Despite the heavy reliance on cars in Texas, there’s a surprisingly decent number of transportation options for anyone looking to travel within the state. Car, bus, plane—you name it. Of course, people tend to prefer the latter. After all, it can be the fastest way to get around. From Dallas to San Antonio? A one-hour-and-15-minute flight. Austin to Houston? Just 30 minutes in the air. And let’s not forget skipping the traffic, congestion and bad drivers. Still, despite its advantages, I prefer to drive. Before giving me the side eye, hear me out.
Beyond the obvious perk of saving money on car rentals by taking my own car, driving lets me uncover off-the-beaten-path destinations I’d otherwise miss. For example, take my road trip to Marfa from Austin this past April. Along the way, I visited Prada Marfa, a one-of-a-kind art installation on U.S. Route 90. Located roughly 33 minutes from Marfa’s city center, this Insta-famous site would have been nearly impossible to reach without a car.
Prada Marfa isn’t an actual store; it’s a hyper-realistic reconstruction of a Prada boutique. The installation, created by artists Elmgreen and Dragset in October 2005, even features real Prada products inside. It’s believed to be a response to the high-priced commercialism that displaced communities in the 1990s. Learning about the installation’s history was fascinating, and snapping photos at this surreal spot? Worth the detour.
Driving also saved me time and money on rideshares. Road-tripping in my car meant no waiting around for drivers, no struggling to locate them and no surge pricing during rush hour. The cash I saved went toward meaningful, fun experiences—like top golfing in Houston or indulging in new restaurant spots.
I get it: driving in Texas is no walk in the park. Traffic can be a nightmare, and Forbes recently ranked Texas the third-worst state for drivers. But for me, the pros outweigh the cons. Driving lets me save money, venture off the beaten path and discover new places I’d never have stumbled upon otherwise.
That’s why, I’ll always choose the open road over a seat in the sky.