Key Takeaways
- 1Long drives are easier when you treat them like time with yourself, not just a chore.
- 2Tech can support you on the road, yet it never replaces your attention.
- 3Small rituals like snacks, coffee, music, and a cozy setup keep you calm and present.
- 4Handling bills, rules, and rest stops is part of showing up as a grown, responsible version of you.
- 5Solo road trips are proof that you can trust yourself to start, keep going, and arrive.
If you have ever been in the car before sunrise with snacks in the passenger seat and vibes in the playlist, this one is for you. This trip from Florida to Atlanta was not my first solo drive, and it will not be my last, yet it still reminded me how much a long drive can show you about yourself.
This was a six hour drive, a McDonald’s stop, a mini panic about cops, a fight with my phone bill, and a whole lot of thinking time. Let us get into it.
Leaving Before The Sun Comes Up
I started this day at 5:52 a.m., half asleep but still moving. I spent the night at my mom’s place so I could shave an hour off the trip. That one tiny decision made the drive feel way more doable. It turned a seven hour trip into six and a half, which my future self truly appreciated.
The car was packed, gas was low, edges were probably not laid, and I was still calling her “Princess” like she is a person. I had that mix of “I am tired” and “I am lowkey hype” that only happens on early travel days.
If you are planning a long drive, try to set yourself up the night before. Sleep near your starting point if you can, prep your outfit, and have your bags ready. It makes getting out the door feel less like chaos and more like a smooth slide into the day.
Gas, McDonald’s, And Little Road Trip Rituals
I drove until the gas light got a little too close for comfort. You know that moment where the miles left hit 17 and you start talking to your car like, “Girl, please.” I found an exit with both a gas station and a McDonald’s and pulled off like it was a miracle.
My road trip ritual is simple:
- Gas first
- Food and coffee second
- Points scanned every single time
The McDonald’s app is basically my toxic relationship. I stay for the deals. I ordered a sausage McMuffin, a hash brown, and a caramel iced coffee, then sat in the parking lot setting up my little system. Hash brown and fries always go in that tiny pocket near the shifter. Napkin in the lap. One bag becomes the trash bag. Coffee in the cup holder closest to my right hand.
Those tiny habits turn an empty car into a cozy little bubble. Long drives feel lighter when you let yourself enjoy small stuff like a perfect hash brown or that first sip of sweet coffee that probably has too much syrup and you still love it.
Cruise Control, Cops, And Being Honest About Risk
Let me say this clearly. I am not going to sit here and pretend I drove like a perfect driving school student the entire time.
My car has cruise control and steering assist, so once I turn those on, it feels like the car is doing half the work. That does not mean I should be editing TikToks on my phone while going 86, yet here I was, getting a little too comfortable.
At one point, I saw a cop car whip around on the other side of the highway, and my stomach dropped. I did not know if he clocked me or someone else, so I slowed down and quietly prayed he stayed where he was. He did.
That moment reminded me of two things:
- Tech helps, focus still matters
- Waze is that girl
I use Waze instead of Apple Maps or Google Maps, since drivers can report cops, hazards, and all that. It keeps me more aware and gives me time to slow down. That still does not excuse editing videos while driving, and I do not recommend that at all. I get that I am skilled and my car has safety features, yet no feature replaces real attention.
If you are on a solo drive, treat the road like it is real life, not background scenery. Use your tools, stay alert, and do not rely on “I have not gotten pulled over yet” as a strategy.
Phone Bills, State Laws, And Grown Woman Stuff
In the middle of this peaceful playlist moment, I remembered my phone bill was due. I checked the app and saw the total was higher than usual. That carrier loves a hidden fee. I called customer support from the car, got the automated voice telling me my bill went up, and set a reminder to talk to a real person.
Right around this time, I crossed into Georgia, which has hands free laws. That means no phone in your hand. At all. I had to remind myself that I am not in Florida anymore and these cops are not playing with distracted drivers.
Solo drives highlight grown woman errands that are easy to ignore during regular days. Stuff like tracking bills, understanding why a payment changed, and knowing the rules in the state you are driving through. It is not glam. It is part of taking care of yourself.
Body Check: Headaches, Coffee, And Rest Stops
About halfway in, I started getting a headache. My glasses were pressing into my nose, coffee was in my system, and I had not had a sip of water. Classic.
Long drives are not just about the miles. They are about how you treat your body while you are stuck inside those miles. Drink water at the gas station, not only coffee. Eat real food at least once, not only fries. Stop at a rest area before it turns into an emergency.
Your body is doing work while you are sitting still. Show it some love.
Turning Travel Time Into Creative Time
Once I got close to Atlanta, traffic started getting heavier, which was expected. It was a Friday, people get off early, and the city loves a little chaos. I finally reached my friend’s building and parked, then moved into one of the office rooms in her complex.
Instead of crashing right away, I turned that quiet space into a mini work hub. I:
- Edited and posted TikToks and Reels
- Started picking outfits from White Fox for an upcoming collab
- Planned looks using Pinterest boards
- Got ready for my one on one calls
I had a clarity call and a deep dive call lined up for that afternoon. Those calls mean a lot to me. I get to sit with you one on one and talk about life, content, mindset, and whatever you bring to the table. It turns a regular Friday into something that feels purposeful.
Solo road trips give you a strange mix of stillness and motion. Your body is in the car. Your mind can be at work, dreaming, planning outfits, or thinking through your next era. Use that time wisely when you can.
Gratitude At The End Of A Long Drive
By the time I saw my friend, her cute apartment, and her dog, I felt a mix of tired and grateful. Tired from the miles. Grateful for safe travel, work that I love, a car that gets me where I want to go, and brand deals that let me pick out clothes just for existing on the internet.
I forget outros a lot, both in videos and in life. I forget to pause and say, “We made it.” So here is the real ending.
Solo road trips are not just about getting from point A to point B. They are proof that you can rely on yourself. You can wake up early, gas up, feed yourself, handle money calls, manage stress about cops, and still pull up cute at the destination.
If you are watching the video above while planning your own drive, treat it like practice for a bigger life. You are learning how to trust your choices, handle little problems on the fly, and keep moving toward people and places that feel like love.
You did not start this drive just to quit in the middle of the highway. Same thing with your life.
Keep going.
