It's all in the unanswered questions. Where is he driving from (somewhere in California presumably). Where's he driving to? And why is he leaving her? The use of the unconditional future nails the poignancy and pain of the whole thing. Just about everybody has had a parting of a relationship that they can use to relate to what's going on here. The song is two minutes forty four seconds long and not a word or second is wasted, there is no chorus to speak of but no need for one. Masterfully arranged and played, with the Wrecking Crew, for whom Campbell served so long before making a solo career for himself backing. It's worth pointing out at this point what a great guitarist the man was. A masterpiece. Remarkably, only reached # 26 in the US Billboard Singles Chart when it was released in 1967. Nevertheless, the song Campbell built his reputation on.
Footnote: Just read an interview with Webb where he says the protagonist was driving back to Oklahoma. Nice to clear that up.
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