Go For A Ride Day

Categories:: Special Interest
Tags:: Activities
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every November 22
Holiday emoji:: 🚗

Go For A Ride Day arrives every November 22, urging everyone to break free from daily routines and embrace the joy of exploration. Whether by car, bike, or public transport, make today the day you discover new sights. Plan a scenic drive, visit a nearby town, or simply enjoy the journey.

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Expected Go For A Ride Day Deals

While we await official 2027 promotions, history shows that Go For A Ride Day can inspire deals on travel essentials and experiences. Look for potential discounts from major car rental companies like Enterprise and Hertz, or explore promotions on travel booking sites such as Expedia and Booking.com for weekend getaways. Bicycle shops like Trek Bikes and outdoor retailers like REI might offer specials on gear and accessories. Keep an eye out for local attractions and museums that could have special offers for visitors. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as November 22 approaches.

Platform Guide for Go For A Ride Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #GoForARideDay. Share photos and reels of your favorite scenic routes, travel destinations, or unique modes of transportation.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #GoForARideDay. Create short videos showcasing your “ride” of choice, from epic road trips to tranquil boat rides or even a skateboard adventure.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #GoForARideDay. Tweet about your travel plans, share tips for road trips, or ask followers about their dream destinations for a ride.

Go For A Ride Day Hero

Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart (1897–1937) was an American aviation pioneer and author who became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932. Her adventurous spirit and groundbreaking flights inspired countless individuals to embrace exploration and the thrill of the journey, embodying the essence of going for a ride into the unknown.

History of Go For A Ride Day

Birthdays are fun and Christmas means presents (if you’re lucky), but nothing quite compares with the magical day you get your driver’s license. That’s when your world truly changes forever. Why? Cars mean freedom. You can suddenly go anywhere at anytime (as long as your parents are cool with your plans). Such is the nature of transportation — something we in the 21st century take for granted. We all grew up with planes, trains and automobiles — so we’re quite used to getting where we need to go.

But it wasn’t always that way. When President Jefferson asked Lewis (and, eventually, Clark) to explore the American West in 1804, there were no nonstop flights from St. Louis to the Oregon coast. As the History Channel describes it: “The excursion lasted over two years. Along the way they confronted harsh weather, unforgiving terrain, treacherous waters, injuries, starvation, disease and both friendly and hostile Native Americans. Nevertheless, the approximately 8,000-mile journey was deemed a huge success and provided new geographic, ecological and social information about previously uncharted areas of North America.”

And today we complain about trying to squeeze our carry-ons into the overhead bin.

Americans have always loved to “go for a ride” — with whatever mode of transportation existed. Horses. Boats. Bicycles. And of course, the ubiquitous car. The nation had a long love affair with automobiles starting in the mid 20th century and lasting until recently — as a new generation of car buyers, born after the car craze, loses interest in design — focusing instead on practicality. Stellar gas mileage makes Priuses as sexy as Porsches. Well, almost.

Go For A Ride Day timeline

1950s

Car culture

Cars inspired new businesses like drive-through restaurants and drive-in movie theaters, and employed one in six working Americans.

1956

Interstate highways

President Eisenhower authorizes $25 billion for the construction of 41,000 miles of the Interstate Highway System.

1964

‘Pony car’

Ford introduces the sporty and powerful Mustang — the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A.

2019

Driverless cars get smarter

MIT engineers develop a system to help autonomous cars determine if there’s a moving object coming around the corner.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Go For A Ride Day

Local businesses can inspire customers to go for a ride by offering themed promotions or encouraging exploration. Cafés could create a ‘Road Trip Special’ coffee, while bookstores might curate a display of travel guides and adventure novels. Bike shops could host a community ride or offer tune-up discounts for those hitting the trails. Travel agencies could highlight local day trips or weekend getaways, making it easy for people to discover new places close to home.

Go For A Ride Day FAQs

When is Go For A Ride Day?

Go For A Ride Day 2026 falls on Sunday, November 22, providing a perfect weekend opportunity to hit the road or trail. It’s an ideal day to escape the everyday and explore.

What are some popular ways to go for a ride?

Popular ways to go for a ride in 2026 include scenic drives, cycling on bike paths, taking public transit to explore a new neighborhood, or even embarking on a motorcycle adventure. Many also enjoy boat rides or leisurely walks.

How many Americans take road trips each year?

Road trips remain a beloved American pastime, with roughly 80% of U.S. families taking at least one road trip annually. This translates to millions hitting the highways and byways to explore.

Is Go For A Ride Day an official holiday?

Go For A Ride Day is an unofficial observance, not a federal holiday, meaning businesses and schools operate as usual. Its grassroots nature encourages individual participation and spontaneous adventure.

Go For A Ride Day Activities

Make it fun
Dare yourself to try something new and adventurous. Why not try a mode of transportation you’ve never used before? Suggestions include jet skiing, parasailing, or going on a hot air balloon ride. In colder climates you could try a sleigh ride, or a horse drawn carriage.
Make it easy
Maybe you weren’t born to be wild, but don’t let that stop you from joining in the fun. Play tourist in your own city or neighborhood. Use public transit and see the sights like visitor.
Make it memorable
Exploring is an adventure, but it can be even more fun if you have someone to share it with. Bring along an adventurous friend or family member to help make some memories. If your local friends are sticks in the mud, then bring your more adventurous friends along virtually by posting your adventure to Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Why We Love Go For A Ride Day

It’s an escape from reality
Every now and then we just need something to break up the status quo and make us feel alive! Go For A Ride Day exists for that very reason. It can be hard to get motivated to see new places or even try new foods, but Go For A Ride Day provides the momentum.
It can be great exercise
You can try skateboarding or using a scooter. How about getting out your helmet and going for a long bike ride? Did you know you can burn over 400 calories an hour horseback riding?
It helps us be spontaneous
Our lives tend to run to the predictable, and for the most part, that predictability helps the world go round. But we all still have a small streak of rebellion, and that's what Go For a Ride Day helps bring out.