Ma shares with Tom her worries that the stories about California sound too good to be true. Granpa, however, can't wait to get to California where he will pick fruit and let the juice run down his body. Casy asks Ma and Tom if he can go west with them. Ma says she'd welcome him, but the menfolk have to decide.
The truck returns from Sallisaw later that afternoon. Ruthie and Winfield stand in the back of the truck with the pregnant Rose of Sharon and her husband, Connie. Pa and Uncle John are in the front seat, and Al, full of responsibility, is driving. They tumble out of the truck, tired and discouraged, having only gotten 18 dollars for all their household items, including the wagon.
That evening, the family meets by the truck for a family council where they decide that they will take along the preacher. Following the meeting, they all pitch in to slaughter the pigs, salt-pack the pork into barrels, and pack the rest of their possessions in the truck. With everyone working, the truck is loaded by daylight.
With Muley Graves to see them off, the Joads pile into the truck. At the final moment, Granpa refuses to leave. Ma puts some sleeping syrup in his coffee, and he is soon fast asleep. The men load him into the back of the truck, and the Joads start off. Ma tries to look back as they leave, but her view is blocked. The others in the back of the truck watch the house and barn until both are cut off from their sight, as the truck crawls westward.
