Eric Clapton is once again hinting about retiring from the road.

He says, "The bit onstage, that's easy. If I could do that around my neighborhood, that would be great. You have guys in Texas that play their circuit, and it keeps them alive. But for me, the struggle is the travel. And the only way you can beat that is by throwing so much money at it that you make a loss. So the idea is I'm taking a leaf out of JJ [Cale]'s book: When I'm 70, I'll stop. I won't stop playing or doing one-offs, but I'll stop touring, I think."

One particular road headache -- despite being able to travel first-class and in private jets, he still has to endure going through security. "I never get it right. I forget to take off my belt, or I has change in my pocket. Next thing I know, 'Can you come over here please?' I just don't want to do that anymore."

Clapton, who turns 68 on March 30th, starts his next tour on March 14th in Phoenix, two days after the release of his new album, Old Sock.