🚗 7 Life Lessons from Driving Across 7 Provinces, in 7 Days

At the end of May, I set out to drive across seven provinces in just five days — which eventually turned into seven (more on that in Lesson One). The journey started on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia and ended in the open Prairies of Alberta. What began as a logistical mission quickly became something more meaningful.

There’s something about the open road — hours enclosed in a car, surrounded by endless countryside, with nothing but time to think and sing along to songs you don’t know the lyrics to — that brings clarity, perspective, and unexpected lessons to the surface.

Here are seven that stuck with me. Maybe they’ll land for you too.

But first, a little context.

This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment “let’s drive across the country” kind of thing — although I’ve definitely been known to make bold, spontaneous decisions. No, this trip had a purpose.

My friend was moving to Lloydminster, Alberta to begin a new chapter as a flight instructor. She had a cat, a car, and an entire life to relocate. When she told me, I saw adventure ahead — and within a week, we were packed into her Mercedes A220: two adults, enough essentials to last two weeks, and a 13-year-old cat named Pepper, who had no idea what kind of cross-country journey he was about to take.

These are the seven lessons that came up along the way — all of which apply to life and business.

I hope you find a nugget of inspiration in here somewhere.

1. Slow Down to Speed Up

We set out with a plan: drive from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Lloydminster, Alberta — over 4,800 km — and arrive by Friday morning so my friend could pick up her new keys and start settling into her new home before the weekend.

By the beginning of Day Two, we realized the timeline needed to shift. We were already exhausted. So we canceled our pre-booked hotels, let go of the rigid itinerary, and gave ourselves permission to enjoy the trip instead of racing through it (although we may have gone a little too fast at times — more on that in Lesson Four). That small decision changed everything.

It gave us space.

It lifted the pressure.

And it made everything more fun.

We had time to explore — to take unexpected detours and soak in the endless views each province had to offer.

Lesson:

Sometimes, slowing down is what allows you to move forward with more clarity and joy.

We’re often so focused on the next goal that we forget to appreciate how far we’ve already come. Taking time to pause and celebrate the small milestones — to actually stop and smell the roses — isn’t just a cliché. It’s necessary.

2. Surround Yourself with the Right People

Long days on the road will quickly show you whether someone’s energy aligns with yours. I’m grateful I had the best co-pilot — someone who brought calm to the chaos, endless laughter, and made the time fly by.

I’ve known Jirapa for a couple of years now. We met during flight school and have shared a lot since — working fire patrol, enjoying countless adventures, and building a quiet kind of friendship that just works. So I had a good idea of what I was signing up for when we packed into the car.

From the first time I met Jirapa, we clicked. It feels like we’ve known each other for a lifetime. You know those people who send the “Are you okay?” text before you’ve told anyone something’s wrong? That’s our dynamic. And I’m forever grateful for it.

Lesson:

Who you spend your time with matters.

Surround yourself with people who are aligned with your growth — the kind who support your goals while still calling you out on your bullshit when needed.

The right people will help you rise.

The wrong people can kill your dreams without you even realizing it.

3. Fuel Your Body for Success

On the first day, we ate a lot of road snacks and made the mistake of grabbing McDonald's. Now, there’s nothing wrong with the occasional Big Mac — but maybe not when you’re going to be stuck in a car and sharing hotel rooms for several days.

By Day Two, we made a pact:

Snacks in the car? Still allowed.

But real, healthy meals and lots of water? Non-negotiable.

We stuck to it, and it made a massive difference. More energy. Better moods. Less food hangovers. Fewer weird smells in the car. (Just saying.)

Lesson:

It’s easy to cut corners with food when you’re tired, busy, or short on time. But what you eat is what fuels your body — and your mind.

Junk in? Junk out.

And this doesn’t just apply to road trips. It’s true in business and life too.

Healthier choices lead to better clarity, stronger focus, and more higher performance. That’s not a guess — it’s a proven fact.

4. Kindness Matters

Yep — we got pulled over by the O.P.P.

(In all fairness, the speed really creeps up fast in that car.)

