Pros and Cons: Spontaneous Road Trips

But it costs too much gas money.

But it is such a long drive.

But we can just go when we have a longer break to go.

But. But. But.

These are the things we tell ourselves time and time again. We say these things in hopes that the perfect moment will arise, but when that moment actually comes we make another excuse.

This past weekend I went to FINALLY visit my friend Nathaniel at his college town in Johnston City. (Yes. I’m talking about the same Johnston City in Darius Rucker’s “Wagon Wheel”.) For the past 4 years, we have told each other that we would visit each other’s campuses, but it just did not happen. The timing wasn’t perfect. 3 hours was such a long way for just a weekend. We have other things we had better do instead. So here I am as a senior to tell you that I did not make that trip a reality until I was only a month away from graduation. I decided it was just time to GO or it was just not happening.

Here is some background leading up to the trip. This trip was spontaneous. When I say spontaneous, I mean COMPLETELY out of the blue. I ran a 5k that Saturday morning, and directly after I had the light bulb moment. I said, You know what? I’m going to call Nathaniel, and see if I can come over to ETSU.

That phone conversation was just the beginning of the journey.

We went to Johnston City and toured 2 different other colleges that I hadn’t thought about giving a second glance to. I saw more high school friends than I had in the past several years. I ate some good pizza. AND I saw a massive snow storm on a mountain. If that isn’t the makings of a great trip, I don’t know what is.

What I guess I am trying to say to you is this: don’t wait 4 years to go on the trip you should’ve already taken.

I do not think you need to go into debt with outings, but I do think that every once in a while it is okay to go on a trip last minute even when you do not have it all planned out.

Visits to the grandparents’ house 8 hours away in Ohio is important. Going to that last ever Warped Tour with your Dad in Charlotte is important. Visiting a friend who got a new job and townhouse in Mobile is important.

ALL of these things are important. So why keep pushing it off like it isn’t?

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• The memories

• Changes up a routine day

• The new culture, environment, and people you encounter

Cons:

• Gas Cost

• Having no plan can lead to problems

• Time could be used doing something else

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There is an opportunity cost to everything, but it is ultimately up to you to decide what is the right move to make. I hope this gave you insight on what to do next if you are thinking about taking a road trip soon!