There are lots of things I’m looking forward to in Oregon. Good old friends, the fresh smell of fir forests, and favorite Thai restaurants all await our arrival, as does a healthy VW support network and my most trusted mechanic. But there’s one thing about Oregon that I’ve not been looking forward to while driving these 5,000 miles across eleven states. That thing is the state law that prohibits motorists from pumping their own gasoline.

Drivers of classic cars, be they just motoring on a Sunday afternoon or navigating across the country, know the thrill of passing someone piloting the same classic car. There is an instant sense of community in owning and loving an old car, and while it’s nice to feel like you’re doing something unique, it’s also nice to know you’re not alone.

Here is the first big difference between a road trip in a new car and a road trip in an old car: Preparation. In a new car, maybe you have the oil changed a few days before you leave.