Judging by the extent of the championing of solo travel these days you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s the only way to have an authentic travel experience. But people travel in many different ways – as couples, with families and in groups – and each arrangement has its pluses and minuses. The one configuration that rarely gets a mention is travelling with a friend.
Which is odd given how frequently it happens. So what are the merits and challenges of travelling with a mate? We decided to find out. Writers Rob McFarland and Julie Miller during their epic road trip.
Credit: Rob McFarland We’ve been friends for 18 years but we also both travel for a living as travel writers. Which means we each have our own strategies and strengths, not to mention foibles and quirks. To put it all to the test, we choose a journey that’s been a buddy movie stalwart for decades: the US road trip.
Starting in Los Angeles, we’ll head east into the California high desert, visiting Joshua Tree National Park and Palm Springs before crossing into Arizona. After exploring Phoenix, we’ll veer north towards Sedona and Flagstaff before heading back to LA via the longest remaining original section of Route 66. With spectacular scenery, intriguing attractions and plenty of only-in-America roadside kitsch, it has all the hallmarks of an epic adventure.
Only one question remains: will it be a thrilling, Thelma & Louise -style escapade or a Dumb and Dumber disaster? She says I’m a fly-by-the-se.