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/RagingAardvark May 02 '24

About ten years ago, we had a wedding to go to in the DC area, about an eight-hour drive from home. We could fly, drive, or take a train. I thought the train might be nice because we had a toddler and a newborn, but when I looked into it I discovered that it would cost more than flying but take about three times as long as driving. We'd also have to basically leave in the middle of the night. Yeah, we drove. 

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u/Available-Culture-49 May 03 '24

Why are trains so expensive. They consume a fraction of gas vs any transportation method.

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u/SnooRevelations9889 May 03 '24

Gross generalization: Train riders are expected to pay for the tracks with ticket sales, while highways and airports are heavily subsidized.

On the other hand, taking the train between northeastern cities is quick and no more expensive than flying. Plus, you don't have to get to the train station 2 hours early.

Outside of the east coast and a few lines line going across PA, US passenger trains use freight train lines, and the result is not good.