A recent survey involving over 12,000 fathers sheds light on the realities of traveling with kids and separates the myths from the truths when it comes to dad behavior on the road.
We’ve all seen the classic portrayals of the traveling dad: the stressed-out father who threatens to turn the car back (even though you’re already hours into the journey), the dad meticulously packing the trunk like he’s mastering a game of Tetris, and the overly cautious dad who arrives at the airport way too early. It turns out these stereotypes have some basis in reality.
Conducted by The Dad, the survey analyzed by data scientist and dad, Ryan Mitchell, reveals some chuckle-worthy findings along with eye-opening truths. Notably, a staggering 30% of dads have actually turned the car around during a trip — so next time you’re in the back seat, beware of those threats!
Dad Travel Sayings: Are They Still a Thing?
From the classic “You should have peed before we left!” to the infamous “Glad we’re not going that way,” dads have their favorite road trip phrases down to a science. According to the survey, a whopping 77.4% of dads can’t resist making a comment about traffic, while 67.6% vent about how “people don’t know how to drive in this town.”
When it comes to packing, 70.5% of fathers will proudly declare, “That’s not going anywhere!” Whether it’s a kayak or a suitcase, they want to ensure everything is secure. And if you’re driving cross-country, don’t be surprised if Dad points out horses on the side of the road — this happened at least 64% of the time!
While it’s not shocking that 54% of dads have threatened to turn the car around, it’s pretty wild to see that 30% of them have actually followed through with it. Let’s hope they weren’t heading to a big event!
The Airport Drop-Off Dilemma
Who enjoys being late? Nobody, right? But how about arriving so ridiculously early that you’re stuck waiting outside the airport for what feels like ages? The survey found that most dads prefer to arrive at the airport a solid two hours before their flight, while about 14% require three hours or more — with 3% showing true dad dedication by arriving four hours early.
On the flip side, we’re concerned about the 17% of dads who only need an hour or less. Seriously, don’t let them find out about that!
Dad’s Waiting Game
Lastly, the survey tackled how long dads typically wait for their kids to exit the car. The responses were pretty much split between “not long at all,” and “one minute or two or more.” If you have kids that can jump out of the car in a flash, we’d love to know your secret — is it the threat to turn the car around?
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In summary, this survey highlights the humorous and relatable aspects of dads on the road, while also touching on important topics for those considering family expansion.
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