32 Days, 34 States
A couple of months ago I saw a quote, I have no idea who it’s by but it completely resonated with me and who I am today.
“Everything changes beyond absolute recognition.”
If you asked me one year ago if I’d ever go solo travelling, I would have told you that you were insane and that no one could force me to do something so scary.
As I write this I am sitting in a room, alone, across the world from my home, family, and friends, whom I haven’t seen in almost two months now. At this rate, I won’t be seeing them until summer at the earliest. At 8:30 pm last night, I got on an overnight train in Bangkok’s train station to arrive in Chumphon at 4:20 am. I arrived at something almost resembling an empty, dark bus stop and got on the back of a scooter for a 30-minute drive to my accommodation, all by myself. Crazy.
How did I ever get here?
Let me tell you.
On May 27th of last year (2024), I graduated from university and no one was there to see it. On June 1st of last year, I turned 22 years old and in all honesty, no one seemed to care.
I know, I know, much worse has happened in the world, and much worse has happened to me. Things like this shouldn’t be able to phase me anymore. Still, I am only human, and it led me to the conclusion I had been coming to for years; no one cares, I am alone. As I write this I am still coming to terms with this fact. I know that I have better and worse days when it comes to the way that I think about my value in the eyes of others.
Last year though, I was extremely, completely fed up with the idea that I had worked for 22 long years to better the lives of those around me and that somehow I never felt the same sort of care back. More than that, I couldn’t understand why no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get people to love me in the way I loved them. I’m writing this quite far removed emotionally, though I can promise you that it was one of the worst times of my life. 2023/2024 were terrible years for my mental state, in which I constantly felt that I had no idea what was going on in my own life.
So, going back to the week of my graduation and birthday. I was terribly, horribly depressed, as one would be after realizing that their life reflected almost nothing that they actually wanted. Every day leading up to my birthday, I felt worse and worse. Until finally, I was 22 and sadder than ever. All I knew was that I had to leave, and that I had to leave fast.
On June 2nd, 2024, I woke up early and got in my car on a mission. I changed all of my tires, updated the other smooth-running car necessities, went home, packed almost everything I owned into my lovely Kia Forte, and then drove to the Canadian/United States border. I needed to be alone, and I needed to be far, far away.
Looking back, a decision made completely on impulse, one that contained no plan, no strategy, and no cellular data, was one of the best decisions of my life thus far.
From June 2nd to July 4th, 2024 I drove all around the United States and parts of Canada all by myself.
32 Days, 34 States, 2 Provinces
June 2, 2024
1st Stop - Peace Arch Border
Storytime!
The border guard asked me where I was going, and I said I didn’t know.
He asked me how long I was going for, and I said I didn’t know.
I’m not sure why I was surprised when they pulled me in for extra screening and questioning. They wanted to make sure I wouldn’t illegally immigrate, being that they could see my car was packed with all of my stuff. I explained my impulsive desire to road trip, and my plan to eventually (within a legal timeframe) make my way back home. Thankfully he let me go.
2nd Stop - Suncrest Southbound Rest Area, Talent, Oregon.
If I’m honest, I remember absolutely nothing about this stop.
I essentially drove as far down South as I could before needing to sleep. It was my first time ever sleeping in a car and at a truck stop. I was quite scared, but also too tired to care, so I barricaded myself in the back seat to make sure no one could see me.
June 3, 2024
1st Stop - Starbucks in Davis, California
I only stopped here to use the Starbucks wifi to do a job interview I had already agreed to do before I left the country- I’m nothing if not reliable! :D
2nd Stop - Pier 39, San Fransisco Peninsula, California
3rd Stop - Santa Cruz, California
June 4, 2024
1st Stop - Los Angeles, California
I skipped over California for the most part because of bad weather. Plus the fact that I previously road-tripped most of Cali with my friend only a few years back.
Additionally, I do not like city life, city people, or frankly anything to do with cities. So because I was on my own and had absolute control over my stops, I bypassed most cities on my trip.
