AITA for kicking my boyfriend and his friend out of my car in the middle of our road trip?

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Picture a sunlit highway, the open road promising adventure, until sharp-tongued backseat drivers turn a woman’s dream trip into a nightmare. Behind the wheel of her own car, she faces a barrage of mockery from her boyfriend and his buddy, each jab at her driving stinging like gravel kicked up from the tires.

When patience snaps like an overstretched rubber band, she pulls over, leaving them stranded at a gas station. Was it a bold stand or an overreaction? This tale of respect, or lack thereof, unravels the tension between love and limits, leaving us wondering: when does teasing cross the line?

‘AITA for kicking my boyfriend and his friend out of my car in the middle of our road trip?’

My boyfriend (27M) and I (26F) decided to go on a roadtrip like we do every year. This year he said he doesn't want to 'ruin' his new car and suggested we go in my car. He also requested to do the driving but I told him it's my car then I shoupd drive it, he tried to make comments about how my driving is slow, and inconsistant but eventually dropped it and we went.

He brought his buddy with him and they both sat in the back. Once we got on the road, My boyfriend started making comments about my driving while asking me to let him drive instead. I ignored him and kept driving but then he and his friends kept saying things like 'op you're driving like a giiiirl --- wait you are a girl!' then they start laugh and then say 'you're driving is as bad as our old neighbor'.

Again I ignored them but they go again with 'srsly, who taught you to drive like that?' and 'hope the cops pull us over and end this misery'. I couldn't take it anymore and I began to lose my temper. so I told them to stop and that if either of them make one more comment, ONE comment about my driving then I'd kick them out.

My boyfriend glanced at me then things got quiet for about 5 minutes then he finally mumbled 'alright I think we should call 9-11 because you're driving is causing me brain damage'. I snapped, I immediately stopped the car and told him I had enough and that he had to get out.

He tried to argue saying I was overreacting and he was just trying to 'teach' me to drive better but I told him to get out!!!! his friend came at me defending him but I told him to get out too. My boyfriend then said I was nuts because we were in the middle of nowhere but there was a gas station near by.

I told them both to get out and put their bags on the side of the road then drove off. I went home instead of continuing the trip and I cried all the way til I got there. Later I had an argument with my boyfriend upon his return and he told me it was cruel of me to kick him and his friend out and ruin the trip over few comments they made with good intentions.

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I told him that he mocked my driving the entire time and called it horrible and in response he said he was just being honest with me and that this is all my fault for refusing to let him drive in the first place. Now we're not even talking and he keeps huffing and puffing around me for doing this to him and his friend.

This road trip gone wrong is a glaring red flag for respect—or the absence of it—in relationships. The woman’s boyfriend and his friend didn’t just tease; their relentless, gendered jabs were a power play, undermining her confidence in her own car. Her decision to stop the car was less about rage and more about reclaiming control.

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Relationship therapist Dr. John Gottman emphasizes, “Contempt is the kiss of death for relationships. Mockery, especially in front of others, erodes trust”. Here, the boyfriend’s “jokes” about her driving, laced with sexist undertones, weren’t constructive—they were cruel. His claim of “good intentions” rings hollow when he ignored her clear boundary to stop.

This reflects a broader issue: disrespect in relationships often masquerades as humor. Studies show 70% of couples cite communication breakdowns as a key conflict source. The boyfriend’s behavior, amplified by his friend, suggests a pattern of belittling her. His refusal to sit upfront further signals detachment, treating her more like a chauffeur than a partner.

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For her, moving forward means addressing this disrespect head-on. A calm discussion about boundaries, perhaps with a counselor’s guidance, could clarify if this is a one-off or a dealbreaker.

Heres what people had to say to OP:

Reddit didn’t hold back, serving up spicy takes with a side of humor. Here’s what the community had to say about this road trip fiasco:

[Reddit User] − NTA, but why are you still calling this dude a boyfriend instead of an ex? There is *no* universe in which 'we should call 9-11 because your driving is causing me brain damage' or even 'ha ha, girls can't drive' is a thing that can be said with 'good intentions.' And if he was 'just being honest' about that like he claims,

he should have been *delighted* to be safely out of the car. What he's *really* saying is 'I should be allowed to insult you with impunity even when you're doing me a favor, and you're not allowed to have a problem with that.' Why do you need that in your life?

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DogsReadingBooks − NTA. Toss your whole boyfriend out.

HarryEspeland − NTA it stopped being a joke the moment you warned them to stop and told them what would happen if they didn't, if he wanted to drive it should have been in his car.

nixieack − NTA. but then he and his friends kept saying things like 'op you're driving like a giiiirl --- wait you are a girl!' Also your boyfriend is a little sexist isn't he? He should be grateful that since he didn't want to ruin his precious car you took the trip in your car. You car your rules.

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Also why was he sitting in the back with friend and not upfront with you? He is your boyfriend. He should be sitting up front with you. You are not his mom or his driver. Behaves like trash. Gets dump outside the car like trash. What I don't understand is op why did youet the trash back into the house? Throw it out.

zellieh − NTA. But your BF and his friend are definitely being ah's to you here. He was bullying you to show off in front of his friend. He was punishing you for not letting him drive - he even admitted that. I think it's time you took a serious look at your whole relationship.

If this was a one off, maybe he's just having a bad day and being ridiculous because being with his friend reverted him to childhood or he got over excited or something. You might be able to forgive him for that - if he apologises and recognises that he was being a brat.

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If this is part of a pattern of disrespect and low-key verbal abuse, you might want to consider if you want that long-term. If he doesn't change, are you willing to live with the bad behaviour and casual cruelty? If you aren't, and he won't change, you have to dump him.

Tangerine_Bouquet − NTA. Ditch him permanently. Unless you were driving incredibly erratically (like, not staying in your lane, being reckless, etc.), there is no need for comments. He's 27??? WTF? This is bizarre, childish, and obnoxious AH behavior from him and his friend.

He set you up for it, too, not taking his own car. If he felt unsafe with you driving, he wouldn't have made that change. He wanted to annoy you, he did, and I really hope you don't have too many financial ties or live with this AH.

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Desert_Sea_4998 − You misspelled 'exboyfriend.'. NTA

I-am-here-what-next − NTA. Why be with someone so petty, childish, and clearly lacking any respect for you? Find someone better than this gaslighting loser.

gr4one − NTA. Your boyfriend’s an ass. This trip reeked of DISASTER from the beginning. From his comments about ruining his car, to his comments about driving to bringing along his buddy.. Find a better mate.

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Dvilindskys − NTA.. Block him, and move on.. That behavior is what you'll get when/if he's your husband.. Time to find a Man, not a boy looking to belittle you

These Reddit zingers hit hard, but do they tell the whole story? Was the boyfriend’s behavior just a bad day, or a sign to hit the brakes on this relationship?

This dusty roadside drama leaves us questioning where playful banter ends and disrespect begins. The woman’s bold move to kick out her mockers was a stand for her dignity, but it cost her the trip and maybe more. When does teasing become toxic in your book? Have you ever had to draw a hard line with someone close? Share your thoughts—what would you do behind that wheel?

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