---
title: "Road trip from Portland to Fulton spans over 2,000 miles"
url: https://newscentral.site/road-trip-from-portland-to-fulton-spans-over-2-000-miles/
language: en
publisher: "News Central Site"
section: "Business"
published: 2026-10-17T20:17:01.000Z
updated: 2026-10-17T21:38:09.432Z
id: fdc2c893-7735-43bd-b9b8-60cd9f072aac
source: "Business Insider https://www.businessinsider.com/mother-daughter-road-trip-college-drop-off-goodbye-2026-10"
attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/road-trip-from-portland-to-fulton-spans-over-2-000-miles/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# Road trip from Portland to Fulton spans over 2,000 miles

A father-daughter duo embarks on an epic road trip from Portland, Oregon to Fulton, Missouri, covering over 2,000 miles and taking in the scenic views along the way.

A father-daughter road trip of over 2,000 miles was a daunting prospect for Maria and her dad as they prepared to bid farewell at college in Fulton, Missouri. The issue was transporting their car, a little Mazda, from Portland, Oregon.

Maria's dad is not exactly skilled at long-distance driving, and neither are his daughter and him. After calculating the distance, they were both overwhelmed by the sheer number of miles that stood between them and their destination.

The thought of driving for hours without breaks was daunting even on shorter trips, as evidenced by a previous experience where they couldn't make it from Eugene to Portland in just three hours without stopping every 15 minutes. To stay awake during these long drives, they often resorted to blasting cold air and munching on licorice.

As the departure date approached, Maria's dad was feeling the weight of their impending separation, but her suggestion to take the scenic route offered a glimmer of hope for making this difficult experience into something more enjoyable.

As we settled into our RV for the night, Maria and I couldn't help but laugh together as we set up our tent in the shadow of our home on wheels.

The next morning brought a sense of wonder as we sipped coffee and took in the breathtaking views of the park's wildlife. We marveled at the majesty of bison, moose, elk, deer, wolves, and other creatures that roamed freely in their natural habitat.

As we continued our journey across Wyoming, the vast open spaces and brilliant blue skies left us both awestruck. Our campsite at Custer State Park was a serene oasis, with our tent nestled alongside a gentle river.

Our morning routine consisted of sipping cowboy coffee on a log, taking in the peaceful surroundings, and marveling at the natural beauty that surrounded us.

As we continued our journey to college, my daughter and I found ourselves drawn to the quirky roadside attractions that dotted the Kansas landscape.

One such attraction was the iconic Wall Drug, a Moorish-style building adorned with beautiful murals crafted from corn and other grains. The colorful displays were a welcome respite for our weary bodies after hours of driving.

We also caught sight of numerous roadside signs enticing us to stop at various oddities, including the World's Largest Prairie Dog and a live five-legged cow. While these claims might have been exaggerated, we couldn't resist the allure of such unusual attractions.

At one gift shop, we discovered a "pit filled with terrariums housing rattlesnakes, which Suzy, the cashier, would occasionally whack with her cane to get them to shake their tails and rattle their scales. This unexpected sight left us both giggling uncontrollably until we managed to compose ourselves.

As we continued on our 2,000-mile journey to college, the scenery outside began to change, and I found myself captivated by the endless stretches of flat land.

My daughter took over behind the wheel, her determination evident as she tightened her ponytail and focused on the road ahead, with a mix of Garth Brooks, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Chicks, and Willie Nelson playing in the background to keep us entertained.

The playlist became a familiar soundtrack for our journey, with On the Road Again" being played repeatedly, serving as a reminder that this was a significant milestone for my daughter, marking her transition into adulthood.

---
Source: [Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com/mother-daughter-road-trip-college-drop-off-goodbye-2026-10)  
Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/road-trip-from-portland-to-fulton-spans-over-2-000-miles/