2nd Stop - San Diego, California
3rd Stop - Wildwood Rest Area Eastbound, Calimesa, Yucaipa, California
This was the second night sleeping in my car.
I felt much more confident because I survived the first night. I was strategic about it too, getting there early to scope out the scene, and leaving my window open for a bit for fresh air while I journaled #progress.
June 5, 2024
1st Stop- New River / Beaver Creek Picnic and Day Use Area, Arizona
Arizona was HOT.
I had to fill up all of my water bottles at a McDonald’s and ended up pouring two of them on my head.
I also drove through a very long highway in the desert that advised drivers to turn off the a/c because the car could overheat internally. So my only mission was to find any body of water I could swim in. Thankfully enough, this was not too difficult.
2nd Stop- Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Utah (HIGHLY recommend)
June 6, 2024
1st Stop - Cedar City, Utah
Utah is probably one of the coolest places I have ever been.
Here’s a glimpse into some of the scenery, featuring a glance into my meals. As you can see, I absolutely adore baked goods and fruits from Walmart :P
2nd Stop - Zion Overlook, Utah
3rd Stop - The Shop Coffee, Orderville, Utah
4th Stop - Red Hollow Canyon Trailhead, Orderville, Utah (HIGHLY recommend)
5th Stop - Cedar Canyon / Ashdown Gorge Trailhead, Utah
6th Stop - Red Canyon Visitor Centre / Grand Staircase- Escalante National Monument, Utah
7th Stop - Grassy Mountain Rest Area Westbound, Utah
June 7, 2024
1st Stop - Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah (HIGHLY recommend)
I drove super far out of the way to get here as one of my friends heard I was in Utah and recommended it. At first, I was very confused as to where I was and a bit disappointed. But when I found the main area, I honestly would easily go back here and just spend a week camped out in the silence and serenity of the area.
Overall, Utah is so cool because, within one small state, there is such a range of natural scenery. From red rock canyons, to desert sand dunes, to mountains and forests, to miles of salt flats. Utah really has it all.
2nd Stop- Salt Lake City, Utah
3rd Stop - White River National Forest, Colorado
June 8, 2024
1st Stop - Woodland Park, Colorado
To be honest, on this adventure, I encountered some gnarly washrooms. This one though, takes the cake for most creative problem solving.
2nd Stop - Sheldon’s Luncheonette, Colorado Springs, Colorado
They advertised this pancake as being as big as your head. Plus it was cheap. So of course, I had to get it. I do love me some great deals.
3rd Stop - New Mexico
4th Stop - Pizza Hut, Dalhart, Texas
My ankles were completely swollen by this time of the trip. With how much driving I was doing it was quite difficult to get proper blood flow going. But with time, they went back to normal (thankfully). Me and pizza hut were best buds on this trip. Great deals, great food, happy Sarah.
5th Stop - Cadillac Ranch / Route 66, Amarillo, Texas
I honestly have no idea how I ended up here. Someone may have suggested it to me, or I found it online while looking for a general place to go. Either way, it was a cool experience.
Visitors came prepared with their own spray paint and were constantly adding to the artwork that was already there.
6th Stop - Knox County Westbound Safety Rest Area, Texas
No comment.
June 9, 2024
1st Stop - Irving, Texas
2nd Stop - Dallas, Texas
3rd Stop - Houston, Texas
4th Stop - Galveston Island, Texas
5th Stop - Mcdonalds, La Marque, Texas
Pro tip #1- Don’t sit at McDonald’s for wifi and a/c alone as a girl at 10 pm near the south of the border, people may try to human traffic you.
This was a DAY for me. Well, I guess a night.
After my lovely McDonald’s encounter (it scared me to death), I ended up driving for 10 hours straight throughout the night. This was because I was scared and wanted to be far far away. I tried to get a nap in at a populated truck stop a few hours away but I was still very scared and it was 35 degrees Celsius so my attempt at sleeping was extremely short-lived. I woke up within one hour and had to pour my water bottle on my head within 30 seconds of regaining consciousness.
