I Traveled 10,000 Miles Across The US Solo; Here’s What I Learned…

By Mariah Cannon

To all my friends that want to travel, but might be scared or nervous – This is for you! Here’s what I learned and what I would do differently if I were to do something like this again.

My only words right when I hit the last 20 miles to “home” were, “Wow, I can’t believe I did that.” And the water works flowed until I reached the driveway and gave my siblings and dad the biggest hug I think I’ve ever given.

It’s not often talked about, just how hard it is and how much courage you have to have to travel alone, especially when it can be so frowned upon by family and friends. So, let’s talk about it!

Towards the end of 2022, I started to plan a trip across the country and shortly there after, I begged for a full month off work and in May of 2023, I began my over 10,000 mile journey to see as much of the U.S. as I could.

I drive a 2014 Ford Explorer and had my dad help me build a platform using 3/4″ plywood and some hinges and bought some small totes from Lowe’s (I KNOW) to put all of my clothing and food for 3 weeks on the road in. I used my Big Agnes Sleeping Pad and Rumpl blanket and stayed warm every night except for one in Great Sand Dunes National Park where it was quite literally freezing cold.

Getting Over the Initial Fear

Fear is something most of us live with and probably the question I get asked about the most, “Weren’t you scared out there all by yourself?” and the answer is of course I was. I mean doing something like that at 21 years old is a bit intimidating. However, I feared the regret of not doing something I wanted to, more than the fear of actually going.

Something I’d like to point out, is no matter how hard we try – there will always be a little fear in certain aspects of our lives. We’re human, it’s natural, but it also helps us grow in ways we wouldn’t have without the fear. I can confidently say that I can plan a trip to anywhere without having been there before, and know from everything I’ve learned and put into previous trips, like this one; that I can provide, navigate, and enjoy myself on a solo trip.

Doing the Research

When I tell you this trip took me months to plan out, I mean months – I had some specific areas I wanted to visit and explore and I also wanted to be in areas where I knew I’d feel safe and comfortable. It was tricky putting everything into time stamps without actually being out there doing it and accounting for anything that may have been a road block (literally). As well as making sure I got everything that I really wanted to do fit in and left out things I could come back for or skip overall. My biggest tip here, it to make sure you are going to areas that you’ve mapped out mentally and physically on a device of some sort. You will be so much more confident in your abilities when you have a general idea of the areas and know exactly where you’re going and stops you’ll be making.

What About Work?

I know, for many, taking a whole month off work at a time is not plausible. I was fortunate enough to have a boss that knew I needed this and gave me the chance to square everything away before taking off.

I’d also like to mention, it does absolutely not have to be that long of a trip. You could simply take two weeks and drive through your neighboring states! There’s truly a lot you can see and do with two weeks.

Adapting to the Un-Comfortability and to Change

This was, as I mentioned, one of the scariest things I ever thought about doing, but as soon as I left Prineville – I felt oddly at peace. Like I was meant to be doing this for me! That feeling was quickly replaced when I made it to Reno, Nevada and the campground I planned on camping at was completely full. Instant panic and “what am I doing here?” was the first thing in my head.

Two years later, as I’m writing this, I realize what a silly thing that was for me to think. I was made for this, my purpose in life is to show people the beautiful side of the states and get people outdoors and feel confident in their ability to be outdoors and exploring in any circumstance.

Change has always been something that has been hard for me. I tend to get very sentimental and when it comes time for a chapter to close and a new one to open, I tend to think back on it all and wonder where the time went. In a smaller aspect, I struggle with letting small changes in. Changes in my routines, changes in my work, changes in the people around me, etc. You get the point.

So imagine my panic when it’s 12am in the middle of a town, let alone STATE I’ve never been to and I can’t find anywhere to camp for the night. Mind you, where I come from this is not a big thing, girls don’t just go up and travel everywhere they want alone and I had never taken this big of a trip on my own yet in life. All the things and doubt running through my head, I spent about 45 minutes driving around and ended up having to pull over off the interstate quite literally right under a sign that said, “no overnight parking” just so I could get some shut eye. You best bet that anytime I heard a car drive by, I was wide awake to make sure I wasn’t going to get kicked out. Talk about a brain altering first night on the road!

Short story long, I had to take a minute and realize, “Okay – I’m out here, I’m still doing this, I have protection, I will be okay.” Life on the road can quickly teach someone how to adapt and go with the flow, and this trip was nothing shy of just that.

It is okay when things go astray, when things don’t go according to your plan. It’s okay because this life really isn’t all about our plan – it’s more about God’s plan for us and the bumpers and resources he’ll provide to let us carve that path with him.

Sometimes, it is okay to go with the flow and let what happens happen, because most of the time, things are out of our control and it’s up to us to determine how we will handle and deal with everything coming our way.

The confidence I gained from this trip and just the overall change it made to my life, is something I could never be grateful enough for. And it was all because I said I wanted to, I will, and now – I did the darn thing.

Carrying Something That Makes You Feel Safe

Always have some form of protection with you – whatever it may be. A lot of gals I know carry wasp spray or bear spray, both of which have good aim and can shoot from a good distance away. I always have a variation of things with me and I’ve created a list here of some of my favorite self defense pieces that anyone can carry with them!

Making Sure Someone Knows Your Itinerary

Something that keeps peace of mind, is having someone you know and trust have your location on and give them updates throughout your journey. I checked in with both of my parents via text message nearly every day I was out. I also had sent the itinerary to a friend so they had an idea of where I would be and what days. This is something so small, yet so impactful and can change the outcome of an event should one ever occur.

Closing Thoughts

Know your route and make sure someone else does too!
Carry protection and be aware of your surroundings!
Invest in a GPS device to communicate when not in cell service.
Be confident in your ability to do hard things! I personally believe in you!
JUST DO IT!!!! I guarentee you will not regret it.

Let’s Get Adventuring!

Mariah 🙂