The Medicinal Power of the Open Road

I recently returned from what I call an intentional road trip.  Intentional because it was mindfully designed – or more accurately “undesigned” –  to be counter to my usual thought process and safety nets.

While I've taken a number of cross country trips in the past, this was the first time I decided to go solo. I also gave little thought to logistics upfront, other than solidifying some meet-up dates mid-trip. And lastly, as my departure date neared, I could feel that the drive out to the West Coast would be quiet and reflective. With that minimal framework and my portable podcasting gear I set out.

What I'd like to share with you today are the transformational qualities of such an adventure and how you might plan one for yourself, even if it's only for one day.

First a little background. I was able to trace the term road trip to the early 1900s through a New York Timesarticle describing transcontinental touring by motorcar. Long distance automobile trips continued to grow in popularity until they became an American pastime by the 1950s when the Interstate Highway System was being developed.

There are also popular international road trips such as the European Highway or the E-Road, the Garden Route of South Africa, and the longest road trip in the world, the Pan American Highway that clocks in at 19,000 miles stretching from Alaska to Argentina.

So why even consider taking a road trip? From a pure leisure perspective, road tripping provides flexibility and freedom to explore where you want when you want, taking your time to enjoy the sights and making unplanned stops off the beaten path to learn about new places and make new friends.

This type of trip is wonderful to deepen relationships with your travel partners if you're with family and friends, or with yourself if you're traveling solo. And then there's the way a road trip helps us shift our daily routine to what's essential. It's a beautiful opportunity to appreciate the simplest things in life.

There are also wellness benefits, including the mental boost of seeing new places and meeting new people; the opportunity for physical movement when exploring new surroundings; deep sleep as a result of the activity and fresh air; and stress reduction from being on your own schedule.

Of course there are also challenges, such as driving fatigue, the possibility of severe weather, traffic delays or detours, and car trouble. But it's been my experience that the benefits far outweigh the challenges. In fact, since my first cross-country trip in the mid-1990s, I can count the challenges in all of my trips on one hand.

If this is resonating and piquing your interest, here are a few things to keep in mind as you plan your adventure:

1. Choose a destination you find compelling and engaging. Take the time to plan a potential route before you leave so you can plan your driving time accordingly and include breaks every few hours along with time to wander and explore.

2. Pack light. The less stuff you have, the easier it is to be nimble while traveling.

3. Take a cooler. Bringing healthy snacks will go a long way to keeping you energized while you're behind the wheel. My favorites are apples, bananas, nuts, granola, water and iced tea. I also know my coffee options so I can stop along the way.

4. Bring entertainment. For me, that's my journal, a book, my music playlists, a few downloaded podcasts and audiobooks.

5. Get your car checked before you go. Make sure your vehicle is ready for the trip and your roadside assistance game plan is in place. You may also want to take a first aid kit, a flashlight and some extra cash for emergencies.

With all of this as a backdrop, let's get to some of the medicinal power of the open road. I took my first road trip while working on Wall Street. The allure was simple: freedom, adventure, exploration. At that point in my career, I had traveled internationally and to major US cities, but I had never experienced the American landscape.

I grew up just outside of New York City in the smallest, most densely populated county in New Jersey. So the idea of seeing a western highway melt into the horizon's vanishing point under a vast sky was as foreign to me as some of the countries I had the privilege to visit.

Here's why I keep returning to epic road trips: the rhythm of the road. This rhythm can be found in the feeling of pointing West and driving for 3000 miles. That never gets old for me. It can also be found in being present and opening to the journey. It's in the sound of the engine and the tires rotating on the road. It's in the changing light as the earth revolves around the sun. It's in the passing scenery, like road movies, as you drive by towns, farms, fields, deserts, plains and mountains. It's in the memories you make and the people you meet. And it's in the feeling of possibility and the spirit of adventure.

It's the rhythm of the road that invites transformation. And that's because all the elements of reflection are wrapped up in taking a long drive. That includes being in a quiet place without interruption, having a relaxed and clear mind that can ponder, and keeping an open heart that can process thoughts and feelings while welcoming new experiences.

All of this sets the stage for some deep contemplation. It's in this relaxed and open state that transformation naturally occurs. And the mystery of this transformation is that it doesn't happen on demand. It's more mysterious and mystical.

Here are some examples of what has spurred transformation for me over the years as I left my daily routine behind and got on the road:

1. Stepping out of my comfort zone;

2. Expanding my horizons and learning new things;

3. Being surrounded by stunning natural beauty; and

4. Gaining a new perspective by slowing down, being present and listening.

This has led to a deeper human experience by connecting with family and friends, as well as a deeper spiritual experience by connecting with myself and all that is beyond.

At the end of road trips I've taken in the past, it wasn't unusual for me to return with three things. The first was a better understanding of myself, due to time reflecting on my thoughts, feelings, experiences and aspirations. The second was a sense of lightness, due to letting go of what no longer served me. And the third was a detailed plan to create the future that I envisioned for myself while on the road.

This time, my traveling intention was different and as a result, the takeaways were atypical for me. Part of my intention was the desire to put all of the things that I recommend in my blogs and podcasts into practice. I've shared the quote about living “in perpetual creative response to whatever is present.” Sixteen days of solo cross-country travel gives you an opportunity to live that principle.

And I experienced some of what I've already described, that is, a better understanding of myself and a sense of lightness due to letting go of what no longer serves. There was also a deep sense of appreciation for the life that I've built and those I love.

But here's what was different. At the end of this trip, there was no detailed plan, no blueprint, no next steps to bring a new vision to life. This was more about clearing and holding empty space to allow what's new to come forward naturally. My big takeaway was less about doing and more about being.

It's going to take some time to unpack that last statement, to integrate that learning. I guess the best way I can describe it is that there are still blogs to write, podcasts to create, coaching and teaching to do, there are relationships to nurture and life to live. The undoing part of this is expanding and tending the space needed to bring those things forth with less effort and more depth.

I'll leave you with a lyric from the song Moab written by Conor Oberst.

“There is nothing that the road cannot heal. There is nothing that the road cannot heal. Washed under the blacktop, gone beneath my wheels, there is nothing that the road cannot heal.”

Journal Reflections:  What’s alluring about exploring the open road? How might you begin to plan for such a trip? What’s one thing you can do today to put the plan in motion?