June 10, 2024
1st Stop - Love’s Travel Stop, Port Allen, Lousiana
Pro tip #2 - Don’t keep driving when you’re tired you might nearly drive off a bridge. And get pulled over because you’re swerving like you are drunk. The police officer was very nice though once he realized I was at peak fatigue as opposed to under any sort of substance. He recommended me a close rest stop where I could pull over and get a few hours of sleep.
2nd Stop - New Orleans, Louisiana (HIGHLY recommend)
Fun fact, people in New Orleans do not slow down at yellow lights. In fact, they will almost crash into you if you stop at a red, and then they will proceed to get out of their car to fight you. Maybe this is a unique experience.
I made a friend here and spent most of the day exploring with them. Definitely a cool tourist hotspot with interesting things to see and lots of nightlife for those interested in that.
3rd Stop - Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
Something bit me here when I was sitting in the water. Needless to say, that beach adventure was short lived.
4th Stop - Louisiana Welcome Center, Louisiana
I talked to a truck driver here about life for quite a while. He offered to give me a tour of the hood when he was off work. I politely declined and left. Great guy, funny offer.
5th Stop - New Orleans, Louisiana
More Dora the explorer time.
6th Stop - Mississipi Welcome Centre, Mississipi
June 11, 2024
1st Stop - Alabama
2nd Stop - Santa Rosa Island, Florida
3rd Stop - Fort Walton Beach / James Lee Beach, Destin, Florida (HIGHLY recommend)
I have literally no idea how I found this beach. Amazing spot though.
4th Stop - Panama City Beach / Long Beach, Florida (HIGHLY recommend)
Phenomenal beach, phenomenal views, lots of life around.
5th Stop - Quincy Rest Area, Torreya State Park, Florida
June 12, 2024
1st Stop - Tampa Bay, Florida
2nd Stop - Clearwater Beach / Pier 60, Florida (definitely recommend)
It was hot. The milkshake place I went to gave me one for free after I sat there contemplating between two options because of the price. Love those guys, hope they are doing well.
3rd Stop - Collier County Rest Area, Florida
June 13, 2024
1st Stop - Key West, Florida
I got my oil changed for the first time on the way here. That was an experience. American mechanics are funny.
2nd Stop - Southernmost Point of the Continental USA, Key West, Florida
I had no idea this was the most Southern point of the states. Some friends that I made on the pier at the beach told me I should come here to see the landmark. The more you know. They even braided my hair.
Meeting strangers was actually the best part of this because they directed me towards so many cool things I would never even think of. To be fair I had no intention of doing research either, I was just wanting to go with the flow.
June 14, 2024
1st stop - McDonalds, Anastasia Island, Florida
2nd Stop - St. Augustine, Florida
3rd Stop - Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, St. Augustine, Florida
4th Stop - River Street, Savannah, Georgia
5th Stop - Georgia Welcome Centre
June 15, 2024
1st Stop - South Carolina
2nd Stop - Hope Mills, North Carolina
2nd Stop - Virginia Beach, Virginia (HIGHLY recommend)
Fun fact I had no idea that Virginia Beach was a real place but I liked the Drake song Virginia Beach so when I got to Virginia I just looked it up. Great decision. The waves were insane so most people were just playing in them, so of course I had to join in. Wave jumping is one of my favorite things to do. Sometimes you think you’ll drown, sometimes you’ll lose a hair tie, sometimes you’ll cut yourself, but you’ll always have fun!
June 16, 2024 - June 21, 2024
Island of Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Of course, I had to go see Vanessa in Montreal! This was the first time I had slept in a bed in a bit over 2 weeks, plus I finally had a real shower teehee.
June 22, 2024
1st Stop - Coburn Gore, Maine, United States of America
2nd Stop - Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, Canada
Not sure why I decided to go here.
Imagine my surprise when I spent hours driving to New Brunswick just to discover that it would actually be as boring as I thought.
