There's something undeniably magical about a road trip-the sense of boundless freedom, the ever-changing scenery, and the thrill of the unknown. It's not just about reaching a destination; it's about the experiences along the way. The hum of the engine, the wind rushing through open windows, and the endless stretch of asphalt ahead create a rhythm that lulls you into a state of adventure.
The Beginning: Anticipation and Excitement
Every road trip starts with anticipation. The night before departure is filled with last-minute packing, checking maps (or GPS), and that giddy excitement that makes sleep elusive. The car is loaded with snacks, playlists, and a mix of essentials and just-in-case items. As the engine starts the next morning, the journey truly begins-windows down, music up, and the open road calling.
The first miles are electric. The cityscape fades into suburbs, then into open countryside. The world feels full of possibilities. Conversations flow easily-plans, memories, jokes, and comfortable silences. The road is a companion, always moving forward, urging you to see what's around the next bend.
The Middle: Unexpected Discoveries
A road trip is never just about the highway. It's the detours that make it unforgettable. A hand-painted sign for a roadside attraction, a local diner with the best pie you've ever tasted, or a scenic overlook that wasn't on the itinerary-these unplanned moments become the heart of the journey.
Small towns welcome you with their quirks-a vintage gas station, a Main Street frozen in time, or a friendly waitress who calls you "hon." The landscape shifts: rolling hills give way to deserts, forests morph into plains, and mountains rise in the distance. Each mile brings new textures, colors, and stories.
There are challenges, too-wrong turns, sudden rainstorms, or that one rest stop with questionable bathrooms. But even these become part of the lore, the tales you'll laugh about later. A flat tire in the middle of nowhere leads to an encounter with a kind stranger. A missed exit becomes a chance to explore a hidden gem.
The Rhythm of the Road
Hours blend together in the best way. The playlist shifts from upbeat anthems to mellow tunes as the sun dips low. Golden hour bathes everything in warmth, and the world feels slower, softer. Conversations deepen as the miles pass-dreams, fears, and the kind of talks that only happen when you're untethered from daily life.
Night driving has its own magic. The road is quieter, lit only by headlights and the occasional glow of a distant town. The stars seem brighter out here, away from city lights. A 24-hour truck stop becomes a beacon of coffee and greasy comfort food, the neon sign a welcome sight in the darkness.
The Destination-and the Journey Home
Eventually, the destination appears, whether it's a national park, a coastal town, or a loved one's doorstep. There's satisfaction in arriving, but also a quiet longing for the road itself. Because the truth is, the trip isn't just about where you're going-it's about who you become along the way.
And then, there's the return. The road back is different-familiar yet changed. You're wiser, wearier, but full of stories. The car smells like adventure: sunscreen, fast food wrappers, and the faint scent of pine from that hike days ago. Home feels both comforting and strange after so much movement.
Why We Keep Going Back
A road trip is more than travel; it's a reminder of life's spontaneity. It's about control and surrender-planning the route but embracing the detours. It's about connection-to the people beside you, the strangers you meet, and the land unfolding outside your window.
And when it's over, you'll find yourself dreaming of the next one-because the road never really leaves you. It whispers in the everyday, calling you back to where the horizon never ends, and the journey is everything.
In the report below, the county's county seat is used as a starting point for a county. From there, all county seats within 250 straight-line miles from that county seat orgination point are shown. In those instances where a county does not have a county seat, than the largest city within that county is used as a reference point. There are a few cases where a county has two county seats, in that case, one is arbitrarily selected.
Seattle (King County, WA) |
Dallas (Dallas County, TX) |
|
Manhattan (New York County, NY) |
|
Las Vegas (Clark County, NV) |
|
Chicago (Cook County, IL) |
|
Atlanta (Fulton County, GA) |
|
Los Angeles (Los Angeles County, CA) |
|
Tucson (Pima County, AZ) |
|
Prescott (Yavapai County, AZ) |
|
Phoenix (Maricopa County, AZ) |
|
Clifton (Greenlee County, AZ)
Flagstaff (Coconino County, AZ)
Florence (Pinal County, AZ)
Globe (Gila County, AZ)
Holbrook (Navajo County, AZ)
Kingman (Mohave County, AZ)
Nogales (Santa Cruz County, AZ)
Parker (La Paz County, AZ)
Phoenix (Maricopa County, AZ)
Prescott (Yavapai County, AZ)
Safford (Graham County, AZ)
St. Johns (Apache County, AZ)
Tucson (Pima County, AZ)
Yuma (Yuma County, AZ)
El Centro (Imperial County, CA)
Las Vegas (Clark County, NV)
Gallup (McKinley County, NM)
Reserve (Catron County, NM)
Kanab (Kane County, UT)
Panguitch (Garfield County, UT)
Parowan (Iron County, UT)
St. George (Washington County, UT)
|
166
115
52
79
143
158
167
127
0
73
148
168
121
159
208
257
233
192
241
294
297
256
|
211
62
120
128
131
99
239
109
73
0
199
175
191
186
218
195
219
219
169
224
225
183
|
110
214
71
86
194
278
55
234
121
191
83
184
0
215
277
377
262
163
350
402
408
373
|
530
394
408
443
473
264
472
239
364
343
509
517
455
247
185
235
558
554
391
425
408
345
|
1432
1547
1553
1511
1467
1682
1548
1703
1586
1598
1457
1424
1533
1737
1793
1747
1384
1395
1593
1589
1610
1650
|
1327
1368
1429
1384
1304
1488
1472
1536
1445
1428
1354
1278
1437
1603
1645
1523
1213
1276
1361
1337
1357
1413
|
406
217
309
323
301
99
418
163
257
195
394
353
377
260
239
0
368
407
161
191
174
111
|
2008
2070
2118
2073
2001
2194
2146
2238
2139
2129
2036
1971
2118
2297
2344
2234
1911
1961
2072
2050
2070
2125
|
726
866
849
809
782
1000
835
1009
887
909
750
734
823
1032
1090
1078
710
696
939
948
969
995
|
1217
1021
1156
1154
1080
958
1274
1029
1108
1036
1217
1127
1227
1121
1085
866
1090
1192
885
842
830
854
|
Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus
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