Road trip vacation

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

We drove to Myrtle Beach one year and it cuts your time short. We will never drive down again.

That's actually sorta funny as the road trip we took in 2014 the main destination was actually Myrtle Beach. Step-father-in-law did one of those timeshare presentations offers for Myrtle Beach that came with very cheap (in price that is) accommodations in exchange for them doing the presentation. When initially looking at it flights were not realistic with the airport availability so I suggested why not do a road trip out of it.

So on the way we did Nashville, Asheville (stayed a night) going to the Biltmore then onto Myrtle Beach for 3 days 2 nights where we all decided it was totally not worth it don't have any interest in the place, then Savannah, GA on our way back (stayed a night) where we all decided we wished we had shifted an extra day or two to Savannah instead of Myrtle Beach as well as maybe an extra day in Asheville, back up through Nashville although staying somewhere north of that for the night (that was the only time we did not have pre-booked hotel for that trip).

Side note in Atlanta we were involved in a hit and run accident (or so the person who hit us from the back says) in gridlock traffic (because I never seem to escape that whenever going through Atlanta). We had a luggage rack in the tow hitch that was destroyed though luckily the suitcases there were not damaged.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Those are the reasons that people that don't enjoy road trips use to justify their actions. Those of us that love road trips can argue that the world looks a lot different at ground level then 30K feet above it. If my time window is short, then I use airplanes, however, to me the getting there and the getting back is as much of an adventure (or can be) as the destination. I have used both and at age 74 still prefer road trips.

To me the country is just one huge theme park. Some good parts some bad parts but all part of where I live and I love seeing the good, the bad and the ugly. And I can take whatever I want with me, no TSA, no sitting on runways for hours waiting for weather to clear 1000 miles away, no being treated like cattle traversing the ramp into the tubular cage and directed to sit and like it. There is a freedom to being on the road, a mystery and challenges to be overcome. I control how I get someplace, I make it happen, I don't rely on some kid that is young enough to be my grandchild getting behind the wheel and catapulting us about 6 miles above the ground held up there only by the talents of some ground mechanics that I didn't get to choose. When I have to I will use the Wright Brothers contribution to society, but when I can I will make my own way.

I don't remember saying I don't enjoy road trips. You don't need to justify anything to me Road trips are great.

That said it's as I mentioned to another poster, if you're looking at just straight up "should I drive or should I fly" there will be pros and cons to both. We've done a mixture depending on the circumstances. I know for ski trips in CO it's best for me to drive the 11 1/2 hours because the one time we flew my body couldn't adjust to the altitude well. Driving allowed a more gradual increase from the just over 1,000 ft elevation that I live in to the almost 7,100 elevation of Salida, CO or the nearly 9,100 elevation of Frisco both excluding the elevations of the ski mountains.

We've driven to MN instead of flying. I grew up doing the drives to Orlando as a kid during the summer.

But there are many other places and situations where flying is better for a myriad of reasons.

One thing I will note is wear and tear on vehicles. Renting a car is often something we would do in lieu of taking our own. My husband drove his car down to Katy, TX when he was working there but by the time he was done there (under 6 months) he didn't want to drive it back so he opted to have his car shipped. Long story on that one but instead of going home it sat in TX and ended up just being shipped straight to MD where he would be working (after being home for 2 weeks) next. He had the vehicle shipped back home when he was done. A few years later when he was sent to CA he also had his car shipped there and back. You really wouldn't want to drive my car for long distances. She's a 21 yr old car that struggles with hills lol and other random issues plus a coupe car.

Funny you mention control because that's precisely one of the main reasons we almost always get a rental car where ever we go on vacation. There are only a few select places where we haven't (like NYC or foreign countries like when we went to Jamaica). In just under 2 weeks we'll be in Puerto Rico with a rental car. Mexico we won't have a car though.

 

[GAN]

I was actually looking at a Road Trip out to Moab this spring, but it's a 2500 mile haul for me. Been looking at going out there with my daughter to do some Off-Roading in her new Bronco ...so we'd be looking at about 6,000 miles and maybe 6-days normal drive time(both ways). Not sure if it's worth it -but it would be fun!

 

[mrodgers]

We drove to Myrtle Beach one year and it cuts your time short. We will never drive down again.

Checked out flights. One flight with a layover would get us there early. All other flights would be about the same as driving, many being hours after than if we drive. And that one flight would almost double the cost of vacation (without investigating what the hotel cost increases has been.)

 

[mrodgers]

I feel you're def. trying to miss the point. You're the one who said you don't understand why people fly vs drive. Both have their own downsides. When you mentioned to another poster that if you're able to go to Europe that means you're in a different category than who you are around. Why can't you see that you actually have the fortune and ability in the first place to burn vacation days on just transit?

I'm not the one missing the point. You are not even arguing against what I said and injecting your own thoughts into the process that wasn't said as usual with many many people, and arguing with me over something I never said.

