75-year-old Gainesville couple drives across the country

The Macks started their journey May 22 and have traveled 10,100 total miles.

GAINESVILLE, Ga. (AP) — From sea to shining sea, all in a Honda CRV.

Husband and wife Ron and Helen Mack spent 37 consecutive days on the road headed north, south, east and west. But not in that order.

They covered 10,100 miles in 26 states and one Canadian province. The couple, both 75, circumnavigated the United States, sort of, in their four-door car.

“We’d been thinking about it,” Helen said. “And we decided while we’re still healthy and we’re still able to do something like this, it’s time we start planning.”

The couple love to travel and have taken trips all over the world. During their last trip to Europe is when Helen said she was ready to see her own country.

The Macks decided to make a loop around the United States, stopping to visit friends and take in the views along the way.

They started their journey at their Gainesville home May 22. They traveled west into Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, including veering down to the Gulf Coast for a stop in New Orleans.

Ron and Helen shared the driving duties of the crossover SUV, never driving more than 8½ hours a day. The 2015 Honda averaged about 35 miles per gallon during the trip.

They worked off an itinerary they planned in advance — only finding one mistake. They saw they would arrive at one of their planned stops a day early. The couple caught it in advance, though, and corrected the situation. Evan Vucci / The Associated Press Park ranger Caitlin Kostic speaks to Donald Trump as she gives him a tour at Gettysburg National Military Park on Saturday.