Journey or destination? Why choose – Get The Best Of Both Worlds
Road trips have always been my preferred mode of travel especially in India. I have been driving a vehicle in India since 2000 and have seen a significant improvement in road conditions and highway convenience over the years.
I still remember my first ever Delhi-Chandigarh trip in 2006 which took me 10 hours!
The same distance can now be covered in four hours. And I haven’t even started talking about the number of dhabas that have mushroomed on the Murthal stretch!
Below are my reasons for preferring a road trip over any other type of travel:
Contents
Spontaneity and Flexibility
Ever been on a road trip where you noticed an interesting sign board and took a detour to visit that spot? If not, then please look out for these signs and go explore!
On one of my road trips from Shillong to Kaziranga (Assam), I noticed on the map that we were very close to Brahmaputra river and a slight detour could get us on the banks of the river.
Convincing everyone else was not too difficult and after a short detour and a long walk, we reached the river. The water level in the river at that time (March) was quite low and we could actually cross to the other side by wading through it.
Now, can you do this while taking a flight/train? Get off at a random station e.g. Ratlam, to go check if the iconic Hotel Decent exists?! (Disclaimer: This example is only for those who have seen Jab We Met. For those who have not seen it – WATCH IT NOW!)
Also, road trips are the best “last-minute” plans since they don’t involve booking any kind of transportation.
If you had a stressful Friday evening in the office, you return home, have a good night of sleep, next morning, take your car, head towards the hills/beaches/plains, enjoy the weekend, call in sick on Monday (No, I have never done that!) and go back to office on Tuesday feeling rejuvenated. No planning needed.
Most of my trips lately have had a very rough schedule with no hotel bookings or fixed day of return. I have realized there is no dearth of accommodations in India especially if you have a car and are not limited to finding a place near a station/bus stand.
No Packing Woes
For a week-long trip (especially in colder areas), fitting everything in to one bag weighing 15 kgs (domestic air travel limit) can get difficult.
Taking a car gives you the flexibility of carrying as much luggage as you want (or as your car allows).
You are driving along the coast but unsure if you will have the time or impulse to get into the sea – just pack your beach clothes in a separate bag.
You are driving into the mountains but unsure if you will find a good trek route – just pack your trekking gear in a separate bag.
It’s about being ready – not a luxury with most other forms of travel.
Also, you have one less excuse to not shop during the trip! I am not an avid shopper; however, like most people I do have some weaknesses. It’s home decor for me, especially pottery.
On my road trip to Agra with my mom, we came across a pottery exhibition and went a bit beserk. Needless to say, we loaded our car with a lot of stuff from there. I have to sheepishly admit that we spent more time at this exhibition than at Taj Mahal and Agra Fort (combined!).
Highway Food/Dhabas
I love dhaba food and most of the dhabas nowadays are hygienic and serve amazing affordable food.
These are also great places to try local food. I have had amazing Dal Bati Churma in Rajasthan, Khandvi and dhokla in Gujarat, Butter chicken in Punjab, Parathas at Murthal and vada pavs/usal misal pavs in Maharashtra (yes, plural for pav because “no one can eat just one!”).
Now, I am no gastronomer. For me if the food is hot and fresh, half the battle is won.
And that’s mostly a given at these dhabas (especially the busy ones) since they usually do not have large storage facilities. And of course, these are pocket friendly which is definitely a plus. There should be something equivalent to Michelin stars for these too, I say!
Although I carry some snacks with me (mostly wafers/biscuits), I try to eat local food as much as possible. The snacks are usually for emergency purpose and if I return home with the unfinished snack packets, I consider it to be a successful trip!
Takes You Off The Beaten Path
Being a colossal country, India has diverse landforms and culture and the best way to experience this is to get off the beaten path. Take the road less travelled – cliche, but true.
Road trips in India are all about seeing the ordinary life
If you want to get the real feel of any state, driving on the interior roads (off the national highways) is the best way to do so. Most of these roads take you through villages, farms and countryside which is a great way to experience the local life and natural beauty of India.
And do yourself a favour on these roads: Roll down your windows, breathe in the fresh air, feel the wind in your hair and drive slowly to take in the scenery.
Get to the soul of India.
If possible, stop for some fresh sugarcane juice/coconut water/fresh fruits directly from the farms. And since you have a car, take some of the fresh fruits for your friends and family too.
The Journey Is As Much Fun As The Destination
While on a road trip, it’s not about commuting to your choice of destination, it’s about enjoying the entire journey to the destination. Being in a confined space for a lengthy period of time is also a great way to bond with your co-passengers (be it your friends or family) or even yourself.
There is so much to be discussed with respect to routes, pit stops, detours, music choices etc. that there is very little room left for bickering. Even with your mom or sibling.
I agree it may get boring on the way back. Solution: choose a different route on your way back so that the element of surprise is always there.
This point is especially true for my trip from Mumbai to Diu. Driving through the interiors Maharashtra and Gujarat was an incredible experience.
Our initial plan was to take the RoRo ferry (which ferries cars as well as passengers) on our way back; however, due to an issue with low tide in the Gulf of Khambhat, the ferry was cancelled, and we had to drive back all the way.
I was initially gutted about the ferry cancellation; however, chalking out a different route to return made me get over the disappointment pretty quickly. I believe there is something about maps and routes that gets me excited.
Also, keep a lookout for creative safety sign boards along the road, especially the hills. But not while you are driving – because “Nazar hati, toh durghatna ghati”! Loosely translated to “taking your eyes off the road, ensures mishap”.
Social Distancing
Okay – this is a obviously a new entry to my reason list!
Given the current situation with respect to Covid 19, travel by air/train/bus seems to be riskier than taking your own car.
Being in the car ensures you are in contact only with your co-passengers and not fellow travelers. While staying at home is currently the best situation to be in; staying in a car comes a close second if you are in desperate need of a change in your surroundings.
Now, this is not something that I would advise as of now. Falling sick while on a trip is one of my biggest nightmares.
However, once we are out of this mayhem, travelling by car would be the safest option as it seems that social distancing will be the norm. Also, travelling by car saves you the hassle of the new enhanced security and safety checks at airports/railway stations.
Best Way To Travel For Dog Owners
Unfortunately, I do not own a dog. Not because I don’t love them but because I am downright lazy. My brother though has two adorable dogs and both love being in the car.
Most dogs that I have come across love being in cars. It seems to give them a euphoric high. My brother’s dogs are no different. It is difficult to keep them from hanging out of the window irrespective of the speed of the car. I guess they do not want to miss out on any view or smell, I can definitely relate to the view part!
I have seen my brother and sister-in-law go for vacations abroad and have seen their heart break at the site of leaving their dogs back home.
If you have dogs who love cars, take them out for their share of adventure. The above pic was clicked during a 16 hour one-way drive in north India.
I was supposed to go on my first road trip with these cuties (and my brother, sister-in-law, of course!) in April 2020 which unfortunately got cancelled due to the pandemic.
Final Words
For me, road trips are all about Seeing More, Experiencing More and Cherishing More! Holding the steering wheel in my hand especially outside city limits gives me a sense of adrenaline rush that few other things can.
I will leave you with lyrics from my favourite movie – yes, Jab We Met:
Manzil se behtar lagne lage hai ye raaste
Aao kho jaaye hum, ho jaye hum yun lapataa!
Loosely translated to “the journey has started to seem better than the destination; come, let’s get lost in this journey and go missing” – that is what road trips mean to me.