Road trip vacations have made a huge comeback this year, and for good reason. If you’re thinking I need a vacation but you aren’t ready to hop on a plane, explore new corners of the US from the safety of your very own car. From national parks to sparkling coastlines, the US boasts beauty in every direction. Here are all the perks of having a car with you on vacation.

Explore at your own pace

Self-drive vacations grant you the potential to see a lot. With free range to roam far and wide, it can feel like there’s a lot of ground to cover. Whereas escorted tours usually run on strictly timed schedules, self-drive vacations run at your own pace. If you’re the type of traveler who loves jam-packed days, by all means, go for it! If you’re a more relaxed traveler who prefers leisurely immersing yourself in day-to-day culture, put the car in park and lay low. With a self-drive vacation, you’re on nobody’s watch but your own.

Comfort and privacy

Let’s admit it- cars are for more than just driving. They’re for eating when you order a meal to go, they’re for changing into a swimsuit when you pass a pretty lake – they kind of turn into homes on the road. In a car, you don’t have to worry about other people on a bus or a train, just you, your travel partner, and the open road. Don’t worry about disinfecting the seat or putting on your mask when you’re done eating – your car is like your own little travel bubble.

A place to eat your take-out

So, eating take-out in the car may not seem as glamorous as indoor dining, but in the COVID-era, what is glamorous, anyway? Everyone has a different comfort level, and if you’re on the “order to-go only” train, the car is a comfy place to shamelessly stuff your face.

Freedom and flexibility

When you have your own car, you call the shots. You’re the one who chooses which sites to see, which towns to visit, where to eat, and when to do it all. Let’s say there’s a city you reeeeally want to visit, but your GPS says it’ll take 5 hours to get there. A self-drive vacation is one of the only times you’ll be able to say, “let’s just go for it.”

Off the beaten path stops

Sometimes, the best memories take place in the most unexpected places. Take the scenic route and find cute farmstands, hidden beaches, quaint shops, and inviting restaurants! When you get that urge to pull over and explore, don’t hesitate. Who knows what you might find!

Stories to tell

Any and every vacation will leave you with stories to tell, but there’s something about a road trip that makes stories a little more special. For years, you’ll find yourself reminiscing about the time you stopped in a small town to use a restroom and you unexpectedly came across one of your favorite restaurants – or something like that. The uniqueness of a self-drive vacation is that you are in the driver’s seat, writing new chapters as you roam!

Get packing and make a good playlist – you’ve got car jammin’ to do.

By Jessica Russo © 2021 Sceptre Vacations

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