Road Trip to Austin, TX: A 22-Hour Adventure in a U-Haul
Intro: How Did I End Up Here?
Picture this: You’re washing dishes, living your best responsible-adult life, when your partner walks in and says,
"Would you take a road trip in a U-Haul to Austin to help a friend move?"
You pause. You process. You blink. And then, without really thinking it through, you say:
"Yeah, sure!" and go right back to scrubbing plates.
That’s how I found myself on a 22-hour road trip from Washington, D.C., to Austin, Texas in a 26-foot U-Haul, helping my friend Tessa pack up her old life and start fresh.
Was I terrified? Yes.
Was I excited? Also yes.
Was I rethinking my entire life as we pulled out of Navy Yard, D.C.? Absolutely.
But the motto of this trip? Trust God and just go with it.
Day 1: The U-Haul Journey Begins
We started our cross-country road trip with prayer, worship, and adrenaline-fueled optimism. Our first stop? Knoxville, TN—six hours away, aka "long enough for the U-Haul seats to destroy our backs, but short enough to keep our spirits high."
As we left the city, the landscape began to change—city lights fading into mountain silhouettes, and highways that got bumpier the further south we went. Despite being cooped up in the U-Haul, watching the landscape change as we crossed state lines was beautiful. Being gently reminded at the beauty of this land despite all that is going on was refreshing, and made the sunset even sweeter.
🎤 Car karaoke? In full effect.
🚛 Cruise control? Engaged.
🙃 Are we regretting this yet? Not entirely.
I’ll be the first to admit, this trip is not meant for anyone who can be a little timid (me, for example) and I had already prepared a mental list in my mind of potential conversation starters. Thankfully for me, Tessa (along with my husband) is the definition of an extrovert who can start a conversation from anything. So after six hours of non-stop talking from the both of us and one life-changing meal at Cookout, we hit our first milestone.
✔️ Six hours down. 16 to go.
Day 2: More Miles, More Food, and My First Waffle House Experience
Driving through Nashville at night was almost (not entirely) like driving through Times Square: the city lights are glowing, LED lights shining far into the distance, and the ‘Batman Tower’ standing so tall you could (if you tried hard enough) hear the Batman theme music in the distance. We made it our mission to explore a little bit of Nashville because we figured “when would ever be back here?” and got situated into our first hotel on the trip, and decided to take a ‘Power Nap’…you probably can sense where this is going. We happily fell asleep to quiet room with no U-Haul noise to disturb our internal thoughts.
We left knowing that Memphis, TN, was up next for a much-needed shower and sleep. But the real highlight?
📍 Memphis, MS – My First Ever Waffle House Visit!
Continuing our usual banter with roughy eight hours of sleep, I happened to casually mention I never had Waffle House before not thinking much of what I had said. I was met with a swift head turn from Tessa saying ‘We need to change that ASAP, I’m putting this in the GPS NOW!!”
The moment we walked in Waffle House, I could tell:
✅ Greasy griddle goodness? Yes please.
✅ Southern accents all around and hospitality? Dolly Parton would be pleased.
With bellies full of waffles and Dr.Pepper running through our veins, we powered through Arkansas—which, by the way, was mostly storm clouds and subtle regret—before finally making it to Texarkana, TX for the night.
New trip status:
✔️ 16 hours down. 6 to go.
✔️ Severe thunderstorms survived.
✔️ U-Haul noises? Ignored at this point.
Day 3: The Final Stretch & The Legendary Buc-ee’s Stop
With just five hours left, our new mission became clear:
📍 STOP AT BUC-EE’S.
If you’re unfamiliar with Buc-ee’s, here’s the best way I can describe it:
Imagine if Target and a gas station had a baby, and it sold BBQ sandwiches, beaver nuggets, cowboy hats, and Jesus accessories all in one place. Also, it somehow convinces you to spend money you didn’t plan on spending.
💸 Original gas budget? Gone.
🛍️ Did we leave with snacks, merch, and a cowboy hat? Maybe.
This is the part of the trip I can guiltily admit I started to doze off knowing that we are officially in Tessa’s territory, which gave us some ease we have’t had since being in the U-Haul leaving Washington D.C. She happily started playing Alex Warren, and with no hesitation I nodded off until I heard hear squeal “Look at that Austin skyline” and sat all the way up for the last 30 minutes of this journey coming to a close.
