DENVER — Road trips used to be a lot easier and more reason for fun.
"Get out and see the area's beautiful country, "Denver resident Jason Kollar said.
But staying at home means fewer road trips for people like Kollar.
"It's tough. Every weekend we were up in the mountains hiking, trying to get out of town. Trying to see new places," he added
But for many, their car is a pleasure vehicle, a sanctuary of sorts. So people are shifting back to the old "Sunday drive."
"Seems like many Coloradans, while they're not commuting to work, they're taking the pleasure part back of the pleasure vehicle and are taking the Sunday drive. It might be out with their family. It might be alone," AAA Colorado Dir. of Public Affairs Skyler McKinley said.
The motorized safe place also works as an escape from the current monotony.
"The car is a safe way to get out of your house, so long as when you are traveling for pleasure, you're not getting out of your car," McKinley said.
"It's relaxing to get out and see the scenery. You don't have to worry about crossing the street to get away from people and keep your distance from everyone else in kind of a safe space there," Kollar added.
It's a different gear for drivers, but with lower gas prices and warmer weather, it's actually good for an idle car.
"If your car is going to be sitting, you want to charge that battery up, and the only way to do that is to get it above 1,000 RPMs, "McKinley said.
The same can be said for people stuck at home.
"I find driving calming. Not sure if it's just my generation, but when we grew up, the car was freedom," Kollar said.
