Three quarters of motorists would prefer to take the scenic route rather than the quickest option for a staycation, according to a poll of 2,000 drivers. Beautiful scenery (52%) was a key consideration when planning a long drive, with the average motorist willing to add 41 minutes to their journey for a more impressive view.
Boredom and reliance on sat nav
Four in ten find a road trip 'boring' as it typically involves motorways and staring at the back of a lorry – with the M25 voted the most tedious road to drive on. However, 21% admitted they wouldn't know how to find a more scenic route, while 57% rarely or only sometimes have enough time to plan one before heading off. A further 49% confess they rely too heavily on their sat nav, meaning they seldom discover new or picturesque routes by chance.
Scenic routes can be quicker
The study, commissioned by temporary car insurance provider Tempcover, revealed that 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 – thanks to avoiding traffic and congestion. Adam Craddock, temporary car insurance expert for the brand, 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. 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."
Arguments and missed stops
The research revealed scenic views are the source of many arguments in the car, with 13% accusing passengers of 'hogging the best views' – leaving 70% of drivers feeling that passengers are the only ones who get to enjoy it. Despite 41% citing stop-offs as essential during a long car journey, 31% rarely or never do this – with the Angel of the North (33%) and Yorkshire Dales (22%) among places travellers have never stopped to visit. However, the country's beauty doesn't go unnoticed as 34% believed the Scottish Highlands rivals the Norwegian Fjords, while 24% compared Cornwall to the Amalfi Coast.
Celebrity endorsement and preferences
Kaiser Chiefs frontman and musician Ricky Wilson, who regularly travels across the country for festivals and gigs, contributed his own top spots to the tool. He 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. 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. We've had some legendary detours over the years, and taking the scenic route turns a boring drive into part of the holiday." The countryside (68%) and beach and coastal routes (63%) were amongst the most enjoyable scenery to take in while driving, according to those surveyed via OnePoll.com.
Driving habits and insurance
The typical driver is comfortable going 113 minutes before requiring a break - however, 41% would never split driving responsibilities as 47% prefer being behind the wheel. But 27% would refuse to hand over the keys because of insurance reasons, while 15% claimed adding an extra driver to their annual policy is too much hassle. Adam Craddock at Tempcover added: "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."
