Why you should consider road tripping!

Road trips might just be the most underrated way to travel. Not only do you have the freedom to stop wherever you want, but you also get to maximize your time — whether you’re exploring one country, one island, or chasing hidden gems. 

Last summer, my boyfriend and I road-tripped through Corsica, and it was one of the best ways to truly experience the island. We got to visit hidden beaches, quiet villages tucked into the mountains , and coastal roads we would’ve completely missed if we hadn’t had a car. 

Relying on public transportation can be frustrating – you can face delays, cancelations, stress – while driving lets you slow down, explore more, and go off the beaten path. 

How to  Plan

Planning road trips can be really simple to map out, if you do it the right way! 

Step One: Finalize the cities you want to explore, then use Google Maps to map out a route that makes sense with your starting and ending destination. Ideally, the city you fly into will serve as both the beginning and end of your trip, creating a full loop.

• If a full-circle route doesn’t work, many rental car companies allow you to drop the car off at a different location than where you picked it up. Just keep in mind that this option usually comes with an additional fee.

Step Two: Once you have a route that flows, look into which cities are the most affordable or convenient places to stay overnight. These will become your “home bases.” You can then fill your days traveling to each home base visiting other cities and attractions along the way! 

• Your home bases should ideally help break up the drive between destinations. It’s up to you how long you want to drive in a day, but be sure to consider how much time you’d like to spend exploring each city along the way, too. 

Step Three: Some cities make great home bases for a few days because they’re close to several destinations you may want to visit. Instead of packing up and moving every night, you can stay in one place and take day trips to nearby cities.

This approach makes traveling less stressful and gives you more time to fully enjoy and explore the city you’re staying in, while still having a consistent and convenient place to return to at the end of each day trip.

While in Corsica, we explored 6 incredible cities around the island within six days and rented a car for about €270 with SIXT. It was a budget-friendly itinerary and very adventure packed! You can learn more about our road trip in my blog piece Corsica Road Trip Itinerary: 6 Days Around the Island. 

Road trips truly give you the freedom to slow down and see more. The journey becomes just as meaningful as the destination. You can be spontaneous, pull over wherever something catches your eye, and often those unplanned stops become the most unforgettable memories of the entire trip.

So wherever you’re headed next, if you have the chance — rent the car, map the route, and just go for it!