Why road trips strengthen relationships – according to the experts
My first proper date with my now husband was a road trip. I borrowed my mum's car, and we chose our destination based almost entirely on where we could get to on the M4 in less than an hour. (The answer, if you're wondering, was Windsor.) Looking back now, it's not so much the destination or what we did there that stands out, but just how relaxed the journey was, despite the fact that we'd only known each other for a week. Somehow the setting made us feel more relaxed than a pub or a restaurant would have.
Unbeknown to us at the time, this was in fact the perfect situation for getting to know each other. 'Short road trips create a unique environment that naturally facilitates deeper connection and intimacy between people,' says senior relationship therapist Sally Baker. 'The side-by-side seating arrangement in a car is particularly significant – it removes the intensity of direct face-to-face interaction.'
These short road trips have continued to characterise much of our relationship, from piling into the car with friends after work on a Friday for a weekend away to spontaneous drives to the seaside. My car tells the tale of these trips: grains of sand cling to the grooves of the driver's seat, and there's still a handful of sweet wrappers stuffed in the seat pockets from our last weekend away.
'In our busy lives, we don't often get uninterrupted time together, but a drive removes everyday distractions and encourages conversation,' says Dr Elena Touroni, a consultant psychologist and co-founder of The Chelsea Psychology Clinic. 'There's also something bonding about shared experiences – exploring new places, making decisions together, and even handling small challenges like a wrong turn.' All of which is reassuring if you're like me and have a tendency to turn left when someone tells you to go right.
Thankfully, having to rely on my own dubious grasp of directions is less of an issue with the all-electric MINI Aceman's intelligent navigation system, which calculates routes based on real-time traffic information – ideal if you're heading somewhere new to you, whether a restaurant across town or another city for the weekend. If you also have my habit of panicking when trying to parallel park in front of an audience, then you'll love the car's parking assistant, which can automatically manoeuvre the MINI Aceman into that small space you'd otherwise struggle with. Phew.
For me, a road trip – however short – is as much about the journey itself as about the destination. Whenever I've headed off for a weekend away with a group of friends, it's the car journey that sets the tone for the days ahead; that feeling of leaving the little stresses of 'normal' life behind as we turn up the music and take to the road. In the car, we reminisce about other trips ('Remember when you took that accidental detour and we found that amazing pub?') and catch up on the nitty-gritty of our daily lives, adding to the feeling of really being able to kick back and relax when we get to our destination. And this time is valuable whether I'm travelling with a group of friends or just one other. I recently drove a relatively new friend out to a nearby town to introduce her to my favourite cafe – I'll admit that I had been nervous about whether we were good enough friends to be in a confined space for an hour, but if anything it was made easier by being in the car. And, of course, once at the cafe we were able to bond further over our shared love of cinnamon buns – and make plans to repeat the journey again soon.
'Short road trips provide a natural framework for deepening intimacy while maintaining playfulness and joy in the relationship,' says Baker. 'The informal setting helps us bypass our usual social masks, allowing for more authentic connection.'
Music is another intrinsic part of road-tripping for me, and I love curating songs to match the mood and destination, not least because I know they will remind me of that trip long after it's over. But I'm also aware that what I love listening to might not be everyone's cup of tea.
'You can make the journey enjoyable by listening to a shared playlist, or a podcast that sparks an interesting conversation,' says Touroni. 'The key is to set expectations early, including what kind of atmosphere you both want, in terms of music, quiet time and chatting.'
In the MINI Aceman, this can be further enhanced by its Experience Modes which, with the touch of a button, can change the lighting, soundscape and ambience of the car's interior. If you're heading off to a festival, you might fancy the bright colours of Vivid Mode, which lets your music take centre stage, while a spa day with your mates will be better suited to the soothing tones of Balance Mode.
Many of us drive so regularly that we give little thought to the positive impact that taking a drive with friends or loved ones can have. I for one will be relishing that time spent together in the car next time I take a road trip – in fact, I might just plan one right now.
