I've spent hundreds of hours on European road trips. Here are 9 ways they're different from ones in the US.

Lana KatsarosMay 13, 2023, 17:55 IST

My family has gone on many road trips in the US and in Europe.Lana Katsaros

I've spend hundreds of hours on road trips in the US and in Europe.
I love European road trips, but gas prices are way more expensive than they are in the US.

When my family lived in New York, we'd take road trips all the time, especially down to Florida to see family. I-95 South was basically the entire trip, and I knew the stops along the way by heart.

As my family grew, we opted for car travel instead of plane travel more and more. When our son was still an infant, we took a 3,200-mile road trip, and I think that's where it really clicked that we were road-trip people.

Eventually, we ended up road tripping during our first European vacation since it was less stressful for us. Since then, I've spent hundreds of hours road tripping through most of Western Europe.

Even though I didn't realize it at first, it's become clear there are some big differences between the road trips I've been on in the United States and those in Europe.

Rest stops are an event in some countries like Spain and France — we've seen campsites, playgrounds, and even parties

Many rest stops in Europe we've encountered have had special parks or perks.Lana Katsaros

Gas is way more expensive in Europe than it is in the US.

Gas prices in some European countries are almost triple what you can find in the US.Lana Katsaros

France has more tolls than anywhere I've ever been, but other European countries like the Netherlands hardly have any.

The tolls in France can add up.Lana Katsaros

Get used to traffic circles and not making left turns.

Roundabouts can be found all over Europe.Lana Katsaros

I've found that roadside bathrooms in France aren't quite ideal.

My advice when road tripping in France would be to bring your own toilet paper and be mentally prepared to squat.Lana Katsaros

We've found a lot more healthy snack options at European rest stops.

I can't say I've often found vegetables at rest stops in the US.Lana Katsaros

I can count on one hand how many times we have been in traffic.

An empty road in a small town in Germany.Lana Katsaros

My partner and I have never experienced road rage in Europe.

Some European roads are incredibly peaceful.Lana Katsaros

I've learned that a honk in Europe is usually meant to be informative and not aggressive.

In the US, some honks have a different meaning.Lana Katsaros

I stayed in a $2,248 a night room at 'The White Lotus' hotel in Sicily, and although it was the most beautiful place I've ever visited, it wasn't worth the price tag

Cookies on the Business Insider India website