3rd Stop - Rothesay Route 1 Big Stop Restaurant, New Brunswick
June 23, 2024
1st Stop - Portland, Maine, United States of America
They asked me with suspicion at the border why I re-entered Canada for barely even a day and I told them how boring New Brunswick was. They laughed and told me I was right and let me go. I guess honesty really is the best policy.
2nd Stop - Boston, Massachusetts
3rd Stop - Newton Service Plaza, Massachusetts
June 24, 2024
1st Stop - Providence, Rhode Island
Fun fact I though this was the white house. The gas station lady politely corrected me.
2nd Stop - New Haven, Connecticut
3rd Stop - New York City, New York
Right before I got to New York City, I stopped at a Service Area that was on the way to do another one of my interviews. The janitor told me I looked like I should be in a Cosmopolitan magazine. Shoutout to him, that was a great boost of confidence after living in my car and doing nothing to actually get ready. Maybe he’s why I got the job.
Fun fact #1- If you have never been to New York, people drive like they genuinely want to see you suffer. And they do not mind yelling.
Fun fact #2 - I got my car oil changed for the second time in the Bronx. I thought it would be cheaper. It in fact was not, but it was scary and the mechanic man told me to take a walk around while he worked. Good times.
4th Stop - Central Park, New York City, New York
I asked a group of teens for directions (because I chose the safest/nicest looking people to ask) and we ended up talking all about our lives and they took me on a little tour of Central Park and taught me how the train station worked. We ended up racing in the park, unfortunately, I lost. Thanks to them for these super creative pics. Shoutout to Value Village my favorite store at home for my amazing New York jersey that I got to wear.
They offered me drugs cause they said I was cool, I politely declined but we had a great time anyways! One of the girls said she thought the whole interaction was a dream and that I looked like an international model (I looked insane as you can see), but still, love her anyways for that.
5th Stop - Alexander Hamilton Service Area, Secaucus, New Jersey
June 25, 2024
1st Stop - Times Square, New York City, New York
I spent a total of maybe 10 minutes here. I hate big cities.
New York contains some very interesting types of people.
2nd Stop - Brooklyn Bridge, New York City, New York
3rd Stop - Long Island / Coney Island, New York
4th Stop - Bedford Rest Area, New York
June 26, 2024
1st Stop - Jamaica Center, Long Island, New York
2nd Stop - Jersey City, New Jersey
3rd Stop - Atlantic City, New Jersey
I was told this was the Las Vegas before Las Vegas so I absolutely had to check it out. I had nothing better to do so I did. It in fact sucked. Highly do not recommend it. The place felt eery and dead, but my oh my did the people there love casinos.
4th Stop - Philidelphia, Pennsylvania
5th Stop - James Fenimore Cooper Service Area, New Jersey
June 27, 2024
1st Stop - Philidelphia, Pennsylvania
Philly was cool.
It was Wawa Hoagie Day (still have no idea what that actually means) so everyone was waiting in line for a free Hoagie sandwich.
2nd Stop - One Logan Square / Liberty Bell, Independence National Historical Park, Philidelphia, Pennsylvania
Fruit and baked goods, need I say more?
Oh ya and the Liberty Bell (I still have no idea what the significance of it is, I just took the picture for the sake of it).
4th Stop - Delaware
5th Stop - Baltimore, Maryland
I got lost here for quite a while and I started getting pretty scared as it got dark, but guess what I made it!
6th Stop - Rest Area, Savage, Maryland
June 28, 2024 - July 1, 2024
Washington, District of Columbia (HIGHLY recommend)
The one place in America that had hostels, meaning I traded sleeping in my car for sleeping in a bed and I was overjoyed about it.
If you look closely, you’ll see the best cookies I’ve ever tried in my life from Safeway. Plus an amazing chicken and rice dish. This was me TREATING myself. I had asked a random couple while I was walking down the road where the cheap food spots were and the guy gave me a $20 bill. I really do not know why. Mind you, I clarified that I am just cheap not homeless and did not need a donation. But he insisted so um yes of course I’ll take your free money thanks.
