The joy of driving for the sake of driving

Simon Edward • 23 August 2023

Looking for new ways to unwind? Why not go for a leisurely drive? Find out more about the beauty of the Sunday drive – whatever day of the week it is.

For most of us, driving is a functional activity. The school run. The daily commute. A trip to the countryside.

Sure, you might enjoy putting the pedal to the metal and going for a drive. But do you ever do it just… because?

In our target-driven times, it can be hard to do things for the sheer hell of it. Even innocent hobbies like baking or bridge can become competitive and aspirational – and in some cases, end up feeling like a second job.

Well, we're here to advocate the pointless drive. A drive without a destination. A drive where you explore the country's roads, from the motorway to the country lane. Where you sing along to your favourite music or get lost in the meditative purring of the tyres. Where you stop off at the services and stare at a pond, quarter pounder in hand.

Going for a drive without an apparent purpose can be hard to justify for two reasons. One, people are suspicious of purposelessness. If you're going to paint a picture, it had better be for an exhibition – that sort of thing.

But as with so much of life, it's not worth missing out on something because of what others might think of you.

And two, it can be hard to justify the environmental impact. This isn't something we take lightly. But a leisurely drive is only bad for your carbon footprint if you're filling your week with short journeys that are actually pointless – cruising your way to the local Tesco Express to pick up a loaf of bread, say.

Despite these caveats, we believe that a leisurely drive for its own sake can be pleasurable, creative and mostly harmless – or, to put it another way, good for your mental health.

The lost art of the Sunday drive

In the 1920s and 30s, more and more Americans began driving for pleasure, not errands. This became a tradition – the post-Sunday-lunch drive.

There are two key ingredients to a Sunday drive. First, there's no destination in mind. And secondly, there's no rush.

It's not a million miles away from the concept of the dérive. This was an idea developed by a radical Parisian collective of artists and intellectuals in the 1950s. It encouraged people to throw their to-do lists on the fire and go for an unplanned tootle through the urban landscape.

These guys would probably think they were above the humble Sunday drive – but the principle is the same. Relax. Break out of your everyday routes and rhythms. Get loose.

The Sunday drive today

Henry Ford was a cheerleader for the Sunday drive – and not for selfless reasons. He wanted Sundays to become a day of motion, not rest, because it would help to shift more units.

But whatever the origins of the Sunday drive, the idea still has value. Sadly, however, it's on the decline. This is partly because of oil prices and partly because of concerns about the environment.

But if you want to take some time out of your routine, a directionless drive could be just what the doctor ordered.

The benefits of driving for its own sake

Are you stuck on a problem? It could be anything – choosing a pension provider. Writing an opera. Composing a tactful text.

Often, our instinct is to hunker down and keep chipping away at the problem. It's only human. We feel that if we put it down and walk away, it will never get solved.

But how many times have you heard people say that the idea came to them in the bath or on holiday – basically, in a situation outside of their usual routine?

There's something about breaking out of routines that allows us to tune out some of the static and arrive at solutions.

Eric Klinenberg, professor of sociology at New York University, puts it this way: "Going out for a drive lets us reflect and come back with greater insights… There's something about being in the driver's seat – with the sense of control it affords – that lets you think productively and solve problems."

The same goes for creativity. Driving can have a meditative quality – a kind of calm alertness. Whether it's thanks to the soft upholstery or the rhythms of the road, being on the move can help you think outside of the box.

Driving can also provide a pleasing combination of the familiar and the unexpected. Going for a walk without a map is like free jazz – you've no idea what's coming next. But the layout of road networks means there's always a sense of containment – even as you make that spontaneous left turn.

Leon James, a professor of psychology at the University of Hawaii, says that driving can "restore the feeling of freedom" and that "the car functions as an escape vehicle for many people".

So far, we've just been talking about solo trips. But a leisurely drive with friends or family can be equally agreeable.

Ever noticed how conversations around a campfire always turn to the past? Something about them makes people thoughtful and nostalgic.

The same thing can happen on a road trip. The world seems to open up a little – and your mind follows suit.

That's not to say that a family drive won't still be the occasion for a lot of bickering, whinging and general bad behaviour. But that can be all to the good too – a chance to socialise and bond outside the home.

Can driving for its own sake improve your driving?

Why do city slickers so often struggle with country roads? Obvious answer: they're not used to them. Less obvious answer: their driving is conditioned by their day-to-day routes.

All of us have our regular routes, whether it's dropping off the kids from school or driving to the football stadium. We're often on autopilot – and that can be a nice sensation, like the familiar feel of the key in your front door.

But going for an aimless drive can deepen your driving skills. You have to be even more alert and responsive than usual.

Conclusion

Driving for its own sake may not seem like a priority – and the environmental impact is worth considering. But we believe that it can be quite the tonic, wherever and whoever you are.

Fancy hiring a car for a Sunday drive? Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are here to help you find the right set of wheels. Check out our fleet of cars for hire in Newcastle today – and start planning for a little R 'n' R.

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