I never said I don't understand why people fly vs drive. I said I don't understand why people fly vs drive, then come to the Dis and everywhere else and complain about everything about flying. You then decided to argue with me and justify things that have nothing to do with anything I've posted. It would be better if you replied to people and address what they say rather than address what they don't say. So, what are your thoughts of deciding to fly, then rant and rave about everything that pertains to flying?

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

We also have an RV and that's the only way we travel. It's our condo with wheels. We drive to the destination location and use the car to hit the touristy-sightseeing stuff. My flying days are over.

My in-laws have a 40 something foot 5th wheel. They mostly take it to RV camping trips sometimes in Arkansas but usually MO and KS these are fairly short trips in the grand scheme. That said they want to do a national parks trip when step-father-in-law retires. They also have an F350 to haul the 5th wheel and as I'm sure you're aware with the RV gas (which they have a diesel) costs add up.

For them they looked at getting an actual RV but it was about double the cost of the 5th wheel plus they would need to haul a vehicle with them if they wanted to use that.

Their 5th wheel is very nice though. They wouldn't go full time though or even travel for long lengths of time. One they have way too many animals and two they would miss home too much. In terms of vacations if they want length in those vacations they would be much more choosy whether they would do the F350 with the 5th wheel as opposed to flying. They haven't done very well in the past with long long drives even if they had their 5th wheel it would be a here and there thing.

 

[Jrb1979]

Checked out flights. One flight with a layover would get us there early. All other flights would be about the same as driving, many being hours after than if we drive. And that one flight would almost double the cost of vacation (without investigating what the hotel cost increases has been.)

It's not the cost or the time that is the problem we have. We find by the time you finish driving there you're so tired from the drive it takes a day to get back in track.

 

[Moliphino]

I'm not the one missing the point. You are not even arguing against what I said and injecting your own thoughts into the process that wasn't said as usual with many many people, and arguing with me over something I never said.

I never said I don't understand why people fly vs drive. I said I don't understand why people fly vs drive, then come to the Dis and everywhere else and complain about everything about flying. You then decided to argue with me and justify things that have nothing to do with anything I've posted. It would be better if you replied to people and address what they say rather than address what they don't say. So, what are your thoughts of deciding to fly, then rant and rave about everything that pertains to flying?

Because even with the complaints it's still easier to fly some places than drive.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I'm not the one missing the point. You are not even arguing against what I said and injecting your own thoughts into the process that wasn't said as usual with many many people, and arguing with me over something I never said.

I never said I don't understand why people fly vs drive. I said I don't understand why people fly vs drive, then come to the Dis and everywhere else and complain about everything about flying. You then decided to argue with me and justify things that have nothing to do with anything I've posted. It would be better if you replied to people and address what they say rather than address what they don't say. So, what are your thoughts of deciding to fly, then rant and rave about everything that pertains to flying?

Let's break down the comments that I was responding to

If you're able to vacation in Europe, you are very far away from the demographic that I am.

Well if you're in a position where you have enough vacation time to drive everywhere you vacation you're in a different demographic than most people.

I think very few people don't get any vacation at all. Doesn't matter how much vacation time I have from work, I can only afford a week's travel vacation. Not sure why people wouldn't be able to drive for the day vs. dealing with the airports and planes for day.

If your point is someone is fortunate enough to go to Europe, talk about how little vacation time you get and the sidestep the whole discussion about the length of time it takes to drive expect some discussion about that.

It's hard to have it both ways don't you see? To have enough vacation time to cover the time to get somewhere and be able to even have vacation time in the first place.

I've mentioned already like twice that there are pros and cons to both. You can't ignore that both methods have their own pros and their own cons. You positioned your comment about people complaining about flying and I counterpoint that with what occurs with driving. You may prefer driving but that doesn't mean there aren't cons to it.

 

[mrodgers]

Let's break down the comments that I was responding to







If your point is someone is fortunate enough to go to Europe, talk about how little vacation time you get and the sidestep the whole discussion about the length of time it takes to drive expect some discussion about that.

It's hard to have it both ways don't you see? To have enough vacation time to cover the time to get somewhere and be able to even have vacation time in the first place.

I've mentioned already like twice that there are pros and cons to both. You can't ignore that both methods have their own pros and their own cons. You positioned your comment about people complaining about flying and I counterpoint that with what occurs with driving. You may prefer driving but that doesn't mean there aren't cons to it.

Sorry, you are correct. It was so long ago now I forgot it wasn't you who responded to me initially, you just jumped into the middle. But then again, you just mentioned what I said in that first post which isn't anything what I said.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

But then again, you just mentioned what I said in that first post which isn't anything what I said.

I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific than that as I'm unsure what you are referring to.

you just jumped into the middle.

