How the Internet Changed Road trips
The Internet has so much influence over our lives that some people can’t imagine a world without it. So, how did people plan road trips pre-Internet? What was different then changed by the web?
From driving faster and exploring options on iPhones to budgeting and planning, taking a road trip now is much easier than pre-Internet. It's not all rainbows and sunshine, though. The Internet also killed the romance of certain trips, as we'll outline below.
Choosing where to Visit
If you’re like many people, you see online adverts, magazine articles, and social media posts about places you should visit often. And if you like to travel, you probably have subscriptions to countless travel blogs for inspiration.
Most people before the Internet didn’t have the number of travelling guides we have today. Back then, they used catalogs from travel agencies, read hard copy magazines, or learn about exciting places to travel through their friends.
For these reasons, the Internet has eased the process of choosing travel destinations. All you need is a few clicks on your computer, and you can generate an extensive list of awe-inspiring national parks or cities to visit.
Bookings and Tickets
Before the Spectrum Internet, you had to visit a hotel to book a room. If you needed to see a place that required prior registration, you also had to drive to that place. As you can expect, the entire process was time-consuming and hectic.
In this age of the Internet, nearly all bookings are made online. From hotels and museum fees to sports and concert tickets, modern road trips are stress-free. A little bit of planning, buying tickets early, and showing up in your car is all that's needed to have a memorable trip.
Speaking of creating memories, people save more money nowadays, buying planning for road trips online. And with more cash in your wallet, you can travel to a broad range of places or attend more events.
Bringing Events Home
Taking a road trip to watch a live band, a sports game, or have fun in Las Vegas was necessary pre-Internet. Not anymore. The Internet made it possible to participate in the things you love in the comfort of your home.
As such, you don't have to drive to a football game unless you really want to. Essentially, taking road trips for fun is no longer a necessity.
Of course, online experiences aren't always similar to in-person adventures. Sometimes watching a rally is more thrilling than viewing it on the Internet. We could say the same about concerts, especially when seeking fun with friends.
Navigating during Driving
Google maps changed how drivers check directions for the better. No longer do you need to stop strangers to ask for recommendations. And you don't need to follow road signs blindly only to end up taking longer routes.
With Google Maps, you need to set your destination, and Google will accurately lead you to your destination. Crucially, the online travel guide helps you navigate by showing you a series of routes to use.
With the help of traffic apps, you can also discover roads with high traffic and avoid them. Then there are weather apps that show you routes with the best weather conditions. Most of these apps also show you restaurants, bars, and amenities you could check into mid-way.
Gathering Memories and Sharing with Friends
Mobile cameras and video recorders versus point and shoot and camcorders. In today’s world, you can take a snapshot of just about anything.
So, you spotted a mountain lion while driving through the woods? Take a photo. So, you met a friend from high school? Take a selfie together. People take even more snapshots at concerts and sports events and record videos to share with strangers online.
Of course, most people record memories during road trips with their mobile devices, whether they are at official office meetings or weekend getaways with loved ones. They also use these same devices to share countless snapshots with their friends online.
People took far fewer photos before the Internet, and video recording was saved for exclusive occasions like weddings. Importantly, though, people shared their memories with people that really mattered: friends and family.
Making Informed Decisions
Before the Internet, you had to trust your travel agency that a hotel would be great. Or you had to listen to your friends about places to visit. These days, you don’t have to follow anyone’s opinions.
You can check photos of a hotel and compare it with those of twenty more hotels. Then you can decide which place you prefer. Alternatively, you can read the reviews of a dozen people to compare their experiences.
You can compare nearly anything online, from restaurants and clubs to horse racing tracks and shopping malls. Unfortunately, the influx of information found online can also be confusing. So, you must choose which opinions to follow wisely.
Inspiring People to Travel
More people travel around these days than ever before. That's because the Internet inspires you to travel nearly every day. And that's not just because there are adverts about places to visit everywhere.
It's also because traveling is cheaper, easier, and safer. It's also possible to have loads of fun with a short road trip. And that's all thanks to the Internet's massive collection of data.
Travelers have an unlimited number of choices for nearly everything that involves traveling. And for that reason, you can always travel whenever you want to. And since traveling is cheaper and safer, you can take multiple road trips throughout the year.
Your Turn
Sure, travelling before the Internet was romantic. You would pack stuff with friends and seek random adventures. You visit places just because they sounded cool and create memories in extraordinary ways.
Still, traveling in this age of the Internet is better in every way. From selecting places to visit planning, the Internet changed road trips for the best.