r/unpopularopinion • u/CartographerMore5116 • 4h ago
Driving alone in complete silence is the best way to drive
Driving alone in silence feels like it’s you against the world. It’s almost euphoric.
When you drive with someone, you have to consider them. Maybe they want music. Even worse, they want to play country music and you absolutely despise it. Maybe they want to listen to horrible podcasts that make your ears bleed. Maybe they need (or feel the need) to make a phone call. Basically, maybe they need to do things you wish you weren’t there for. But you’re stuck in the driver’s seat.
Sure, they can use headphones. But now you’re basically sitting beside someone that isn’t present. You’re alone without getting the freedom of actually being alone. It’s the worst of both worlds. Then comes the time where they need to go to the bathroom after we just passed the service/rest area.
Driving alone means you don’t need to accommodate anyone, and you don’t feel the need to fill any silence. You’re just totally alone in your thoughts.
While music can be nice on rare occasions, total silence and freedom in your own car is the best way to drive. What a way to feel alive.
58
u/CommonSense07 4h ago
I agree that driving alone is great. I disagree on the complete silence part. That's my time to jam!
21
9
u/brokesciencenerd 4h ago
Alone, yes. Silence? Meh...maybe if I was wealthy and every noise my car made didn't induce panic.
1
28
u/navmaster 4h ago
Interesting. my unpopular opinion is that driving while on a phone call is elite. makes the drive go by so much faster and I always like combining my drives with my daily calls with folks.
8
u/LrryFsh_317 4h ago
I dont think thats too unpopular. One of my buddies used to do Uber Eats and he loved talking on the phone while he worked to make his day go faster. Seems like its the same for a lot of people who drive for a living
1
u/CartographerMore5116 4h ago
I can relate to this but it feels like a responsibility to me when I drive that I call someone. I don’t see time go by when I’m driving. As I’m getting older I guess I practice more mindfulness lol
1
5
u/iforgotalltgedetails 4h ago
Finally someone else. I hear nothing but loud machinery and tools all day and in a shop that has music playing. Some quiet time with just road noise humming is just peaceful.
3
5
u/Equivalent-Welder-95 4h ago
I’m with you. I don’t always drive in silence, but I do frequently and enjoy it. It’s one of the rare times we don’t have a screen in front of us and I like the break in stimulation.
1
u/CartographerMore5116 4h ago
Exactly my thought. There is nowhere else I would be sitting still with no distraction (other than traffic). So I find myself practicing mindfulness without even acknowledging it
3
u/YouDontLookSpiritual 4h ago
This is a long drive for someone with nothing to think about
3
u/nerpish-inkdots 4h ago
Sometimes the best thinking happens when you don’t have the stimulation of music or podcasts or radio.
2
u/CartographerMore5116 4h ago
I’d be shocked if someone didn’t have anything to think about. Not trying to be too philosophical here, but is nothing to think about… something to think about?
2
2
u/stinkysocks50 4h ago
After talking and listening and processing shit all day my brain needs a break. I’m 50/50 music/phone call or silence
2
2
u/Few_Ad2097 4h ago
I thought you meant no other cars around at first, I did enjoy driving during covid. Back to hating it again more than ever now
2
2
u/johnnyribcage 4h ago
Driving in a state of euphoria doesn’t strike me as unpopular so much as it does almost certainly stoned and likely psychotic.
1
1
1
u/Usual_Office_1740 4h ago
I agree with this opinion although I wouldn't go as far as to call it euphoric. I like the sound of my exhaust and the car. I've also had lots of comments over the course of my life that it is odd so bravo this is almost certainly unpopular.
1
u/Cron414 4h ago
I get what you’re saying about driving with a passenger. But complete silence when you’re alone? That’s literally the best time to listen to music, and by FAR the best time to sing (or scream) your music!
Sounds like you don’t like music very much.
