That One Time I Drove Half Way Across the USA with Sam

How many people can say at 23 they moved halfway across the country in a car with their significant other? Probably a lot, but how many of those were in a car with them for 25 hours? Probably half of those people. Well I did it too! 

The beginning of July 2021, Sam had already made one trip to Austin literally the week before. He and his dad did the same drive we did, in a cargo van with all our belongings in it. Two days to drive down, one day to unpack everything, and then two days to drive home. Just in time to make it home to celebrate his birthday, pack up his car, and back on the road with me!

We left at o’dark thirty. Probably around 6 am. I brought all my animals (stuffed), my pillow, and a blanket with me. We had cold pizza and snacks for the road and literally anything else you could think of. I slept for an hour, maybe, as we left northern Virginia headed west. By the time we hit Harrisonburg and passed JMU’s campus, I was ready for some Starbucks. Sam drove as I drank my coffee and admired the mountains with the sunrise. They were gorgeous. 

By the time we hit Tennessee, we were both ready for a bathroom break and it was my turn to drive. Sam took a nap while I listened to the new One Tree Hill Podcast. We drove through mountains, farms, and cities. Stopping for lunch at some point along the way. By the time we hit Memphis we had rocked out to Mamma Mia, played a categories game, i-Spy,  listened to a true crime podcast, and participated in family Zoom. We pulled into a Chick-fil-a got some dinner and switched. Sam’s turn to drive now. I don’t like driving at night. 

We probably drove for another 5 hours. I think by the time we got to our hotel in Little Rock, Arkansas, it  was 11:00 at night. We had driven ⅔ of the way there. Originally my plan was to book a hotel before we got down there, but that did not end up happening. Luckily my dad was able to book us a room while we were still driving. 

We were both so tired. I think we checked into our room. Took our stuff upstairs, showered and then attempted to go to sleep. However, just our luck there was a women’s softball team staying on our floor. So at 3:00 am we heard YELLING in the hall right outside our room. They must have won, and they were throwing a party in the hallway. Sam woke up (which literally never happens)  yelled shut up and chucked a pillow at the door. I used another pillow to cover my ears, and at some point I fell asleep because when the alarm went off at 6:00 am I did not want to get up. 

But today was the day we would get to Austin. So with excitement, I got ready for the day, packed my suitcase and went down for breakfast. I love hotel breakfast. It’s always hot, and I never have to make it. That's the way I like breakfast. Anyway, we ate breakfast, got me my starbucks which I had discovered the day before made me very jittery when I drank a grande. I asked for a tall and they upgraded it to a grande without charge. Sam did not let me drink the whole thing. 

Sam was driving, but we knew there was a pretty big storm coming at one point. So we were basically racing the storm.  By the time we made it to Bucc-ees, literally the biggest gas station ever, we were on the clock. Bucc-ees however is a whole nother story. It was super overwhelming. A huge gas station that makes its own, BB-Q, roasted nuts, jerky, deli, and snacks. The bathrooms are huge, and they even sell clothes there. Like Bucc-ee swimsuits! I got a chicken wrap and some snacks. Sam and I switched spots, and we were on the way. Sam can not drive in the rain, he gets anxious and scared and it's just not good. I know that I can pull over, I should only go my speed limit, and I am gonna be fine. 

Welp we drove right into the worst storm I have driven in. The speed limit was 70 mph. I think I went 25 mph. All cars were going that speed limit. I was literally white knuckling the steering wheel. We drove in silence. I was so stressed out. Sam kept asking if I was okay, and honestly it was not helping which is what I told him. We listened to O.C Swingers on Spotify and I kept driving.  Luckily Texas has service roads that parallel the highway. I was about to pull over, but then I discovered these service roads with less people and a slower speed limit. A little over an hour later, the rain had stopped and we pulled into a rest stop. I imagine that I felt the same as sailors, shaky to get out of the car and so relieved to be back on solid ground. I was exhausted. Sam drove the rest of the way to the apartment as we looked around the new city we get to call home. 

Overall I would give the experience a 5 out of 10. Honestly, I had a lot of fun seeing all the states, jamming out to music, listening to podcasts, and playing card games. However, the lack of sleep, horrible thunderstorms, and soreness did not make it very enjoyable. I mean who really wants to be in the car for 25 hours? Not me! But in the end it was worth it. We unpacked the car, did a little unpacking, and then went to Ikea and Target. It was a very long two days.