Road Trips 2.0: Exploring the Eco-friendly Road Tourism Trend

The tourism sector has bounced back in a big way after the pandemic, and with it, a new type of tourist has emerged, the ‘sustainable traveler.’ 

According to the Word Travel and Tourism Council, 69% of travelers seek sustainable alternatives. Whether travelers want to reduce their carbon footprint or simply travel more responsibly, reports suggest that over 80% of global travelers recognize the importance of eco-friendly tourism. 

There are many ways to embrace eco-friendly tourism trends, which extend to road trips, which are growing in popularity due to increased sustainable travel consciousness. 

The Environmental Impact of Road Trips 

Road trips allow us to explore the world’s beauty, whether in our own backyard or overseas. However, it's essential to acknowledge that traditional road travel has environmental challenges.

While you don't need to fly to explore the country you live in, a traditional road trip does have a downside it negatively impacts the environment. The biggest drawback, of course, is the greenhouse gases vehicles emit. Cars, especially those running on fossil fuels, contribute to air pollution and global warming. To minimize this impact, choose fuel-efficient vehicles. Or, better yet, consider buying or renting an electric car for your journey.

Another environmental issue is most people eat fast food en route rather than plan their meals. This can lead to excessive waste that needs to be disposed of properly. You can offset the environmental impact of eating out by investing in reusable water bottles and packing utensils and camping dishes. 

You can pack snacks and long-shelf-life food and buy local produce while you're on the road. When you eat out, properly dispose of your containers, whether they should be recycled or put in general waste. 

The increased energy consumption poses another environmental challenge with the growing reliance on mobile devices during road trips. To minimize your devices' impact, try to limit data usage. 

Download maps and other essential information before starting your journey to reduce the need for constant data usage. You can also switch to airplane mode to save battery and reduce electricity consumption, and look for eco-friendly charging options, such as solar-powered charging stations, whenever possible.

3 Tips for a Sustainable Road Trip

Electric vehicles provide a sustainable travel opportunity for your next road trip and safety on the road. They are more affordable than ever, which means they are much more accessible than they used to be. Thanks to that, there are extensive options for charging hotspots, making them a much more convenient option for long trips. 

It will require planning, but what successful road trip doesn't? On average, an electric vehicle can travel 300 miles between charges. However, this will depend on a person's driving pattern and the weather. Extreme temperatures, particularly cold, can shorten a charge and make more frequent stops necessary. Provided the route is planned efficiently, there is not much to worry about regarding battery life.

1. Plan the route

Google Maps can help identify charging stations along the chosen route, so arranging your plans around these stations is fairly simple. You should look into each station to ensure you have the app or cards required to charge there. Also, have a backup plan if a station is out of service or occupied.

If you look for charging stations with a supermarket or restaurant nearby, you can maximize your time and give yourself something to do. Often, hotels have free charging stations. Be sure to pack an extension, charging, and adaptor, just in case. 

2. Unconventional options

You could look for lodging in a holiday park that provides hookups with the same power as charging stations. You must confirm whether the park has the necessary hookup and whether they allow entry for this use. 

3. Offset your footprint

If you are still concerned about your carbon footprint, you can offset it by donating to a charity or organization actively fighting to reduce carbon emissions or deforestation. 

You can rent or borrow one for your road trip if you don't own an electric vehicle. Modern electric vehicles offer an impressive battery life, making planning a road trip straightforward. You don't need to worry about the environmental impact while taking your next adventure, so you can enjoy hitting the open road and the sights you encounter.

An electric vehicle is suitable for city and highway driving and comfortable enough to sleep in. You can plug it in at a campground, fold the rear seats, and relax before setting off on your trip's next leg.

Final Thoughts 

Embracing the eco-friendly road tourism trend is a responsible choice and a rewarding and enriching experience for travelers. The rise of sustainable travelers has highlighted the importance of reducing our carbon footprint and traveling more responsibly. By embracing sustainable practices, travelers can enjoy the open road and amazing sights while knowing they are leaving behind a positive impact.