Everyone tells you to hit Austin, Nashville, Charleston. Those cities are fine—if you enjoy fighting for parking and paying $18 for mediocre tacos. The real finds happen when your GPS dies outside Marfa, Texas, or you're forced to stop in Laramie, Wyoming because your engine light won't quit. These aren't Instagram darlings, but they're where you actually talk to locals at diners that close at 2pm. Bismarck gave me the best Thai food I've had outside Thailand. Pocatello had a bookstore owner who drew me a map to hot springs no guidebook mentions. Plan your anchors—the big cities everyone expects. But leave gaps. The detours teach you more about America than any curated itinerary ever will. 🛣️ #Travel #RoadTripReality #OffTheBeatenPath