The real reason why Jess always drives on Expedition X

The Expedition X team is just as busy behind-the-scenes as they are on screen, and there are many ways to explain why Jess is always driving.

If you have ever tuned in to watch Expedition X, you will know that this paranormal investigation show always has a lot happening on-screen.

And between trekking through jungles, setting up EMF meters and pulling all-nighters to catch the cryptids lurking in the dark – there is little time to think or wonder about anything else.

However, the reality is that there is just as much going on behind the scenes when Jessica ‘Jess’ Chobot, Phil Torres, Josh Gates and the rest of the Expedition X team are filming these episodes, as there is in front of the cameras.

Why is Jess always the one driving on Expedition X?

So if you have ever found yourself wondering exactly why Jess always seems to be the one behind the wheel when she and her co-host Phil set out to solve some of the world’s greatest paranormal mysteries – chances are, there are many possible explanations for why this might be.

And if we were to make an educated guess about why Jess is the default driver on Expedition X, we would probably venture to say that this choice simply comes down to the less glamorous, off-camera logistics – or if you follow Phil’s logic – down to personal preference.

Expedition X through the years

Before we examine the finer details about why Jess is Expedition X’s chosen driver, it is important to acknowledge that Expedition X has now officially completed its seventh season on the air, and has now aired almost 50 total episodes.

All in all, the show’s incredible run on television, and Jess and Phil’s incredible run as co-hosts, can be summarized as follows:

The logistical aspects of driving on set

The Expedition X team travels all across the world for their paranormal and otherworldly investigations.

In  the show’s most recent, seventh season, Jess, Phil and the entire production crew travelled to locations ranging from Romania, to Alaska, to Japan.

And, given the fact that this travelling band of Expedition X stars only spend a couple of days in each of these locations, it is fair to assume that Phil does not always have the chance to get his international driver’s license ready before each new trip.

Not to mention the added hassle of making sure that the insurance is all ironed out, corresponding with local law-enforcement, and all of the other behind-the-scenes administration details that go into filming driving scenes in a variety of locations throughout the world.

In the end, it might be all-around simpler for the Expedition X team to stick to just one on-screen driver.

Phil often has his hands busy

Outside of the logistical aspects of only having one “designated” driver on the Expedition X set, it also often makes sense to have the scientist (Phil) in the passenger seat, where he can have his hands free to handle the team’s complicated equipment.

In fact, the most recent season seven “Nuclear UFOs” finale episode, Phil spent most of his and Jess’s drive to the UFO- and radiation-laden town of Fukushima.

Here, he closely monitored the radiation levels on a Geiger Counter to ensure that they did not accidentally drive into a hotspot unprepared.

Phil’s take on the driving situation

As is often the case in the Expedition X investigations, Phil has also recently provided his own hypothesis of why Jess is always the one driving on the show.

One fan questioned Phil about his lack of Expedition X driving experience in the comment section of his Instagram page.

And Phil explained “And why does Jess always drive? Because she is an excellent driver, could do laps around me in a race!”

Therefore, it seems like Phil and Jess’s personal driving-skills have also had an impact on Phil’s decision to stick to the shotgun seat.

And, in the end, there may be many different reasons why we always see Jess in the driver’s seat during their numerous investigations.