Find out more about the all-electric MINI Aceman
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
UAE Moments
3 minutes ago
- UAE Moments
From Dubai to Anywhere—It's Now a Pricier Ride
If your summer travel plans suddenly feel too expensive, you're not alone. Airline ticket prices from the UAE to popular destinations have jumped significantly since June 13, as escalating tensions between Israel and Iran force carriers to reroute flights, adding time and fuel costs. Destinations in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America are seeing increases of 15% to 60%, according to fare trackers like Google Flights and Skyscanner. These price hikes are directly tied to airspace restrictions over the conflict zone and rising demand during peak travel season. UAE to India: Summer ritual gets pricey For many Indian expats in the UAE, flying home during summer is a yearly routine. But this year, fares to Mumbai and Delhi have seen a steep surge. One-way tickets that typically cost Dh380 to Dh440 are now reaching Dh800, depending on the airline and date—marking a 50–60% increase. For families, the price gap adds up fast. US routes rerouted, fares soar Flights from the UAE to major US cities like New York and Chicago have also become more expensive. Tickets to New York now average Dh1,210 to Dh1,325, compared to Dh1,030 before June 13. Round-trip fares are crossing Dh2,475, up 15–20%, as airlines take longer routes to avoid Iranian airspace. Africa-bound flights not spared Flights to Nairobi are also affected. One-way tickets have jumped from Dh550 to Dh750, while round-trip prices are now hovering around Dh1,195, up 25% in just a week. Some carriers are adding stopovers to safely navigate around restricted zones, leading to longer travel times and higher costs. Europe, Israel routes feel ripple effects Even European destinations not directly over the conflict area are seeing price increases. Flights to Frankfurt, for example, have gone from Dh750 to Dh950 —a 25% rise —due to congestion on alternate routes. As for Israel, direct flights from Dubai to Tel Aviv have become more expensive and less available. Fares are now around Dh1,080, up 70%, with fewer daily departures and longer layovers. Why flight prices are rising fast With portions of Iranian and Israeli airspace restricted, airlines are rerouting over longer paths—through the Gulf, Central Asia, or Northern Africa. This means longer flight times, higher fuel usage, and fewer available aircraft, all of which drive prices up. The summer travel rush is making it worse. What UAE travelers can do If you're planning to fly soon, book early and track fare trends through platforms like Google Flights or Skyscanner. Try to travel midweek or during off-peak hours for possible savings. Also, consider flexible or refundable options, as more changes in flight paths or schedules may occur if regional tensions escalate. Bottom line
Middle East
4 minutes ago
- Middle East
OPEN// FM meets Turkish businessmen during his visit to Istanbul
CAIRO, June 21 (MENA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty held a meeting with a group of Turkish businessmen during his visit to Istanbul to attend the Ministerial Meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The meeting was part of efforts to enhance Turkish investments in Egypt. Abdelatty emphasized the importance of continuing to strengthen trade and investment cooperation between Egypt and Turkey, highlighting the significant progress in economic relations between the two countries. He noted that the total trade exchange between the two nations reached nearly $9 billion in 2024, with Turkey becoming an important destination for Egyptian exports, while Egypt is also a key destination for Turkish exports in Africa. He welcomed Turkish investments in Egypt, especially in recent years, which have seen a remarkable increase. He expressed Egypt's desire to further expand Turkish investments. (MENA) Y R E
South China Morning Post
8 minutes ago
- South China Morning Post
How Dongchoon, South Korea's last circus, is fighting to preserve its century-old legacy
No more elephant and monkey acts. No more death-defying motorbike stunts. No more singing or acting on stage. Several hundred spectators still clapped constantly when acrobats with the Dongchoon Circus Troupe, South Korea's last and oldest circus , twirled on a long suspended fabric, juggled clubs on a large, rotating wheel, and rode a unicycle on a tightrope under the big top. 'As I recall the hardship that I've gone through, I think I've done something significant,' says Park Sae-hwan, the head of the 100-year-old circus, which was founded in 1925. 'But I also feel heavy responsibility because if Dongchoon stops, our country's circus, one genre in our performing arts, will disappear. That's the problem.' In the golden ages of South Korean circuses in the 1960s, when most households still had no televisions, Dongchoon travelled across the country. It wowed audiences with then-exotic animals like an elephant and a giraffe and a variety of shows including skits, comic talks, singing, dancing and magic shows. During its peak years, it had more than 200 artists, acrobats and other staff, according to Park. Park is worried Dongchoon could disappear into history. Photo: AP Like in many other countries, televisions and films later siphoned audiences away from Dongchoon and other circuses in South Korea. Their actors, singers and comedians moved to television stations, and some became bigger stars.
