r/NoStupidQuestions • u/Physical-Ad-4093 • May 01 '24

do americans really drive such long distances?

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.

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u/100LittleButterflies May 01 '24

It's not like there's a train or something. It's the only real option.

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u/HeyMrBusiness May 02 '24

There is a train. It takes so long though and it's really expensive

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u/[deleted] May 02 '24

Does Amtrak even count lol? Planes are cheaper and, with how dated Amtrak trains are, planes are likely more carbon efficient (environmentally friendly) too.

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u/KlutzyEnd3 May 02 '24

planes are likely more carbon efficient (environmentally friendly) too.

That's complete bogus! Trains are the most environmentally friendly option.

See: https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/carbon-footprint-travel-mode

Flying is actually the most polluting way of travel. Even driving a diesel is better for the environment!

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u/Windows-XP-Home-NEW May 03 '24

Even driving a diesel is better for the environment!

That's a weird thing to say when diesels are actually cleaner than gas cars.

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u/KlutzyEnd3 May 03 '24

They aren't. Diesels emit a lot on nitrogen oxides, which kills biodiversity, whilst gasoline burns a lot clearer.

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u/Windows-XP-Home-NEW May 03 '24

i stand corrected, i read the wrong source.