Well yeah I mean that's how public conversations happen at times but I did just quote what you wrote and while we all do it it's not my fault if you weren't reading what you had written when you responded to me. When I had first quoted you it had been a bit over 27hours from when you made your comment, I wouldn't call that it "happened so long ago now" I've gotten people quoting me from months ago and will readily admit to them that it's been too long for me to have followed what was going back then.

 

[dez1978]

We did when I was a kid in the 80s. As an adult one time we drove 12 hrs to gulf shores when the boys were 4&7. Never again lol. They are amazing flyers, not so much car riders. At almost 9&12 they know exactly what to do at the airport and on the plane and they don’t fight or mess around. If they are in the car for more than an hour, it chaos and yelling. Maybe one day tho

 

[AuntieMe3]

We love road trips. The driving is part of the vacation for us. We regularly road trip from Southern California for Northern Washington State. Its a 20 hour drive just stopping for gas and bathroom breaks. Sometimes we'll drive straight through the first day, spend some time doing whatever we want up there and then take our time coming home. Or we'll take our time going up, making different stops along the way, and then spend that last day driving straight through back home. We can switch off driving so it's not just one person doing all the driving.

 

[aprilgail]

This summer my wife, the kids and I are planning a 2 week long road trip. First stop is Thunder Bay Ontario to visit her parents for the first week. The second week the plan is to drive through the US through Minnesota to visit Valley Fair. Then down to Kansas City to visit World's of Fun followed by our last stop at Kings Island in Cincinnati. Looking forward to it.

My question is does anyone else do road trips anymore for vacation?

I did a 2 month road trip- just me and my 15 year old daughter- drove 11,500 miles from NY- across the North to Washington- Down through California, through to Texas and up through West Virginia - was great! Would love to do at least a month long trip again!

 

[disneyseniors]

This summer my wife, the kids and I are planning a 2 week long road trip. First stop is Thunder Bay Ontario to visit her parents for the first week. The second week the plan is to drive through the US through Minnesota to visit Valley Fair. Then down to Kansas City to visit World's of Fun followed by our last stop at Kings Island in Cincinnati. Looking forward to it.

My question is does anyone else do road trips anymore for vacation?

Hi JRB:
You are not alone.
My husband and I (we are retired) are leaving in 2 weeks for a long, long car trip from N. Minnesota to Orlando, Florida! We plan on being gone at least 3 weeks, which is the longest trip ever for us. We have stops planned along the way, one at my brother's in Tennessee, and another at a cousins in Florida. Then we are off to reservations at Universal for 4 nights, 5 days. Then, turn around and do it all again.

We usually only do 7 or 10 day vacations, so this will be a new experience for us. We have driven to Phoenix, Arizona twice to see relatives. That trip, though long, was a fun one with lots of beautiful sights along the way.
We always take our time and switch off driving. Sometimes we stop every 2 hours, even if it is just a quick stop

Your trip sounds like fun. You will probably pass right by our town on your way down Minnesota. Valley Fair is a fun place, but after being to WDW and Universal, it seems small. BTW, we lived in Ohio and went to Cedar Point in the 70's. That was before any hotels. No one in their right mind would swim on the beach, as they pumped sewage right out into the lake. You could see the pipe clearly from the rides at CP. At that time, it was a really nice place, but didnt' have lots of coasters as it has now. Maybe one day we will check it out again. I have read your posts on how great CP is. It is funny, but we never ventured to Kings Island.

Have a great road trip

 

[Jrb1979]

Hi JRB:
You are not alone.
My husband and I (we are retired) are leaving in 2 weeks for a long, long car trip from N. Minnesota to Orlando, Florida! We plan on being gone at least 3 weeks, which is the longest trip ever for us. We have stops planned along the way, one at my brother's in Tennessee, and another at a cousins in Florida. Then we are off to reservations at Universal for 4 nights, 5 days. Then, turn around and do it all again.

We usually only do 7 or 10 day vacations, so this will be a new experience for us. We have driven to Phoenix, Arizona twice to see relatives. That trip, though long, was a fun one with lots of beautiful sights along the way.
We always take our time and switch off driving. Sometimes we stop every 2 hours, even if it is just a quick stop

Your trip sounds like fun. You will probably pass right by our town on your way down Minnesota. Valley Fair is a fun place, but after being to WDW and Universal, it seems small. BTW, we lived in Ohio and went to Cedar Point in the 70's. That was before any hotels. No one in their right mind would swim on the beach, as they pumped sewage right out into the lake. You could see the pipe clearly from the rides at CP. At that time, it was a really nice place, but didnt' have lots of coasters as it has now. Maybe one day we will check it out again. I have read your posts on how great CP is. It is funny, but we never ventured to Kings Island.

Have a great road trip

I'm not expecting much out of Valley Fair but we will probably check out Mall of America as well. We will be in town for a day and a half.

