In another thread, I was mentioning that, when my wife and I are traveling, I would prefer stopping at local (non-chain) restaurants rather than chains, but that we seldom do because my wife prefers the predictability of a chain restaurant, and she wins because the first time she got something she didn't like at a restaurant of my choosing, it would be my fault. That got me thinking about the travel itself, which is where we would also differ. Unless I have a reason to be in a hurry to get from point A to point B, I would usually prefer to get off of the Expressway and take the backroads to where I am going. I'm not talking about gravel roads or farm roads, although when I am alone I sometimes do that as well, but about getting off of the Expressway, to roads that actually passes through towns and small cities that I wouldn't otherwise see and, more importantly, the rural scenery in between. Of course, this only works when you adopt the mindset that a vacation begins when you leave home, not when you arrive at your holiday destination. Alone, or with my son (who thought I was crazy), I have traveled from California to Michigan and back a few times without spending much time on the freeway at all, and it's the best way to travel.
On the occasions when I am able to choose the road that we take, it's usually because my wife is sleeping and doesn't know that I have left the Expressway. However, if it turns out to be a bad road, construction, or traffic delays, I will hear about it for hours. Yet when we run into some of the same problems on the Expressway, they are dismissed.
We always seem to end up on a back road when we missed an exit. It's okay until we drive pass a farm and the vehicle gets filled with that awful smell of manure or whatnot and the skunks. ewww
I just came from a city home and had this exact choice I took backroads as I usually do so. I live in a rural area most roads are gravel here. I laughed at the comment of the smell of manure, we call it the smell of income which equals cash to us, now hogs are different as to smell. I hate large cities and will avoid them any way I can.
I love the backroads, given circumstance allowing time spent there. OTOH, our travels the last few big drives involved moving our belongings cross-country, so backroads were out of the question. How I miss those small, two-lane roads in Berrien County, Michigan, where as a kid I spent summers with my Grandma........ Frank
Back roads are best most of the time...even if your not holiday traveling. We only take to highways and freeways if there is no other good choice, just in our daily lives. One because there is always so much construction...two.. finding our way because of the construction is harder..three the noise..four the nit wits on the roads. Sometimes it takes longer...but less stress on getting there.
When planning a trip I look at a map and try my best to avoid large cities. This usually means taking backroads. My wife complains sometimes because the trip takes longer, but I prefer better to faster.
I'd probably be the freeway person just because I'd drive alone. I have though watched movies with country scenes that were obviously filmed on location someplace and I've thought how pretty that is and I'd love to know where that is and wish I could go there. So many places.
Highway....except for a shortcut through an orchard that saves me about 15-20 mins I don't even know any back way to my daughter's house. Besides since I'm the driver I need to pay attention and not look at the scenery too much.