John Steinbeck – Travel Quote of the Week

Quick Summary 

John Steinbeck’s travel quote, “People don’t take trips… trips take people,” highlights the unpredictable nature of travel. According to Steinbeck, journeys have their own unique personalities and can take unexpected turns, making it futile to try to control every aspect of a trip. Instead, embracing the unknown can lead to profound experiences and personal growth.

The Wisdom Behind Steinbeck’s Quote

This week’s travel quote comes from John Steinbeck, an American writer and Nobel Prize winner. Among his most famous works are East of Eden, Of Mice and Men, and The Grapes of Wrath.

Steinbeck was born in California in 1902. He grew up in a small, frontier town, surrounded by miles and miles of farmland. The hard-working people he encountered here would eventually shape and inspire many of his novels.

This week’s travel quote—”People don’t take trips… trips take people”—is actually a paraphrasing of a longer quote from Steinbeck’s 1960 Travels with Charley: In Search of America. The full quote reads as follows:

A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike.

And all plans, safeguards, policies and coercion are fruitless.

We find after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.

Despite the abridgment, both quotes express the same idea. No matter how hard you try, the vicissitudes of life on the road will ultimately take ahold and drive you into a different direction than you originally anticipated.

It’s human nature to want to control every aspect of our lives. I, myself, fight against this tendency on a daily basis. Travel is a fantastic opportunity to combat our will to control—to allow yourself to escape the banality of everyday life and place yourself on the edge of multiple realities.

In Steinbeck’s words, we see the wisdom of a man who has tried in vain to control his journeys, only to realize the inevitable; a trip takes us. I urge you to heed this message. You won’t regret it.

I publish a new travel quote ever week, right here. Do you have a particular one you’d like us to feature in the future? What do you think about this quotation? Let us know in the comments below! 

About the Author

Andrew Scott is the founder of Authentic Traveling and a travel educator who has traveled to over 30 countries. He believes in helping individuals discover deeper, more intentional journeys, with a focus on mental preparedness and purpose-driven travel.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What does Steinbeck’s quote mean?

The quote means that trips have a way of taking over and shaping our experiences, rather than us controlling them.

How can I apply Steinbeck’s wisdom to my travels?

By being open to new experiences, embracing the unknown, and letting go of control, you can create space for personal growth and unexpected encounters.

What are some other notable quotes from Steinbeck?

 Some notable quotes include “A sad soul can kill you quicker, far quicker, than a germ” and “I wonder why progress looks so much like destruction