Road trip truth: women are far more likely than men to ask for directions

by Tom Johansmeyer on

You’re on a road trip. Somehow, your directions fall short, and you find yourself not being able to find yourself. Getting lost is no fun, and it’s even worse when you know – you just know – you’re close. So, the moment of truth arrives: do you stop and ask for directions or poke around a little longer?

Well, we all know how this movie ends: women stop to ask for directions, and men resist that step until the bitter end. Sure, it’s a sexist stance, but we’ve all been there, right?

If you were ready to question your beliefs, don’t bother. According to a study by British car insurance company Sheila’s Wheels, the average man behind the wheel will drive an extra 276 miles a year because of getting lost, while the average women will only trek an extra 256. And, it gets worse. Twenty-six percent of the men surveyed wait at least 30 minutes before stopping to ask, and 12 percent will never even get to this step.
ABC News reports:

“Our research not only reveals that men aren’t quite as confident behind the wheel as they make out when it comes to navigation but also that women are in control when it comes to modern motoring,” noted Jacky Brown of Sheilas’ Wheels.

Seventy-four percent of women have no problem pulling over and asking for directions, the study finds, with 37 percent doing so as soon as they realize there’s a problem (only 30 percent of men do this).

[photo by me and the sysop via Flickr]

Driving from London to Cape Town for charity

by Kraig Becker on

When it comes to epic road trips, it’s tough to beat the one that Mac Mackenney, Chris Rawlings and Steve Mackenney set out on last weekend. The adventurous trio of Brits hit the road in their trusty Range Rover Discovery in hopes of breaking the speed record for driving from London to Cape Town, South Africa. In order to accomplish that feat, they’ll need to reach their destination in less than 13 days, 8 hours, and 48 minutes.

The journey will take the men through three continents (Europe, Asia, and Africa) and into 21 countries, covering more than 10,000 miles in the process. If they hope to set a new record however, they’ll have little time for sightseeing. The three men will take turns driving, and will barely stop at all along their route.

While they are undertaking their Max Adventure for the challenge of it, they’re also looking to do some good as well. Mac, Steve, and Chris are hoping to raise funds for the Help For Heroes organization, a charity foundation dedicated to offering practical assistance to British soldiers that have been injured in the line of duty. The trio hopes to raise as much as £10,000 (Roughly $15,500) during their trip.

You can follow the progress of the expedition on the team’s website, which includes two clocks, one showing the elapsed time of their drive and another showing how much time they have left to beat the old record. After a week of driving, the boys are in Africa and speeding south, but they still have a long way to go before they reach Cape Town.

This seems like the ultimate road trip to me. Lets grab some drinks and munchies and load up in the Land Rover!

Photo of the Day (9.7.10)

by Stephen Greenwood on
If you’re back to the grind and Labor Day is feeling too far away already, then take a moment to check out this beautiful photo series by Italian photographer, il lele.

The set spans a road trip from Chicago to Vegas on two-lane highways, capturing some classic American portraits & scenery with a distinct vintage tone. It’s always great to see photos of America from a non-American perspective, and il lele has certainly captured some great moments, like this beautiful ‘room with a view’ in Monument Valley.

Do you have a series of photos that tell a unique story? Share them with us! Upload them to our Gadling Flickr Pool and we might just choose one as our next Photo of the Day.

The story of a great American road trip

by Jeremy Kressmann on

Have you ever fantasized about an epic cross-country road trip? Of jumping in a car, getting off the boring Interstates and discovering long-lost pockets of roadside Americana and one-of-a-kind natural wonders? This Summer, Nick Carr, writer of the wonderful blog Scouting NY, has done just that. Earlier this Summer, Carr set out with his girlfriend on an epic cross-country road trip. He’s been chronicling the adventure since early July.

For most of the year, Carr works as a New York City film scout, sharing his amazing explorations of New York’s lesser-known sights with readers. He’s taken his passion for those lesser-known places out on the road. Rather than take the most direct route for his cross-country sojourn, Nick planned his route along the historic Route 50, one America’s first transcontinental roadways, making himself a promise to avoid America’s Interstates.

During his journey, he’s shared his amazing photos of Wild-West nostalgia in Dodge City, KS, forgotten pleasure palaces in Utah and glimpses of rural small town Illinois. Carr brings a true explorer’s eye to his trip, unearthing buildings, people and places that have long since vanished from the average traveler’s radar.

If you’ve ever dreamed of taking a Great American road trip, or want to relive your own fantastic voyage from years-gone-by, check out Nick’s blog. You can read the full journey starting out East, through Indiana and Ohio, into Illinois, Missouri, Kansas City, Dodge City and Pike’s Peak, CO, Colorado Gold Mines, Utah, Salt Lake City and Nevada and most recently, the Hoover Dam.

[Photo by Flickr user are you my rik?]

Four tips for traveling with dogs – Road trip tips

by Gadling Staff on

Traveling with your beloved pooch often takes the same careful planning as hitting the road with young children. Utilize these tips to ensure a smooth ride:

  • Give your pup a thorough brushing before loading him into the car, greatly reducing the amount of flying fur.
  • Pack travel necessities for your road trip like water and a bowl, treats, paper towels, and cleanup bags.
  • Unless your dog requires specialty food, don’t try to squeeze a bag of food into your already packed car: stop and purchase a bag once you arrive.
  • Identify places to stop prior to leaving to assure your doggie can relieve himself and strech every few hours.

Bon voyage!

[Photo: Flickr | emdot]