There we were in the middle of central Ontario, surrounded by nothing but trees and open road, when we saw the flashing lights in the rearview. Oops.

Instead of getting flustered or defensive, we stayed calm. Were we going a little too fast? Probably. But we rolled with it — because a little kindness goes a long way.

After a few questions about our trip, a check of the paperwork, and a friendly warning, we were good to go.

Then, in true Jirapa fashion, she asked the officer for a selfie.

Not gonna lie — if it were me, I would’ve counted my blessings and kept it moving. But nope — she wanted a souvenir to remember the moment.

And guess what? The officer said yes.

We all had a roadside laugh, snapped the pic, and got back on the highway (this time with cruise control firmly set).

Lesson:

Even in inconvenient or stressful situations, kindness can shift the tone instantly.

It costs nothing to be a decent human.

So lead with kindness — and maybe you’ll walk away with a good story, too.

5. Open Roads Create Possibility

One thing you quickly realize when driving across Canada is that there’s a whole lot of nothing — and it’s kind of magical.

From the scenic routes along the St. Lawrence River to the single-lane highways winding through central Ontario, with nothing but trees, cliffs, and sky, there’s something powerful about that vast space and quiet nothingness. It invites possibility.

You realize quickly: most of the limits we feel aren’t real.

They live in our own heads.

Our minds can become the very prison that keeps us from what’s possible.

During this trip, we had time to reflect and dream.

No to-do lists. No inboxes. No obligations. Just drive.

We talked about everything — dreams, business, family, relationships, and who we’re becoming. We also talked about the pieces we’re choosing to leave behind.

That kind of space does something for the soul. It’s like a full reset.

Lesson:

Sometimes, what you need isn’t more effort or more hustle — it’s space.

Not more tasks or more pressure, but just space to be.

To breathe. To think. To reconnect with what actually matters.

That can feel hard in the chaos of everyday life.

But this trip reminded me how important it is. And I’m going to get more intentional about creating space — and I encourage you to do the same.

6. Eyes Forward

You’ve heard it before — but let me remind you:

The windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror for a reason.

What’s ahead is far more important than what’s behind you.

Staying focused on what’s next is what moves us forward. And on a road trip (or in life), it’s not just important — it’s essential.

At one point, I spotted what looked like an 18-wheeler in our lane — on a single-lane highway. And sure enough, it was.

If we’d been focused on the rearview instead of the road ahead, it could’ve been game over.

Lesson:

Stay focused on what’s ahead.

You can glance back, learn from the past, and carry those lessons — but don’t let what was consume what is.

Life is far too precious to waste energy on what could’ve been.

What matters most is right in front of you.

7. You’re in the Driver’s Seat

During our seven-day adventure, Jirapa and I took turns being the DIC — Driver in Command. (A fun term we coined based on our aviation background — a play on PIC, or Pilot in Command.)

When you're the driver, you're responsible for where you're headed — and for getting everyone there safely. Sure, you can have a co-driver to help navigate, offer snacks, or keep you awake, but at the end of the day, you’re the one behind the wheel.

And that means you’re in control — and you need to act accordingly.

Lesson:

Too often, we let our circumstances steer the car of life.

But in reality? You’re the DIC — the Driver in Command — at all times.

Even when things go sideways, you still get to choose how you respond, what route you take next, and how you show up along the way.

You can lean on others for support. You can ask for directions. But you’re still 100% accountable, 100% of the time.

Blame, excuses, and passing the buck won’t get you to your destination.

Owning the wheel will.

Final Thoughts

This road trip was never just about getting from Point A to Point B.

It was about learning to enjoy the in-between.

It reminded me that growth happens in motion — and clarity often comes when you’re not looking for it.

So here’s what I’ll leave you with:

✅ Slow down.

✅ Choose your co-pilot wisely.

✅ Fuel your body (and mind).

✅ Be kind.

✅ Dream big.

✅ Stay focused on what’s ahead.

✅ And never forget — you are the one in the driver’s seat.

Thanks for riding along with me.

Which of these lessons hit home for you? I’d love to hear.