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Google Maps or Waze: Which Navigation App Actually Gets You There Faster?

Google Maps or Waze: Which Navigation App Actually Gets You There Faster?

by Elias Siegelman | Nov 16, 2025

Before starting a trip, many drivers ask the same question: which navigation app gets you to your destination quicker? Both Google Maps and Waze use powerful real-time data and belong to the same parent company, yet they approach routing in very different ways. Google...
The Real Reason Airlines Dim Cabin Lights During Takeoff and Landing

The Real Reason Airlines Dim Cabin Lights During Takeoff and Landing

by Elias Siegelman | Nov 16, 2025

Most passengers notice that the cabin lights go dark before the plane takes off or lands. It might seem like a way to make the cabin calm, but it actually has an important safety purpose. Airlines dim the lights so that everyone’s eyes can adjust to the light outside....
12 Reasons Michigan’s Pictured Rocks Belongs on Your Travel Bucket List

12 Reasons Michigan’s Pictured Rocks Belongs on Your Travel Bucket List

by Elias Siegelman | Nov 16, 2025

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore carries a long record of human activity that stretches far beyond its formal designation in 1966. Early maps from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries reference the cliffs because they guided travel along Lake Superior’s southern...
8 Reasons Western Sicily Should Be on Your Italian Wine Bucket List

8 Reasons Western Sicily Should Be on Your Italian Wine Bucket List

by Elias Siegelman | Nov 16, 2025

Western Sicily delivers a rich blend of historic wine traditions, coastal scenery, and deeply rooted food culture, making it one of Italy’s most exciting wine regions. Visitors encounter fortified icons, volcanic vineyards, medieval hill towns, and boutique...
One of North America’s Most Remote Places With Incredible Northern Lights Views

One of North America’s Most Remote Places With Incredible Northern Lights Views

by Elias Siegelman | Nov 16, 2025

Yukon offers one of the most reliable Northern Lights experiences in North America due to its position near the center of the auroral oval. Scientific studies show that auroral activity follows predictable patterns shaped by solar wind and magnetic field interactions,...
8 Small Kentucky Towns I Passed Through but Would Gladly Visit Again

8 Small Kentucky Towns I Passed Through but Would Gladly Visit Again

by Elias Siegelman | Nov 16, 2025

Small towns in Kentucky often leave unexpected impressions on travelers who stop briefly while passing through. Many have walkable streets, simple local restaurants, small museums, and steady routines that make short visits feel easy and relaxed. Their historic areas,...
11 Budget-Friendly Towns Near Asia’s Biggest Attractions

11 Budget-Friendly Towns Near Asia’s Biggest Attractions

by Elias Siegelman | Nov 16, 2025

Travelers looking for affordable bases near famous cultural or natural sites often rely on smaller towns where lodging, food, and transportation remain within a controlled budget. These towns help visitors reach major attractions without sacrificing access to...
9 Countries Reporting the Highest Number of U.S. Tourist Deaths

9 Countries Reporting the Highest Number of U.S. Tourist Deaths

by Elias Siegelman | Nov 16, 2025

Understanding where U.S. travelers face higher safety risks helps explain why certain destinations appear repeatedly in non-natural death statistics. These numbers come from official reports that track incidents such as road crashes, drownings, adventure-tourism...
10 Reasons to Think Twice Before Eating at the All You Can Eat Cruise Buffet

10 Reasons to Think Twice Before Eating at the All You Can Eat Cruise Buffet

by Elias Siegelman | Nov 16, 2025

Eating at a cruise buffet sounds simple, but many travelers overlook the small details that affect safety and comfort. Buffets operate under heavy pressure, serving thousands of people in a short window, which makes it difficult to keep every tray, utensil, and...
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Howard Driving

Welcome to Backroad Planet!

I’m Howard, a guy from Central Florida who believes taking scenic routes, scouting historical sites, and immersion in local flavor are the best ways to travel. Whether it be road trips across America, fly-drives to international destinations, or cruises on the mighty waters, I invite you to use Backroad Planet’s destination stories, travel guides, and planning resources to design your own adventures. Please contact me if I can assist you in any way.

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Howard

Howard Blount Backroad Planet

Howard is an avid roadtripper, cruiser, and rail-rider. He tends to overplan, always cramming too many activities and destinations in a single itinerary. On Backroad Planet, well, he pretty much does it all . . . .

Axle

Axle dachshund in car

Axle is Howard’s occasional road trip buddy. He loves to hop in the car and travel anywhere. Long trips and short trips are both great, as long as he doesn’t get left at home!

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