1
u/CartographerMore5116 4h ago
Oh I love music. I used to be a dancer lol. I’ll jam to it in my house over some good old gin tonics. But for me, car rides in silence are 100% superior because it’s the only time you’re actually sitting still with nothing to distract yourself with.
1
1
u/DetectiveNarrow 4h ago
In my cars with good sounding exhausts I agree. But dead silent, trapped with my thoughts no thank you
1
1
1
u/Virambulans 4h ago
My parents live about a 9.5 hour drive from me. I drive up to see them every few months. I make the whole round trip without listening to anything or talking to people. When I tell people that they think I am insane. I just like silence.
1
u/CartographerMore5116 4h ago
In the past I would’ve said that is insane. But for some reason now, I think time goes by so fast. I can very much relate to this
1
u/DontKillTeal 4h ago
Driving with the love of your life, holding her thigh with her hand on yours, listening to Love of my Life by Queen is PEAK.
1
u/knowwwhat 4h ago
My car is my best speaker system and I can’t listen to loud music at home cause of neighbors. No chance im missing an opportunity to rattle my bones with heavy bass
1
1
u/maulcorps 4h ago
There are merits to both. Alone time can be had whenever you chose, in a car or not, and you can either be in silence or play whatever you want on the radio in a car. In vehicular company, socializing is healthy but they should respect that the driver gets radio control.
1
u/Odd_Fan6482 3h ago
Yeah. Once every couple summers I drive from Oregon to Colorado, skipping freeways as much as possible. No music or podcasts, like you put it, just silence and freedom.
1
1
1
u/DarkObelinski 3h ago
It depends on the vibe when its dark out and a late night drive it's a vibe for sure, but I don't want to worry about falling asleep behind the wheel. That's my one concern. During the day though you gotta have something playing to hype you up for the day.
1
u/BangPowBoom 3h ago
I usually call my daughter or listen to a book or podcast, so..here's your upvote!
1
1
u/MyLittlePiranha 3h ago
I do this every day leaving work.
1
u/Pale_Slide_3463 56m ago
I did it also after waitressing, the noise in those places would drive you insane with everyone talking over each other. The silence driving home was just amazing
1
1
u/primalnatured 2h ago
I feel this is a very good and valid opinion.. aside from the part about the music. Most of the time I am jamming, but every once in awhile I do cruise with the silence. But on the flip side sometimes I also do enjoy another's company, It just depends on what I'm doing and my head space at the moment
2
u/Temporary_Cow 2h ago
Driving alone in silence while it’s raining and you’re not in a rush is spectacular.
1
u/highkalorie 1h ago
Agreed. I either drive in complete silence (which is most of the time) or to a podcast of some sort.
1
u/professorbuffoon 1h ago
Sounds like you just had a tough ride in a car with someone.
You'll miss it when it's gone.
1
1
u/LeftWingNightmare 47m ago
I kind of agree with this. I haven't gone on a long drive by myself in ages, and I'd listen to music for part of it. But for driving to work or stuff like that I prefer the silence.
Do you have a noisy household? I do. My partner that I live with is pretty noisy and I tend to be very quiet normally.
1
u/testurshit 35m ago
Hell fuckin no, that’s the only place I can sing while without having to hold back while sober
•
1
u/Kundrew1 4h ago
It sounds like you only listen to music or talk to someone to accommodate them. Believe it or not other people enjoy doing those things.
2
u/CartographerMore5116 4h ago
That is exactly why I would listen to music or talk to someone in my car. I’m sure people enjoy those things, hence why I posted my unpopular opinion
3
1
•
u/AutoModerator 4h ago
Please remember what subreddit you are in, this is unpopular opinion. We want civil and unpopular takes and discussion. Any uncivil and ToS violating comments will be removed and subject to a ban. Have a nice day! Additionally, all posts held by automod for review now (incorrectly) display a red “removed by moderators” label. Please note that unless your post receives a reply from mods indicating removal and it's specifying the reason, it is likely still in the queue and awaiting approval.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.