Travel

The World’s Greatest Road Trips

What more do you need to spend a perfect holiday than you, your car and the open road? A truly wise man once said that the destination makes only a half of every trip, the second half is how you get there. I believe this to be true because, when you set of on a great journey you know where you started and you know where you are heading to but what happens in between is where memories are made. So like a 21st century nomad, or even better, a modern explorer, embark on this journey full of excitement and new experiences and let a whole new world open in front of your eyes.

The most important thing before embarking on such a journey is to conduct all the checks and adjustments to the vehicle before the trip. Make sure that your vehicle is up to the task and that it is in right condition for something as demanding as a road trip that will take you far away from your regular mechanic. You will be spending most of your time in your vehicle so it is crucial that it is capable of fulfilling your needs and expectations. Perhaps the most important thing about your road trip is to invest in cushioning. You will be sitting and driving for the larger part of the day, and probably not on the smooth, manicured highways you are used to. If your car seats lack some fluff, invest in new car seat covers – they come with specifications such as ergonomic, thermal… all depending on where you’re heading. Neck pillows are a small investment that brings a lot of value to the trip, and protects your neck and back. And keep in mind that no road trip is fun without some off-tune singing – turn up your car audio system and keep in mind, everybody knows the lyrics to the Bohemian Rhapsody!

Now that the technicalities are over, start your engines!

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all” – Helen Keller

The Rocky Formations of Route 66

All-American Route 66 photo by Asia Joanna. License: CC BY-ND 2.0.

Route 66 photo by Asia Joanna. License: CC BY-ND 2.0.

Perhaps the most famous of all, the legendary all-American Route 66 spreading from Los Angeles to Chicago is the iconic road trip destination and should therefore never be skipped if you’re on the continent. With 2400 miles of road, the golden vein passing through the heart of USA, it is the ultimate road trip which will allow you to get yourself acquainted with an entire culture, as well as yourself. The most fun part of it is the fact that it is quite unpredictable and you never know what might lie on the road ahead of you.

The Forests of the Cabot Trail

Cabot trail photo by Chensiyuan. License: CC BY-SA 4.0.

Cabot trail photo by Chensiyuan. License: CC BY-SA 4.0.

Amongst some of the more interesting car routes in the world is the Cabot trail in Canada. It is certainly the most beautiful part of Nova Scotia, with almost 300 miles of uninterrupted road and enchantingly green landscapes stretching everywhere around. You will have the privilege of resting in small villages of mixed French and Scottish stylistic influence.

The Kangaroos of the Australian Outback

Australian Outback photo by Joan Campderrós-i-Canas. License: CC BY 2.0.

Australian Outback photo by Joan Campderrós-i-Canas. License: CC BY 2.0.

Another great idea might be visiting Australia’s Golden Outback. With almost 1500 miles of uninterrupted road, the Golden Outback is also a home to the famous Wave Rock formations which make it one of the most beautiful landscapes there is, and the legendary Ayers Rock – a symbol of the continent, and the center of the world, according to the Aborigines. Wave to those kangaroos as you pass them by, but don’t stop and chat, these mammals have a reputation as feisty boxers!

All in all, it’s not about the route you chose that will determine how your trip will be. It is about how you carry that road trip inside you and it is only up to you to determine will this be just another regular holiday for you, or an experience that you will carry in your heart for the rest of your life.

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Paul Tomaszewski is a science & tech writer as well as a programmer and entrepreneur. He is the founder and editor-in-chief of CosmoBC. He has a degree in computer science from John Abbott College, a bachelor's degree in technology from the Memorial University of Newfoundland, and completed some business and economics classes at Concordia University in Montreal. While in college he was the vice-president of the Astronomy Club. In his spare time he is an amateur astronomer and enjoys reading or watching science-fiction. You can follow him on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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