Can you make long distance trips in a smart car?

by Regina
(Houston, TX)




I'd like to drive from Houston to Denver and back. Would this be possible in a smart car?

Answer: Great question, Regina, and one we've longed to explore ourselves! In fact, we'd planned a trip from Boise, Idaho to southern Colorado this summer, but had to change our plans. So, we never got to try it out.

Here are the issues... previous years' models didn't come with cruise control (though I've had it added as an aftermarket upgrade). Traveling long distance without cruise control can be tiring, though obviously it's still do-able.

Storage space in a smart car, though more roomy than most outsiders think, can still be limited. And that could make long distance travel more challenging. You'd have to pack light!

The smart car's short wheelbase can mean a bumpy ride at times, so that could be a factor, depending on where you're driving.

And finally... if you drive in automated mode, you might feel as though your pickup is a little sluggish going up steep grades. I always drive in manual mode, so that hasn't been an issue for me.

Have fun on your trip!




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Can you make long distance trips in a smart car?

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Oct 24, 2011
Road Trip!!!!!
by: Anonymous

We've done Monterey, CA to El Paso round trip six (6) times in two years. Great time. Pack to fit space, not to fit you. It may mean using a hotel laundry. You'll be the most popular person at fuel stops. We invite people to have a seat when they're curious. Uphills are fun; three 3/4 ton diesel four door pickups roaring up the hill. One sees a Smart in mirror approaching fast and down goes their throttle! Black smoke pouring out as we glide by only to be passed on the downhill because "I'm not letting that thing beat me!". More than once there was a trooper at hill bottom...........

Do it!

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