You've made a good decision in taking a drive around instead of emailing out resumes, even if you don't get lucky this time you'll make a few contacts and people will be able to put a face to your name if something comes up later on. I got my first break in Australia when an operator I hadn't even visited needed someone and they called an operator I had visited and asked if they had anyone meeting their requirements on file. The location wasn't very desirable and they wanted higher than average experience because of a prior incident. I grabbed the job and got on the employment ladder. Pay was above award with free accommodation and a ticket there.
Avoid going in first thing on a Monday morning because everyone is too busy and stick to the road rules even if you're in the middle of nowhere, you'll be surprised at the places the coppers target.