Carbon-centric travel guide

How are you getting to your spring break? Everyone can easily justify taking a break, trying new things, seeing new places, and having a really good time. Getting there doesn’t have to be a case of justifying excess in terms of the planet.

Road trips and other travel can be some of the best parts of a vacation. People met along the way and scenes flying past a train or car window weave together with destination explorations for long-lasting memories. Wherever you go and whatever you do – enjoy, relax, and refresh your mind. Before heading out, here are some tips for travel to make that spring break picture green.

Perhaps Chicago is your “big” destination this year. If you take the train the 205 or so miles, the trip will generate 80 pounds of carbon dioxide. Driving a car, which emits an average of 19.56 lbs of CO2 per gallon, and taking in to factor the EPA rated average mileage for automobiles is 20.3mpg, that drive to Chi-town will cost almost 200 pounds of CO2. The bus from here to there will produce 37lbs of CO2 per passenger. To fly, the 83 air miles (based on data from The World Resources Network) will cost about a half a pound of CO2. Of course, once on the ground, a train or taxi or rental car will be needed.

For other travels, here are some tips for the best eco-travel of the semester.

The Bus

Pros:

Instead of flying, take the bus and cut your carbon emissions by 55-75%

Less expensive than flying

Can be cheaper than driving

Cons: Can take a lot longer than flying or driving

Bus stations and bus travel food

The other passengers can provide entertainment, or rock you down to ground level with all the gritty reality that brought them to the bus.

The Train

Pros:

For solo travel, the train racks up 60 percent less carbon per passenger mile than a car

For trips of 500 miles or less, conserve 30% less carbon than flying

Stations are often closer to center of the city than the airport. No extra travel needed – walk to lodging, sights, or mass transit.

Cons:

Can take longer than flying or driving

Not all trains are as comfortable as planes or cars (think South Shore seats). Know your body and what mode of travel will allow you to stand up and set out for a spring break adventure.

A Car

Pros:

Take more passengers and share the fuel costs

Convenience and ease of sightseeing when and where you want

Cons:

What a load of…carbon. Better investigate purchasing some carbon offsets.

Where’s the random factor adventure? Oh yeah, the ride share “friends…”

Ah, truck stops…There is a good story about the “mother of all truck stops,” location continental divide, New Mexico, that ya gotta hear sometime.

If all this thought about the how to get there has got you down, never fear – Michiana is here! There are probably lots of local places you have never been. Save your ticket and gas money and spend it on local businesses and “tourist” attractions. See the carbon-centric travel guide box for links and ideas.

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