Day 5 of the road trip
Today’s drive from Little Rock to Oklahoma City would be about five hours, so after our usual morning routine of gym and work, we packed up and hit the road.
A (Very) Brief Casino Stop in Oklahoma
We decided on a rather random midway stop—Cherokee Casino & Hotel in Roland, Oklahoma, a town just over the border from Arkansas. Tina hadn’t been to a casino since her early 20s and figured she’d try her luck.
Casinos have that “magical” effect—once inside, you could be anywhere....Atlantic City, NJ or Roland, OK. As someone who isn’t much of a gambler, I gravitated toward what I knew: the slot machines. A Little Shop of Horrors-themed slot caught my eye, promising some bonus rounds.
I inserted my one allotted twenty-dollar bill, hopeful for a little luck. Within minutes, that $20 was gone—never to be seen again. Of course, I couldn’t stop there, convinced that the next spin had to trigger a bonus. A few more stray bills from my wallet also vanished into the machine, and I walked away a loser (Note: smile in photos is when I was still hopeful).
Tina considered trying her hand at the table games, but hesitated at the last minute. We exchanged a look and didn’t even need to say anything—it was time to get back on the road.
Although our casino detour was brief, it was a good way to stretch our legs and have a little fun (even if it was short-lived).
A Laotian Culinary Gem in OKC
I was determined for our evening activity to be more successful than our daytime one, so while Tina took over the second driving shift, I researched dinner spots for Oklahoma City.
Thanks to Reddit, I stumbled upon Ma Der Lao Kitchen, a restaurant that kept popping up in local recommendations. I’d never eaten Laotian cuisine before, but the website described it as similar to Northern Thai flavors, and that was all the convincing I needed.
Even more enticing, Chef Jeff Chanchaleune, a three-time James Beard Award finalist, has made Ma Der a standout in the culinary world, making it onto lists such as:
✅ Bon Appétit's Best New Restaurants (2022)
✅ The New York Times' 50 Best Restaurants in America (2022)
✅ USA TODAY's Restaurants of the Year (2024)
(Fun Fact: “Ma Der” is a Laotian phrase that means “come eat!” or “come thru!”—a perfect name for a restaurant that welcomes everyone to the table.)
Located in OKC’s Plaza District, the restaurant felt more like a cool Brooklyn spot—eclectic, cozy, and full of personality. The bold floral wallpaper behind Tina’s seat made for the perfect backdrop.
Based on reviews and our friendly waiter's recommendations, we ordered three dishes:
crispy rice salad (nam khao), fried chicken (chuen gai), aromatic chicken salad (laab gai).
Every dish was delicious…the crispy rice salad had a bit of a crunchy texture with a combo of flavors that were delicious, the fried chicken was cooked perfectly and accompanied by the most delicious red curry fish sauce, and the aromatic chicken salad had a kick to it, but kept me coming back for more.
Accompanied by a local Roughtail “ERWO” Hazy IPA, this meal was a home run. After our disappointing casino experience, Ma Der more than made up for it.
A Quick Drive Through Downtown OKC
Before heading to our hotel, we took a quick drive through downtown Oklahoma City, watching OKC Thunder fans heading toward the Paycom Center to cheer on their team for game night.
We also made a somber yet important drive past the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, the target of the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing. I was only 11 at the time, but it remains one of those moments in history that I vividly remember.
Checking in at The Lively Hotel at OAK
For our overnight stay, we checked into The Lively Hotel, a brand-new boutique hotel that’s part of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection. Situated in the OAK development, a stylish mixed-use district with shopping, dining, and public art, The Lively Hotel felt like an upscale yet welcoming place to call home for the night.
Final Thoughts on Day 5
From losing at the casino to winning with our dinner choice, Day 5 was another adventure in the books.
We had officially made it halfway through the road trip, and I couldn’t wait to see what the second half had in store.
Halfway Through the Road Trip: 5 Things I’d Learned So Far
Reaching the halfway mark of the trip, I took a moment to reflect on what had made the journey so smooth (and fun!) so far.
Adding a midway point to drives of four or more hours was key. Visually seeing 2 hours left on the GPS instead of 4 made the drive feel far more manageable—it’s a bit of a mind game, but it worked.
Switching drivers at the midway point was essential. Paired with our midway stops, it ensured our drives never felt long or overwhelming.
Packing strategically made all the difference. I opted for a slightly larger bag but organized it in a way that allowed me to grab what I needed without fully unpacking and repacking each day.
It's always worth asking for a late checkout—it gave us extra time to wrap up work before packing up and hitting the road..
Having the right travel partner is key. Although Tina and I have been friends for about eight years, this was our first time traveling together for more than a long weekend, and I was beyond grateful that our travel styles meshed so well. Having a laid-back, easygoing, and fun companion made the adventure all the more enjoyable!
Bonus Photo: A Highway Hazard in Oklahoma
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