We recently made a road trip in Japan. To get to our desired destination we traveled 5 hours, covered 240 miles, and paid out $85 in tolls, plus $6.50 a gallon for gas.
Some things we've learned about driving long distances:
- Always take the toll roads, it's expensive but worth the gas and time saved.
- Don't try to return to Tokyo late Sunday afternoon...otherwise you will be sitting in traffic for several extra hours....especially if it's raining!
- When the car in front of you flashes their emergency lights, everyone is slowing down unexpectedly. In turn, you flash your emergency lights for a few seconds to warn the car behind you. Very clever indeed.
- Slow traffic and trucks seem to drive in either lane, very irritatingly so.
- Tolls are half price on weekends and holidays.
- On a long trip Japanese tend to stop often at fancy rest-stops for specialty snacks, canned drinks and bathroom breaks.
Here is Tim's new friend. He swings his arms with lights flashing and flags waving, warning you that construction is ahead. I am sure he gets paid much less than minimum wage and hey, he doesn't even need coffee breaks.