Cedar Point has grown a lot since you've been. I feel it's one of the best parks in the US.

 

[Magical2017]

I love all types of travel, and road trips are especially fun. I would like to visit more national parks, but any road trip sounds good to me.

 

[disney4us2002]

It doesn't sound like a vacation to me if it involves more than a few hours in a car. I despise being a passenger and my husband ALWAYS drives. When I'm on vacation, I'm ready for it to begin immediately!

 

[goofyernmost]

I don't remember saying I don't enjoy road trips. You don't need to justify anything to me Road trips are great.

That said it's as I mentioned to another poster, if you're looking at just straight up "should I drive or should I fly" there will be pros and cons to both. We've done a mixture depending on the circumstances. I know for ski trips in CO it's best for me to drive the 11 1/2 hours because the one time we flew my body couldn't adjust to the altitude well. Driving allowed a more gradual increase from the just over 1,000 ft elevation that I live in to the almost 7,100 elevation of Salida, CO or the nearly 9,100 elevation of Frisco both excluding the elevations of the ski mountains.

We've driven to MN instead of flying. I grew up doing the drives to Orlando as a kid during the summer.

But there are many other places and situations where flying is better for a myriad of reasons.

One thing I will note is wear and tear on vehicles. Renting a car is often something we would do in lieu of taking our own. My husband drove his car down to Katy, TX when he was working there but by the time he was done there (under 6 months) he didn't want to drive it back so he opted to have his car shipped. Long story on that one but instead of going home it sat in TX and ended up just being shipped straight to MD where he would be working (after being home for 2 weeks) next. He had the vehicle shipped back home when he was done. A few years later when he was sent to CA he also had his car shipped there and back. You really wouldn't want to drive my car for long distances. She's a 21 yr old car that struggles with hills lol and other random issues plus a coupe car.

Funny you mention control because that's precisely one of the main reasons we almost always get a rental car where ever we go on vacation. There are only a few select places where we haven't (like NYC or foreign countries like when we went to Jamaica). In just under 2 weeks we'll be in Puerto Rico with a rental car. Mexico we won't have a car though.

1. I didn't say you did, I said people the don't love road trips use that stuff as an excuse. "Those are the reasons that people that don't enjoy road trips use to justify their actions". Since you said you love road trips then I obviously wasn't talking about you, was I?

2. I also said that if time didn't allow I flew there. (Same thing you basically said)

3. I have never visited WDW without a car. If I didn't drive I rented one, even the one time that I bought a Disney 7 day package. I still rented a car and I used it because I would go insane staying onsite for a whole week when there is so much more to see outside the gates. If fact, in all my travels with two exceptions I didn't have a car, one was when I attended the wedding of a Nephew in Toronto ( We took a train from Montreal and my inlaws picked us up) and the other was about 6 years ago when I made a trip to Europe. There I took a plane (or two) to Paris, a train to Disneyland Paris, a plane to Venice, a train to Rome, another train to Pompeii, numerous subways in both Paris and Rome to see the sights, a train to The Port of Rome in Civitavecchia where We boarded the cruise ship Celebrity Silhouette to Livorno, Italy, Toulan, France, Barcelona, Spain, Mallorca, Spain and Tenerife, Spain before heading across the Atlantic to Fort Lauderdale. In Fort Lauderdale we went on a wait for the flight home to Raleigh, NC excursion on an Airboat in the Everglades. Not one single car there and it was terrific because the second best form of transportation are trains, especially European trains and then one sees the countryside from a quiet comfortable seat looking out the window.

Try not to take things so personally when things are said on a discussion board. Most people use a single quote to interject their own opinion and not to necessarily debunk yours. In fact we seem to have said exactly the same thing in different ways.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

I love road trips! But first we usually have to fly somewhere and rent a car. I'm not interested in road tripping from the east coast all the way to the west coast. Well actually I would be (and have done it before), but, I don't get enough vacation time that I want to spend (at least) 3 solid days driving there and 3 more back. And, as others have said, road trips to me mean stopping and seeing multiple places, often only a day or two in one spot before moving on. Not driving to a single destination like Disney.

I think the flight vs. drive argument is silly. Some things you really have to drive to. I can't fly directly to Crater Lake, Redwoods, Lassen, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, and Napa Valley all on one trip. But I could fly to Sacramento and then get to all those places with a road trip. Other things you pretty much need a flight for, no matter how much vacation time you might have. Not going to be driving to Costa Rica or Iceland any time soon! (But once there, I will rent a car and be on a road trip). And, for destinations that one person may choose to drive to while another might fly ... what in the world does it matter. Different people have different preferences. For me personally, if the drive is > than about 12 hours and there is not much I would like to stop and see on the way, I'm probably going to fly. I don't hate flying either. I feel like I'm on vacation once I park my car and am on the shuttle to the airport.