Travel is a popular pastime for seniors. When you retire, you finally have the time to go where you have always wanted to go. With the kids grown and decades of savings in the bank, many seniors finally have the extra cash to make their travel dreams come true too.
It’s true that hopping on a plane is convenient and it can sometimes be the fastest way to get to your destination, but don’t automatically discount taking a road trip. There are actually some really great reasons why those over 55 should consider getting in the car instead of boarding a plane.
Driving as a Senior Is Safer Than We’re Led to Believe
You have probably heard how unsafe it is for seniors to drive. You may even have family members who have expressed some concern. Although it’s true that some seniors may have medical conditions or take medication that makes it unsafe to drive, it turns out seniors are safer drivers than you think.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that fewer seniors were involved as drivers in fatal collisions between 1998 and 2016. Fatal crashes for those over 70 have dropped 42 percent.
Why is this the case? First, many people forget to acknowledge the fact that seniors have decades of experience, which actually makes them safer drivers. It’s also the case that driving is safer than ever before thanks to smart cars that can alert you when you drift out of your lane, they can show you what’s behind your car when you’re backing up, and new cars automatically apply the brakes in an emergency.
Take Breaks Whenever You Want
There are a lot of things you should do to make sure your trip is successful, no matter what your age, but one of the best for seniors is the fact that it’s actually better if you don’t push yourself too hard behind the wheel.
The older you get, the easier it is for your body to feel stiff more quickly. Pain can also be an issue. When you’re in a car, you can stop and take breaks whenever it’s convenient for you. Get out and stretch your legs, use the bathroom, and get some fresh air. It’s a lot harder to do these things when you’re stuck in an airplane.
Take Your Time at More Than One Destination
When you travel by plane, it’s all about your destination. When you get there, it can be hard to get around and explore because it requires you to pay for additional transportation. It’s a lot easier when you’re driving your car, which means you can visit many more destinations on the same trip.
Not to mention, you get to see a lot more of the scenery! Some road trip routes you should consider on your next vacation include:
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- The Black Hills in South Dakota
- Downeast Maine
- Blue Ridge Parkway between Virginia and North Carolina
- California’s Pacific Coast Highway
- Jackson, Wyoming to Glacier, Montana
- Route 66 between Chicago and Los Angeles
More Control Over Your Diet
When you’re in and out of airports, it can be hard to watch what you’re eating. Not only are airports full of convenience foods, like greasy fries and bags of chips, restaurants can tempt you with steaks, pasta and more.
It’s easier to follow tips for healthy eating on vacation when you take a road trip instead. You’re able to pack your own snacks instead of relying on grab-and-go snacks at gas stations, and you can plan ahead for lunch and dinner by finding a restaurant you actually want to eat at.
It’s a Great Way to Stay Healthy
Don’t get stuck worrying about potential health challenges when you’re on your road trip. Instead, you should be considering the fact that it can actually help you stay healthy!
Not only does a road trip encourage you to stay more active than traveling by plane, it can be great for your mental health and your mood too. It allows you to stay social, interact with different people, and spend quality time with those you care about most. By experiencing new cultures, new food, and new activities, it can boost your cognitive health too.
Travel is a great option for seniors! Just don’t make the mistake of thinking you always have to hop on a plane to get to your destination. It turns out that going on a road trip is not only safer than you assumed, it’s more fun, and it can boost your health too!
We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.
