and so is owning a car). Another is the environment; fewer cars on the road is better, so do you really want to add to the pollution? Finally, there might not be good roads where you want to go, and even if you do have a car and are happy to drive it, you might not be able to, depending on your destination.
The good news is you don’t have to despair; there are ways to have a road trip without a car. Read on to find out more.
Take the Train
Perhaps the most obvious alternative to driving is to take the train. However, if you own a car, this is probably not something you consider much of the time, if at all. Yet it’s so much fun, and it means you get to see some wonderful views that you might easily miss when you are driving.
You might be surprised at how well connected the trains are; the railway network is vast and impressive, and no matter where you might want to go, there will be a train journey to get you there. It’s true, you might need to get a taxi at the other end if the station isn’t within walking distance of your destination, and you might also need to take more than one train, but being able to sit down in comfort and enjoy the scenery will make up for it. Sometimes trains are quicker than driving too; there is no traffic to contend with, and the train tracks tend to be straight, making journey times shorter.
Use a Bicycle
If you prefer to get where you’re going under your own steam, you could ride a bicycle rather than drive a car. You have a lot more freedom on a bike because you can use smaller roads and paths (including cycle paths that are specifically designed for cyclists and are much safer than the larger roads), and this means you get to experience places you would never see behind the wheel of a car. It’s also great for the environment, so if that is an issue for you, head to steedbikes.com to pick something out. Remember, you can use a bicycle for any journey, whether you’re enjoying a road trip, commuting to work, or heading to the grocery store.
The other great thing about getting on a bike is that it’s good for your health. You get to exercise and get where you’re going, whereas in a car or even on a train, you would just sit for a number of hours, and that’s bad for your heart and circulation, not to mention your weight.
Try a Car Share
If driving on your road trip is the only thing that works for you, why not opt for a car share? There are a number of apps that will allow you to connect with people who are heading in the same direction as you and who you can pay gas money to for sharing their vehicle (or who will pay you if you’re the driver).
By doing this, you’re still cutting down on the number of cars on the road, you’ve got company for a long journey, and you can get there quickly and comfortably.
