The last ex-president to drive across the country was Harry S. Truman. After leaving the White House in January 1953, Truman and his wife, Bess, embarked on a road trip across the United States. The journey began in Independence, Missouri, and spanned 19 days, covering over 2,500 miles.

Truman's road trip was quite a significant event, as it was unusual for a former president to travel in such an unassuming manner. The Trumans traveled without Secret Service protection, which was not mandatory at the time, and drove their own car, a Chrysler New Yorker. They stayed in motels and visited friends along the way, drawing attention and admiration from the public wherever they went.

This journey is well-documented in Matthew Algeo's book Harry Truman’s Excellent Adventure: The True Story of a Great American Road Trip, which provides a detailed account of the trip and its significance in American history.

• “Four years ago, lying opponents said the country was tired of its ideals - they waged a campaign based on an appeal to prejudice based on the dragging out of bogies and hobgoblins, the subtle encouragement of false fears. America has not lost her faith in ideals - idealism is her heart’s blood. Tricked once we have been.
  
  - Millions of voters are waiting today for the opportunity next November to reveal their vengeance on those deceivers. They await the opportunity to support a man who will return America to the fold of decency and ideals from which she has strayed and who will bring the Government back to the people.”
  
  - FDR’s nominating speech at the 1924 Democratic Convention in support of Alfred E. Smith, Governor of New York.
  Roosevelt didn’t want to give the speech, having written one himself. Al Smith insisted. Roosevelt relented and delivered the speech to thunderous applause. It was the first time Roosevelt delivered a public speech after contracting polio in 1921.