Going the extra mile (or 150) for love

Whatever happened to going on a date with the good-looking person down the road? New research reveals that Brits are driving further from home in the search for romance with love-seekers now happily driving in excess of 150 miles to go on a date.

Not long ago it was almost considered exotic to go on a date or be seeing someone in a faraway UK city, but that’s all changed with the rise on online dating and social media. According to a study by Vauxhall of 1,500 unmarried adults into our on-the-road relationships, 42% of single Brits admit to having been on a long-distance date.

How far do Brits go for love?
While Roy Orbison and Cyndi Lauper sang ‘I Drove All Night’, the search for love means they are far from alone. One in five (19%) of single Brits have been on a date or had a relationship with a partner over 150 miles away – the equivalent of London to Cardiff.

On average, the furthest singles would travel for a date is 63 miles, equivalent distance of London to Oxford. However, singletons in the South West are the most adventurous when it comes to seeking out love, with the furthest they are prepared to travel for a date or relationship averaging at 73 miles, followed by Londoners (67 miles). Those most content to look for love closer to home are those in the East Midlands (46 miles).

The average distance love-seeking British singles drive each week to meet dates or a long-distance partner is 29 miles. That means singles are romantically revving up a whopping 502 million ‘love’ miles EACH WEEK for candlelit dinners and maybe a kiss and a cuddle.

According to Simon Ewart of Vauxhall, “We really are prepared to go the extra mile for love. Technology coupled with greater car ownership means we are more mobile in our search for 'the one'. 150 miles may seem like a long way to some but people tell us love knows no distance, so sit back, turn on the stereo and enjoy the journey!”

What is the furthest distance you’d be prepared to go for a date (average miles)?

1. South West 73 miles
2. London 67
3. Yorkshire 66
4. Scotland 65
5. East Anglia 65
6. Wales 61
7. North West 59
8 West Midlands 58
9. North East 52
10. East Midlands 46