My 10,000-Mile Adventure Across the U.S.

I was about to drive 10,000 miles across the U.S. and had no idea what I was getting into.

With nothing but a car, a camera, and a vague roadmap, I set out from San Francisco to New York. Those 10,000 miles became a lesson in living fully, taking risks, and embracing the freedom only the open road can offer.

I bought my car in San Francisco and headed east, bound for New York. My first big stop was Yosemite National Park in California, around three hours east of the Bay Area, where I spent a week outside exploring and romping through the iconic landscape with friends.

Yosemite is one of those namesake destinations you hear about constantly, and it didn’t disappoint. The towering trees and granite cliffs felt like stepping straight into a postcard. For a moment, I thought I had seen the best nature had to offer. But I knew better: this was just the beginning of my journey.

Leaving Yosemite and waving goodbye to my friends was bittersweet. There’s something about parting from something so beautiful that sparks a feeling of anticipation. From there, crossing Nevada was an otherworldly experience, with a vast desert as far as the eye could see. It was just me, myself, and the vastness of the open road—I was grateful for this profound moment of freedom, but I also got my first taste of solitude.

I reflected on everything I’d seen and experienced as the miles added up. With every new landscape, I came to understand myself a bit better. This wasn’t just a road trip; it was about living in the moment, cherishing the friendships I made along the way, and soaking in those small, magical moments that made the journey unforgettable. The road ahead was still uncertain, but that was half the fun.

Next, I spent a week exploring Utah and Arizona. Monument Valley in Arizona was a highlight; its red rock formations felt like stepping on another planet. After that, I drove for another four days to reach New York. I stayed there for a month, taking in the city’s hustle and endless activity before setting off again.

This time, I turned westward toward Montana and, eventually, Mount Rainier in Washington, where I reunited with the friends I said farewell to in Yosemite. From there we stopped in Packwood, a little town in Washington where we spent our days swimming in rivers and having water balloon fights in the bright summer sun. It was the perfect stop to break up the long haul back west. At that point, I didn’t have a set destination—I just knew I needed to get back across the country.

We briefly crossed into Canada through Pemberton and Squamish before finally reaching Banff, where towering mountains and turquoise lakes exceeded my expectations.

After my quick detour through Canada, I headed down the coast from Washington to California. Despite the devastation of nearby forest fires, I could still visit a few waterfalls along the way, which gave me an even greater appreciation of the natural world and all its wonders. Oregon’s overgrown forests, blue waters, and incredible natural diversity left an impression long after the journey.

While the coast was amazing, I decided my trip wasn’t complete without seeing the Grand Tetons in Wyoming. The peaks of the Teton Range were jaw-dropping, but the journey there was anything but easy. I had unknowingly driven 1,500 miles with a broken exhaust and fuel pump, which was taking a toll on my car.

Soon after I arrived in Jackson, Wyoming, I broke down literally and figuratively. That single breakdown taught me that the bumps along the way are an indelible part of the journey—and that even unexpected challenges can bring beautiful experiences you might not have expected. While waiting for my car to be up and running again, I experienced the delights of Jackson, hopping in a river, hiking in the mountains, and even spotting a black bear.

Once my car was back up and running, I returned to my journey with a renewed excitement for the open road, setting my sights on Glacier National Park in Montana as my final stop to mark the end of my American road trip. Once I arrived, I met with friends, rented a cabin, and explored the surrounding area’s natural beauty.

Traveling 10,000 miles through 26 states and two countries showed me that life isn’t just about reaching your destination. It’s about exploration, discovery, and appreciating every part of the ride. I was truly living my dream, one mile at a time.