Traveling pace
Maintaining a balance between driving and engaging in activities is crucial for an enjoyable travel experience. While long days of driving can be exhausting, camping and exploring without a purpose can also be boring. Our travel pace typically averages 100-150 km a day, translating to around 700-1000 km per week or approximately 3000-4000 km per month. It’s important to note that this doesn’t mean we cover that distance daily; as we prioritize daylight driving or simply because we are camping for several days in one spot.
Establishing these boundaries allows us to strike a comfortable rhythm in North America. We embark on road trips, moving along at a leisurely pace, with time for camping, hiking, and exploration. Unforeseen events may slow us down occasionally, but with our average travel distances per week/month, we still manage to cover the kilometers, even when facing setbacks.
Contrary to our initial expectations, the distance between highlights doesn’t significantly impact our average travel distance. Whether the distance between points of interest is long or short, we adapt our travel patterns accordingly. For longer distances, we might cover more kilometers in a day, followed by several days of immersive exploration. On shorter routes, we cover fewer kilometers on a daily basis. This insight helps us plan effectively, understanding our personal threshold for happy travel versus feeling burnt out by long driving days.
Furthermore, we’ve learned that taking detours and avoiding the shortest or fastest routes often leads to discovering the most picturesque locations. Opting for slower, less busy roads and steering clear of highways allows us to savor the journey and appreciate unexpected beauty. With this mindset, there’s no such thing as making a wrong turn—it’s all part of the adventure.