No Flight, No Problem: Why Driving Is Back in Style
No Flight, No Problem: Why Driving Is Back in Style
Once upon a time, the fastest route from city to city was king. Flights ruled. But these days, more Australians are packing the boot, queuing playlists instead of boarding passes, and setting out on the road with a full tank and an open plan.
Driving isn’t just back—it’s having a full-blown resurgence. Here’s why self-drive travel is making a comeback and what makes it more than just a post-pandemic hangover.
Table of Contents
The Return of the Journey
Flying gets you there faster—but driving lets you actually experience where you’re going. And more people are realising the journey itself is part of the adventure.
From sunrise pit stops to side-road discoveries, road trips let you stretch out time a bit. It’s less about the arrival and more about what you find along the way.
Why Convenience Isn’t Everything
Sure, flights can be quicker. But are they really easier anymore? Airport delays, security lines, luggage restrictions—it’s a lot. Driving offers a different kind of convenience:
You leave when you want.
You stop when you feel like it.
No one’s weighing your bag or telling you when to board.
It’s low-pressure travel, especially when plans are fluid.
Rediscovering What’s Local
Driving makes you curious again. When you’re behind the wheel, suddenly you’re noticing that tiny coastal town with a weirdly good bakery or a lookout you never knew existed—even though it’s two hours from home.
More Aussies are rediscovering their own backyard. Not because they can’t go overseas—but because they’re finding plenty of beauty and fun right here.
Cost, Control, and Comfort
Let’s talk dollars. Flights, even short ones, add up. Add in airport parking, transfers, and unexpected costs, and you’re hundreds in before you’ve even landed.
Driving gives you more control over your spend. You choose how far you go, where you stay, and how much you splurge—or save—along the way.
Also: road trip snacks. A very underrated perk.
The Rise of Spontaneous Travel
We’re seeing a shift away from the hyper-scheduled holiday. People want flexibility. They want to make last-minute choices, change direction mid-trip, or even just park somewhere beautiful for an hour and do nothing.
Road trips make room for that. You’re not stuck to a departure time or a hotel check-in that’s 500km away. The plan can evolve—on your terms.
Driving as a Form of Digital Detox
Weirdly enough, driving makes it easier to unplug. Not all drives have great signal, and that’s part of the charm. You look up. You notice things. You talk more, listen to full albums, or just sit quietly without scrolling.
More people are starting to treat road trips as a break from the noise. A chance to breathe, reflect, and reset.
Final Thought
Flying might be faster, but driving offers something different—and right now, that “something different” is exactly what people are craving. A break from schedules. A chance to explore. A way to reconnect with what’s close, not just what’s far.
No flight? No problem. The road is open. And it might just be the best trip you’ve had in years.
