I also don't know if this is what you're getting at, but that's my thought. Perhaps you just posted that to get us talking about it?

True..
For me, the point is driving.
Picking a small road, and hitting the pedal.
Getting out of the city, driving thru towns that have less population than my subdivision. Driving slow enough to take a gander of the mom & pop stores the fields, the forgotten barns.
Not having any worries nor responsebilities (eh, however you spell it.. ) and just seeing the country. (No matter where you live.)

That is the whole bloody point for me. That makes it all worth-while.

Me.