The American Road Trip Isn’t Done Yet

Crack the Window and Chase the Horizon

Dawn mist slides off your hood.

Your right hand wraps around a steaming cup of truck-stop coffee as your engine hums like the intro beat to your favorite song.

No scanners, seat assignments, or flight delays—just a wide-open road ahead and a green light as your boarding pass.

Welcome to the American road trip, a rolling ode to freedom, nostalgia, and smart budgeting that remains unrivaled even in 2025.

Four Wheels vs. Flying High: The Budget Breakdown

Let's put real dollars—and hours—behind the wheel.

Take a family trip from Philadelphia to Nashville, roughly 1,600 miles round-trip:

Flying Costs (Family of 4, round-trip):

• Airfare: $1,120 (4 passengers × $280 each)

• Checked bags: $280 (1 bag per person @ $35 each way)

• Airport parking: $100 (5 days @ $20/day)

• Rental car at destination: $250 (5 days @ $50/day)

• Gas at destination: $50

Total Flying Cost: Approximately $1,800

Driving Costs:

• Gasoline: $224 (64 gallons at $3.50/gallon)

• Wear & Tear: $320 (1,600 miles at $0.20/mile)

• Lodging: $240 (2 nights @ $120/night)

Total Driving Cost: Approximately $784

Total Savings: About $1,016 (around 56% cheaper!)

Time Commitment:

• Flying: Approximately 7-8 hours door-to-door (including airport time and layovers).

• Driving: Approximately 12-13 hours each way (including breaks).

Yes, driving takes longer—but isn't that when the best memories happen? You won’t capture priceless family moments at 30,000 feet like you will during a spontaneous pit stop at a roadside diner or scenic overlook.

Snag a convertible at GetRentalCar.com if you need wheels or extra space.

You Own the Itinerary

Road trips don't obey gate numbers or departure times. When you turn that ignition, you're in control:

• Stop at legendary diners for pies bigger than your head.

• Snap selfies with oddities like the World’s Largest Rocking Chair.

• Re-route spontaneously because a billboard whispered "Best Scenic Overlook Ahead."

Find one-of-a-kind lodgings instantly on VRBO—book without even leaving the driver's seat.

Nostalgia Riding Shotgun

Route 66, the Pacific Coast Highway, the Blue Ridge Parkway—these roads aren’t meant for flyovers.

They’re living museums, where roadside attractions and vintage diners weave stories better than any in-flight movie.

Fire up that classic mixtape (or Spotify playlist posing as one), and roll straight into nostalgia.

Car Culture is the Soul of the Trip

Hagerty confirms nearly 46 million collector cars live in American garages—worth about $1 trillion in memories and steel. But cars weren't built to gather dust.

Whether your ride is a gleaming ’72 Bronco or a family minivan adorned with vintage bumper stickers, road trips turn your wheels into a parade of stories and pride.

Pro tip: Protect your classic ride with coverage built for the long haul at Hagerty Classic Insurance.

Family Bonds Outlast Boarding Passes

Airports test patience; road trips build it.

Set your playlist, snack stops, and rules like "no phones for the next 30 miles."

Grandma's quilt travels first-class, and pets always ride free.

AAA reports nearly 90% of holiday travelers prefer road trips to flying—clear evidence that four wheels build stronger family connections.

Your Dollars Fuel Small-Town America

According to Deloitte’s latest survey, 7 out of 10 Americans will road-trip this year, half doing it specifically to support small-town economies.

Your pit-stops keep neon diner signs glowing, local motels thriving, and community pies warm all year round.

Get lodging flash deals along your route at Hotels.com, where every tenth night can earn you a free one.

Three Drives to Prove the Point

1. Twisted Sisters, Texas Hill Country – 123 miles of limestone cliffs, wildflowers, and legendary BBQ.

2. Pacific Coast Highway, California – Breathtaking Big Sur cliffs, redwood groves, and ocean spray you can taste.

3. Great River Road, Illinois to Louisiana – Rich with blues music, riverboats, catfish joints, and history packed neatly into your glovebox journal.

Remember your paper map—phones lose signal, but adventure never does.

Long Live the Road Trip

Road trips aren't a plan B; they're freedom in motion—cheaper, flexible, and brimming with moments you'd never stream at 30,000 feet.

Gas up, chart your course (loosely), and point your hood ornament toward new adventures.