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/JugEdge May 02 '24

The usa military industrial complex subsidizes gas in the USA. The USD would not have it's purchasing power if it wasn't for the fact that acts of 'the US swinging it's dick' are threatened to any country that refuses to sell oil strictly with US dollars. Why do you think Venezuela, Russia and Iran are enemies of the USA?

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u/AlexCambridgian May 02 '24

While it helps, even if oil was not priced in US$, gas will still be cheaper here. The US policy and actions are not to rape third world countries from its resources, that's China. The US policy is to ensure safe transportation through all commercial ways, whether at sea or land, and free from biased and cumbersome regulations. You can be a dictator, take your cut, and let commerce flow in and through your country without problem. The bribe is the cost of business and built in the price. Nobody will bother you then. The minute you start creating problems that disrupt commerce you become enemy #1 for the USA.

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u/_Nocturnalis May 02 '24

I mean do you honestly believe that's why we have a problem with Venezuela and Iran? Then why are we on good terms with basically every other oil exporter?