Couple lives and travels the US in their giant truck

By Amy Reast via SWNS

A woman says she is a "passenger princess" for her trucker husband and the pair now travel the US together living out of their giant truck.

Mila Horton, 28, grew up dreaming of traveling the world - but until she met her now-husband, Jermaine, 30, she had never considered doing it in a truck.

But in 2021, the couple agreed to put all their possessions in storage, move out of their apartment in Clayton County, Ga., and live full-time in the cab of a sleeper truck.

Since then, they've spent their life on the road - travelling nearly 500 miles a day.

They've been to every state except for Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

They decorated the small living space in their truck so it's cozy - with a rug, fairy lights, plants, wallpaper and personal photos - because it's where they eat, sleep and relax.

They use truck stops to shower and exercise before sleeping in the cab on a built-in bed.

While Jermaine drives, Mila cooks for them - as they have a small kitchen space with an air fryer, electric skillet and instant pot on board.

The couple - who married in 2019 - spend every day together but say they still make time for dates and quality time.

Mila - a self-confessed "passenger princess" - said their unusual arrangement works for them and the best part is "seeing the country with the love of my life".

Jermaine works for a flexible company so he gets to select which deliveries he does, and the company allows for a passenger - so Mila can stay on the road with him the whole time.

Mila, a content creator who documents their travels on TikToks, originally from Atlanta, Ga., said: "Trucking wasn't part of my plan - it was never a desire of mine.

"But I also never thought I'd be able to see nearly all 50 states in a year - so it's been a dream come true.

"We still make sure we get out and do things - we always told ourselves we wouldn't let it stop us having fun.

"A lot of people see us online and think our life is fake because it looks so fun - but it really is great."

Jermaine and Mila met while she was working at an airport as an electric cart driver in 2017 - while Jermaine was working locally - and they began dating in 2018.

They moved in together then got married in July of 2019 - with him working 9-5 truck driving in the city doing short-distance journeys.

But both of them were keen to see more of the world, and in 2021 Jermaine suggested they pack up their home and live in a sleeper truck.

Mila agreed so Jermaine bought a Peterbilt 579 sleeper truck and in October 2021 they hit the road full-time.

Jermaine works for a refrigerated goods transportation company and typically travels interstate - meaning each journey can take several days.

So the couple live on the road, stopping at truck stops each night to shower and exercise before sleeping in the truck.

Most of the routes are interstates and back highways - long roads stretching miles across the country.

Throughout their days, while Jermaine drives, Mila cooks for them - from pot roast to mac and cheese and quesadillas - in their small kitchen.

She said: "I take on cooking and cleaning because Jermaine drives.

"I'll typically be cooking while he’s driving so when he’s done for the day, the food is ready.

"It can be hard because the truck is moving and it's very difficult to wash dishes while it's moving too - but now I've got in the groove."

They have a full-sized double bed and TV in their cabin where they relax before bed each night.

As they spend most of their days in very close quarters, Mila said at the start sometimes caused them to "bicker."

But over time they have established an effective system to ensure they get space apart.

She said: "At the start it would be little petty things, misunderstandings, and bickering that went on too long.

"But we realized we would need our own space - sometimes I sit in the back while he drives playing his music and podcasts.

"We used to always shower together but there were days where I said 'actually I need my own time and I want my own shower today'.

"We learned ways to find time for ourselves, so we can respect each others boundaries.

"When you're together 24/7 you need strong communication and to have each others backs. So we work through arguments together."

Mila - who documents their travels on TikTok @coupledbythemiles - added a priority for them both is getting away from the truck to spend time together.

They "turn as many things as possible into a date" - such as scouting out restaurants at their rest stops and planning days out when Jermaine has a day off.

Utah and California have been their highlights for this - and have had day trips such as to the beach and to a theme park.

The couple said trucking won't be their life forever and have plans to settle down, buy a house and start a family when they've saved up enough.

But for now, they're more than happy living on the road together.

Mila said: "A lot of people say trucking isn't fun but we put in effort to schedule things, go on dates and get out of the truck.

"Living this way has brought us closer than ever and we've learned so much about each other.

"The best thing about it is I get to see the country with the love of my life.

"I get to see what my husband does on a daily basis and it's led me to develop a new respect for him and all truckers."

Jermaine added: "I love the fact I get to travel - I always wanted to, and truck driving allowed me to do that.

"When I found out Mila wanted to go on the road, it was amazing.

"It does take a lot of effort because it's a smaller space, and there was petty stuff at first because you're on top of each other.

"But you have to learn to adapt and respect each other's space when you need it.

"Now, we feel really comfortable being in the truck. When we go home, we say we miss the truck. It's our home."

States they have visited so far:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming