Three quarters of drivers would rather take a scenic route than the quickest option when travelling for a staycation, according to a survey of 2,000 people. The research, commissioned by temporary car insurance provider Tempcover, found that stunning scenery (52%) is a key consideration when planning an extended drive. The average motorist is willing to add 41 minutes to their journey for superior views.
Motorways seen as boring
Four in ten consider a road trip 'boring' because it usually involves motorways and staring at the back of a lorry, with the M25 rated the most tedious stretch. However, 21% admitted they wouldn't know how to find a more attractive route, and 57% seldom or only sometimes have time to plan one before setting off. A further 49% said they rely too much on their sat nav, meaning they rarely discover new or picturesque routes by accident.
Scenic routes can save time
When taking a scenic route, 37% found it took a similar amount of time to a motorway journey, while 25% said it actually took less – due to avoiding traffic and congestion. Tempcover has launched an interactive tool allowing drivers to enter UK postcodes to find alternative scenic routes.
Adam Craddock, temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover, said: “With the UK staycation market seeing strong demand this summer, we wanted to give motorists the best of both worlds. Motorways are essential for efficient travel, but we also want to give holidaymakers an easier way to discover stunning scenic detours alongside their usual routes.”
He added: “The UK possesses world-class landscapes that genuinely rival top global destinations – from the spectacular vistas of the Scottish Highlands to the serene beauty of the Lake District – and our new interactive tool is designed to unlock them all.”
Passengers hog the best views
The survey, conducted by OnePoll.com, also found that scenic views often cause disagreements in the car. Thirteen percent accused fellow passengers of 'hogging the best views', leaving 70% of drivers feeling that only passengers get to appreciate them. Although 41% said stopping off is a necessity on a long journey, 31% rarely or never do so. Places like the Angel of the North (33%) and Yorkshire Dales (22%) are often missed.
Nevertheless, the nation's natural beauty is appreciated: 34% felt the Scottish Highlands could rival the Norwegian Fjords, while 24% compared Cornwall to the Amalfi Coast.
Celebrity endorsement
Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson, who contributed his top scenic spots to the tool, said: “As a band we've driven thousands of miles this year alone, and after recently hitting the milestone of 1,500 live shows, you realise how much of the country you miss by sticking rigidly to the sat nav.”
He added: “Some of our best moments on tour – like all of us jumping out of the bus to check out Stonehenge – only happened because we took a scenic detour. Now with four-year-old twins, pit stops are non-negotiable, and swapping grey motorway service stations for incredible scenic spots is a game-changer.”
Driving preferences
The countryside (68%) and beach/coastal routes (63%) were rated the most pleasurable scenery while driving. The typical driver feels comfortable going 113 minutes before needing a break, yet 41% would never share driving duties as 47% prefer being behind the wheel. However, 27% would decline to hand over the keys due to insurance concerns, and 15% said adding an additional driver to their annual policy involves too much admin.
Adam Craddock concluded: “A great trip should start the moment you get into the car, not just when you reach the destination. It's all about making the most of the journey together and sharing the adventure every mile of the way. The right cover gives drivers the flexibility to share the wheel and we are all about removing the hassle with temporary comprehensive cover in minutes – making it easy to share the drive and swap over so one person doesn't hog all the views.”