Also, me eating a million pancakes at Denny’s because they misunderstood my order. Again, not complaining at all, thanks I appreciate y’all.
Fun fact, to go in and see the white house you have to make reservations months in advance. I obviously had no idea about this so I took that picture by shoving my hands through the fence.
Washington was great, I made some friends here. The second hostel I stayed at (student accommodation) was a lot cheaper, but the receptionist told me I HAD to book the female-only room for my own sake. So yes I forked out the 2 extra dollars for once in my life.
July 2, 2024
1st Stop - Maryland
I was tired and didn’t want to think, sleep in my car, or pay any more money so I started the absolute trek home.
2nd Stop - Pennsylvania
3rd Stop - West Virginia
4th Stop - Ohio
5th Stop - Indianapolis, Indiana
6th Stop - Illinois
I don’t remember this day at all but by the song playing, I KNOW I must have been in my feels.
July 3, 2024
1st Stop - Iowa
2nd Stop - Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota
I was deathly tired of driving at this point, but I was soooooo close to home (I was actually quite far) so I had to grind the drive out.
3rd Stop - Wyoming
4th Stop - Montana
I actually have no idea where this story happened but Montanta is probably close enough.
I was tired of driving and just wanted to get home immediately, because of that I apparently stopped using my brain and did not think there was a need to fill up on water and food before driving into the middle of nowhere. I spent a good 6 hours driving through absolutely nothing, no place for food or water, somehow there were stops for people to buy marijuana (America is a bit unique).
I realized that I would’ve been quite screwed if my car broke down, bye bye Sarah, but I persevered and made it. I stopped at the first McDonald’s I could find and even though I actually hate dons food I had to get something.
The large water I asked for turned out to be Sprite. Do you know what Sprite tastes like to a person who doesn’t drink pop and desperately needs water? Disappointment.
July 4, 2024
1st Stop - Washington
Me and my pile of stuff.
2nd Stop - Surrey, British Columbia, Canada!
After the 3 days of driving home at 15 hours of driving a day, I plopped onto my bed and my body felt like it was quitting on me.
A few good sleeps and I was back in action though, props to truck drivers they have gained my respect.
Other things to mention about my trip:
Two things I guess I should clarify, both stemming from the same reasoning:
I had no data and I slept in my car, both of these were because I am cheap.
Instead of data, I used McDonald’s and Starbucks wifi.
During one of my interviews, I was in the absolute middle of nowhere McDonalds and trying to do it from within my car. My computer overheated, then my phone. This happened I think 8 times before we just cut the interview short, somehow I still got the job! I did send an apology and explanation email after this happened though because it was entirely EMBARRASSING. Plus I spent the whole time overheating myself and sweating my brain out.
When I got lost I asked people where to find the nearest McDonald’s or if I didn’t feel like talking I drove till I found the nearest highway, tried to figure out the direction I wanted to go, and eventually I would see a McDonald’s (it’s the States there are McDonald’s everywhere). Pro tip, if you ever do this, always make sure you keep your gas tank filled ESPECIALLY before it gets dark.
For the most part, I slept at truck stops/ rest stops which thankfully they have all over the United States. Sometimes I’d sleep for a few hours parked on the side of the highway if I was really tired. I honestly felt really safe, I always made sure the area had some light, was decently well populated, and I didn’t leave my car before I’d sleep as to not draw any attention to the fact that I was the one sleeping in the car. If I absolutely had to, I’d dress like a boy. Safety first lol. Honestly no complaints apart from the fact that my knees felt broken every morning and you do have to choose between potentially letting bugs in and suffocating.
I also did not pay for parking once :D
My plan is to do this whole trip all over again, hopefully, this time with a small campervan, for a few months, a national park pass, and with my actual camera. Once again I hope to have no plan.
As I mentioned at the beginning, I have now been in Thailand for almost a month and was in Australia for about a month right before. Taking the leap to solo road trip around the States grew my confidence and my passion for solo traveling and I can’t wait to share all of my updates with you!