After one last stretch of Texas longhorns, wide-open farmland, and aggressive Dallas drivers, we finally made it to Austin.
22 hours later, shaky-legged, and emotionally spent, we pulled into Tessa’s new house—mission accomplished.
Things to Do in Austin: What I Ate & Explored
If you’re planning a trip to Austin, TX, you NEED to eat well—and trust me, this city does not disappoint. Here are my top food picks and must-try spots from my trip:
📍 Kura Sushi Revolving Sushi Bar (Highland District) 🍣✨
📍 6929 Airport Blvd Suite 125, Austin, TX 78752
If you love sushi and a little bit of tech magic, Kura Sushi is the spot for you. This revolving sushi bar caters to both raw and cooked sushi lovers, meaning everyone at the table leaves happy.
Why I Loved It:
✅ Affordable eats! You can fill up on sushi, udon, and more for about $12–$15 per person.
✅ Endless sushi rolls glide by on a conveyor belt—just grab what looks good!
✅ A robot waiter delivers your drinks and wasabi. (Yes, it’s a little crazy, but mostly cool.)
✅ The atmosphere is casual, fun, and perfect for a low-key night out.
Final Verdict? If you want delicious sushi without breaking the bank, Kura Sushi is a must-visit in Austin.
📍 In-N-Out Burger (Because, East Coasters, You Need to Try It) 🍔🥤
📍 3701 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
I know, I know—In-N-Out is one of those controversial burger spots where people either love it or think it’s overhyped. But let me tell you: as an East Coaster, I needed to see what the fuss was about.
Why I Recommend It (Especially If You’re from the East Coast):
✅ Freshly grilled burgers, never frozen. The moment you bite in, the juiciness and freshness hit differently compared to your typical fast-food burger.
✅ Crispy, hand-cut fries that actually taste like potatoes (McDonald’s could never).
✅ The In-N-Out sauce? Listen, it’s not just hype—it actually elevates the burger.
✅ Super affordable! A full meal costs way less than some fancy “gourmet” burger joints.
Final Verdict? If you’ve never had In-N-Out, go at least once—especially if you want to experience a classic West Coast staple without leaving Texas.
📍 Birrieria Mamá Rosa (North Loop District) 🌮🧀
📍 120 N Loop Blvd E, Austin, TX 78751
If there’s one thing I never skip when traveling, it’s tacos—and Birrieria Mamá Rosa serves some of the best birria tacos in Austin. This family-owned taco truck is no-frills, just straight-up flavor.
Why You NEED to Go Here:
✅ Authentic birria tacos that are slow-cooked to perfection, dripping with flavor.
✅ The quesabirria tacos are stuffed with melty cheese, cilantro, and red onions—every bite is chef’s kiss.
✅ Comes with a rich, deeply flavorful consommé to dip your tacos in (aka the only way to eat birria tacos).
✅ Affordable! Three tacos + consommé will only run you about $10–12.
💡 Pro Tip: Prepare for a food coma after eating here, because you WILL be full, satisfied, and in desperate need of a nap.
The cherry on top of any good cake (or milkshake) was seeing the premiere of Wicked at the Bullock Texas State History Museum at the most amazing IMAX theatre I’ve ever experienced. If you’re looking to slow things down a bit, I highly recommend catching a movie here if available if you appreciate great surround sound, a huge cinematic screen, and of course, comfy seats that don’t creak (or smell).
Our final adventure before this trip came to close was riding over to The Oasis: the sunset capital of Texas. Here you’ll find great local eatery, cute souvenir shops, and a spot to place your locket on the bridge with your friend (or lover). Overlooking lake travis as the sun kisses the horizon was a breathe of fresh air before we did one final stretch of exploring Austin at night before I gathered my things and prepared for my flight back home to Virginia.
Final Thoughts: Just Say Yes to Adventure
This spontaneous road trip from D.C. to Austin taught me a lot about embracing the unknown.
✅ Sometimes, saying "yes" leads to the best adventures.
✅ Road-tripping as a Black woman had its worries, but Austin felt diverse & welcoming.
✅ Buc-ee’s WILL steal your money. Accept it.
Will I be back in Austin? Absolutely.
Will I drive a 26-foot U-Haul cross-country again? Absolutely not.
To my fellow travelers: Stay safe, eat good, and never underestimate the power of car karaoke.
Positively,
Marshé Harper