Memorable Road Trips: More Than Just Destinations

When I think back on my most memorable road trip, my mind doesn’t go straight to distance or destination. It goes to feeling. To the moments that have lingered in my memory long after the trips are over.

I’ve been on numerous short road trips growing up. There were weekend trips to Las Vegas, Palm Springs, and Big Bear. Each road trip holds its own special memory, but one trip in particular stands out above the rest. Before I get there, though, I can’t help but revisit some of the earlier ones that hold value.

Small Detours That Stay With Us

Growing up, road trips weren’t always smooth sailing. I vividly remember a time when I was much younger, driving back from Palm Springs with my parents, when we ran into car trouble and had to stay overnight while it was being fixed. We initially planned to stay somewhere cheap—a Motel 6—but my mom didn’t like the room. I think the conditions weren’t up to par, because I remember the toilet not being flushed (gross). So, we ended up staying at what I thought was a grand, luxurious hotel—a nearby Hilton.

I’m not sure why this memory has stuck with me so clearly, but I remember ordering room service—a cheeseburger and fries—and feeling an unexpected sense of joy and relief. This certainly isn’t a big moment by any means, but it felt special at the time. It could’ve been because it was unplanned or because it felt safe. Regardless of the reason, I’ve held onto it all these years, which tells me it mattered more than I realized at the time.

Loud Laughter, Windows Down

There were happier, louder road trips too. Like this one time driving to Big Bear to celebrate my 17th birthday with friends. I remember being packed like sardines in the car, singing Tenacious D’s song “Tribute” at the top of our lungs. It was a moment of togetherness, joy, and freedom—to be our silly selves. That kind of harmony only exists when you’re young and fully present in the moment.

Miles of Desert and the Weight of Time

Then there was the longest road trip I’ve ever taken—an exhausting trip from Los Angeles to El Paso, Texas. My friend’s husband was in the army at the time and had just been stationed there, so they asked if I’d come along to check out their new digs and explore the city a bit. I love being in new places, so how could I pass that up?

But what I didn’t realize was just how much desert I’d be looking at. I enjoyed passing through states I’d never been to before, but I noticed just how identical Arizona and New Mexico could look after hours on the road. It was grueling because we did it in one shot, but it taught me something about endurance and patience.

The Unexpected Road Trips We Don’t Plan For

Another Vegas trip stands out for very different reasons. My friends and I drove down for what we thought would be a simple weekend getaway. Somewhere more than halfway there, one of my friends casually announced that she and her boyfriend were getting married—and that we needed to stop by the courthouse for a marriage license. It wasn’t what I expected at all, but somehow it turned into a fun, unforgettable experience. A moment of spontaneity that still makes me smile.

The Road Trip That Became a Goodbye

And then there’s the road trip that means the most to me.

More recently, I drove with a close friend from Portland to Los Angeles. Her mom had been suffering from cancer, and she wanted to move her up to Portland so they could be together. During the drive, I remember talking to her mom on the phone—she was being her usual hilarious self, making me laugh nonstop. It felt so normal, so light, despite the heaviness we all knew was there.

We stopped along the way to explore places like Lake Shasta—a charming little town filled with coffee shops and cafés. We grabbed grilled cheese sandwiches and iced coffees to fuel us through the long hours on the road. And listened to what felt like every song and album ever made, talking, laughing, and just being together.

When we finally made it back to Los Angeles, I saw her mom for the very last time.

That’s why this road trip holds such deep meaning for me. It wasn’t just a drive from one place to another—it was a goodbye. A quiet, unspoken one.

What the Road Trips Taught Me

Sometimes the most meaningful road trips aren’t about adventure or escape. Sometimes they’re about presence—about honoring the time we have with the people we love, even when we don’t yet realize it’s the last time.

And maybe that’s why this trip stays with me the most. Because it reminds me that the road doesn’t just take us places. It holds our memories, our grief, and our love along the way.

What moments in your life felt ordinary at the time, but now carry deep meaning because of who you shared them with—or what they quietly marked as an ending?

“There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart.”
— Mahatma Gandhi