The road trip is one of the most quintessential American experiences imaginable. While some other countries have thousands of years of history within their borders, the US has expansive geography that is nearly unmatched anywhere else. Taking a road trip, whether heading toward a particular destination or just as a way to explore, is a great way to see everything that America has to offer. Before your next road trip, however, you owe it to yourself to visit a Jeep dealership and discover options you might never have thought of.
Whether you are interested in renting a Jeep for a long trip, or perhaps you want to lease a Jeep and feel it out for a couple of years, there is a new experience waiting for you. Jeeps make the perfect road trip vehicles for a number of reasons, from their expansive interiors to the power and performance they offer. A good Jeep can take you across hundreds of miles of American highway, or let you pull off down a dusty road and see what’s over that hill on the horizon.
A Jeep might not be the most practical option in terms of fuel efficiency, but nothing’s perfect. What a Jeep does give you, however, is the freedom to explore and embrace the unbound possibilities of adventure. That’s worth more than a few dollars at the gas pump.
Reason #1 – Storage Space and Options
The mark of a road-trip expert is the understanding of what should and should not be packed up in the vehicle before you head out. A good road trip is often hard to plan for, so it’s easy to end up bringing along way more stuff than you possibly need. Whether you need it all or not, however, a long road trip requires plenty of supplies and personal items.
Jeeps have a lot of storage space inside so that you can pack up everything you really need. Different models have different amounts of cargo space, of course, but generally, you can fit everything you need into any Jeep. Plus, Jeep dealerships have additional options, such as roof racks for canoes, bicycles, and anything else you want to strap on top.
Reason #2 – Power and Reliability
When you set out on a road trip, above all other things, you want to know that you’re going to make it where you’re headed. Jeeps have been getting people where they’re going, both in wartime and civilian life, for about 80 years. In that time they have been refined and improved upon in countless ways, and modern Jeeps have powerful engines that are designed to tackle pretty much any obstacle.
Jeeps built for off-roading have high suspensions that help them not only clear obstacles but also pass through water and keep running. Road trips are not uncommonly interrupted by the unexpected, and the power and reliability of a Jeep are ideal for handling pretty much anything that pops up. 150 years ago, horses and mules would have been used to navigate rough terrain and carry supplies; now, a Jeep is all you need.
Reason #3 – Towing and Payload Capacity
Jeep design also makes these vehicles ideal for towing; many of them are made with great towing capacity in mind. It doesn’t matter if you plan on strapping a boat or a camper to the back of your vehicle, a sturdy Jeep can typically handle it. Different models have different trailering capacities, of course, but they are all built to handle a lot of weight.
You should check the specs of any vehicle you are interested in before making a purchase or signing a lease at a Jeep dealership, and make sure it can handle the weight you need. Boats, trailers, and campers of various sizes can all be handled by different Jeeps just as well as nearly any other vehicle. Plus a Jeep gives you unparalleled freedom to branch off the road most-often traveled.
Reason #4 – Built for Off-Roading
Jeeps are designed, built, and tested to be able to handle the toughest and most brutal off-road trails in America. A good Jeep offers clearance and shocks that can deal with rough terrain that would hobble a less-worthy vehicle. Jeep dealerships are even part of a trail badge program where you can track difficult trails that you have managed in your Jeep and get a badge for your vehicle to brag about your accomplishments.
Even if your road trip does not include any expected off-roading, a Jeep gives you the flexibility to pursue the unknown. You might see something interesting down a dirt path or learn about a local trail that offers an unbelievable view of a waterfall or other landmark. With a Jeep at your command, these unexpected detours become surprising life-long memories, rather than a missed opportunity that you will always regret not being able to take.
Reason #5 – Flexible Configurations
Jeeps are well known for their flexible configurations and functionalities. Certain models include removable tops (not that unusual), but also feature removable doors and windshields that can fold down. You have never experienced a trail or an off-roading adventure in its full glory until you feel the wind on your face and smell the passing trees and flowers.
Most models at Jeep dealerships are available as 4x4s that give you the most control over your environment. Whether you are going off-road or just dealing with deep snow and mud, a 4×4 gives you the power to handle such obstacles. That can keep an unforeseen weather event from ruining your road trip, making it a notable memory instead.
Reason #6 – Add-ons and Accessories
Of course, standard features and trim levels are only the beginning when it comes to everything a Jeep has to offer. When you visit a Jeep dealership, you can see these standard options as well as other accessories and packages. These include things like rails for exterior cargo, and decals to show off your vehicle and make it your own.
There are even accessories perfect for long road trips, including pop-up tents and other items that let you easily sleep in your Jeep. Whether you need to pull over and rest your eyes or camp without the extra gear, these accessories give you much more flexibility than a lot of other vehicles can hope to achieve.
What are You Waiting For?
Whether your next road trip is a few weeks away or still in the planning stages, there is no better time than now to visit a Jeep dealership and see what they have to offer. The “road less traveled” isn’t just a pretty phrase or a poetic ideal to aspire to—it is a very real place, and there are hundreds of them all across the country for you to explore. A road trip is a great way to forge new memories, experience places and sites you never imagined, and bond with friends and family in ways that will last a lifetime.
The road is waiting for you; you need only take the first step and let it open up. Visit your local Jeep dealership and see what they have to offer. Then discover a road trip unlike anything you have done before!
