A new study reveals that 75% of UK motorists would rather take a scenic route than the quickest option for a staycation, with the average driver willing to add 41 minutes to their journey for better views. The survey of 2,000 people found that stunning scenery (52%) was crucial when planning a lengthy drive.
Motorways Boring, Scenic Routes Preferred
Four in ten consider a road trip 'boring' as it typically involves motorways and gazing at the rear of a lorry – with the M25 deemed the dullest to drive on. Nevertheless, 21% admitted they wouldn't know how to find a more picturesque route, while 57% rarely, or only occasionally have time to plan one before departing.
A further 49% confess they depend too heavily on their sat nav, meaning they rarely discover new or beautiful routes by chance.
Time Comparisons and Global Rivals
The research commissioned by temporary car insurance provider, Tempcover, revealed that when taking a scenic route, 37% found it required a comparable amount of time to a motorway journey, while 25% said it actually required less - due to bypassing 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."
Research has revealed that scenic views are often the source of car disputes, with 13% accusing passengers of 'hogging the best views' – leaving 70% of drivers feeling that only the passengers get to appreciate them.
Stop-Offs and Missed Views
Despite 41% saying that stop-offs are essential during a long car journey, 31% seldom or never do this – with the Angel of the North (33%) and Yorkshire Dales (22%) being places travellers have never paused to visit. However, the country's beauty is not overlooked as 34% believed the Scottish Highlands can rival the Norwegian Fjords, while 24% compared Cornwall to the Amalfi Coast.
Kaiser Chiefs frontman and musician, Ricky Wilson, who regularly travels across the country for festivals and gigs, contributed his top scenic spots to the tool, saying: "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."
Driving Preferences
The countryside (68%) and beach and coastal routes (63%) were among the most enjoyable sceneries to take in while driving, according to those surveyed via OnePoll.com. The average driver is comfortable going 113 minutes before needing a break - however, 41% would never split driving responsibilities as 47% prefer it behind the wheel. But 27% would refuse to give up 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."
