Whether you’re chasing sunsets on Highway 1 or exploring classic roadside diners along I-10, there’s one constant behind every summer road trip: fuel. But while we focus on the playlist, the snacks and the scenery, we may not think much about the gasoline that powers our adventures.

And that gasoline has been on an incredible journey of its own—one that started thousands of feet underground and then continued through a complex network of oil wells, refineries, and distribution systems before reaching a filling station.

So before you hit the road on your summer adventure, let’s take a quick detour into the story of how your gas gets from the ground to the pump.