Late October 2024, and it was time for an adventure. My mate Kris and I decided to shake off the routines of our 40-something lives in Australia and embark on a quintessential American road trip. Our route? From the bustling streets of Los Angeles to the bright lights of Las Vegas, with plenty of adventures along the way, and then back to L.A.
The plan was simple: rent a car, hit the open road, and soak in everything the journey had to offer. But as any seasoned traveler knows, the best trips are those where spontaneity and a bit of curiosity lead the way.
One of the highlights of our trip was a detour to San Francisco. Known for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, and tech-forward vibe, the city offered a glimpse into the future of transportation. Here, we decided to experience something we’d only heard about in tech news: Waymo.
For the uninitiated, Waymo is an electric, fully driverless car that operates autonomously. No steering wheel, no pedals—just cutting-edge technology designed to whisk you around safely. You book it like any ride-share, via an app, and then a car shows up to take you wherever you need to go. It’s as sci-fi as it sounds, and we couldn’t resist trying it out.
When the Waymo rolled up, sleek and silent, I couldn’t help but feel like I was stepping into a scene from Blade Runner. Inside, it was minimalist yet comfortable, with screens displaying the route and a voice calmly narrating each turn. The car navigated the streets with precision, stopping smoothly for pedestrians and gliding seamlessly through intersections.
Kris and I couldn’t stop grinning. It was surreal, exhilarating, and oddly calming all at once. For two guys used to taking the wheel on our road trips, surrendering control to a machine was a novel experience—and one we’ll be talking about for years to come.
