There’s no better way to see the U.S. than by car. Last summer, I packed my bags, jumped in my Subaru Outback, and set off on a 3,000-mile road trip from New York to California. It was messy, unpredictable, and absolutely amazing.
Planning was key. I mapped out my route (Route 66 for the first half, then the Pacific Coast Highway), booked campsites in advance, and made a list of must-see stops: the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, and Big Sur. But I also left room for spontaneity—one night, I met a local in New Mexico who told me about a hidden hot spring, and I changed my plans to visit it. It turned out to be the highlight of the trip.
The car became my home. I kept a cooler full of snacks, a blanket in the backseat, and a journal to document each day. I learned to love the long drives: singing along to oldies, watching the landscape change from green forests to red deserts, and stopping at small-town diners for pie and coffee.
Of course, there were hiccups. My tire went flat in Arizona, and I spent two hours waiting for a tow truck. But even that turned into a positive— the tow truck driver told me stories about growing up on Route 66, and we ended up grabbing lunch together.
Road trips aren’t about perfection—they’re about the journey. If you’re tired of airports and crowded cities, grab a friend (or go solo), pack your car, and hit the road. You’ll see parts of the country you never knew existed, and make memories that last a lifetime.
