Despite the ongoing increase in gas prices, road trips are making a comeback in America. In fact, according to a survey conducted by The Vacationer, 80% of US adults either want to, or plan to, go on a road trip during 2022. As the promise of Spring Break draws closer, people are ditching plane tickets in favor of a dream vacation on the roads of Northern America.
Preparing For A US Road Trip This Summer
You can never be too prepared for a road trip. The longer and more intensive the journey is, the more planning and organization needs to be done – making sure you and your co-trippers are safe from start to finish. Cars are central to a successful road trip experience, so let’s start there.
A survey from Hertz reports that 65% of road-tripping travelers consider a rented car to be the safest and most comfortable way to hit the road. This is because most vehicle owners are reluctant to add the extra mileage onto their car, or because they want to splurge on a luxurious 4X4. But not everyone wants the expense or responsibility of using a rented car.
Your own car is perfectly acceptable, assuming all the right checks have been made for optimal performance. That means doing a full transmission check before leaving home, and not ignoring any red lights on the dash at any point on your drive. Your transmission light is there to alert your attention to serious problems, such as overheating or other gearbox issues. Paying attention to your car’s warning lights is important every day, but especially when you are relying on it to drive you across a 2,800-mile country.
The Evolution of Entertainment
No matter how old you are, finding ways to entertain yourself over long car journeys is something everyone can relate to. In the past, over half of the US population considered games like I Spy, license plate counting, and getting semi-trucks to honk to be the pinnacle of entertainment. However, in 2022, things will be different.
The majority of both young and old road-tripping people now prefer listening to music, podcasts, or streaming Netflix in the backseat over traditional games. If you’re planning on hitting the road anytime soon, make sure you prepare accordingly and pack that USB charger.
South Is The Way To Go
Even though international travel is opening up for US and other countries in 2022, a recent survey from TripAdvisor indicates that 74% of travelers are planning to remain within the US, of which 42% intend to flock in one direction: South.
The Southern region of the US is jam-packed with beaches, mountains, nightlife, and the classic Southern charm that has attracted tourists for decades. It also covers a very large portion of US land, making for a diverse array of different destinations, lodgings, and social camping spots to enjoy.
So, when it comes to an all-American road trip, you can’t go wrong by heading South. Summer of 2022 couldn’t have come sooner as road tripping continues to make a comeback in US travel culture.