Picture this; it’s October of 2022, I’ve just finished a seasonal bartending job, my lease has ended and I’ve managed to save up a significant amount of money. At this time, I was feeling incredibly lost and confused about my future, the only thing I was sure of, was my desire to travel, to embark a road trip.

I spent approximately two weeks meticulously planning my budget and carefully selecting the places I wanted to visit. Once I had narrowed down my choices, I utilized an online map to plot out the route. Since I intended to live out of my car during the trip, I ordered a few essential items from Amazon to make that more feasible. These included safety precautions, as I had made the decision to take this journey alone. With my car packed and necessary arrangements made, I eagerly set off.

My trip took me from Missouri to Colorado, then from Colorado to Utah, continuing to California, and finally concluding in Nevada before making my way back home to Ohio. The entire adventure lasted about three weeks. Along the way, I had the opportunity to visit six National Parks, drive through ten states and remarkably, I only shed tears on twice! I’ll delve into further details about the parks and my specific adventures, but for now, let me briefly share with you what it was like living in my car and the experience of exploring new places alone.

Since I drove a four-door sedan, I had to get creative when it came to efficiently storing everything. Prior to the trip, I had purchased an inflatable mattress specifically designed to fit snugly in the back seat. To my pleasant surprise, it proved to be quite comfortable for sleeping. However, given the chilly nights, I typically bundled up in a sweatshirt and sweatpants, and multiple blankets.

In the trunk of my car, I strategically placed a three-tier cubicle along the back end. Within the cubbies, I organized my clothes and shoes. I also had a small cooler and plastic storage tote dedicated to my food supplies, which mainly consisted of granola bars, tuna packages, and crackers. On the passenger seat floor, I had another plastic tote filled with various miscellaneous but useful items: my shower bag, first aid kit, sunscreen, bug spray, map, chargers, and smaller snacks.

The national parks I visited offered on-site campgrounds, but unfortunately, they rarely had phone service. As a solo female traveler, this was a bit unnerving. Additionally, staying within the parks could become quite expensive, so I opted to stay just outside the park boundaries. I discovered that almost all truck stop gas stations permitted overnight parking at little to no cost. To ensure privacy and darkness at night, I purchased blackout fabric and customized it to fit my windows, effectively covering them. While I had initially budgeted to stay in motels on a few occasions throughout this trip, I only ended up utilizing that option once. On two other occasions, I had the privilege of staying with friends and family who resided along my route.

I won’t sugarcoat it and claim that this trip didn’t present challenges. One evening, as darkness descended, I found myself lost in the mountains without any cell phone service. Desperate to find my way or a stop where someone could point me in the right direction, I ended up driving in the wrong direction for about 20 minutes. Then, during my return trip to Ohio, I experienced a flat tire. Unfortunately, this happened after all the local auto shops had closed, forcing me to spend the night in a small Nebraska town, impatiently waiting until the next morning to resume my journey home. These moments made me realize the significance of having a travel companion during tough situations, someone who can offer extra help or fresh ideas. While I’ve always cherished the freedom of the open road and the ability to listen to my favorite music, driving quickly became exhausting. I frequently reached out to friends and family, finding solace in their virtual company. Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that while the hiking views were undoubtedly breathtaking, some of the views I encountered while driving were equally stunning, especially amidst the Colorado mountains and the Utah deserts.

I vividly recall reaching the final destination in the last park of my trip, where I sat beside a serene lake with breathtaking mountain views. Surrounding me were groups of friends and families, which made me acutely aware of my own solitude and a longing for home. It reminded me of that scene in “Forrest Gump” when he abruptly stops running after years, stating, “I’m pretty tired, I think I’ll go home now.” With a heavy heart, I gathered my belongings and embarked on the journey back to Ohio from California.

All things considered, the trip went exceptionally well. There were moments when fear and overwhelm crept in, but that was to be expected. After all, I was venturing into the unknown on my own—who wouldn’t feel that way? Despite encountering challenges such as getting lost, experiencing car troubles, and facing periods of time without service, it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I have never felt as accomplished and empowered as I did during that time. Each hike I conquered and every obstacle I overcame served as a testament to my capabilities and independence. It was an unparalleled adventure that I will forever be grateful to have embarked upon.