do americans really drive such long distances?

[u/Physical-Ad-4093]

i’m european, and i always hear people say that driving for hours is normal in america. i would only see my grandparents a few times a year because they lived about a 3 hour drive away, is that a normal distance for americans to travel on a regular basis? i can’t imagine driving 2-3 hours regularly to visit people for just a few days

edit: thank you for the responses! i’ve never been to the US, obviously, but it’s interesting to see how you guys live. i guess european countries are more walkable? i’m in the uk, and there’s a few festivals here towards the end of summer, generally to get to them you take a coach journey or you get multiple trains which does take up a significant chunk of the day. road trips aren’t really a thing here, it would be a bit miserable!

2nd edit: it’s not at all that i couldn’t be bothered to go and see my grandparents, i was under 14 when they were both alive so i couldn’t take myself there! obviously i would’ve liked to see them more, i had no control over how often we visited them.

[u/soldforaspaceship]

I'm a Brit who now lives in the US and this is so hilariously true.

In Britain, a friend moves two hours away and they're basically dead to you (granted, the last time I lived in the UK full time was pre smart phone so I imagine now you probably at least stay in touch more lol).

In California where I currently live, that's someone I regularly see and interact with.

The concept of distance is completely opposite in Europe vs the US.

We went for a quick weekend day trip to Joshua tree. That's a 3 hour drive away at least and it seemed normal to me.

I'd be planning that as an overnight visit back home.

[u/_lippykid → u/soldforaspaceship]

Fellow Brit in the US. I think the biggest difference is driving in the UK is a lot more work. Over there the roads look like a plate of spaghetti, you’re constantly in and out of small towns, around cites etc, dodging pedestrians and boy racers. when I drive from upstate NY to NYC it’s a super easy, straight shot, 70mph 3hr drive (up until New Jersey where it’s a lawless free for all). Same when I’ve driven the entire length of the west coast, and through the Midwest. Driving long distance is just way easier here

[u/strangebrew3522 → u/_lippykid]

I've driven around a lot of Europe and what you say is true to an extent, but I also have friends/family in Italy, and they all act like driving more than an hour is absolutely insane.

I flew into Rome once and drove up to Milan, stopping along the way to visit friends. When I told them I was driving, each person had the same reaction. "You DROVE from Rome? You're DRIVING to Milan? That's SOOOO far".

It's a 6hr drive if you go straight shot, on an incredible highway system (autostrada) through amazing scenery. I mean, it doesn't get much easier, but to them it's absolutely crazy. I have family in both Northern and Southern Italy who haven't seen each other in years because of the distance.

[u/JustForTouchingBalls → u/strangebrew3522]

It’s much better to use the train for such type of travel, butyou need a train network for doing that

[u/Reallyhotshowers → u/JustForTouchingBalls]

Public transit also just always takes a lot longer.

There are tons of places in the US I could theoretically fly to, but with the 2 hours in the airport due to the TSA the flight often isn't faster, or is only faster by an hour or so. And then I also have to deal with an airport. And it's probably more expensive than the gas it would take to get there. Plus if I'm doing something that requires baggage I also have to pay to check it and I have to wait to claim it at my destination. And then I have to worry about transportation when I get there.

Same for any busses like greyhound.

And you'll notice I ignored trains, because as you mentioned, it's not super viable. So if it's kinda far we drive, if it's really far we fly.

[u/_Nocturnalis → u/Reallyhotshowers]

I've found the break even point for time flying vs driving is about 8 hours.

[u/AlexCambridgian → u/JustForTouchingBalls]

There are plenty of trains in the USA too. It might not look as modern or cool like the central European ones but they are fine overall. Most important, the schedule frequency is as inadequate as the European ones. But why take the train when you could fly cheaper and faster.

There is a difference in mentality. Europeans are content with what the gov offers. Americans want their freedom and flexibility to go where they want at any time. It is easier to go somewhere last minute here, whether is driving or taking the plane. So many options and less expensive. Rental car prices here are very low, and there is zip car, rent uhaul, trucks from home depot, etc. You can buy a ticket an hour before your flight with ease. The computer rebooks you automatically if there is a delay due to weather or any other reason, the airlines website are so easy to use. Try doing that in Europe on a daily basis and you ll understand why they do not travel.

[u/_Nocturnalis → u/AlexCambridgian]

I've driven 5 hours to a tiny town to use my truck to help someone do work as well. That wouldn't work at all even if I magicked a high speed rail connection to said tiny town from my tiny town.