A recent post covered my road trip rules, including not driving on interstate highways and not visiting chains. I admitted that I sometimes break my own rules.
Specifically, on road trips I do sometimes drive on interstates highways and visit chains. Although I really, really try not to do so, there are instances that warrant it.
Here are some exceptions to the McCool Travel Road Trip Rules
Road Trip Rules, When To Break Them
Interstates. On my last road trip I was caught in a weather system. It was raining where I was and for several hundred miles in every direction. The forecast showed rain for at least the next two days. Luckily it was the end of my road trip and the interstate was a straight shot back to my home. Normally, if the weather was nice, I would have driven smaller, country roads.
I will also break this rule and drive on an interstate highway to get between scenic drives. Or if I am in a hurry to get somewhere. After all, that is the real purpose of the interstate system.
Sure, every once in awhile, there is an interstate highway that is marked scenic but there is usually a nearby (often parallel) road that has the same or better scenery. When there is an alternative to an interstate, I will take it!
Chains. I most often break my self-imposed chain rule by staying at a chain hotel. If the quality and price are comparable, I prefer to stay at independent lodging properties. After a long day of driving, I consult my iPhone apps (Hotels.com, HotelsByMe, HotelPal, and RoomSaver). If the best rate happens to be at a decent chain property, I will stay there.
My second most common chain rule breaker is large grocery and sundry chains (like Target and WalMart). Again, I try to support local, independent shops but I often find it too convenient to bypass the biggies. On road trips, I can make one stop for a gallon of water, some groceries, suntan lotion, a pillow and towel, cleaning supplies, and so on. It has been a couple of years for me to do so but WalMart parking lots also serve as an emergency lodging option.
The biggest temptation, however, are restaurant chains. I absolutely 100% try to avoid the ubiquitous, omnipresent chains. One, it is never the healthiest option. Two, it is the same taste and experience, whether in Miami or Madrid. I travel so that I can experience different flavors. For instance, on my last road trip, I bought a local cheesesteak grinder from the local “Joe’s Subs” rather than the major familiar $5 sub chain.
That said, I infrequently make exceptions. One is for regional chains, like El Pollo Loco, Pollo Tropical, or even Biscuitville. If the chain is not near my home, then I can somehow justify a visit to a road location as a treat. On my last road trip, I visited Skyline Chili in Louisville, Kentucky. It was after 9pm and everything else was closed. Another exception is for Krispy Kreme.
Still, I really try not to visit chain restaurants as a rule. Even with the almighty Krispy Kreme, I have not visited one in a couple of years. I have bypassed them for local doughnut shops.
See also these fun road trip travel articles:
Charles I so agree on big chain shopping when you gotta do it. I love going local but for trust and convenience issues, sometimes, big box stores are the way to go. Love these tips.
Thank you, Ryan. Love to share happy travel tips with the world.