Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| viaje por carretera | /bjaxe poɾ kareteɾa/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| viaje en carretera | /bjaxe en kareteɾa/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
A road trip refers to a recreational or impromptu excursion. You can use several variations depending on your focus or location: viaje por carretera is a standard way to describe traveling via the road network, while recorrido por carretera highlights the act of traveling and exploring. In specific regions, other terms are common, such as viaje en carro in Colombia or viaje en coche in Spain.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase viaje por carretera literally translates to 'trip by highway' or 'trip by road'.
Which one should you use?
While viaje en carretera is a standard way to say 'road trip', viaje por carretera is the more standard way to express traveling via the road network.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, one might say viaje por carretera. In Colombia, viaje en carro is a common way to say road trip. In Spain and other European countries, viaje en coche is a common way to say road trip.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say you are 'on' a road trip, use the preposition de to form the phrase de viaje por carretera.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a viaje por carretera often involves stopping at paradores or roadside markets to eat regional specialties not found in cities.
- The word viaje was not inherited directly from Latin but was borrowed into Spanish from the Catalan word viatge.
Examples in context
- Vamos de viaje por carretera.Let's go on a road trip.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase viaje por carretera.Tatoeba #4325384 by pchamorro, translation #1972590 by CK
- Estoy planificando un viaje en carretera con mis amigosI'm planning a road trip with my friends
- ¿Qué tal si hacemos un paseo en carro el próximo fin de semana?How about we take a road trip next weekend?
- Hicimos un recorrido por carretera y descubrimos paisajes espectacularesWe went on a road trip and discovered spectacular landscapes
- Planeamos un viaje por carretera este verano.We are planning a road trip this summer.
- El viaje por carretera fue muy divertido.The road trip was very fun.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are talking in a cafe about their vacation plans.
- Javier¿Quieres hacer un viaje por carretera conmigo?Do you want to go on a road trip with me?
- Sofía¡Sí, me encantaría ir contigo!Yes, I would love to go with you!
- JavierPodemos visitar muchos pueblos bonitos.We can visit many beautiful towns.
- SofíaEs una idea excelente, Javier.It is an excellent idea, Javier.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “road trip” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries carretera, en, por, viaje, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
